Topic: best suv for the $$$

[yaker]

ok i am not sher still.

get something at 4 to 5500$...older.

or somethin in the 10 to 12g$ price

or new...like a matrix or patriot.

but tired off having big payment...tires to pay actualy..hahaha.
 have to be abkle to tow like 1200 pound.

but do like the ideal off 5-6G and have no payment.

i realy dont care off the year..just want the least troble possible..even if a bit to ask for a more thne 10 years suv.

older honda crv..or rav 4 and pathfinder..are in that price range.

would like to no if those jeep liberty 3.7 are reliable to..can get dels on those to...there anice size..a bit hard on gas but can have everything.hahaha

or any other ideals.

thanks

yaker.

[Juke1]

used Ford Escape should be easy to find

[mrthompson]

I'm not sure why you didn't continue this discussion in the original thread?

[safristi]

..Ford Escaped............................

[yaker]

 i dont no if true..but wen i do a bit off search on the escape..a lot off trobles on them goes out.?

yaker

[Trainman]

Sounds like you are pretty confused, which makes it difficult for us to offer reasonable suggestions.

As a former owner of a 2002 Pathfinder, I can say this: Get one with the 3.5 V6, so 2001 or newer; it will use gas at a rate of about 20-22MPG and it really needs premium to run right.  My Forester gas costs are bout 30% less than what they where with the Pathy.

All the people I have known who have had Liberty's really did not like them for a variety of reasons such as fuel consumption (worse that the Pathfinder) and reliability.  The rear suspension is a real killer on the Liberty.  And they have a rather uncomfortable ride.

As for others on your list, for used it will be crap shoot depending on how well its been maintained.  I would look at low kms Escape's, as well as any of the Japanese CUV's such as the Forester, X-Trail, CR-V, RAV4, Outlander, etc.  But you really need to figure out how much you are willing to pay as that will narrow down your choices.  For example, on the Forester, in 2001-2003 range head gaskets are an issue.

For the same amount of money, you can get a newer Escape than any of the others.

Also check out the Used Vehicle Reviews on the main site http://www.canadiandriver.com/usedcars.  For example, here is one for the Escape: http://www.canadiandriver.com/2007/02/08/used-vehicle-review-ford-escape-2001-2006.htm.  No real reliability issues noted, the final conclusion is "The Escape is a decent little truck that looks like a great value compared to its Japanese rivals. My advice is to consider a Tribute too: despite its import badge, its resale values are similar to those of the Escape. In short, if you really like these little trucks, it’d be difficult to go wrong." so don't write it off too fast.

[Calbrez]

Bought my 05 X-Trail used - 4 years old with 87KM and it has been flawless so far!

[Elescomet]

Hi!
I'm looking around for about the same thing   
I have a retired 87' Pathy and am currently driving an f-250 diesel tank     ... I'm a single mother with 2 small children so I REALLY need reliability,convenience,fuel economy and 4x4(I'm not getting stuck in our driveway next year )...But i am so used to driving a truck, that I can't see myself in a car (we try to do a lot of camping and traveling).
I have looked into the x-trails(which I love as far as features go, but scared of due to not many around and the lack of talk about them in forums past 80 000km...everyone had a new one), "want" an xterra or another Pathy( but fuel ), or a Honda CR-V....... I'm looking to spend under $10 000, but I don't want to spend a high sum of money on a vehicle with high km's.....? As I said, I'm a mommy on a budget, so if something breaks, and it can't be fixed with a case of beer at my buddie's, then essentially, I'm hooped....
  
 Any suggestions/advice welcome and appreciated!!!!  

[X-Traction]

Hi!
I'm looking around for about the same thing   
I have a retired 87' Pathy and am currently driving an f-250 diesel tank     ... I'm a single mother with 2 small children so I REALLY need reliability,convenience,fuel economy and 4x4(I'm not getting stuck in our driveway next year )...But i am so used to driving a truck, that I can't see myself in a car (we try to do a lot of camping and traveling).
I have looked into the x-trails(which I love as far as features go, but scared of due to not many around and the lack of talk about them in forums past 80 000km...everyone had a new one), "want" an xterra or another Pathy( but fuel ), or a Honda CR-V....... I'm looking to spend under $10 000, but I don't want to spend a high sum of money on a vehicle with high km's.....? As I said, I'm a mommy on a budget, so if something breaks, and it can't be fixed with a case of beer at my buddie's, then essentially, I'm hooped....
   
 Any suggestions/advice welcome and appreciated!!!!   

You might check out the Suzuki XL7.  The pre-2007's are heavy duty body on frame smallish 4x4's, while the newer generation XL7 is an AWD minvan-ish suv that probably is too big and too expensive for your preferences.  If you liked the '87 Pathfinder (I had a '91 for 11 years), you'd probably really like a second generation 1996 to 2003(?) Pathfinder.  Just avoid the 1996 ones.

The first generation Xterras are refined versions of your first generation Pathfinder.  If you want more of the same, but better in most respects other than an inferior rear suspension, that's your answer.  The current generation Xterra is, in my opinion, an oversized, ugly, fuel guzzling monstrosity with inadequate reliability.

[articsteve]

Look for 2001, 2002, 2003  Infinity Qx4.   I almost bagged one on Friday.  Rare and excellent unit/cost.

[X-Traction]

Look for 2001, 2002, 2003  Infinity Qx4.   I almost bagged one on Friday.  Rare and excellent unit/cost.

A QX4 would be an excellent choice.  Same reliability as a Pathfinder, but lots of luxury features.  I understand at least some of them have adaptive cruise control, which would be a really neat feature to have.