Best SUV for around $10,000
 

Need opinions, I dont really know SUVs. My buddys parents are looking to get a SUV and they are looking to spend around $10,000. Now, they have been looking at cars such as Mitsu montero and Isuzu trooper. Both of wich me and my friend agree are pretty bad looking (the montero more than the trooper)

Either way, what you guys think. 10 K to spend what suv?

If they really think they need a SUV, for whatever reason, I'd probably recommend a Toyota Rav-4 or a Honda CR-V. Around 10k would get them a ~'99 with semi-high miles.

98 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Would be tough finding, let alone one in the price range, but the 5.9 Limited is a pretty baddass car and engine.

As for an SUV, why do they think they want one? For that price range they will be looking at pretty crappy ones or decent ones with high mileage. If they get a little one it makes no more sense than getting a big car/wagon, becuase it isn't as safe as you'd think.

- Anyway, to more realistic hopes for that price, id look into a ~98 Subaru Forrester if they want a more SUV like feel than the Outback. Id probably put my reccomendation behind this one.

- They could go with a ~97-99 Wrangler if they want the real SUV use out of it.

- hmm.... Kia Sportage seems like the next closest thing to an SUV. Can be picked up pretty cheap for a ~2000 model year. If its transferrable, they have a pretty killer warranty.

- Pretty much only leaves the fake SUV's or cheapo cars on stilts left. Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV, Chevy Tracker (ugg....dont get this car.)


Now, if they want a mid-size to larger suv, they will have to go even further back.

96 or so 4Runner if they want more luxory, MAYBE a first year Xterra, 96-97 Pathfinder, any of the jeep from 00 back, 98 and back with the grand's , 98 or so passport, Explorer, Blazer.

There are a lot available, but for that price range they are going to be looking at reasonably older cars with pretty high mileage. It would certainly help to know why that want it, what they want it to do, and why a subaru outback or something similar couldn't fulfill their needs. Also how important is performance? Gas Mileage? Some things to think about before recomending to many vehicles.


In the end, i would throw my recommendation behind a Subaru Forrester for a smaller suv, jeep, pathfinder, or 4runner for the midsize, and tell them to stay away from a fullsize / large suv on that budget.

Yeah im trying to tell them that 10 buys a hell of alot more car than it does suv, but the mom wants the soccer mom look

All shes interested in is the look. bah, i cant stand people like that.

Doesn't really matter what she gets then, have her get a Honda Passport, if it has the honda reliability it will last a while. Or a Kia...just for the cheap price and warranty. Maybe Rav4 if shes wants a small one.

If all she is interested in is how it looks, send toward something reliable, or a POS with a killer warranty. Why pay for a capable machine if she will never use it. Why pay for large size and bad gas mileage if she gets no extra use out of it.

Used Hyundai Santa Fe would be around that, I think. Looks better than most SUVs out there.

The Santa Fe is actually a surprisingly nice ride and confortable in the back seats as well. Its nothing spectacular, but at its price and warranty, you could do worse.