Topic: Looking for a new, to me, vehicle with small towing capacity.

[wongpong]

Post content deleted at request of original poster.

[Fobroader]

It will tow whatever you need, lots of room and at the price point you are looking at it will have the lowest mileage and highest amount of options

[tortoise]

Towing around 4-5000pnd (planning on buying a boler  RV or similar); and fuel economy around 11L/100km if possible.  budget from $6,500 to $12,000 but not set....  and not too much of body roll. I don't want my wife driving a bulky SUV.

You are going to have to give up one or two of your requirements.

[Fobroader]

Cheap and easy to fix if there is ever an issue.

[Northernridge]

A Honda Ridgeline won't quite get 11/100km but checks most of the boxes... and has one! I mention it because my wife drives one and she also doesn't want to drive a full-size truck/SUV. It's much more SUV-like than a Tacoma and behaves very well on the road. We've towed often and it holds it's own with 3,500-4,000lbs at highway speeds. Plus they haven't changed much since released so if you get an old one, you also have a current one. 

[Fobroader]

I didn't even notice the truck part....or an Avalanche, same benefits as a half ton, but better ride.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

What about a crew cab Colorado/Canyon with a V6 and 4x4?

[Fobroader]

What about a crew cab Colorado/Canyon with a V6 and 4x4?

Max budget is $12k....those things are stupidly priced.

[2JDM]

Nissan Pathfinder? Not sure how much those things can tow...plus they are slightly cheaper than the options you listed.

[Fobroader]

What about a crew cab Colorado/Canyon with a V6 and 4x4?

I imagine you're talking about the old models.  They are actually not that good on gas and for the price difference I might as well get a 1/2 ton 4dr.  I also read they are not very reliable.... but they look nice I agree

Also, I think the old ones only came with the 5.3 V8 if Im not mistaken

[Northernridge]

A Honda Ridgeline won't quite get 11/100km but checks most of the boxes... and has one! I mention it because my wife drives one and she also doesn't want to drive a full-size truck/SUV. It's much more SUV-like than a Tacoma and behaves very well on the road. We've towed often and it holds it's own with 3,500-4,000lbs at highway speeds. Plus they haven't changed much since released so if you get an old one, you also have a current one. 

How is the whole box cover system working? and space in the back seat for baby seat?  they look nice

I also like the 4runner because of the windows pulling down in the back for my dog to chill. hehe

Back seat is very roomy and the doors are large so (I imagine) installing baby seats would be easy (good crash test results too). If you're referring to the underfloor trunk, it works great and is water proof and locks with the central locking system. Only problem is if the bed is loaded, you can't easily access the trunk. We installed a tonneau cover on our RL and it covers the box just fine.

It may not be the rig for you but I'd recommend you and your wife take one for a ride and decide for yourselves.

[marcus_go]

What about the Benz ML 300 series Diesel around 2008 or Grand Cherokee 2008 diesel?  reliability?  we Own  a VW diesel and they're nice but not familiar with the Benz. I  would stay away from the DEF ones tho.

If your budget is 12k you would have to be looking for one with lots of kms. The reliability of the ML is probably only average at best. I looked at a GC Diesel and the engine was probably the best thing going for it. The fit and finish was below average for such an expensive vehicle. Also this era of diesels have DPFs which will probably need to be replaced around the 200k mark. I ran into a guy with an '08 GC who had to have his replaced at around 170k and it was quite $$$.

My vote would be for a Ridgeline around 2007-2008. Should be able to get one for around 12-15k. Lots of room and storage plus the crew cab is very roomy. Will easily tow 4-5k lbs.

[Blueprint]

How about this?

[johngenx]

First Gen Highlanders are pretty old, but they're bullet-proof and do what you want.  They're trimmer than Gen 2/3 units, and i really like the size.  Just a bit bigger than the Forester, but the same fuel economy.  We see 11-12 city and 8.5-10 highway depending on the rate of travel.

The 3.3L V-6 is so smooth and has great linear power delivery.  The 2004-07 models have the nice five speed AT.  The AWD is 50:50 full time so winter traction is very, very good.  The 2004- models have traction/yaw control that added "electronic trickery LSD" and it plain works.

Interior materials are nicer than the Gen 2.  The light coloured interiors are very nice.  I've found the seats super comfy for long trips.  (and putting 90K on in 26 months, I've been on lots!!)

Ours has the tow package and I've towed 3800lbs with no difficulty at all.

Downside?  Like most Toyotas, they're pricey for the age.  But, they keep holding their value, so should you bail, costs are low.  We paid $10K for ours a little over 2yrs ago, and despite adding a lot of kms, we could probably fetch $8K for it.  That's CHEAP driving!

If something happened to ours, I'd be shopping for a 2006-07 Highlander in a second.

[Fobroader]

How about this?

No room for a bay seat.

Helloooo....truck box, there are plenty of tiedowns to secure said infant down with ratchet straps.

[johngenx]

Helloooo....truck box, there are plenty of tiedowns to secure said infant down with ratchet straps.

We just got tossed in the back when we were kids

[Fobroader]

Helloooo....truck box, there are plenty of tiedowns to secure said infant down with ratchet straps.

We just got tossed in the back when we were kids

I've heard that for some reason this isn't safe anymore.....apparently they are not making kids the way they used to. 

[johngenx]

Thanks.  It think this is my best bet.  what years is yours?

2004.  I excluded the 2001-2003 models as I wanted the 3.3L engine and five speed AT - among other improvements that took place for 2004.  Changes from 04-07 were minor.

I also didn't need a third row - lots of the Gen 1 are five-seaters - which suits me fine and then there's an extra storage bin under the cargo floor.

[mrthompson]

Thanks guys.

I have my mind set on a 4runner, Tacoma or highlander.  For sure Toyota,  I figure I have to try at least one.  I went to dealer and looked at the Honda pilot.  They are nice but the box space is so small might as well go SUV or truck instead.

looking for deals!!

Ridgeline?