SUV suggestion
 

Hey guys, I recently sold my little fit and I'm looking for an SUV to replace it. Trying to find an SUV that I can take off-road and enjoy BC a bit. Gonna be camping and what not in it so looking for something that's a bit plusher and is capable.

So far I've been looking at
2002-2004 Pathfinder
2001-2004 QX4
1996-2002 4runner

Looking to spend no more than 8k, any other suggestions? I'm leaning more towards QX4 simply because it has stock LSD in the back, a bit newer so it's safer than 4runner.

But what do you guys suggest? Anything else I can get for around that price?

The early gen Forester had a really bad automatic transmission that zapped the fun out of it (from personal experience) but if you find a stick shift it could be kinda fun.

4runner all the way, though a second choice would be a 02-04 Xterra

also have to define "off-road" as any car with decent ground clearance can do most FSR's

ah forgot to add it'll need to be auto, as the wife needs to drive it. And I think the forester wouldn't do so well in an off-road environment

Ah I get what you mean, not just logging trails might go on some places where some rock climbing might be needed.

I do like the 4runner, but i feel most of them are overpriced. 8k for a 97 with 300k is like the average for something decent with no rust.

Found this, Xterra looks like an amazing deal

early 2nd gen Xterra's are notorious for tranny failures so avoid if possible

SMOD Hit List - Year, Mileage, User and Outcome - Second Generation Nissan Xterra Forums (2005+)

maybe jeeps? they're dirt cheap, not sure about reliability though

Yea, I saw those. But if the tranny and rad's been worked on they're gonna be okay.

I looked into the Grand Cherokee but for the price, it's going to be the older body style.

If the tranny started slipping cause the rad failed, it's possible they flushed the tranny and replaced the rad or installed an external cooler. It still would've shortened the life of the tranny. If you find one you like and everything checks out, go ahead and get an external cooler installed, regardless.

If the mileage and price of 4runners is a turnoff, I'd consider 03-04ish Pathfinders, with the 3.5. If I'm not mistaken, same year QX4's suggest using premium.

Stay away from the Grand Cherokee. I had one back in 98, it was the 5.9l and it was nothing but problems. I would look at the 4runner, they seem to be very reliable and fairly cheap to fix.

yea was reading people used 87 and it'll knock

that's good to know Thanks!

4runner is attractive for sure was hoping for 03+ but the v6 are harder to find.

I've had my 01 qx4 for 5 years and it's been great. I've had numerous 4runners before.
The qx has been pretty reliable. Mainly regular maintenance. They all get slop in the rear trailing arms and u have to replace the bushings. I just replaced my rear springs as they all are soft and sag. I do have to run premium gas as the motor did not like regular gas and I started going through mass air flow sensors. No problems since switching back to premium.
Parts are a little pricier I find, I get all mine from rock auto.
I think you get a better motor than the 4Runner and nicer interior.
Toyota will be better off road and maybe more reliable but you have to pay the Toyota tax to buy one.

Happy to answer any qx questions as I've spent lots of time reading up on them and gone through all the maintenance items in the time I've had mine.

I think ultimately I would want a QX4, just gotta find the right one. So far most of them that's out there are pretty beat and leaking.

Probably a QX4, since you don't have the budget for a Land Cruiser or a Defender...

Found a few lower mileage, loaded 02/03 Pathfinders on CL, well within your budget.

Link pls