I’m looking to buy a compact SUV mainly for camping/hiking/climbing trips. Want to spend less than $5k, less than $4k even better. It doesn’t need to be 4wd/AWD (just need a little bit of ground clearance for some roads) and I’d prefer a manual for mpg and reliability. It needs to get 25+ mpg highway, as most of my trips would be 600-700 miles round trip, so even though it’s a second vehicle and non-daily-driver, I really need a compact one that gets good mpg.
After research and pricing, I’ve started to narrow down to the following:
Any insight on which ones I should avoid? Issues? I know the CRVs and Rav4s can go well into 200k miles with regular maintenance – how about the Vue and Escape/Tribute? I’m sure any engine will last with proper maintenance, but any other issues that pop up with any of these models? I think all of these have timing belts, which annoys me for maintenance $$. I will try to do most work myself, unless I can’t diagnose it.
Your thoughts/input greatly appreciated.
After research and pricing, I’ve started to narrow down to the following:
- ~99 Rav4 pros: best mpg in class w/ manual 2wd cons: holds value, so I need to buy older and/or higher mileage; small; underpowered moreso than others
- 01 CRV pros: larger than Rav4 cons: burnt valves? still can’t afford newer models with better mpg #s
- 01-03 Escape/Tribute (must be 2wd & manual) pros: newer cons: hard to find 4cyl manuals
- 99+ Forester pros: AWD and nearly same mpg as others cons: head gasket issues in my price range model years
- 03 Vue pros: newer cons: must be manual for reliability, might be hard to find; long term reliability?
Any insight on which ones I should avoid? Issues? I know the CRVs and Rav4s can go well into 200k miles with regular maintenance – how about the Vue and Escape/Tribute? I’m sure any engine will last with proper maintenance, but any other issues that pop up with any of these models? I think all of these have timing belts, which annoys me for maintenance $$. I will try to do most work myself, unless I can’t diagnose it.
Your thoughts/input greatly appreciated.