4.0L Nissan Xterra. They tow over 6000 lbs and average about 20 to 21 mpg. My frontier (basically the same thing) gets about 15 mpg while towing my 2800 lb race car and 2000 lb trailer.
Plus, you can get one that is a manual!!
4.0L Nissan Xterra. They tow over 6000 lbs and average about 20 to 21 mpg. My frontier (basically the same thing) gets about 15 mpg while towing my 2800 lb race car and 2000 lb trailer.
Plus, you can get one that is a manual!!
In reply to wvumtnbkr:
the manual transmission models also come with a bit beefier Dana 44 variant rear axle.
http://www.nissanusa.com/pdf/techpubs/2007/2007NissanTowingGuide.pdf page 27 for the xterra
dinger wrote: V6 Toyota 4Runner. Right around 20 mpgs, tows 5000 pounds, and is from the era when Toyota didn't suck. Still body on frame design with a solid rear axle and real 4WD with a proper low range.
I second this. 06-09 V6 4Runner. My wife drives an 08 4Runner SportEdition with the XREAS suspension. It has nice road manners (not too "truckish), great interior, good towing, gets 25 mpg on the highway with a cargo box on the roof and bikes on the hitch mount. We've had zero problems with it, and everything about it screams "quality."
Also, on the highway it is virtually SILENT. No wind, road, or engine noise to speak of. I have once or twice looked down to make sure the engine is even on, lol. Plus even a mid-range model has all kinds of cool features that I'm still finding 2 years later.
Another plus is that it's compact enough to fit nicely in a standard garage with some room to spare (it's only 6" longer than her old Mazda3!)
When we bought it we drove Trailblazer, XTerra, Pathfinder, Highlander, and Grand Cherokee. Wife liked the 4Runner best by far, as did I. Pathfinder was second. Trailblazer last - it felt kind of junky, honestly. And extremely "truck-like" more than any of the others. We also considered a Durango, but my wife hated the looks (as do I), though it drove pretty decent. The 4Runner is actually far more nible on the road (and less bulky) than the same year Highlander or Xterra, which has always seemed strange to me but is indeed the case.
Only downside is the 4Runner cargo space is not much more than a Rav4, and much less than a Highlander. But we still manage to pack it up fine for family trips with the girl and the dog for a week at the beach!
One last thing, not sure why your wife dislikes Toyota but if it has something to do with the acceleration recall issues.....rest at east.....no years of the 4Runner were affected at all.
and since I rarely post without including a photo....that and I still think it is by far the best looking true SUV out there, except perhaps the Trailblazer SS.
That truck right there? Not $10k.
Im in the trailblazer et al camp.
Id definitely skip the trailblazer and envoy renditions if i had the choice (too common/plain) and go for the saab, isuzu, or buick version just to be a little more unique with all the same mechanicals.
The 4.2 tows fine with a car behind it, been there. I honestly wouldnt buy the v8 if i had the choice because i dont see the point vs the 4.2. I really enjoy the thought of a smallish motor in a big truck that feels good, can tow, gets decent mpg, and makes most of 300hp before you do anything to it.
Great debate and points guys. Thanks a ton.
I am suprised no one has mentioned a Honda Pilot. I just picked up a 2007 EX at the Auction off lease with 40k for a customer and I paid 13.3k. You can get a 2005 or so for under 10k. It should get better then 20 miles to the gallon, is pretty sporty for an SUV and will pull a racecar on an open trailer no problem. (Of course I live in Florida and we don't have a lot of hills.)
In reply to irish44j:
The difference you noted in ride/handling is due to the xreas setup. Without it it's just like any of the other offerings. And the 4runner was 6" longer than the xterra, which in my garage is the difference between having to open the garage and back out in order to use the workbench or not
Regarding Trailblazer:
My wife has a 2003 2WD model and she loves it. I have towed two parts cars home from a good distance. It tows really well. It is rated @ 5,000# but you can only tow 4,000# as delivered, then you need some fancy tow sway bars or something.
I have a 2008 4WD model that I talked the accountant into leasing for me (which expires in two months). I like to ride up and it makes traveling easier when you clip 1,200 miles off in a week.
Compared to my Venture minivan I had; I am amazed how big and thirsty a Trailblazer is and how small the hatch area is when you want to haul stuff. Also the Trailblazer is rated 270hp? My old S10 was rated 200hp and ran like a scared rabbit.
I would recommend an Avalanche. It's a truck when you need it, and an SUV when you need that. I guess it depends on how big your family is. I got one last year, and it fits my needs perfectly.
In reply to irish44j:
oh and, i'll see your beach photo, and raise you a couple tents
I'm squashing the base trailblazer for its oddly stingy amount of headroom. My wife commented on this and I thought it was a fluke until I got in one... I about decrapitated myself.
The long wheelbase big top version is still in the running but it sadly limits me a bit on the number of off brand variants available. I was sort of digging the Olds Bravada but I am not sure that one is available in long and tall.
The Xterra/Pathfinder and 4Runner options have been looked at prior and all have merit as does the Pilot. The Pilot feels a bit numb to me, I love the Xterra but my wife finds it to be too utilitarian but likes the Pathfinder and the 4Runner seems possible as there are actually a lot of them around me that seem to be reasonably priced.
As such I may have to go find one to hop in and drive around a bit... we will see.
one thing i wish i had known when i was looking is that not all sr5 models are appointed exactly the same. i originally limited my search to sport and limited models because i was under the impression that all of the sr5's came with the fugly foam rubber steering wheel. i found out later that some actually did come with leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. doesn't matter though as i'm enjoying the heck out of the xterra.
Envoy/Trailblazers arent too bad they do eat tires and gas. There are a few odd problems but nothing too bad and they are starting to trade for under $10k for decent ones.
Im surprised nobody has mentioned an XJ or I6 WJ (stock tires, stock gears, and, eco-minded driving will net nearly 20mpg) even an I6 ZJ older than you want but I do get 19mpg on the highway with my V8
camaroz1985 wrote: I would recommend an Avalanche. It's a truck when you need it, and an SUV when you need that. I guess it depends on how big your family is. I got one last year, and it fits my needs perfectly.
i want an 07+ with the 6sp trans so bad. could definitely be my next truck.
In reply to WilberM3:
OK if you don't want 4x4, or only need it for the snow. when they went to the 6speed autos, chevy decided that people no longer needed low range, so you have a choice between 2wd, auto 4wd, or 4x4. i still like the expedition/EL with its already plenty low first gear, real 4lo, and much better approach and departure angles when i'm picking up rentals
If you're looking for an AWD minivan replacement, look at the GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse/Buick Something or other/Saturn Outlook. 275-290 hp., 19/25 mpg, 5000 lbs. tow capacity, seats up to 8 real people (with legs!
), and still has legitimate cargo space with the rear seat up.
We went through this nut roll earlier this summer (search for the thread of the outlook/acadia vs. the Honda Odyssey, my threads should bring it up). We chose the Outlook and love it. We bought used, so buying an orphan Saturn saved us cash, but it is the same as the acadia except the tail lights and dash trim. No low range, so it is a soft roader, but I liked the AWD aspect for rain storms and trips to the mountains in snow. It has lots of room, and if you get the buckets, it is really easy to get into the way back seats. If you get the bench, you have to do the SUV flip up the seat thing, or open the back and send the kids "over the wall".
We love ours, and I was shocked at how much power it has+ 6 speed auto. It will throw you back in the seat if you floor it to merge or pass- not something that happens with the rest of our family cars... I can't believe this one hasn't been mentioned yet.
BoxheadTim wrote:slantvaliant wrote: 80's-90's Suburbans are dirt cheap now. The price difference compared to a newish SUV buys a lot of gas ...Word. I ended up with a similar vintage truck but with hindsight, I probably would've been better off with a Suburban. It was just a matter of what showed up first on CL... That said, if you're not living in flat country, a mid-nineties truck or Suburban with the 350 will feel rather underpowered. I have to go over a pass to work and while it does an OK job, it still has me wondering how GM managed to waste that much displacement on an engine this anemic. If I'd go shopping for another one I'd consider one with a big block but I shudder at the thought of the increased fuel consumption - I'm only getting about 15mpg as is...
You can get vortec heads dirt cheap.....I just picked up a decent used set for $250. Those and a mild cam will really wake the old TBI engines up. When my 91 Suburban hit 302k miles it decided to eat a headgasket, so I've taken it as an opportunity to wake that engine up. Vortec heads, cam, intake.......we'll see what that does for it.
Cotton wrote:BoxheadTim wrote: Word. I ended up with a similar vintage truck but with hindsight, I probably would've been better off with a Suburban. It was just a matter of what showed up first on CL... That said, if you're not living in flat country, a mid-nineties truck or Suburban with the 350 will feel rather underpowered. I have to go over a pass to work and while it does an OK job, it still has me wondering how GM managed to waste that much displacement on an engine this anemic. If I'd go shopping for another one I'd consider one with a big block but I shudder at the thought of the increased fuel consumption - I'm only getting about 15mpg as is...You can get vortec heads dirt cheap.....I just picked up a decent used set for $250. Those and a mild cam will really wake the old TBI engines up. When my 91 Suburban hit 302k miles it decided to eat a headgasket, so I've taken it as an opportunity to wake that engine up. Vortec heads, cam, intake.......we'll see what that does for it.
Keep us posted, I would be interested in seeing how that goes. I am tempted to do something along those lines but OTOH the engine in my truck has 240k on it and I hesitate to try and squeeze more power out of a potentially worn engine.
In reply to Vigo:
Obviously not an 08 4Runner, but the 08 is, for all practical purposes, the same vehicle going all the way back to 03, just with cosmetic/interior/option upgrades really.. And an 03-04 can most certainly be found in the $10k range or below.....
Strizzo wrote: In reply to irish44j: The difference you noted in ride/handling is due to the xreas setup. Without it it's just like any of the other offerings. And the 4runner was 6" longer than the xterra, which in my garage is the difference between having to open the garage and back out in order to use the workbench or not
yeah, I'm well aware of the difference. That's why we bought the SportEdition (standard Xreas, optional on the Limited too).
And damn, I thought my garage was small, but I have 3' infront of the 4Runner to the wall. Then again, my workbench is in the other bay, where there's plenty of room left by a Triumph GT6 parked there, lol.
BoneYard_Racing wrote: Envoy/Trailblazers arent too bad they do eat tires and gas. There are a few odd problems but nothing too bad and they are starting to trade for under $10k for decent ones.
These are on my short list for a very mild wheeling rig/ off road camper tower.
However, the oil pan through driveshaft issue and some weirdness with the rear drive shaft(IIRC) makes lifting the things tough. A 2" suspension lift is about maximum.
Strizzo wrote: one thing i wish i had known when i was looking is that not all sr5 models are appointed exactly the same. i originally limited my search to sport and limited models because i was under the impression that all of the sr5's came with the fugly foam rubber steering wheel. i found out later that some actually did come with leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. doesn't matter though as i'm enjoying the heck out of the xterra.
Don't get me wrong....I have several friends with XTerras and I do like them too (was a NIssan guy for years). But as ours was for family trips and such (and my wife's daily driver), we found the 4Runner to have better overall comfort and manners.
If I was a single guy, using my SUV for mostly "guy stuff" and off-roading, I'd probably be in an Xterra. Same capability as the 4Runner, but less cringe when you ding a fender on a rock :)
Teh E36 M3 wrote:mtn wrote: SAAB 97x Aero. Trailblazer SS with the LS whatever and a swanky Swedish interior.Those *do* look pretty nice. Weird, really.
WHAT?? My eyes have never burned as much as the first time I looked at the trailblazer with the saab grill.
I find the best looking of that platform to be the Olds and GMC
S2, The Acadia family is in fact nice but I don't think I could find an AWD one in decent shape for $20k let alone closer to $10k.
Oddly... Started looking at 4runners and bumped into a Sequoia. Those things seem pretty well legit and there are a ton of them around for about $12-13k that look lightly loved on.
Anyone have any hands on with these big guys?
Hey guys, I am kinda new here. I've read some of the posts and have a few comments. I own an 08 Trailblazer SS AWD and found the gas mileage to be consistantly arount 16-18 mpg. It doesn't matter how we drive it. city,highway,just put around, or beat the crap out of it. It gets 16-18 mpg. The AWD versions are only AWD when the computer determines the AWD is needed. Plain english- it is 2WD almost always. So I lug around an extra 450-500 lbs. most of the year. I work at a GM dealer and have found the Acadia/Traverse/Outlook,etc. to be very unapealing. There are constantly power steering noises, timing chain rattles,and redundant recalls in our shop. When we looked for another new vehicle, we looked at the sporty suvs. Durango,Cherokee,Trailblazer,etc. None of them had the room, towing capability, AND sportiness. Except the TBSS IMO. Talk to someone who works on all of the suvs that you are interested in, they will tell you about the problems that are inherent with a particular vehicle. Then it up to you to find the cool factor that you like. Have fun and happy hunting. Nice to meet you all.
You'll need to log in to post.
