Used compact SUV search - input wanted

[surfstar]

I'm leaning towards a Vue or Escape - if I go with one of these I can get a newer model year vs CRV, Rav4, or Foresters, with likely less mileage. Plus the 4cyl 5spd combos seem quite efficient (vs CRV & Forester).
The market in CA is annoyingly expensive, not to mention trying to find a 5spd! I'm looking into an '05 Vue with 142k miles, and they want $4995 which is 'excellent' kbb private value. We'll see if they have maint. records...

Luckily I have time to browse and won't jump into something too soon. That Escape hybrid tempted me b/c it was a one owner car, every option, and high miles quickly sounded like a traveling salesperson who traded it in on a new Honda.

 

[Rand]

if you can find a 00 or 01 chevy tracker with the suzuki engine.. they are amazingly durable.
I know someone who did a paper route with one for 250000 miles.
besides maintenance.. and the driver breaking stuff (ie running over curbs) it was amazingly reliable and returned 24mpg on a paper route 30ish if you kept it slow on the highway.

it was a total pain to change the oil filter on though..
its up high on the side of the engine above the cv axle with stuff around it on all sides.

 

[surfstar]

After searching, I found a 2005 2.2L 5spd Vue in Dragonfly Green offered for $7500 a little over an hour away. With only 80k miles, they were right to ask that price, but as it hadn't sold (and I don't think they advertised it much), they lowered it to $6500 over the phone and I picked it up for $6200 last night.

Originial owners, well-maintained, unique color (I'm indifferent on it), clean interior, no dents, plus comes with side airbags, moonroof, compass/temp rearview mirror, auto headlights (stuff I never expected to get).

I went over my search range, but think that it was worth it and this will last me a long time and I'll wring my money's worth outta it! "old EPA" MPG #'s are 23/29 "new" are 20/27 - I hope to acheive old status

(edit) I enjoyed buying from these original owners: they were nice, seemed trustworthy and did properly care for the vehicle - not something you can always find off of craigslist or at a used dealership.

 

[addyguy]

Excellent buy. You can't go wrong with an Ecotec-powered vehicle, those engines are bulletproof.

Personally, I love the colour - a bit different from what you see on everything else!

Enjoy the new ride!

 

[Hokiefyd]

I like it. And you bought it well. Congratulations.

 

[JOD]

I hate the color--a dead ringer for my old Eurovan! I hated the color even worse on that vehicle, since it was so big...

...but I love the car! Looks you did really well for the $$. Buying a private party car from someone who took car of it is a great way to go. I also just like the concept of a giant wagon/small SUV with a 4 cylinder 5 speed manual transmission. That's as practical as it gets. Congrats, and enjoy the new rig!

 

[daves87rs]

Nice Vue!

 

[expat]

How about a JDM Mitsubishi Delica Starwagon 4WD Turbo Diesel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7q6pf1C4AE

Very popular around here, owners seem to love them.

 

[kkreit01]

Congrats. Vue looks nice. "Dragonfly Green" -- I like it.

 

[surfstar]

First trip: last weekend the g/f and I went up to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite.
First tank from Santa Barbara to Bishop (gaining 4000'), clocked 28+ MPG with some a/c and 70-75 mph. Second tank was from Bishop to Tuolumne (+another 6k'), lower speeds around the campground and short trips to hike, climb, etc including its first 'off-road' section: 27+ MPG. Home from Bishop, a/c on most of the time, only 25+ MPG, dissapointing for me, but we had a STRONG crosswind the whole drive. Still happy w/ the results. Plenty of room for all our stuff and comfortable to cruise in!

Getting us to a climbing area on the way home outside of Mammoth.

All cleaned up with a fresh wax after the trip! Direct sun makes it seem more blue.

 

[daves87rs]

Still love it! Looks good clean!

 

[surfstar]

NOTE THE ORIGINAL POST DATE

Conclusion to my Vue's history - just sold it for $2500 cash, within 2 hours of posting it on Craigslist!
I spent more time detailing it yesterday. Had 144,515 miles at sale.

Gas Stats: from 80,804 on; average 26.72 mpg, $3.52 per gal, for a total fuel cost of $8,468.07 (I purchased the car for $6200)

Average OCI: 6,049 mi, 5.5 months. (longest 7800, shortest 5k - to fit my schedule, IIRC)

Maintenance and repairs:
7/13/2011 80,804 -- new air filter, lubed shift cables where accessible
7/19/2011 81,600 -- full wax, new cabin air filter
8/6/2011 82,125 -- New AC Delco plugs 41-105, lubed door hinges, moonroof track
8/13/2011 82,500 -- New AC Delco ICM installed
8/20/2011 83,250 -- New shift cables & o2 sensor
10/21/2011 85k -- MTX fluid change (2 qts Redline D4), drain and fill radiator
3/1/2012 88,690 -- Radiator drain and fill
08/24/12 -- original? Battery iffy
09/12/12 97k -- new costco battery (date not exact)
11/6/2012 98,600 -- two Hankook H727s installed + alignment
4/13/2013 100,968 -- Raybestos Adv. Tech. Rotors, Wagner Ceramic TQ pads, bled all brakes with DOT3
5/11/2013 -- wax and interior detail
5/17/2013 101,920 -- Smog – meas idle/2500 HC 4/3 CO .04/.03
6/16/2013 102,200 -- installed tow hitch
9/20/2013 104,700 -- new front sway bar end links
9/14/2014 121,840 -- rear tires - insides both cupped; found during tire rotation
9/20/2014 121,900 -- new rear shocks – KYB gas-a-just
1/25/2014 126,900 -- new rear hatch lift struts
2/10/2015 127k -- diagnose windshield sprayer – pump makes noise, lines seemed clear, maybe pump still bad?
3/2/2015 -- ? - late night hit & run of my FL fender
3/21/2015 -- DIY fender repair
6/13/2015 132k -- new air filter, cabin air filter, wiper blades, washer pump, MTX fluid Pennzoil synchromesh, rad drain/fill, windshield crack started after chip repair
11/11/2015 138k -- New 41-105 plugs and VC spark plug well seals
1/28/2016 141k -- new PGW windshield

 

[supton]

Seems like you did pretty good on that one.

 

[SatinSilver]

Smart choice on the 4cyl manual. Probably saved thousands with that choice.

 

[surfstar]

It seemed weird to get rid of a vehicle that runs great still

I'm used to running them into the ground! Figured on 200k+ on the Vue, but then I couldn't pass up a new Sportwagen (cargo capacity of the Saturn, yet 10+mpg more and fun to drive).

It served me well and it was "fun" to own a Saturn

On one climbing trip, we were camping in Zion National Park, our neighbor came over to enjoy our campfire and chat. Mentioned about seeing a beat up Saturn wagon during part of her roadtrip, and made the comment "I mean, who even drives a Saturn?" - my friends bust up laughing, and we ask her to look behind her at my Vue, not even 20' away.

 

[surfstar]

Nice "vue"

^that was when I found out about my leaking spark plug well seals. New seals and new spark plugs and we were back on our way (for the above trip - out to Indian Creek, UT). Broke down just N of Vegas, luckily right near an offramp. Missfire and reduced power mode. Only "issue" I ever had with it, and it just slowed us down by a few hours.