Mid-Sized SUV of an older vintage

[loudbeard]

So I'm getting ready to sell my trusty '03 Tacoma. Wonderful truck that I'd like to keep, but Dad duties and 2 dogs call and I need a vehicle with a bit more....utility. My commute is only 13 miles round trip and we don't travel a ton so fuel economy isn't super important.

Basically I'm looking for your first hand opinions on vehicles I'm thinking of, and vehicles that meet the criteria that I haven't thought of.

Criteria:
Tows 5k
Payload can handle dirt bike on a hitch carrier
Probably 10 years old, I have 6 points on my license so insurance needs to be affordable
Soft $10k budget...can go up a bit for the right vehicle

So far my top choice would be a 4Runner of the same vintage as my Tacoma. 3rd gen, '95-02. I love my Taco and would be very comfortable in its soccer mom counterpart.

Other options:
Pathfinder
Full sized Chevy, Tahoe or Yukon 1st (92-99) or 2nd gen (00-06)
Chevy Trailblazer or GMC Envoy

Wild cards:
Looked at a super clean '76 International Scout II. Love it!!!!

Minivan? I'd do it as long as I can hang a bike off the back.

[TheIglu]

I'm in a VERY similar situation.

You can get up to a 2000 4Runner in a stick if I recall correctly.....

[cdovego]

Can you just put a cap on the bed and toss the pups in the back?

[loudbeard]

Can you just put a cap on the bed and toss the pups in the back?

Great solution, when it's not the middle of summer or winter. Also, I can't pit the baby seat in the back of the Taco, ha e to deactivate the airbag and put him in front and Stacy in back.

[Falko]

You can get a newer pathfinder compared to a 4Runner. The Pathfinders were pretty solid, 3.5 liter or the illusive 5.6 powered. My friend has a 5.6 in his, pretty strong little truck. Be careful of the transmission fluid change interval, make sure they've done it. They are pretty reliable vehicles as long as the maintenance is up to date.
4Runners are obviously the benchmark for long term in this segment. My sister had a '97 years ago and that thing was solid, just be aware of the boots. They rip get sand/dirt in them and the joints are junk in no time. That's the issue she had, ymmv.
Be careful with the GM of that era. I have an '04 Avy which I bought recently. In looking at trucks/SUVs of that age, rust can be a big issue. Brake lines go on them, not here and there, most have issues in the long term. The 4.8s and the 5.3s of that time are pretty solid. The transmissions, again as long as they were taken care of.
IF you go to like the trailblazer or such, seek out the SS. It had a 6.0 but more importantly I think it had the heftier transmission. You can find the trailblazer, envoy, and the Buick counterpart all with the 5 cylinder which was standard I believe and then some came with a 5.3. Not much different in fuel mileage and they are a fairly heavy vehicle. Personally I'd go with the full size over the trailblazer, you don't really lose much going larger and it has more space.
I wouldn't rule out the older Sequoia. They really weren't that big, but very reliable and usually priced better than the 4Runner. Just a thought.

[FirstDuc-1098]

looks like '02 to '04 Sequoia's can be had for under $10k
Toyota Sequoia Automatic 7 Passenger | eBay

[loudbeard]

I do like the Pathfinders of that era, particularly being a bit smaller. As far as the full sized GM goes, I'd be leaning more towards the 1st gen with the Vortec 5700. Sometimes about those square bodies makes me happy.

I really can't do the older Sequoia, so fucking ugly. I would rather have a minivan. 4Runner of that vintage are beautiful though...

[cdovego]

Great solution, when it's not the middle of summer or winter. Also, I can't pit the baby seat in the back of the Taco, ha e to deactivate the airbag and put him in front and Stacy in back.

I can't think of any other way to make the taco work, it's gotta go. I personally love the Grand Cherokee's from the 01 era. You know their shortcomings as well as me but you can wrench better. Any reason they're not on your list? 120k loaded would be less than the 4 runner of the same vintage and you know how to do a transmission when it goes.

[butcher bergs]

You can find 05's and 06's faily readily within your budget for both the 4R and Sequoia.

On the V6 from about 2003 to about 2006-ish, you want to ensure the head gaskets were done as they are a reasonably common failure point for that engine.

On the V8 4R you will forever be replacing front calipers due to binding (although the O'reilly calipers I bought seemed to be holding up just fine prior me selling the vehicle). The 4.7 is notorious for headers cracking....doesn't matter if it's a Tundra, 4Runner, Sequoia.....if it's a 4.7, chances are the manifolds are cracked. Also, timing belt service is a great negotiation point for vehicles equipped with this engine.

If I'm spending your money, staying within your budget, 2003 to 2005 4Runner all day long.

[loudbeard]

You can find 05's and 06's faily readily within your budget for both the 4R and Sequoia.

On the V6 from about 2003 to about 2006-ish, you want to ensure the head gaskets were done as they are a reasonably common failure point for that engine.

On the V8 4R you will forever be replacing front calipers due to binding (although the O'reilly calipers I bought seemed to be holding up just fine prior me selling the vehicle). The 4.7 is notorious for headers cracking....doesn't matter if it's a Tundra, 4Runner, Sequoia.....if it's a 4.7, chances are the heads are cracked. Also, timing belt service is a great negotiation point for vehicles equipped with this engine.

If I'm spending your money, staying within your budget, 2003 to 2005 4Runner all day long.

To this point, one can actually find an early 4th gen 4Runner for less money that a late 3rd gen. I like the look of the 3rd gen much better, but I had an '05 Tacoma and I'll readily admit that the 4.0 V6 is a much better motor than the 3.4.

Thanks for your insight on the drivetrain issues too.

[RandyO]

I've had real good experience with my '96 Grand Cherokee 318V8 tow rated to 6500, get 20±mpg hwy, 15± towing or urban

[cdovego]

I've had real good experience with my '96 Grand Cherokee 318V8 tow rated to 6500, get 20±mpg hwy, 15± towing or urban

$3-$5k w/100,000 miles ('99-'05)...plus it holds a liter bike on a hitch behind it well. I'll stop now, Duncan - I know you want the 4runner.

You're the reason the drz got sold though, I just had to hear it.

[Garandman]

//Minivan? I'd do it as long as I can hang a bike off the back.

We put air helper springs in ours and it hasn't been a problem.

But max tow rating for Odyssey and Sienna is 3,500 lbs.

[butcher bergs]

To this point, one can actually find an early 4th gen 4Runner for less money that a late 3rd gen. I like the look of the 3rd gen much better, but I had an '05 Tacoma and I'll readily admit that the 4.0 V6 is a much better motor than the 3.4.

Thanks for your insight on the drivetrain issues too.

Didn't mean to say "chances are the heads are cracked". Meant to say "exhaust manifolds". Post edited.

If you're looking at early 4th Gen, I'd go on to say stick with the 8cyl due to the potential of the V6 head gasket issue. After those early years though, the 6 or the 8 becomes a matter of preference. Do you want 5k towing or 7k towing? Permanent 4WD or selectable 4WD? Little things like that.

[nhbubba]

I don't think anyone makes a minivan that will tow 5k. I think they are all usually class II : 3500 gross, 300 tongue.
That's enough for a receiver carrier though.

[nt650hawk]

Always loved the Broncos. not the II's. those were foolish

[black]

I'm very partial to Xterras... mine has held up for 220k very well. 2003

[TheIglu]

I think I may hold off until the 2018 4Runner is released with the new powertrain. Or maybe find an older one in the meantime used.

[loudbeard]

A little update since I know you guys hate threads that go nowhere:

Just bought an '01 Audi A4 Avant. I found a 1 owner car with 58k miles and a full service history. Very clean car inside and out. bushings and rod ends are all tight, fresh brakes, good pep in the 1.8t, agreed on a good price. Overall I'm very pleased.

I decided to stay away from an SUV, they don't do enough truck things and they don't handle like a car - at least not where I'm shopping. I'm going to find myself a $1500 CL truck that I can take to the dump, building supply, and carry a dirt bike occasionally. Other than that I'm going to drive the wagon.

Here's a photo of the "new" A4 stolen from the dealer website:


...And a link to the for sale page if you want to see some more:
Used 2001 Audi A4 Avant for Sale in Canton, MA 02021 Bespoke Auto LLC

[breakdirt916]

Curious why not an 01-04 taco double cab?

[nhbubba]

I loooooooved my wagon. Took mountains of shit for driving it. Not unlike riding a V-Strom or trying to race a DRZ, really.
You have the kid card and will probably not get the attitude. But if you do, I think the expression goes : fuck the haters

[Garandman]

A little update since I know you guys hate threads that go nowhere:

Just bought an '01 Audi A4 Avant. I found a 1 owner car with 58k miles and a full service history. //

Less than 4,000 miles a year: that's church lady mileage!

[TheIglu]

My folks had the sedan version, same year. Mind the coil packs, oil feed issue to the turbo(I think it was a recall), inboard CV boots and brake calipers ejecting pads.

[scottieducati]

My buddy just decided to give up on his 1.8T (2nd A4 wagon, 6-spd, etc.). After 120k, he chewed through 3 water pumps in the span of a year and a half. Got tired of it, got a Golf R.

Just take care of it very, very well. We both suspect this car may have other issues from the PO, but the cooling system has given him headaches. With such low mileage, here's hoping you found a gem.

[jhawley]

damn, that's clean.