Thinking of looking at used small SUV - thoughts?

[addyguy]

My 2002 Cavalier is just about on it's last legs, and instaed of fixing it, wife and I are thinking of getting a small, used SUV in the $5-7k range.

A couple that have caught our attention are:
This one

and:

This one also.

I know 6-8 year old SUV's may not be the best investment, but budget is going to keep us in this range, and we'd like a small SUV to accommodate 2 dogs that follow us on may road trips to the in-laws, and fun outings.

My wife adores Ford Escapes, and wants that first one in the driveway right now. I've scoured the internet, and have yet to read anything bad at all about them. I'm not 'after' a hybrid one, that one just seems a good deal.

Talk to me guys!

 

[addyguy]

If those links don't work, first one is a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid with 70k miles for $5500 (not sure if safetied). Second one if a 2003 Cehv Tracker 4-cylinder with 85k miles, not sure of price, but safetied.

 

[meangreen01]

If that Escape is clean it strikes me as a pretty good value. At that price I'm not assuming it's 4WD either.

 

[440Magnum]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 1998-2001 Cherokee. Simplicity is a big plus. I would NOT consider a used FWD-based small SUV (Tracker, Escape, Rav4, etc.) any older than about a 2007. They don't hold up as well.

 

[Autobahn88]

And why would a used FWD SUV not hold up as well. There are a whole pile of older Escapes, Rav4s, CRVs around here. Can you prove that they do not hold up as well? If you are not using it for heavy towing then the above mentioned vehicles are great values.

 

[IndyIan]

How big are your dogs? We like our Tracker but its a bit tight for one kid in a car seat, plus the stroller, plus whatever else we are bringing along. Also the manual 4x4 system makes it a bit tricky for some people. Next SUV we get is going to be midsized, like a newer CRV, Pathfinder, etc.
A Focus Wagon has more space than the Tracker or Escape and its low enough that you can use a roof top carrier as a second trunk.
A 4 cyl 90's odyssey is a good buy IMO too, if you can wait for a cherry one, my buddy even tows a small tent trailer with his. Engine and transmission are supposed to be among Honda's best. Not the greatest with 6 200lb'ers in it but does fine with a typical family load.

BTW, Trackers are rwd, body on ladder frame, hi/lo range transfer case "trucks". Good if you use those features, not really needed if you've been OK with a fwd car.

 

[wallyuwl]

The second link didn't work. But the Escape seems like a nice value and not outrageous miles. Just check out the oil fill hole, get it looked at by a mechanic prior to purchase, and go from there. If it checks out, I would be OK buying that. Of course buying used with this mileage, you'll have to do all the regular maintenance on a "new to you" vehicle - plugs, all fluids, check/replace all filters, etc.

 

[rslifkin]

I'm with 440 on that. The FWD SUVs aren't necessarily bad, but many of them just weren't built as tough, particularly nto if you sue it has an SUV.

A Tracker would be OK, although possibly too small. A Cherokee sounds about the right size, they last forever if maintained, are cheap as dirt to buy, and don't get horrible mpg (although it's not great).

 

[Autobahn88]

Don't get me wrong. I love the old XJ jeep design. I had a 94 which I beat the living [censored] out of off road and never let me down. But, if you are just taking the dogs and a grocery getter the XJ will be harder on gas then an Escape, Rav4 etc. Anyway, why not just get the AWD versions of the Escape etc. The XJ also has a harsher ride then the more modern smaller unibody SUVs.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: Autobahn88
Don't get me wrong. I love the old XJ jeep design. I had a 94 which I beat the living [censored] out of off road and never let me down. But, if you are just taking the dogs and a grocery getter the XJ will be harder on gas then an Escape, Rav4 etc. Anyway, why not just get the AWD versions of the Escape etc. The XJ also has a harsher ride then the more modern smaller unibody SUVs.


Good point, which is why you have to think "total cost of ownership." A smaller FWD-based SUV WILL win on gas mileage (heck, some newer full-sized SUVs will beat an old XJ!). But its going to have to beat it by a wide margine to ultimately pay off. This is because you'll pay more up front (by a factor of 3, maybe) for equal reliability in the FWD SUV. And parts are more expensive (I've been amazed how cheap XJ parts are). And service is more expensive still on FWD-based vehicles.

For me, the XJ wins hands down on total cost of ownership.

I wouldn't advise it for everyone, but if you're looking for cheap to purchase reliable transport and you can give up a few MPG, then its worth considering because they're so cheap and there are so many out there. You also do have to know what you're doing when you buy one, since they are now getting older and there are plenty out there that have been thrashed (rode hard and put away wet, as my Dad used to say...).

 

[bepperb]

There should be a ton of used Escapes out there, and if that makes the other half happy I'd say the decision is already made. I don't see how you could go wrong, they seem pretty robust for what they are (reliable, not off road durable).

 

[addyguy]

The 2003 Tracker I tried to link to is sold - I didn't notice that, but there are others like it.

Don't get me wrong, I don't need a massive amount of new space - the dogs are a Lhasa Apso and a small poodle! Just thought IF we are upgrading, going with a more 'open' vehicle with a bigger trunk/hatch area made sense.

I looked for Cherokees, but not really many in the price range without mega-miles or rust. May have to look again.

 

[Autobahn88]

This talk about the XJ makes me miss my old trusty friend. That 4.0 is one amazingly bullet proof engine. I sold mine with 372000kms and still ran great. I did however replace a lot of driveline parts because like I said I took that jeep everwhere off road. Old logging roads, and through small streams etc.

 

[addyguy]

Here's another tracker, also in really good shape, with low miles (100k):

http://autocatch.com/used-cars/2003~chevrolet~tracker~522113.htm

I'm not 'fixated' on these, they just seem a good size, and from what I've read, are pretty darn reliable.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
If those links don't work, first one is a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid with 70k miles for $5500 (not sure if safetied).


The cabbies in N.Y.C. have zero issues with their Hybrid Escapes as I ask a few last summer when I was up there...My county has a ton of Escapes running around here [non Hybrid] and all are doing just fine.

 

[Autobahn88]

If by chance you want to look at jeeps for sale, try the classified section at Jeepkings.ca. Tons of useful info and always a wide assortment of jeeps for sale.

 

[Spazdog]

I like the XJ Cherokee a lot. But it is getting darn hard to find a nice clean Cherokee Country 4X4 4.0 with the older AMC interior. (I like Mopar but the later Chrysler interior is a little too plasticky and plain) plus there is the fuel economy isssue.

You might want to look into a Kia Sportage too. The first gen was powered by the Mazda FE motor and later generations are essentially Hyundai Tuscons

 

[eljefino]

If you don't need 4wd there are rare cherokees out there with RWD and even 2.5 4cyl with a stick shift. Would help the city mileage.

I scoured the world for a "cute ute" like an early saturn VUE 4 cyl/ 5 speed and the rottenest ones were still way out of my price range. So I wound up with a short wheelbase olds silhouette minivan. LOTS of interior space, pep, and 26 MPG highway.

They have issues with rust and IM gaskets but even paying to fix those you might come out ahead.

 

[mongo161]

For nice dependable transportation you could also look into the used vehicle market for a Toyota 4Runner.

These are dependable and just the right size for any of your needs. My best vehicle to date has been a Toyota 4Runner.

The only regret that I have is not purchasing the vehicle used. I could have saved a ton of cash and the secondary market is flush with vehicles. IMO...These trucks keep running with a little TLC and minor maintenance.

 

[Astro14]

Escape is a good vehicle. Both the RAV-4 and Honda CR-V have good reliability records.

You mention road trips - not 4-wheeling, so I wouldn't have any problems with these, they are all unibody crossovers based on FWD platforms.

If you 'wheel, you need a truck, with body on frame construction and a transfer case with low range, not one of these 3. Don't get me wrong, my 4-Runner is one of the most reliable things I have ever owned and I would not ever part with it, but you pay a mileage, ride and handling penalty for a truck chassis, so in your case, the above-mentioned 3 would be best suited...

In your price range, condition is everything. Miles, not so much as condition. Make sure there are no outstanding issues, no rust, and you have a complete service history, including, of course, oil changes!

Cheers