Seeking Advice on Purchase of a Used, Light SUV

[ivarhusa]

Guys,

I know this aint a motor-head site, but you are known for opinions.  

Sometime this coming year, I hope to upgrade my hunting rig from an Intrepid (hey, it has a big trunk) to sometheing that gets decent mileage and has useful 4WD. I won't be crawling up short-wheelbase trails, but it has to have decent enough ground clearance that the usual ruts and puddles along dirt roads won't hang it up.

I am thinking along the lines of a 4-Runner or smaller and cheaper.  I am not looking at the moment for a specific vehicle to purchase (I have some prep-work to do with the wife), but just recommendations.

Are there vehicles that I should avoid?  Are there under-appreciated gems out there?

I especially want sure-footedness on ordinary snow and ice.  I want to get further away from town in winter, when the coyote hides are prime. (Coyotes, so you see why I don't need a full-size rig.)

Thanks in advance for advice that is offered.

Ivar

[Kain]

I dont own one but my friend swears by his Trooper.  I looked into getting one but have not yet.  People that have them have nothing but good things to say about them.   

[WDFW-SUX]

subaru forester?

[saylean]

Im down with the 4runner, since that is what I have. I bought a 1995, for 3K. I think it is hard to go wrong with most toyotas. I know the 90-94 toyotas had a head gasket recall...(since i had one back then) but other than that..

Im not much of a gear head. If it runs ok and does what I need, I am happy. If fit my spring bear in the back no troubles.
Good luck on the search.

[coop2424]

I personally would go with a 4Runner but I am a Toyota fan since owning my tundra.  There is also the nissan Xterras but it really depends in my mind what price range you are looking at.  The toyotas seem the hold their value the best and are still pretty spendy even when they are older.

[Timberstalker]

TOYOTA

[littlebuf]

go with a 4runner late 80's early 90's. there is usually a lot to choose from once you start shopping

[littlebuf]

took me 5 seconds to find this one

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/1226646847.html

[jackelope]

you can't go wrong with a toyota for sure.

another one to consider is a jeep liberty or cherokee depending on how much $$ you want to spend and how old you want it to be.

[toyman2]

i am a gear head and i say youllnever go wrong with a toyota.
toyota only had a problem with head gaskets in the 90s with the V-6s the 4cyl were just fine.
cherokees are a very good rig for the money,nissan are tuff.
if you stay between late 80s and late 90s you should be able to find somthing good for $2-3000

[Bean Counter]

I love my '05 Toyo Tundra but you're looking for an SUV so I would say a 4Runner or maybe a Highlander.

I'll also second the Subaru Forrester, as the all time, all wheel drive can't be beat.

[ICEMAN]

Ok, we have heard from enough Toyota guys.... 

Ivar, we have had two Ford Explorers since 1999. Great cheap SUV. I have used them to get up high in snow country to snowshoe each winter since 1999. We have towed light duty trailers, boats, hunted and fished out of them. No aftermarket modifications to do all this, and have pulled idiots out of snowy ditches when we head up snowshoeing a dozen times, with no broken drivetrain issues...even a huge F350 stuck in a ditch with bald tires and an empty bed...  We still have one explorer plus an expedition, and I have never had to perform drivetrain, transmission, or engine repairs with any  of them. The expedition has an occasional differential noise I have had looked at, must be the positraction making its normal noise...

[alecvg]

Toyota 4runner, or a Nissan Xtera..  the two I would get..

[Wanttohuntmore]

I have an 08 Tundra, got rid of an 02 Tacoma, prior rig was a 91 Toyota pickup.  All were fine.  Also wife has an 02 xterra, also fairly good, but just developed a head gasket leak at 60k, leaks coolent onto the outside of the block.  I'm not as concerned with that leak as I would if it was going internal into the oil.  The Tacomas and Xterra get between 15-19 to be realistic, I've had much worse and better, but outside the bell curve to be mentioned.  My Tundra is getting about 13-16.  I keep hearing great things about the all wheel drive Honda CRV.  I would consider one of those if you're not doing rutted roads.  I think it'd be fine for most of my winter coyote expeditions.  Also, the Forester like others mentioned.  I had an old 87 Subaru, avg mpg was 22 in that old carburated problem.  Loved the car, it just did not love me, always had overheating probs with it.  Other than that it drove great.  Hope this helps a little.  I always find people giving crazy stories about their mpg, but coming from an accountant, I'm pretty exact/anal about knowing my mpg.

[Bean Counter]

I always find people giving crazy stories about their mpg, but coming from an accountant, I'm pretty exact/anal about knowing my mpg.

Do you do have an Excel spreadsheet, too? Finally, another bean counter on the board.  I'm in recovery. 

And a Subaru owner, to boot.