Older smallish SUV?

[Stewart Fan]

We recently pared our fleet of vehicles down just two. That ended up being a mistake.

Now we're in the market for an older SUV. Something like the old S10 Blazer,or Ford Escape.

Basically it'll be a winter beater,and a car that my wife can haul the dogs to the park or lake with.

We sold our '99 S10 Blazer a couple years ago. I'm leaning towards another because it was a bullet proof rig. The 4.3 and the 4L60E are a proven combo.

Only looking to spend about $2500. What else should we consider?

 

[Donald]

Unsure of what years besides my 93 Suburban, but I would stay away from any GM vehicle that eats fuel pumps.

 

[eljefino]

You're lucky because another trailblazer sounds like just your ticket.

Explorers and cherokees aren't bad either. Gas guzzlers, but nice beaters. Cherokees will probably command slightly more money.

 

[Donald]

I have a 2001 Cherokee and love driving it. Could be my favorite car of all time going back many many years. But get one before they changed the 4.0 engine (in 2000 I think), or get a V8. I just replaced the engine due to problems related to the piston skirt, and others have had the same trouble.

 

[Kuato]

Sounds like you may have made up your mind already, but I second the Cherokee.

 

[Stewart Fan]

Hadn't even thought of a Cherokee. I've always liked their boxy look.

 

[MNgopher]

Was also going to suggest a Cherokee as well. Note that it is smaller than the Explorer though! I currently own an '88 Cherokee and a '97 Explorer. The explorer is more refined and has more room. The Jeep, is well, a Jeep, and that's fine!

 

[OVERKILL]

Find a V8 Explorer with the 5.0L. The 302 + 4R70W is a bulletproof combo.

 

[daves87rs]

Old Liberty?

 

[dparm]

CR-V. Not sure if those can be had for $2500, but they're basically Civics so parts are cheap and plentiful.

 

[dwcopple]

Any old Suzuki will do you fine. Or an Exploder...

 

[rslifkin]

I'd go for a Cherokee. If you need a hair more size (more like an Explorer), early Grand Cherokees don't hold a ton of value either.

 

[Ausfahrt]

I was in the same position a few months ago. We are planning to move to Vermont in a year or so and I picked up this '96 4x4 Cherokee for $2200 and I'm happy with it.

 

[Autobahn88]

Based on personal experience, I would also recommend an XJ cherokee or a Pathfinder. I've had both of these vehicles in the past and I beat them to [censored] and both never let me down.

 

[JustinH]

Originally Posted By: bigdreama
I was in the same position a few months ago. We are planning to move to Vermont in a year or so and I picked up this '96 4x4 Cherokee for $2200 and I'm happy with it.


Nice pick up because you won't find one that clean anywhere in the north.

 

[97tbird]

Old Forrester?

 

[SLCraig]

Honda CR-V is pretty rock solid.

 

[eljefino]

Pathfinder frames rot, IIRC near the rear axle arch.

 

[Autobahn88]

Older pathfinders are known for this issue. If I am not mistaken 96 and up should be alright. Mine was not rotted and I live in a salt belt.