Topic: When 2 Becomes 1 - Need a Cheap AWD Family Hauler

[tortoise]

With the arrival of the Golf wagon theplan was to keep soldering on with the truck and sell the Mazda5.  Unfortunately the truck has to go due to corrosion issues.  Really sad to see it go.

I don't want to spend a ton on the replacement.  Mostly because we just bought a new car.  And also because it doesn't see much use.  About 7500-10,000 km per year.

Wants, decent towing capacity - Say ~2500 lbs. 
AWD - For winter trips to the ski hill and cottage.  Plus launching a small boat.
Seats 7 - Not at all necessary but we've enjoyed having the 3rd row in the Mazda.
Max price of $6500.
No older than a 2005.
1 or 2 owner car with maintenance records mandatory.  Preferably private sale.


At first I was all about an 05-07 Highlander.  They're out there.  Mileage tends to be around the 220k km mark.  Like this:

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/markham-york-region/2006-toyota-highlander-suv-crossover-please-call-416-858-8707/1256913478?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Then DKaz's latest purchase had me looking at Sienna's.  From what I can tell the Highlanders hold their value a bit better.  And really, a minivan would be better suited for our needs since ground clearance isn't a an issue for us. 

There's these two that are of interest:

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Toyota/Sienna/RICHMOND+HILL/Ontario/19_10115803_/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=4_15_88

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/markham-york-region/2007-toyota-sienna-minivan-van/1267180536?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

My impression that with my mileage either of these options should be reasonably cheap to run over the next 4-5 years.  At which point the Golf will be paid off and we can re-evaluate what we want. 

I also considered the Pilot or Ridgeline but transmission woes scared me off and my perception is that they aren't as well built as  the Toyotas.  I could also replace the truck with another F-150 I have to figure will be more expensive to keep on the road.  They will also be older than the equivalent Sienna/Highlander.  I don't need a truck (I like having one though) and the Sienna will likely do 90% of what I use the truck for.

This is the equivalent F-150 in my price range.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/st-catharines/2004-ford-f-150-pickup-truck/1265611104?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

As always, any feedback is always appreciated.

[mrthompson]

Pathfinder?

[tortoise]

Hmmm. Never thought of that.  I really like the 05 generation but never cared for the one that followed. I am leery of Nissan reliability but for sure it's worth considering.

Good suggestion, thanks.

[rrocket]

Toyota 4Runner V8?

Lexus RX?  (Same platform as HL) http://www.autotrader.ca/result/AdDetailInfo.aspx?srcID=19&frnID=10156048

Acura MDX?

[tortoise]

Whoa. That RX looks to be a steal.

[SKYMTL]

Toyota Land Cruiser Diesel:  http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Toyota/Land+Cruiser/Burnaby/British+Columbia/5_29609272_20160930202232339/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=2_15_8

Sorry, I just had to since its the first thing that jumped into my head. 

Pre-2000's were bulletproof and according to Top Gear could be repaired by two drunk guys with some gaffer tape. 

[rrocket]

Whoa. That RX looks to be a steal.

Maybe too good to be true?

There are several on Kijiji for $7k or so...should be able to get one in your price range.

[tortoise]

The Northern Ontario factor could be the reason for the price. 

Also, QC cars are an option.

$5700 taxes in?  Can't be true.

http://www.autotrader.ca/result/addetailinfo.aspx?srcID=5&frnID=30850453&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Display&utm_content=Ontario-All-Carousel_7_Days&utm_campaign=ON-DSP-DM-EN-REMARKETING_DPV

[SKYMTL]

The Northern Ontario factor could be the reason for the price. 

Also, QC cars are an option.

$5700 taxes in?  Can't be true.

http://www.autotrader.ca/result/addetailinfo.aspx?srcID=5&frnID=30850453&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Display&utm_content=Ontario-All-Carousel_7_Days&utm_campaign=ON-DSP-DM-EN-REMARKETING_DPV

Salvage title? 

[Fobroader]

The Northern Ontario factor could be the reason for the price. 

Also, QC cars are an option.

$5700 taxes in?  Can't be true.

http://www.autotrader.ca/result/addetailinfo.aspx?srcID=5&frnID=30850453&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Display&utm_content=Ontario-All-Carousel_7_Days&utm_campaign=ON-DSP-DM-EN-REMARKETING_DPV

Salvage title?

The Northern Ontario factor could be the reason for the price. 

Also, QC cars are an option.

$5700 taxes in?  Can't be true.

http://www.autotrader.ca/result/addetailinfo.aspx?srcID=5&frnID=30850453&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Display&utm_content=Ontario-All-Carousel_7_Days&utm_campaign=ON-DSP-DM-EN-REMARKETING_DPV

Salvage title? 

Stolen, written off, rebuilt, stolen, rebuilt, now only has 4 liens on it 

[tortoise]

What could go wrong?

[sailor723]

What could go wrong?

With a positive attitude like that this is definitely up your alley 

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Mercedes-Benz/M-Class/BRAMPTON/Ontario/19_10159322_/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=12_15_20

[Fobroader]

What could go wrong?

With a positive attitude like that this is definitely up your alley 

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Mercedes-Benz/M-Class/BRAMPTON/Ontario/19_10159322_/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=12_15_20

Not diesel and not AMG....not nearly sketchy enough.

[dkaz]

I'm glad I inspired someone.  If I went AWD, I would've searched for an XLE. The extra creature comforts would've been nice, but with an eight passenger configuration I was limited to an LE FWD at most. Nothing wrong with the LE though, the only feature I think I'm going to try to retrofit into my LE is automatic climate control. I think I can do it for about $300-400 in parts.

Pilots got a more robust transmission in 05 and TrueDelta shows a significant drop in transmission failures after that year. Odyssey got the same robust transmission in 07 and also shows a significant drop in transmission failures after that year. But I'd be reluctant to go back to Hondas equipped with an automatic transmission.

[SKYMTL]

What could go wrong?

With a positive attitude like that this is definitely up your alley 

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Mercedes-Benz/M-Class/BRAMPTON/Ontario/19_10159322_/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=12_15_20

Not diesel and not AMG....not nearly sketchy enough.

12 years old and ONLY 93% depreciation?  Yeah, what could possibly have caused that?   

[Mike]

Outback 3.6R?

(You know I had to suggest a Subaru)

[Fobroader]

What could go wrong?

With a positive attitude like that this is definitely up your alley 

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Mercedes-Benz/M-Class/BRAMPTON/Ontario/19_10159322_/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=12_15_20

Not diesel and not AMG....not nearly sketchy enough.

12 years old and ONLY 93% depreciation?  Yeah, what could possibly have caused that? 

Rock solid reliability coupled with complete and utter customer satisfaction

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[JohnnyMac]

Outback 3.6R?

(You know I had to suggest a Subaru)

If you were going to suggest a Subaru why not the Tribeca?

[tortoise]

Yup, the Tribeca is now on the list. The Outback is too close to the Golf Wagon. 

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/sudbury/2009-subaru-tribeca-premium-suv-crossover/1255236156?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Thing is, for roughly the same year and km why choose a Tribeca over the Toyota equivalent?

[Gurgie]

Mmmmm, you're kinda a Ford guy... so why not an Explorer? Not sure if any of these are 7 passenger though?

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Ford/Explorer/CAMBRIDGE/Ontario/19_10177684_/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=1_15_50

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Ford/Explorer/Toronto/Ontario/5_31612123_20110603140115857/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=3_15_50

Or what about one of these?

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/GMC/Acadia/St-Hubert/Quebec/5_31584686_20140528134637989/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=2_15_3

This seems like a great deal, low mileage & a 2009!! GM's powertrains are decent enough on these from what I remember, no?

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Saturn/Outlook/LAVAL/Quebec/19_10121075_/?ursrc=hlp&showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=1_15_3