Im thinking of buying a winter car. my spending limit is 8-10k The cars I have I have in mind are the Explorer sport 4x4, Blazer 4x4, or the Durango 4x4. Can you guys/girls point me in the right direction as far as what to get? Im not favoring any make or model I just need a 4x4 suv that is reliable and in the 8-10k price range.

 

get an older range rover

 

I would look into a Pathfinder or 4Runner.

 

Subaru Forester. It'll do everything those other vehicles will, be far more reliable, and get better gas mileage too.

 

I will politely but firmly steer the OP away from that idea.

Of the two mentioned, I'd get the Explorer or Chevy. Chrysler transmissions can be less than reliable.

 

+1 for the 4runner

 

TJ-series Wrangler. The engines are bulletproof, and you'll be able to find one well under your price range. Grab a hard top (with liner) and you're all set.

 

+1

 

Another for pathfinder/4runner

 

 

I do not like like awd or 4x4 in the snow. Stick with a fwd they are more predictable, unless you plan to plow, save the money.

 

 

My friend had a Grand Cherokee, that was pretty pimp too..just get the V6 if gas mileage is an issue but in order

1) Pathfinder LE
2) Grand Cherokee
3) 4-Runner
4) Acura SLX

 

Must be an SUV?

Personally i would rather have a WRX or something. Only because the roads are covered for only few days out of the season.

Might as well still have a fun car for when the roads arent bad. Plus gas mileage is way better.

 

I Agree, but I dont want another car. Plus the extra trunk space in the suv would come in handy for moving things.

Thanx for all the help guys. It looks like the 4runner is a good option for me to look at.

Deos anyone know if tranny problems are common in the 99-03 explorer sports? I read some people are bitching about it but im not sure if it a common thing.

 

I got a '96 Pathfinder SE 4x4 w/ 110k miles on it for $2k last November. Works like a champ in the snow. Getting around 11-13mpg mostly city driving in 2wd mode (slightly worse than my M, but my calculations show approx. $0.02 cost per mile more than my M45 since I don't put premium in the pathfinder).

 

I have a 95 pathfinder SE with 206k

I've had it just about every condition and its a champ. City driving in 2wd avg between 13-15 mpg according my icubby app for the last 6 months.

I only 4wd when offroading or snow of course.

 

Yes, we should all heed this sage advice coming from such a highly experienced 21 year old driver...

 

A couple people I know feel the same way. I have drivin a Cherokee, a volvo xc70 awd and a c300 4 matic in the snow. I like my front wheel drive tsx the best because it is the the most predictable even without snow tires.

 

A friend of mine has had the 98 Explorer sport and now a 02 Sport and put more than 200k km's on both. Not a single problem and they are much cheaper and much better looking than the japenese SUVs in that price range...

 

Predictably not as good as AWD/ 4WD?

Yeah, they can live a long time. You can also get a shitty one. They have the knick name Exploder for a reason.

As for looks...thats your opinion.

 

I would have to agree im really attracted to those 2door explorers. They are cheap 4x4`s and get decent gas milage for what they are. Im actually going to test drive one this weekend. I think this is the car im leaning tawards. If anyone else has anymore info on these explorer sports let me know. Ive reasearched them I hear very good things about them but some people say stay away.

 

If you like it, buy it

 

i would take the 4runner over the explorer any day. my mom had a 97 4runner 5-speed before she totaled it, and that thing was bombproof. we never had a problem with it

 

Your exploder comment makes me nervous......lol

 

A couple people?! im convinced.

 

Go with something Japanese and you'll be fine, all of them are pretty good just depends what flavor you want. I also like Jeeps, but they are less refined and do typically require more maintenance, though most everything for a jeep in the at price range is cheap. I would stay clear of any thing GM in that price range and while the Fords are more cheaper to keep on the road I don't think they hold a candle to their Japanese counterparts.

 

Did someone actually suggest an older RR?!

 

Try it, excuse me for not clarifying "handle" more predictably

 

Already tried it. Had a FWD for years in winter and also had my Audi A4 for years.

Both had all seasons on them. You just cant drive the two the same. AWD you need to get on the gas to push you through the turns so you dont slide. You do that with the FWD setup then you will just slide straight. Not fun.

Trust me, its MUCH better than fwd. You wont find many people to agree with you.

 

Have you ever had to drive on a slight incline on an unplowed street with a fwd??... good luck!! It happened to me in my tl. I wanted to put my fist through the windsheild. I live in te city where it takes snow plowes a long time to get to all the little side streets.

Thanx for all the tips everyone. Im going to go test drive a few suv`s this weekend, ill be back to update this thread soon after.

 

All the time my street is usually one of the last to get plowed no problems.

 

That is the most perplexing thing I've read in the last two minutes.

 

I would take the Explorer Sport any day for a 8-10k budget. Try finding an 02 Sport and then comparing its price to an 02 4runner. An explorer will probably have half the mileage of a similarily priced 4runner or pathfinder. Explorer Sport FTW

 

If the guy wants to spend 8k+ insurance+ maintenance on what most likely will be a turd then good for him. Front wheel drive is fine in the snow! If snow really bothers him that much than save the money and buy some snow tires which will cost less than $1,500.

 

The 4runner will cost the most.

Pathfinders are not very expensive, they dont have the resale of the toyota but are just as good/better.

As for mileage...you dont have to care what the mileage is with the 4runner or pathfinder.

As I said...206k on my clock and all Ive had to do since owning it (bought at 167k) is standard maintenance.

You cant get more rock solid than that.

 

You should stop before you really make yourself sound like an idiot....if its not too late already.

 

im sure ill get flamed for this, but how about the 99 2dr Tahoe? thats what my parents got after the 4runner was totaled. it been trouble free execpt for the fuel pump.

it drives like a tank though..i hate going from my lowered tl to a 4wheel drive tahoe

 

I'll put another vote for the 4Runner/Pathfinder. I've driven both of various vintages, the former in 4door and 2door versions and they're both comfy, reliable, and solid trucks. The 90's IMO were some of the best years for them. As a Chevrolet owner and enthusiast I can't say I'd recommend a Blazer over the two, in part because personally I don't like the Blazer too much.

 

I say Pathfinder...

Or if you can find a Nissan XTerra. I always thought those would be good for going off road and just as a general duty 4x4.

And AWD FTMFW...