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Posted: 9/8/2013 7:29:10 PM EDT
So, I'm looking at some used SUVs/Trucks. Understand that I have a company van for work and a new Mustang for play. The Mustang will be put away from Nov-March.
$5K Limit 4x4 This SUV/Truck will be used as a winter/light utility vehicle. Averaging maybe 5K miles a year. If it's a pick up, it must be an extended cab. I have unlimited use of the company van for hauling shit but I can't put a hitch on it. I own a 5000lb 23' boat that will need to be moved 5 miles in April & Oct from storage to Marina. (No roads over 35 mph in that journey & trailer has a surge brake.) I'm single. It needs to have a presentable interior/exterior, I live in a decent neighborhood. I'm extremely mechanically inclined, have a nice garage, tools and very advanced with electrical wiring & troubleshooting. Now that you know it's expectations and my usage, any suggestions? |
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Quoted:
I'm really digging these Land Rovers but I know nothing about them. I'll have to research them. http://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/4026771852.html http://imagescdn.dealercarsearch.com/Media/5835AD/3090074/3090074_CustomTemplate6_779vy0ktmf.jpg View Quote Please tell me you're kidding? If you never take any more advice from here, run do not walk away from anything Land Rover/Range Rover. Sounds like to me you're looking for a truck or as clean of a Cherokee or 4-Runner that you can find. Me personally, I'd look at a 4-Runner or Pathfinder/X-Terra. |
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Older Toyota IF IT IS NOT RUSTED. Late 90's tacos can be had for that.
F-150s of that price range will likely have blown coil packs. Take an ODB scanner with smartphone app with you when shopping. |
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I got my 2001 Chevy Suburban for about $5600 off of Craigslist. It's been a good truck so far, just inspect them over before you buy.
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Quoted:
I'm really digging these Land Rovers but I know nothing about them. I'll have to research them. http://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/4026771852.html http://imagescdn.dealercarsearch.com/Media/5835AD/3090074/3090074_CustomTemplate6_779vy0ktmf.jpg View Quote No! No! No! Land Rover Hell |
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Quoted: Please tell me you're kidding? If you never take any more advice from here, run do not walk away from anything Land Rover/Range Rover. Sounds like to me you're looking for a truck or as clean of a Cherokee or 4-Runner that you can find. Me personally, I'd look at a 4-Runner or Pathfinder/X-Terra. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I'm really digging these Land Rovers but I know nothing about them. I'll have to research them. http://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/4026771852.html http://imagescdn.dealercarsearch.com/Media/5835AD/3090074/3090074_CustomTemplate6_779vy0ktmf.jpg Please tell me you're kidding? If you never take any more advice from here, run do not walk away from anything Land Rover/Range Rover. Sounds like to me you're looking for a truck or as clean of a Cherokee or 4-Runner that you can find. Me personally, I'd look at a 4-Runner or Pathfinder/X-Terra. |
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Pre 1996 Ford pickup. Get the 5.8L. You can get them for around 2k. Cheap parts and easy to work on. If you are driving it that little it will serve you fine.
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Here ya go. I have an 02 Explorer and love it.
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Ok, Land Rover is off my list! Thanks guys! Keep the suggestions rollin!!!!
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View Quote They seem really nice for the money. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm really digging these Land Rovers but I know nothing about them. I'll have to research them. http://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/4026771852.html http://imagescdn.dealercarsearch.com/Media/5835AD/3090074/3090074_CustomTemplate6_779vy0ktmf.jpg View Quote Please tell me you're kidding? If you never take any more advice from here, run do not walk away from anything Land Rover/Range Rover. Sounds like to me you're looking for a truck or as clean of a Cherokee or 4-Runner that you can find. Me personally, I'd look at a 4-Runner or Pathfinder/X-Terra. View Quote He said he's "very advanced with electrical wiring & troubleshooting." The Land Rover should help advance his skills considerably Of the list, I'd go with an F150 extended cab. Or better yet an F250. But I'm partial to trucks, especially Fords. Don't have much use for SUVs of any make. My boss has a Range Rover. Many problems. |
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f150/expedition with a 5.4 98-2003 I'd stay away from 04/05 due to the change in sparkplug/head. Other than that a toyo t100 if you can find one that matches your requirements.
EDIT: and yes, LR/RR will absolutely require that electrical skill and likely hone those skills even further. |
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Quoted:
f150/expedition with a 5.4 98-2003 I'd stay away from 04/05 due to the change in sparkplug/head. Other than that a toyo t100 if you can find one that matches your requirements. View Quote I have one of the latter. It can tow a lot, and did not even hesitate at 2500lbs of lumber in the back uphill. Engine is as simple as an anvil. Just avoid frame rust. Toyota did NOT do the frame recall on those, and in salt areas, it's bad. |
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Quoted:
Please tell me you're kidding? If you never take any more advice from here, run do not walk away from anything Land Rover/Range Rover. Sounds like to me you're looking for a truck or as clean of a Cherokee or 4-Runner that you can find. Me personally, I'd look at a 4-Runner or Pathfinder/X-Terra. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm really digging these Land Rovers but I know nothing about them. I'll have to research them. http://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/4026771852.html http://imagescdn.dealercarsearch.com/Media/5835AD/3090074/3090074_CustomTemplate6_779vy0ktmf.jpg Please tell me you're kidding? If you never take any more advice from here, run do not walk away from anything Land Rover/Range Rover. Sounds like to me you're looking for a truck or as clean of a Cherokee or 4-Runner that you can find. Me personally, I'd look at a 4-Runner or Pathfinder/X-Terra. I'd go with this. My 4runner has been solid. For a 20+ year old truck, it has fewer problems than my dads 95 f250. Pretty much any jap made SUV will last a loooooonnnggg time. |
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I have an 03 4x4 with the third row and it's a great SUV. I fit everybody and everything in it. So far it's at 156K and I have replaced one front CV joint/axle, two front hubs and the radiator. It's easy to tune up yourself. I tow a 17ft cuddy with it about the same distance you are looking at. Even added a front hitch for getting it in the back yard. Lots of available accessories. Having said all of that, I am not sure it would be capable of hauling your 23ft boat around. I wouldn't want to tow more than 3,500 or so. The 3rd gen Explorers (02-05) are also equipped with the 5R55 transmission, which is sealed and a total PITA b/c of that. Many start having problems around 100K. I consider myself lucky but even I experience some issues with it once in a while, especially when it's cold it requires some warming up before it shifts smoothly. They are fairly easy to work on, though. I replaced both front hubs myself and the radiator. At 156K mines about ready for a new A/C clutch, power steering pump, probably a transmission rebuild, and a rear differential rebuild. The rear pinion tends to wear out on it around this point, some earlier. I'm actually glad you posted this. It'll be interesting to see what ideas pop up, as I am considering selling my Explorer in the next year or so, and am trying to find a price point with comparable SUVs. |
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with that small amount of towing and those speeds, feel free to overload
What vehicles do you have already?
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Dear god stay away from Land Rovers...
Get a Toyota 4Runner it will last a lot longer than anything else mentioned. The I6 Jeeps are alright too |
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Jeep Cherokee's are a super value, and the 4.0 seems to run forever.
Bronco's are a steal, but have rust issues, if you find a good one snatch it up. F-150 will tow that boat with ease (so will the jeep & bronco). People can't give away Suburbans, but they are a great truck & meet all of your needs.. I'd probably stay away from a Tacoma or older Toyota truck only because of the boat towing needs. If you weren't towing they would fit the bill fine if you could find a good one in that price range. Same goes for a Nissan 1st gen Xterra or 1st gen Frontier, they meet your needs except for the towing. |
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I would consider a 60 or 80 Series Land Cruiser. The I6s literally do run for ever. A good friend of mine has an 80 Series with 400k on it. You never mentioned gas mileage
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I'd look at Fords or Dodge's. Dodge's are cheap and plentiful, and you can get a whole lot of truck for little. Just be prepared to fix front end, ball joints, Ujoints.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4042452999.html http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4005060658.html http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4048095853.html |
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This is great feed back, guys! Thanks.
Quoted:
I would consider a 60 or 80 Series Land Cruiser. The I6s literally do run for ever. A good friend of mine has an 80 Series with 400k on it. You never mentioned gas mileage View Quote Gas mileage isn't an issue. I won't be putting many miles on it. lol |
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2nd + gen. Isuzu Trooper.
They can be found for sub 5k easily. Lot's of leftover funds to play with. Very capable off road. The 5 spd is bulletproof. One of the most underrated vehicles. |
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GM/Ford.
For something older in that price range, you'll want parts availability. |
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Mid 90's F-150. Bonus if you find a basic XL trim with a 300 six.
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Something GM in the late 90's to early 2000's range.
I have a 98 1/2 ton 2WD and the wife unit has a 03 4x4 Z71 Tahoe. Both will pull an enclosed 18ft trailer loaded with no problem. And both get around 18 MPG on the highway. I've had my truck for around 6-7 years and the only major things I've had to do on it was a water pump and intake gasket. Both I was able to do in my garage with some know-how and basic tools. Wifes tahoe has needed a fuel pump, which again isn't that big of a deal. I almost bought a 97 Tahoe this past weekend just for an extra vehicle. Guy wanted 2000 for it and it was in great shape, just a lot of highway miles (210K) instead I bought a 96 Acura for 2000 since the wife wanted a car and it would be better on gas. |
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Why am I still looking at these? I just spent 5 hours reading through their forums.
Sweeeet Rover - Needs lift kit. |
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Toyota fj80 land cruiser...can be had up to 95-96 for the money you are willing to spend.
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do not punish yourself in buying a USED land rover range rover.
you'll be spending more than you paid to fix it.
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i'd have to say Pathfinder, i picked up a 98 in february for 3400, 150k miles no rust, good interior. my last 98 went 240k miles. i think 2001 and above have the 3.5 motor... picked mine up from a dealer in wilmington oh...
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Maybe I'm just fucking crazy but everytime I look at a Pathfinder, those door handles drive me up the wall.
Why would they make the front and rear door handles different? I know this is just me. lol Seems like a good deal though! 2001 Pathfinder ***EDIT** Scrap that, towing capacity is 5000lbs on those. That won't work for me. O well. |
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If I'm comprehending everything here you only really need the truck twice a year. If that really is the case I'd spend that $5k on a Civic, Corolla, or Sentra and an extra set of wheels with snow tires. I'd rent a truck the two days a year you need it. Just my .02
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The Discovery I is the way to go. Center diff lock and simple to work on. Head gasket failures are relatively common but can be fixed at home. If you shop properly for parts, they are not that expensive at all. The Discovery II costs more to maintain in general- for example the wheel bearings are a hub unit- the Discovery I has full floater axles with regular bearings.
They are great rigs and I have owned several. MINE seemed to be just fine, while all the people who couldn't work on theirs or took them to clueless shops complained nonstop. Worst problem I've had has been head gaskets- did them at home in a weekend for about $450 including having the heads decked at a machine shop. It depends if you buy a maintained one whether it will hold up, but the 94/95 with the 3.9's were frickin bulletproof. I have a Discovery II now and love it. Only changed the front driveshaft (upgraded) and valve cover gaskets in 87K miles. |
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I'd go with this. My 4runner has been solid. For a 20+ year old truck, it has fewer problems than my dads 95 f250. Pretty much any jap made SUV will last a loooooonnnggg time. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Quoted:
I'm really digging these Land Rovers but I know nothing about them. I'll have to research them. http://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/4026771852.html http://imagescdn.dealercarsearch.com/Media/5835AD/3090074/3090074_CustomTemplate6_779vy0ktmf.jpg Please tell me you're kidding? If you never take any more advice from here, run do not walk away from anything Land Rover/Range Rover. Sounds like to me you're looking for a truck or as clean of a Cherokee or 4-Runner that you can find. Me personally, I'd look at a 4-Runner or Pathfinder/X-Terra. I'd go with this. My 4runner has been solid. For a 20+ year old truck, it has fewer problems than my dads 95 f250. Pretty much any jap made SUV will last a loooooonnnggg time. Earlier this year I got a 3rd Gen 4runner for about $4k. It took a long time to find a deal like that, but they're out there. Approaching 210K and the thing runs like a dream. My favorite vehicle so far. |
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I would consider a 60 or 80 Series Land Cruiser. The I6s literally do run for ever. A good friend of mine has an 80 Series with 400k on it. You never mentioned gas mileage View Quote The 100 series tow better and if he shops around he can probably find one in his price range. I'd say FZJ80/LX450 or 100 series cruiser (or LX470). |
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