4x4 or AWD for work

[davidy]

For the past several years, I have been using my 1996 Mazda 4x2 truck for work. Over the next little while (6-8 months or sooner), I wouldn't mind changing over to either a compact SUV or a compact 4x4 truck. Must haves are 4x4 or AWD, auto transmission and A/C.

For the truck option, it would likely be either a new or used Ford Ranger. With the discounts ($4000-$5500) available on the 2010 and 2009 Rangers 4x4, The hit to the wallet will be in the mid to upper $20K. A good used one would save me $8000-$10000.

For the compact SUV option, I would prefer a smaller sized vehicle like the 2004-05 Toyota RAV4....due to high resale value, this would be $20000 for one with 80000 km or less. Or maybe a 2007-08 Mitsubishi Outlander....however, the closest Mitsu dealer is 8 hours away.

Work is on paved and gravel roads (mostly non-hwy) year round. Mileage each day varies from 20 to over 100 km (most are in the 20-50 km/day range). Live in a snow belt region with cold temps as low as minus 35 to minus 40 deg Celsius in the winter.

Thoughts?

Local dealers include all the domestics, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, VW and Nissan. No Mazda or Mitsubishi.

Dave

[PJungnitsch]

I'm a bit in the same boat with an old two wheel drive. The problem with the Ranger that I can see is the ancient engine. Mileage is the same as a full size pickup. Other than that, as you say, it is nicely discounted. The 2010's have added stability control, which could be a handy thing to have in the winter.

[davidy]

The Rangers/B-series haven't changed much since 1998 or maybe even 1994. You are right that it's getting old in the tooth. Hope that their replacement, F-100?, will soon be available. I have owned my B3000 for 9-10 years now (second owner)....may be willing to wait another year or two if it's replacement will be in production. My truck isn't worth very much for a trade-in either. Works fine except for some rust and a minor oil leak (oil pan or rear main seal).

Dave

 

[Careener]

My sister just bought a 2010 6cyl 4x4 Ranger to replace her 94 Ranger. If you are a do it yourself-er there aren't many easier vehicles to maintain on the road.
the cost was $16,500 for the new truck..It should last her at least 15yrs.

[Trainman]

What kind of work do you do?

And how much gravel driving do you expect?

I use my Forester for work (I am in forestry) and have no issues with it.  But I would not use it or any other CUV as a daily gravel vehicle, I would stick to something a bit more robust and the Ranger may be a good fit then.  I put around 20% of my kms on logging roads and would be OK up to maybe half.  Maybe.  Any more, then something else would be better.

If you need "4wd", then make sure you check out how the different systems work.  The current CR-V and RAV4 both use a slip 'n grip type, while older RAV4's and some others, like Subaru, use a full time AWD setup that works much better.

[davidy]

An extended cab is a must for me. A crew cab would even be better....but it is not offered in the Ranger series.

My work requires me to visit sewage lagoons and pump stations on an irregular basis. A few of the areas I visit have gravel roads up to 1-2 km long....2-4 times per month (10-15 times per month during the spring runoff). The problem is that they have many pot holes. Sometimes I need to access thru mud. Got stuck once in a mud hole this summer (after a rainstorm)....had to get a co-worker's full size 4x4 to pull me out (he was traveling ahead of me).

I didn't realize that stability and traction controls and side airbags are now standard on the 2010 Ford Ranger. What took them so long? All they need is a crew cab model and I would be at their door, ready to buy. 

Anyone have a Nissan X-Trail? What's their AWD system like? Decent pricing on 2005's. Not sold on the center display.
 
Dave

[kardood69]

Jeep Liberty... 

[kardood69]

......

My work requires me to visit sewage lagoons and pump stations on an irregular basis. A few of the areas I visit have gravel roads up to 1-2 km long....2-4 times per month (10-15 times per month during the spring runoff). The problem is that they have many pot holes. Sometimes I need to access thru mud. Got stuck once in a mud hole this summer (after a rainstorm)....had to get a co-worker's full size 4x4 to pull me out (he was traveling ahead of me).
....

Dave

There might be a joke in here somewhere... Saf?

[Careener]

An extended cab is a must for me. A crew cab would even be better....but it is not offered in the Ranger series.

My work requires me to visit sewage lagoons and pump stations on an irregular basis. A few of the areas I visit have gravel roads up to 1-2 km long....2-4 times per month (10-15 times per month during the spring runoff). The problem is that they have many pot holes. Sometimes I need to access thru mud. Got stuck once in a mud hole this summer (after a rainstorm)....had to get a co-worker's full size 4x4 to pull me out (he was traveling ahead of me).

I didn't realize that stability and traction controls and side airbags are now standard on the 2010 Ford Ranger. What took them so long? All they need is a crew cab model and I would be at their door, ready to buy. 

Anyone have a Nissan X-Trail? What's their AWD system like? Decent pricing on 2005's. Not sold on the center display.
 
Dave

Look at the xTerra over the X-Trail. It's a much more capable off-roader.

[Trainman]

If your B2000 2x4 has served you well, then any CUV should do the job.

If you are looking used, then the X-Trail would be a good bet, it was on my short list if I was going used.  I like the fact that you can have control over when 4wd is engaged, with a knob on the dash.  Its called Nissan's AllMode.  So it gives you FWD, AWD in the Auto setting (slip 'n grip) and 4wd.  Note however that the 4wd mode kicks out, back to AWD, at around 30-40 KPH.

From what you have said, it seems that an X-Terra or Liberty would be a bit overkill.  I have driven over 100 kms on gravel a day, in active logging areas, and have so far not missed the Pathfinders better offroad ability.  And I really like the fuel savings I am seeing!  Good tires will help, as will some experience in taking a correct line through the gooey stuff:


Here I stayed out of the ruts and kept it high, and used good AT tires.  I may have had issues if I had got into those ruts.  Temp here was just above freezing, with no frost in the ground, so it was mucky.

The Aussies are doing great things with X-Trail's, do a Google and see what they can handle.

[davidy]

Thanks for the replies so far. X-Terra is too big for me.

Jeep Liberty (07 and earlier) is under consideration....probably overkill for my needs. Will check with a couple of co-workers who have the Liberty. Already know that it's a big gas guzzler. From what I can remember, the front passenger seat seems a bit cosy at first glance. The poor scores at CR didn't put the Liberty on the shortlist.

Was looking at buying a brand new Nissan X-Trail in 2006 when a co-worker offered to buy my B3000 for his son. If my memory serves me right, APA had the X-Trail at around $25-$26K before taxes.

Dave

[swishguy]

I bought a 09 Ridgeline vp back in march. What an amazing ride! Anyway they had a $6000 rebate back then bringing the price down to $32000 on the vp model but it,s down to $2500 now. These trucks are amazing & resale value is great! I get a solid 26 mpg(11per 100km) hiway at 110 kmh

[sparky]

If your B2000 2x4 has served you well, then any CUV should do the job.

If you are looking used, then the X-Trail would be a good bet, it was on my short list if I was going used.  I like the fact that you can have control over when 4wd is engaged, with a knob on the dash.  Its called Nissan's AllMode.  So it gives you FWD, AWD in the Auto setting (slip 'n grip) and 4wd.  Note however that the 4wd mode kicks out, back to AWD, at around 30-40 KPH.

From what you have said, it seems that an X-Terra or Liberty would be a bit overkill.  I have driven over 100 kms on gravel a day, in active logging areas, and have so far not missed the Pathfinders better offroad ability.  And I really like the fuel savings I am seeing!  Good tires will help, as will some experience in taking a correct line through the gooey stuff:


Here I stayed out of the ruts and kept it high, and used good AT tires.  I may have had issues if I had got into those ruts.  Temp here was just above freezing, with no frost in the ground, so it was mucky.

The Aussies are doing great things with X-Trail's, do a Google and see what they can handle.

I loved my X-Trail. Reliability and gas economy were great, comfort was excellent, and it handled everything from freeways to rutted bush tracks with ease. AWD system was about the best available in a small SUV (electronic, so it was qucker to react than the usual slip 'n' grip viscous unit). You Tube has a slightly dated Fifth Gear episode in which the X-Trail kicks the butts of nine rivals in a mini-ute shootout.

[tenpenny]

That pic reminds me of atime in the late 80s, when I went in to a minesite in my company Chevy Celebrity...the road was about 20 km of dirt/mud, and just before the gatehouse was a little gully that was full of water and mud (it was April)...I just aimed carefully and gunned it...when I got to the gate, the security guy looked at my car, and mentioned that about an hour ago, they'd had to tow a F150 4x4 out of that mud hole.

[davidy]

My sister just bought a 2010 6cyl 4x4 Ranger to replace her 94 Ranger. If you are a do it yourself-er there aren't many easier vehicles to maintain on the road.
the cost was $16,500 for the new truck..It should last her at least 15yrs.

Are you sure about this price? The cheapest 2010 4.0L 6-cyl 4x4 supercab w/ auto was priced at around $23k before taxes and with $4K cash discount.

Dave

[sirAQUAMAN64]

My sister just bought a 2010 6cyl 4x4 Ranger to replace her 94 Ranger. If you are a do it yourself-er there aren't many easier vehicles to maintain on the road.
the cost was $16,500 for the new truck..It should last her at least 15yrs.

Are you sure about this price? The cheapest 2010 4.0L 6-cyl 4x4 supercab w/ auto was priced at around $23k before taxes and with $4K cash discount.

Dave

I, too, have seen discounts to the mid-to-high teens (in Ontario). If not now, give it a month or two.

[tortoise]

What about a Nissan Frontier Crew Cab?

Personally, I find the Rangers to be out dated. And that was when I was driving my '97!

Otherwise I'd go for an 06-ish Forester for the reliability, economy and off road capability. 

[davidy]

What about a Nissan Frontier Crew Cab?

Personally, I find the Rangers to be out dated. And that was when I was driving my '97!

Otherwise I'd go for an 06-ish Forester for the reliability, economy and off road capability. 

Both the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma are more mid-sized than compact IMO.

In the spring 2010, I will likely be looking into the following: 2004-05 RAV4, 2005-06 X-Trail, 2005-10 Ranger/B4000, 2003-07 Liberty, recent Tucson/Sportage. Waiting for the Ranger's replacement is in play too (if my ride stays reliable).

Dave

[tortoise]

When did they stop making the previous body style?  That was more compact than the current model if I recall.

[davidy]

When did they stop making the previous body style?  That was more compact than the current model if I recall.

Based on the 2009 CR, the current model was new in 2005. So 2004 must be the year of previous body style.

Dave