Best 4x4 Under $5,000?

[TwinTurboJay]

1985 Eagle Wagon, one of the best 4x4 vehicals of the 80's, and one of the first SUV's ever !

 

[MrktMkr1986]

1985 Eagle Wagon, one of the best 4x4 vehicals of the 80's, and one of the first SUV's ever !

The Ford Bronco was one of the first SUVs ever.

They came out in 1966.

How about a late model Ford Bronco... 💡

 

[skip0110]

I think what TTJ meant is that the Eagle preced the car-based SUV fad by about a decade.

The SUVs you named are trucklike, utilitarian things.

 

[MrktMkr1986]

I think what TTJ meant is that the Eagle preced the car-based SUV fad by about a decade.

The SUVs you named are trucklike, utilitarian things.

That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification. I think, though, that when Jordan asked the question he was leaning more towards "truck-based" SUVs.

 

[TwinTurboJay]

ONE OF the first...not THE FIRST

 

[MrktMkr1986]

ONE OF the first...not THE FIRST

I know that... I also said "one of the first" in my post.

 

[slimer90210]

The Ford Bronco was one of the first SUVs ever.

They came out in 1966.

How about a late model Ford Bronco... 💡

Wasn't the Jeep first? Or was it not an SUV?

 

[Joey D]

The first SUV was a Suburban I think, it came out it 1922. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[GTrackd02]

I'm gona go out on a ledge and say an early 80's K-5 Blazer witha busted up body, but a great powertrain,drivetrain,tires and suspension......
But i love beater trucks

 

[1X83Z]

Wrong thread. He asked for a truck/suv, not a wannabe.

He asked for an AWD/4WD "vehicle." He almost seemed intentionally vague! Perhaps he'd like to come in here and clarify...

 

[GTrackd02]

M5-POWER - 93 GMC Typhoon (NEW!!!!!!!!!!!!)

How you like that awd vehicle?
used to be a dream car(truck..lol) of mine
Sweet toy!

 

[Joey D]

Damn you M5, I hate you sololy because you have a Ty. Ok not really, I can't lie...you my hero .

You have any pictures of it? Some day I will own one or build one.

 

[frestkd]

IH Scouts are good 4x4s, but they're gas hogs.

 

[Jordan]

He asked for an AWD/4WD "vehicle." He almost seemed intentionally vague! Perhaps he'd like to come in here and clarify...

Yes, I was intentionally vague because I'm open to pretty much all suggestions. In truth, an SUV probably would best fit my needs. Many thanks to everyone for offering all of their suggestions. However, I'm a bit concerned with the popularity of the Grand Cherokee. I've driven 3 before from the late 90's...and was not impressed. I found them to be fairly unpleasant to drive - more like slinging around a bucket of bolts than anything. It had decent power, but the steering, suspension, and interior was just appalling.

I'm actually very fond of Xterra's right now...they're out of my initial price range, but if I found a nice one at auction I'd take the hit. Comments?

 

[toyomatt84]

My cousin has an Xterra, and he simply loves the thing. No maintenance needed so far (outside of the routine maintenance of course), and it has over 120,000 miles. I'd say it a sure bet for a nice winter/bad weather vehicle.

 

[1X83Z]

I found them to be fairly unpleasant to drive - more like slinging around a bucket of bolts than anything. It had decent power, but the steering, suspension, and interior was just appalling.

I'm actually very fond of Xterra's right now...they're out of my initial price range, but if I found a nice one at auction I'd take the hit. Comments?

Talk about unpleasant to drive...

I'm not thrilled at all with the Xterra, especially if you're going for the cheapest one you can find - you'll end up with a manual transmission and no ABS among other top spec for the 1980 model year. My advice is still the Grand Cherokee - you simply won't be able to do better given your initial price range. If you're willing to expand your price range to include the Xterra, which would be practically doubling it I believe, then it's time to look Forester, newer Cherokee, and well-optioned 95-05 Blazer.

Have you driven an Xterra yet?

 

[Firebird]

However, I'm a bit concerned with the popularity of the Grand Cherokee. I've driven 3 before from the late 90's...and was not impressed. I found them to be fairly unpleasant to drive - more like slinging around a bucket of bolts than anything. It had decent power, but the steering, suspension, and interior was just appalling.

Then you're sure as hell not going to like an Xterra...

 

[Blackbird.]

1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

Good solid vehicle and has a 5.7L V8 which should give you plenty of power. This engine gets better gas mileage then the V6 Pathfinder. It gets around 400 miles on a single tank highway.(30 gallon tank)

Would you agree M5Power?

 

[1X83Z]

Would you agree M5Power?

Well, let's see - the 2-door, which you have pictured, had a 30-gallon fuel tank (5-door models' tanks were 30.5 gal) and was EPA rated at 13/17 with its 5.7-liter V8, meaning it got around 14mpg in the real world so hypothetically it could go 420 miles - at which point it would promptly run out of gas. 390 seems pretty accurate to me.

I do like the Tahoe here and Jordan has some ownership experience with full-size Chevrolet SUVs I believe, but I'm not sure how well you can do for $5000 looking for a Tahoe - I certainly wouldn't recommend a 2-door model like the one pictured because they're huge, slow, and lack the usability of a four-door, not to mention some of the features and city-driving ease of an early Grand Cherokee V8. Four-door models are nice, but you'd have to go 96+ to get the power boost meaning you'd have to get one in bad condition or with high mileage (even 95s aren't always under $5000). If the price range was expanded to $10000, I would very easily recommend a four-door Tahoe - along with Cherokee, Forester, and a nice 95+ Blazer as previously mentioned.

 

[Blackbird.]

Well I did a pricing of a 1996 Chevrolet Taho 2D 4WD and with options such as:
LS
Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
AM/FM Stereo
Single Compact Disc
ABS (4-Wheel)
Alloy Wheels

Private Party value in good condition is $5,940.

 

[1X83Z]

But who wants a huge 2-door SUV? I'd rather get a 1996 Bronco, they're way cooler - they debuted turn signals within the wing mirrors.

Seriously.

But two-door SUVs are bad enough - huge 2-door SUVs just magnify their problems. Step-in to the rear is difficult in a two-door Explorer but it's even worse in a 2-door Tahoe. Leg room's worse too, as is styling. I would never recommend one to anyone carrying passengers.

Plus - $6000 is a lot different than $5000, isn't it!?

 

[Blackbird.]

And that's with 80,000 miles. So unless you can push it $1000 for a four door then would that still be a good choice?

 

[toyomatt84]

1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

Good solid vehicle and has a 5.7L V8 which should give you plenty of power. This engine gets better gas mileage then the V6 Pathfinder. It gets around 400 miles on a single tank highway.(30 gallon tank)

Would you agree M5Power?

Umm... I drive one personally, I can take pics if you need 'em. There is NO WAY that you can pull 400 miles off the tank. I get 10/12 mpg out of it, and it's completely stock. I've got ~97,800 miles on it, and already the thing has had tons of mechanical problems. The transmission went out COMPLETELY on the thing at 78,000 miles, and cost me 2,700 usd to buy a new one. The CD player doesn't work when it's cold. Also, the "new" transmission is already starting to knock when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse. The 4wd doesn't always turn on, even though I have it in Neutral at a stand still and the light has changed to notify so. (And same thing goes for unlocking the 4wd). Even with the 4wd engaged, there isn't any rear LSD or Locker, so you'll get almost nothing out of them when going off-road. Now, when the 4wd is engaged, enjoy that large noise that comes from when you're driving anywhere near highway speeds. Right now, the fan clutch sounds like it's on it's last leg, because it's louder than the exhaust of the vehicle.

Oh, and the tank AT MAX, is 24.400 gallons. With today's prices, you'll be looking at a $50 bill every fill up. It's obnoxious.

DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE, UNLESS IT'S AT $3,000 OR LESS.


EDIT: Oh yeah, the a/c is worthless before 10 min of runtime, as well as the heat. And even then, the fan makes TONS of noise for extremely little air movement.

 

[Blackbird.]

Hmm. It's hard to find honest reviews. But my dad's suburban did get 360 miles on a tank but it did have a 44 gallon tank.

 

[toyomatt84]

Hmm. It's hard to find honest reviews. But my dad's suburban did get 360 miles on a tank but it did have a 44 gallon tank.

Agreed, reviews are a difficult one. If you think about it, that's less than 10mpg on your dad's suburban.

 

[Blackbird.]

Yes I know it was a true gas guzzler. But gas prices weren't as bad as today but there were times it costed $120 to fill it up and regulary between $60 and $80.

 

[1X83Z]

And that's with 80,000 miles. So unless you can push it $1000 for a four door then would that still be a good choice?

Calling it $7000, I'm not sure - no point getting a cheap Tahoe when he could otherwise have a pretty decent, newer Cherokee that's more nimble, more efficient, quicker, and cheaper to run. I wouldn't go Tahoe unless the ceiling was $10000.

 

[Blackbird.]

Now hearing from an owner of a Tahoe, I say the Jeep or anything else suggested.

May I ask why he needs a SUV under $5K?

 

[Joey D]

Talk about unpleasant to drive...

I'm not thrilled at all with the Xterra, especially if you're going for the cheapest one you can find - you'll end up with a manual transmission and no ABS among other top spec for the 1980 model year. My advice is still the Grand Cherokee - you simply won't be able to do better given your initial price range. If you're willing to expand your price range to include the Xterra, which would be practically doubling it I believe, then it's time to look Forester, newer Cherokee, and well-optioned 95-05 Blazer.

Have you driven an Xterra yet?

Older 4x4 S-Trucks have trouble and lots of it. The front ends go in them all the time, it's sadly a big problem GM never cared to fix. They pretty much kept everything from the 1980's on these trucks except the engine and body panels.

However you can find them in good condition in some places, if they have ever been off road just walk right by it. But if you can find one thats above 2001 you won't have any problems.

Just my thoughts.

P.S. M5 is right 2-door SUV's suck. It's so hard to get people in and out of the back. The good thing is though that I fold down the rear seats and its like a truck with a cap.

 

[B. Lohse]

I would say that for $5000, you can pretty much choose what you want. Every car you buy will have its share of problems no matter what. That is the situation whenever you buy a used car. Anyway, if you are looking for a mid-size SUV, I would recommend the Cherokee, full-size suv - Suburban, compact SUV - Suzuki Samurai, otherwise you could go for a 4wd sedan/wagon like a Subaru for real cheap. As for a pickup, full-size and small Fords and Chevys are a good bet. When it comes down to it, though, you really have to consider the condition of the vehicle since that is all that really matters.