What truck/suv?

I'm thinking used in the $9-12k range. I've finally accepted I need a truck/suv (it would be nice if could tow a track car as well like an e30 or Mata.)

Reliability and DIY maintainability are key. It'd be nice to add a small lift and slightly larger tires for added off-road savvy, but it would still be a daily driver, so nothing extreme.

What would you suggest that isn't an XJ? I'm thinking more of the Forerunner size vehicle, although full size isn't out either.

Also like it to be 4x4 with a reputation for durability.

If you're serious about towing it's best to go full-size. Check out the Silverado/Sierra twins, I think you'll be impressed with what $9-12k will buy you. They are also the most reliable full-size domestic trucks, and they are insanely common so parts are cheap and easy to find. The motors and frames are great, the auto and manual transmissions are better then the competition, and the interiors really are better than they used to be.

Pro-tip: There are some real deals out there if you're cool with a manual transmission.

Any towing would be very infrequent, think 6 times a year tops. Which is why I was thinking mid-size and V6 be OK.

mpg isn't really a concern, ill be getting rid of the Speed3 and that drinks premium almost as bad as an RX-8.

Ah, if towing is not a big concern you might look into the various V6 Toyotas: Tacoma, 4Runner, Tundra, Sequoia. Probably any Toyota truck or truck-based SUV will be pretty bulletproof. I don't know what the road-salt situation is in OK, but here in Ohio rust is the only thing that kill's old Toyota trucks. I don't think you'll run into any in your price range, but avoid the older 3.0 V6 (3VZE) it is much less powerful, less reliable, and uses just as much gas as the newer 3.4 V6 (5VZFE), I think the change over occurred around 1995.

9-12k? I'd look at a trailblazer or one of its variants. Preferably with a V8 as the L6 has some peculiarities that are $$ and not as common a motor. The MPG difference is only 1-2 mpg. that can be mitigated with judicious use of the right foot.

Just a thought: if you don't need leather & toys you can often pick up an ex-police Tahoe or similar with unscary miles for relatively little money. As a free bonus, they usually come WITHOUT OnStar, so nobody can keep track of your whereabouts so long as you turn your cell phone off. (And wear a tinfoil hat.)

internetautomart wrote: 9-12k? I'd look at a trailblazer or one of its variants. Preferably with a V8 as the L6 has some peculiarities that are $$ and not as common a motor. The MPG difference is only 1-2 mpg. that can be mitigated with judicious use of the right foot.

I can't claim to know much about the later Trailblazers, but man the S10 Blazers, Jimmys, etc are freaking awful. Is the Trailblazer a better truck?

I always knew GM had it in them because all the important parts of their full-size trucks and SUV's are so good. Somehow they couldn't translate that to the S10/15.

I loved my S10 blazer with a TBI 4.3 . It was unstoppable. Their bad rap comes from the abuse that is heaped on them that they were never intended to take.
The trailblazer I drove back when brand new was a very nice albeit tall vehicle. Plenty of power from the I6 when pushed. From what I see behind the parts counter the only unusual failure has been the electric fan clutch ($$$).

$10K = Miata + S10.

$12K = Miata + S10 + UJM

I have had a lot of experience changing front wheel bearings on an ex girlfriends Trailblazer. I forget what year it was, but it was the early one that is the same size as an S-10. She was a high school ski coach and used it to travel many miles on the highways in the winter, she would drive 30,000-35,000 miles per year. In 2 years I changed 5 front wheel bearings. I bought good parts each time. the entire hub has to be changed as the bearing alone is not available at NAPA or anywhere else that I checked. Aside from that is adequate.

I don't think I'm particularly interested in a trailblazer, just never really liked them.

I'm assuming any newer Grand Cherokee should induce a reliability based panic?

I'm kinda thinking along the same lines as you, just that my budget is a lot less.

I've considered GCs but they aren't that much bigger inside than a Cherokee, and that is not really a good example on how to make best use of space in the first place.

BTW, I'd be happy to part with my high miles but well looked after (and rust free) '95 GMC Sierra for a lot less than your budget .