Topic: Help Me Buy a (Small) Used SUV!

[Brigitte]

Given my current lifestyle of hiking, biking, camping, and God knows what else this coming year, and after having struggled with a number of issues that arise when you try to do all this with a compact car, I have decided to give up Miss Jetta and go big(ger) or go home.

Current facts
1. Good ground clearance is a must.  We spend almost every weekend on country roads out in bumfack nowhere, and will continue to do so.  Remember my oil pan accident?
2.  Since I've got the GPS, most carpool with me now.  This usually means 3-4 hikers in my vehicle at a time, plus our 25L (or bigger) backpacks.
3.  For cycling, I want to easily stash my mountain bike in the back of the vehicle, with a possible hitch option when there are more than two of us traveling together.

Must Haves
1.  I am buying used.
2.  The budget is ~$18K at list (before negociations begin)
3.  Mileage under 60K
4.  Interior functionality more important than esthetics
5.  Nothing older than 2008 (unless there's a compelling reason)
6.  Relatively decent on gas.
7.    Reasonably reliable – I drive my cars for a long time.
8.   Automatic only.  The knee is done with clutching.  I'm sorry, already – now stop whining.

Nice to Have
1.   4WD or AWD on demand.  Full time may make it a gas pig.
2.   V6
3.   Roof rails
4.   Heated seats
5.   Any colour but silver or beige

The short list, in order of preference:
1.   Ford Escape
2.   Nissan Xterra  - although used ones are a bit scarce
3.   Hyundai Santa Fe
4.   Mitsubishi Outlander
5.   Chevy Equinox

Will NOT consider due to obviously  small cargo area or other concerns:
1.    Toyota RAV4
2.   Honda CRV
3.   Hyundai Tucson
4.   Nissan Rogue
5.   Nissan Xtrail
6.   Anything Jeep.  Gas pigs.
7.   Anything wagon.  That's still a car.
8.   Anything mini-van.  Please.

So, have at 'er.  What would you buy?

[safristi]

  Ya know ya want to "negociate"  on my Pristine Ranger,,,it's yours for a "SONG"........... ....

[Weexy]

Sounds like Escape would be your best choice.  Lots of 'em around.
A friend has an Xterra -- it's been reliable, but the 4.0L sucks lots of gas.

[Thinking Out Loud]

I'd say Escape - TONS of them out there in likely every imaginable combination to choose from.

How's about an Element?   Here is an 09 as an example (don't know where you live):

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Honda/Element/OTTAWA/Ontario/5_12884811_ON20080331100511312/?ms=trucks_vans


Also, the Endeavour is an 'old' model from an update persepective but likely can be heavily discounted on the lot:

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Mitsubishi/Endeavor/BRAMPTON/Ontario/25_11820133_/?ms=trucks_vans

[Shnak]

I don't see the Forester in either of your lists... too small?

Anyways, if you can handle the gas consumption, the Xterra is an awesome vehicle. Always liked that one. And if its fuel consumption is too much, hard to beat the Santa Fe with its V6. An Escape might be cheaper, but it's also smaller.

[wing]

Pilot?

[Flinter]

How about:

Toyota Highlander - Smooth ride, reasonable fuel economy for a vehicle of this size, car like driving experince,  but enough ground clearance and AWD to accomadate your current lifestyle.

Subaru Forestor - Too small??

[safristi]

Pilot?

..........

[ktm525]

Why does your title say truck and then you list a bunch of CUVs?

Small trucks.

I would look at a used Ridgeline, Frontier and Tacoma. Even the Ridgeline is pushing the definition of truck.

[Mike]

Subaru Baja to be different?

[ktm525]

Check a Ridgeline out. A little wide and perhaps a little ugly but with the split folding rear seats and lockable trunk it is hugely adaptable for biking/hiking. I hate putting muddy bikes inside the back of a car/suv. Outside where they belong just makes way more sense. If clean a mountain bike rolls neatly into the back seat area (with seats flipped up)

[Weexy]

Subaru Baja to be different?

Win!!

Plus, they finance everyone!!!

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Subaru/Baja/TORONTO/Ontario/5_12692235_ON20080702112913040/

[tpl]

Anything I can think of, if it passed your #5 (2008) it would fail your #2.     BMW X3 or X5(3.0 not the V8) or a Range Rover/Land Rover( which would fail on the fuel economy number). Audi A6 Allroad would be too old and is a wagon.

Plus I am a city boy. What is this "hiking"?  Walking to a restaurant?   Where is "bumfack nowhere"   Scarborough?

[Brigitte]

Forester is out.  I drove one a few years ago, and I hated the high-window "bathtub" feel. 

Element = although functional, not appealing at all to me.  Every time I see one, I cringe.  Sorry.

Endeavour = Will have a look!  Thanks, TOL

Baja?  Cute, but those things are puny!

Ktm, I said small truck!     To me, Escape and Xterra look kinda truckish. 

Tpl, right now we're hiking the Bruce Trail in the Dufferin Hi-Lands, heading north.  Google Mulmur or Dundalk to get an idea.

[Brigitte]

Check a Ridgeline out. A little wide and perhaps a little ugly but with the split folding rear seats and lockable trunk it is hugely adaptable for biking/hiking. I hate putting muddy bikes inside the back of a car/suv. Outside where they belong just makes way more sense. If clean a mountain bike rolls neatly into the back seat area (with seats flipped up)

Neat idea.  Will investigate.

Wing - a little big, but if a good deal could be had, a possibility.

[mrthompson]

Are you sure you won't reconsider a Jeep?

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2008-Jeep-Cherokee-SUV-W0QQAdIdZ349845095

[Brigitte]

I am very sure.   

[5 Wheel Drive]

Frontier or Tacoma?

[wing]

The ridgeline may be perfect for you.  Stuff the bags in the trunk in the bed and put the bikes on top leaving room for 5 in the cabin.  It's really the only vehicle like it.

[mrthompson]

Dodge Journey?  
Tiguan?
Murano?
Ford Edge?