SUV Recommendation?
 

My wife currently drives an '97 GMC Yukon. It is a decent vehicle, but the maintenance is killing us. We've been averaging close to $200 a month for the last year in repairs and maintenance. We want to get rid of this money pit and get another SUV which is more reliable. To us that translates into something foreign (non-American). We are currently considering the PathFinder, 4 Runner, Morano, or Highlander and want one 2 to 3 years old. We want to stay under $25,000. We might consider American made if we were certain the only money we would have to spend would be on regular maintenance.
Any recommendation?

I find it amazing that the vehicle is requiring that much maintanence. The Yukon is, in most cases, a very reliable vehicle, with a solid powertrain, and not overly complicated electronics. What kind of problems are you having?

Don't rule out Jeeps, I known many people that have owned Jeeps and only two have had problems with them, and both of the times it was the air conditioner.

dodge durango. they that start at about 26000 i believe. and have a 7 year 70000 miles warranty.

Last year, replacement oil seal gasket, replaced the rubber boots around the front axle joints, had something done on the rear axle as well. That's all I can remember off hand.
The truck was reliable up until last year and we don't want to spend another year sinking money into it. I have to admit, it has been driven a lot in the last couple of years. The mileage is roughly 110,000 and I am concerned more problems will occur due to the 'high' mileage.


Edit: maybe some day I will learn how to spell

out of what you listed i'd go 4runner

Re: SUV Recommendation?
 

I would check out the Nissian Morano or the Mazda Tribute

How about the Honda Pilot?

IMHO the SUV market total cost of ownership is much higher than a regular car, especially those that are 4WD/AWD.

What's the needs to be met by the new SUV besides the maintenance? Will it ever see anything more than the gravel roads at the flea markets?

Re: SUV Recommendation?
 

I would check out the Nissian Moran

I would first decide if you need the 4x4 capability. If you aren't going to need a lower differential, then out of the vehicles you listed, I would suggest the Highlander. (you won't be able to find a 2 - 3 year old Murano, it hasn't been out that long)

If you are going to be doing some off-road, then my preference would be the 4-Runner, its off-road capabilities are better than the Pathfinder, but I don't think you could go wrong with either.

dimbulb mentioned the Honda Pilot, which would be a nice choice, but it is also new, and you wouldn't be able to find a 2 - 3 year old one.

I think that honda looks to much like a box!

and I have never liked Honda's

I'd look at a TrailBlazer...haven't heard of anything major on that family of SUV's. Remember that Jeeps still use CHrylser transmissions, and are more prone to failure than they should be. I would personally buy a diesel powered Ford Excursion. I don't like Fords, but I love diesels, and big vehicles.

Toyota ROCKS, 4runner or rav4. Honda 2nd. The Lexus or Range Rover are worth looking at also.

Nix the Nissan and Montero.

I have no clue why my wife wants a large SUV. I have a slight idea it has to do with feeling safe if involved in an accident. We used to do some serious off road, but now that we have a two year old we won't be doing that for a long time.

I feel the same way, we haven't even considered the Pilot due to its boxy look.
Rav 4 would be way too small. We are looking seriously at a 4 Runner. We will probably test drive one this weekend and we haven't driven a PathFinder yet, so hopefully we will check out one of those as well.

Thanks for all the great input.

Consider either a Jeep Cherokee (2001 was last year I think) or a Grand Cherokee. Look for the 4.0L inline 6, it's proven to be a 200k+ mile engine.

Spent the day driving new vehicles. Your under 25 K$ may get in your way. Murano is too new and they seemed way expensive for what you get. New Pathfinders are also way out of line, Toyota is much the same to me. Jeep looks like the ticket for me, though the new Mitsubishi Endeavor is still in the running. This is the first model year for the Endeavor and that makes me nervous. Anyone have any experience there to share?

I kinda like the Jeep idea too, but owning one im kinda biased. In the Grand's, the 4.0 is a little underpowered, just not enough for that big of a car, so teh V8 would be the way to go. If you get the Cherokee, that 4.0 is a great engine. They have been using it for a good 40 years now (slight changes to it of course), and is plenty of power for that size/weight car (and it is really light for an SUV ~3300lbs on a 4WD manual). Also will last 200k+ easily. Im at 253k now, with no engine work and still pass smog great.

Mitsubishi has build quality issues. Choosing from what you listed, I would go w/ a Toyota. They hold their value very well for a reason.

I own a 98 pathfinder with 75000 miles. No major problems yet. knock on wood* I love it! Its very stylish for an suv. i think one of the best looking! so i recommend a pathfinder.

4 Runner owns you.

Perhaps you could post a link that proves your statement?

In my experience, I would rank the vehicles on this order based on reliability, quality and my personal preference.

Toyota
Ford Escape/Explorer/Expedition
Lexus
Land Rover
Subaru (great long life family/recreation suv)

These are all over the streets in Anchorage. Remember that a bad dealer can make for a really bad experience.

Don't get a Lexus, they are ALL Toyota's with a L badge. (I'm talking about SUV's here)

Go for a 4Runner, I'm tempted quite a few of my friends with them. Awesome SUV. Lasts forever and it never goes into the shop.

sure, i probably should have googled this when i oroginally posted, but i didn't. anyhow you asked so here ya go:


http://www.mitsubishisucks.com/issues.html

http://www.mitsubishisucks.com/cars/...tero/2003.html