I may or may not be needing a vehicle with some utility value in the future, and I need it to be cheap and have a good track record for the drive train. My absolute cap is $4k but if I can pay $500 like shoofin and wrench on it a little bit I'll be more than happy. I'd even haul one out of the states if a real diamond shows up within a reasonable distance.

The requirements:

1. must be able to tow 3000# + people/gear, the more capable the better
2. 4X4 preferred, solid drive train is my biggest concern, I dont need something with a history of glass trannies etc.

3.fuel economy is not a huge issue as this will be a weekend warrior and not a DD. It will only see trips of a maximum 130 miles one way. Probably used every other weekend or less.

4.Must fit into a standard garage.

5. Room for 5+ gear

Ideally I'd get a extended cab pick up, but it won't fit in the garage, they are hard to find in this price range and it would take up too much space in the driveway. I'll leave it up to you guys for suggestions/comments etc.

 

Tahoe/Suburban?

Landcruiser?

 

maybe tahoe/yukon 2drs, the full sizers wouldn't fit in my garage. I don't think I could find a land cruiser for anywhere near that price up here, but I did just see a 97 4runner online, not sure how well they would pull though.

 

I was gonna say Bronco until you said room for 5

 

sounds like you need a bigger garage.

 

If I found a bronco that was Somewhat clean I'd rock one for sure, problem is there is like 4 for sale in this country and they are not exacty road worthy by the looks of them, 1 is missing a door lol. 2 of them are like 3000km away. If I found one in Michigan or upstate new York I'd def consider it though. It's sweet how you can remove the roof on the back half of those things.

 

Ya no kidding, there's a house up the street that's the exact same but a 3 car garage maybe they would be up for a trade

what do you think about something like a Cherokee or grand Cherokee, Jimmy/blazer, explorer, Durango?

 

Jeep?? Just throwing it out there.

 

you had me until you said 3k lbs when i was thinking 4runner

 

2000.5 pathy? Can they pull much? I found what appears to be a decent one. There's lots of jeeps out there I see, anyone ever tow with the straight six? Some v8s around too.

 

I have a V8 Grand Cherokee - you won't fit 5 comfortably.

How about a 4 door pickup? Maybe a Dodge Ram.

 

Doesn't necessarily have to be comfortably I obviously won't be in the back. I'm not against a pick up, however in this price range I haven't seen any 4 doors while I've been looking around, even club cabs seem to be rare. 3000# is not outside the capability of any v6 suv though. Hows the cherokee otherwise?

 

This one looks like a good example.


http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ159309107

 

The Grand Cherokee has been a love/hate relationship. Mine is the Limited. There is lot's of known problems with them and I've had them all. My recommendation is don't ever buy a fully loaded Jeep - less options = less problem areas. The 4.7L V8 will have no problems pulling though. I replaced my V6 Explorer with the V8 Jeep for pulling my boat. The Explorer was merely adequate as a tow rig and struggled pulling up hills.

 

BTW - this is my current tow rig (plow truck / weekend Home Depot run vehicle / hauling stuff the dump truck / helping freinds move big stuff vehicle).

 

Good looking truck...I'd at least check it out if I were you. As much as mine has been a love/hate relationship, the drivetrain has been pretty solid (knock on wood).

 

That's a nice toy you have there, I plan on pulling something about the sames size.

 

My parents 2001 Durango pulls our 20ft boat just fine and it has a fold down thrid row seating. You could probably find one in decent shape within your price range.

 

Look for late 99-01 expeditions. They can be found higher mileage for under 4k. They are good trucks. My wife and i both have one hers 180k, mine 186k no issues.

 

cheapest one I found up here was like $5500. maybe I'll have to look south of the border.

 

For your price range, your best bet is either a 2nd gen (1996-2001) Ford Explorer or a 2nd gen (1995-2005) Chevrolet Blazer or GMC Jimmy. The Exploder is available with either a 4.0 V6 or a 5.0 V8 while the Blazer/Jimmy only comes with a 4.3L V6. Both SUVs can be found either automatic or manual, and either 2 door or 4 door. They should both be able to tow 3000 lbs easily.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, why does the explorer have the nickname exploder? is it because of the firestone tires or is something else on it known for breaking?

I found this guy which would be more than adequate in the power department, but $4500 seems way too much for a 14 year old vehicle.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ156957187

 

Blazer/Jimmy = One of the worst safety ratings ever.

Exploders = crapshoots. Some are rock solid...some arent, like Jeep CG.

 

Good info, that 86s the Blazer/Jimmy, last thing I want is something that will fold up like a lawn chair. any suggestions?

 

If you can find a good V8 explorer or Jeep CG that might the way to go.

Maybe an older Landcruiser?

 

Sarlac, would you recommend a Pathy like yours to Dougler?

 

 

I was going to say the same thing...You can definitely pick up an early model Jeep Grand Cherokee/Ford Explorer/Chevy Trailblazer/GMC Envoy in your price range..

 

Depends. If he has a lot of hills or mountainous driving while towing, I'd be prone to say no, which is why I have suggested it or a 4runner.

I have a tow hitch that came with the truck when I bought it, but I have never towed anything. I just haul film gear.

The V6 is pretty underpowered in my opinion...but it has a ton of torque.

When I have driven it up through mountains, etc...or even when I come through the sepulveda pass on the 405S I have to usually drop it into 3rd gear to keep momentum.

So, the pathy would most likely be adequate...but I would say get a stick shift...And in the end I think a car with a more powerful V8 would be more ideal.

 

damn shoofin you worked fast on the mesican sled.

I think I'm going to check out the GC I posted earlier. I checked out some jeep forums and apparently the Transfer cases on these things can be problematic.

 

It's cause they're rating a vehicle built in the 90s by today's standards, so of course its rating is low. It's about equal to other SUVs of the 90s.

Another thing to consider is the Isuzu Rodeo. Here's one in Mississauga for $3900: http://autotrader.ca/used_cars_Light...D_1921916.html

 

Thanks for the suggestion, I guess I should have mentioned availability of parts as a criterion. I'm not 100% but I don't think the rodeo is platform shared with anything that was more common around here so i'm guessing strolling down to NAPA and not having to order things would be a problem. Plus limited junk yard availability.

 

pure junk.

 

Shitastic Rodeo was also the Honda SUV (forgetting the name after 14 hours on set...)

Passport, thats it.

 

Ahhh ya, that thing wouldn't have the power to get put of it's own way. Shoofin, you mentioned the trailblazer, I haven't seen any in that price range, where are you looking? Also are there any other sites that would be worth checking other than autotrader.com? I can't stand craigslist as the search kind of sucks.

 

I've just noticed that the CAD is back up to 97 cents US, I'm thinking of buying a rig down south for sure now. If anyone wants to volunteer to test drive (northern states) stuff I see online, that would be cool. I think I've narrowed it down to either the Grand Cherokee and the Expedition maybe a burb/tahoe if a nice one pops up. Could we maybe add a poll?