Best 4x4 Under $5,000?

[Jordan]

What would be the best 4x4 or all-wheel drive vehicle to buy for around $5,000?

 

[Firebird]

Depends on the application.

 

[skip0110]

You can't go wrong with a Subaru Forester for general on-road use.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13484&item=4522836672&rd=1

Ditto the Honda CR-V.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16120&item=4523572182&rd=1

Unfortunately, these cars havent quite depreciated tot he $5,000 level yet.

 

[Jordan]

Depends on the application.

Right, I'm just looking for something that will go well in very bad, snowy conditions. Pickup, SUV's, doesn't matter.

You can't go wrong with a Subaru Forester for general on-road use.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13484&item=4522836672&rd=1

Ditto the Honda CR-V.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16120&item=4523572182&rd=1

Unfortunately, these cars havent quite depreciated tot he $5,000 level yet.

I hadn't really considered the CR-V's, great little trucks. Thanks!

 

[pimp racer]

Yeah get a CR-V they are pretty good and cheap or you can just do what alot of people do and get a old Jeep. There might be one of them Iszu's or whatever those things are for sale. Check your local newspaper and see your options there if you dont trust buying a car or suv from Ebay.

*EDIT*
Oops forgot to mention the Toyota Rav4. I heard it is pretty good and roomy.

 

[1X83Z]

What would be the best 4x4 or all-wheel drive vehicle to buy for around $5,000?

Like Firebird said, it completely depends on the application. The true answer, to me, knowing you as I do, a 1990-1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX AWD or Eagle Talon TSi AWD, or 1992-1994 Plymouth Laser RS Turbo AWD.

It seems to me that you might be looking for an SUV though. My top recommendation is the 1992 Jeep Grand Wagoneer V8 or 1993-1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8. The Grand Cherokee debuted in 1992 as the Grand Wagoneer; they didn't call it 'Grand Cherokee' until 1993. 1992 models are pretty rare - I've seen two in the last six months - but they're the same basic vehicle. However, I would caution you to stay away from pre-1996 6-cylinder Jeeps; that 4-liter engine was a handful for Jeep both in the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler.

(92 Jeep Grand Wagoneer V8)

Second recommendation would be the 1991-1994 Ford Explorer if you perhaps aren't looking for as much power or as many features as you might get on the Grand Wagoneer/Grand Cherokee. 91-94 Explorers are solid, reliable and - to me - great-looking.

(91-94 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer)

If you are indeed willing to consider a car, I have some recommendations there too.

EDIT: I would not look to an imported SUV here unless you want a laughably outdated interior and unbelievably poor performance. Many first-generation and even second-generation Japanese SUVs were completely awful; the Grand Wagoneer/Grand Cherokee and Explorer were and are much better than the original Honda Passport, the first two Toyota 4Runners, the original Isuzu Rodeo, the original Nissan Pathfinder, and any Isuzu Trooper you could get at this price.

Unfortunately, these cars havent quite depreciated tot he $5,000 level yet.

Or even close.

 

[MrktMkr1986]

How about a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder? What's wrong with it?

 

[Firebird]

1992 Grand Wagoneer? Sorry man, but it just wasn't so. It debuted in '93, after the Grand Cherokee. It was a Grand Cherokee Limited with faux-wood appliqués and the V8 as standard equipment.

That said, a ZJ Grand Cherokee would fit the bill well, but avoid it if you're particularly concerned about fuel economy. You'll see no better than between 15 and 18mpg in the city, and around 22mpg on the highway.


I'd stay the hell away from an Explorer. To be honest I don't think I could type the words 'solid' and 'reliable' with a straight face. First generation Explorers were not reliable whatsoever, renowned for poor transmissions in particular.


If you don't mind a "domestic" SUV with a "laughably outdated interior" I'd recommend a Cherokee too. I may be a little biased with respect to that one though.

 

[1X83Z]

How about a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder? What's wrong with it?

The second-generation Pathfinder wasn't that good for years - it was absurdly low on power until its 2001 "redesign" and it had a terrible ride and a very dated instrument panel until then too. The Grand Wagoneer V8/Grand Cherokee V8's a better vehicle - more comfortable, more powerful, more stuff.

1992 Grand Wagoneer? Sorry man, but it just wasn't so. It debuted in '93, after the Grand Cherokee. It was a Grand Cherokee Limited with faux-wood appliqués and the V8 as standard equipment.

Indeed - 1993 was its only year, not 1992. My mistake

I'd stay the hell away from an Explorer. To be honest I don't think I could type the words 'solid' and 'reliable' with a straight face. First generation Explorers were not reliable whatsoever, renowned for poor transmissions in particular.

So they were recalled a few times! They're much more solid and reliable than any competition from General Motors, and they were a much better design than anything Japanese at the time. Frankly the Grand Cherokee 5.2 is probably the best idea though.

If you don't mind a "domestic" SUV with a "laughably outdated interior" I'd recommend a Cherokee too. I may be a little biased with respect to that one though.

The Cherokee's interior wasn't laughably outdated at all!

 

[Purple Platypus]

How about pickups? Early-mid 90's toyotas are well within the price range, and they'll run for as long as you need. Personally, I've got a 93 2wd pickup at 90k miles, and we've never had any problems whatsoever.

 

[Firebird]

The Cherokee's interior wasn't laughably outdated at all!

But it has slider-controlled HVAC, a pull-out headlight knob, the multifunction stalk that controlled signal lights, highbeams, windshield wipers and cruise control...



The most generous comments I've heard, going as far back as 1995, were "outdated".

(In fact, in 1995, a Canadian automotive journalist named Dan Heraud proclaimed the Cherokee was the second-to-worst SUV on the Canadian market, beating out its stablemate YJ. He placed the Suzuki Sidekick/Geo Tracker and Lada Niva ahead of both. Then again, his complaints were a little kooky. High price was one, even thought the only SUVs less expensive than it were YJ, Sidekick, Tracker and Niva. He also remarked it was "too maneuvrable". I fear he may have been on some sort of narcotic at the time.)

 

[toyomatt84]

Jeep has the highest count of recalls out of any car manufacturer, therefore, expect problems. I've got a buddy who swears by them, but yet, has taken his Wrangler '03 in 12 times last year alone for non-maintenance items.

If you're looking to save some cash and get a great snow/off-road vehicle, look towards pre-'85 Toyota pickups and Suzuki Samurai's. Not only do they typically sport great 4WD setups, but they also get above average gas mileage, unlike your typical truck or SUV. Here's some good examples:
Samurai
Toyota

 

[Joey D]

You can pick up like a 2001 S-10 for pocket change. They have terriable re-sale value for some reason. But you really can't go wrong with a mid 90's full size by Ford, GM, or Dodge. There is a lot of debate on which one is the best, but really its whoever your allegence is to.

As for SUV's I say a Cherokee is your best bet, Wranglers are NOT your best bet though since they are by far the most over rated vechile on the road. You would be much happier with a Cherokee. I've also liked the Honda Passport that came out a few years ago, they look just like a Pathfinder.

 

[Ev0]

I'd have to second the first generation Explorer. Although it does have some major drawbacks (poor fuel mileage, pitiful suspension), it is as reliable a car as you can get (I have no idea what Firebird is talking about). My dad has had an '93 Explorer since it was new, and we have had zero major problems with it, ever. Just make sure if you buy one to get one that has been well looked after. My dad's explorer is an abomination for car care.

 

[ExigeEvan]

How much is a new Fiat Panda 4x4 in the states, that's if you can get them

[EDIT] Just checked, whether they are available or not it is way too much.

 

[Ev0]

Fiats are not in the USA.

*Edit* Unless you're daft enough to want to import one...

 

[Duke]

I would avoid a pickup, Jordan, even though they're cheapish. Typically they are terrible in the snow, even with 4WD.

And avoid older Toyotas. Mechanically they are as reliable as a stone axe, but on quiet nights you'll be able to hear it rusting in your driveway. They're almost as biodegradeable as an Italian car from the '70s.

 

[Firebird]

Jeep has the highest count of recalls out of any car manufacturer, therefore, expect problems. I've got a buddy who swears by them, but yet, has taken his Wrangler '03 in 12 times last year alone for non-maintenance items.

The '03 Toyota 4Runner alone had more recalls than the '03 Liberty, '03 Wrangler and '03 Grand Cherokee put together.

 

[Firebird]

I would avoid a pickup, Jordan, even though they're cheapish. Typically they are terrible in the snow, even with 4WD.

And avoid older Toyotas. Mechanically they are as reliable as a stone axe, but on quiet nights you'll be able to hear it rusting in your driveway. They're almost as biodegradeable as an Italian car from the '70s.

I second everything mentioned here.

Pickups typically do very poorly on snow or ice because of the very light weight over the rear wheels.

And I would not only avoid older Toyotas, but pretty much everything from the '80s.

 

[skip0110]

Or even close.

Some are quite close, but they have crested the 100K mile mark, so they may have the sqeaks and shudders common to a car with that much wear. But unlike the trucks/SUVs suggested above, it will be infinitely more comfortable, just as usable, get better gas milage, and (with a decent set of snow tires) shuttle you through a storm with as much ease as any primitive 4x4. And its Subaru and Honda--for god's sake, all you do is gas it up and change the oil, it'll go forever!

And if you don't want to shell out the extra money for a Forester/CR-V, you could get a older AWD Legacy for pocket change. 1987-1991 Civic Wagons also came with a Real-Time AWD system (if you can find one, it would cost much less than $5K)--I owned a '85 with the earlier part-time system, and I never got stuck. Never was stranded either.

 

[neanderthal]

id avoid the explorer. theyre junk.

the GC is better.

 

[DRIFT GOD]

im looking at a 95' s10 4X4, 4.3 liter, 5-speed, CD player, new tires, reg. cab for $3,000 👍

 

[toyomatt84]

The '03 Toyota 4Runner alone had more recalls than the '03 Liberty, '03 Wrangler and '03 Grand Cherokee put together.

Wow, they got one year of ok production.... What about all years proceeding 2003? (Also, where did you get your info. off of?)

Also, do you think that an '03 Jeep is under 5,000 usd?

 

[Firebird]

Wow, they got one year of ok production.... What about all years proceeding 2003? (Also, where did you get your info. off of?)

Also, do you think that an '03 Jeep is under 5,000 usd?

I picked '03 because of your friends supposed misfortune, and your claims that Jeeps are the most recalls of any manufacturer. I also picked a Toyota, since they're supposedly the most reliable vehicles on the road.

I got my info from the NHTSA, which is the government agency that handles vehicle recalls.

 

[toyomatt84]

I mean give me a link, but no worries bud, I understand where you got that info. from. But, that's only one given year. Jeep has had nothing but troubles over the past 15.

 

[1X83Z]

I mean give me a link, but no worries bud, I understand where you got that info. from. But, that's only one given year. Jeep has had nothing but troubles over the past 15.

I agree with you on the recall issue - there were ten distinct recalls on 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee/Grand Wagoneers; the 93-98 4Runner (which is composed of two seperate models) halved that number. That said, recalls typically have little if anything to do with mechanical dependability, so it's not a statistic I try to fall back on.

 

[Joey D]

im looking at a 95' s10 4X4, 4.3 liter, 5-speed, CD player, new tires, reg. cab for $3,000 👍

Careful with the 5-speed they tend to have clutch issues.

 

[slimer90210]

I would avoid a pickup, Jordan, even though they're cheapish. Typically they are terrible in the snow, even with 4WD.

None of my 4X4 trucks have had problems in the snow, and I don't carry weights in the bed like many in my area do, although the weights do help a lot, I have just never needed them. I have a '95 Chevy and an '85 Chevy and they both have handled any snow I have tried with them. But I would go for a Mid 90's Chevy/GMC, Dodge, or Ford (however your allegiance is) 1/2 ton. They are plentiful, easy to work on and easy to get parts for. With some patient shopping you should be able to fine one with low miles, I know of in my area for sale for around $4500-$5000 that have 60k miles or less on them.

Side note: Remember that thin tires are better for digging down through snow to the road and wide tires are better at 'floating' over that snow. I use tall, thin tires on my trucks.

 

[TS1AWD]

1990-1992 DSM

 

[toyomatt84]

I agree with you on the recall issue - there were ten distinct recalls on 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee/Grand Wagoneers; the 93-98 4Runner (which is composed of two seperate models) halved that number. That said, recalls typically have little if anything to do with mechanical dependability, so it's not a statistic I try to fall back on.

Agreed that recalls shouldn't be a fallback, but when it comes to mechanical dependability, recalls are what decide how many flaws the company found in the vehicle. Take the new Ford GT40,for example, that's a $250,000+ car that shouldn't have a flaw from the moment you pay that rediculous price. But, they have already recalled it, saying there is a "safety issue."

1990-1992 DSM

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