Good, used dirt-cheap SUVs
02-17-11, 08:00 PM
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Good, used dirt-cheap SUVs
I'm going to be in the market for a new work vehicle soon. I got my 1998 Ford Explorer Sport in 2004 with almost 200k miles from a guy I knew. I knew he took good care of it and in turn, it took great care of me. I bought it for $2,200.
I'm looking to spend around the same and I'd really like to avoid vans, Mini-vans (actually, my fiance would forbid me to buy either). Older 4Runners probably don't depreciate fast enough and anything luxurious would be a sin since some of my work gets a little dirty. My Explorer's rear seats and carpeting are shot from dirt and liquid chlorine (I personally service some community pools as part of my property management business).
I guess I'm looking at either another Explorer (I'd rather avoid it just for a change of scenery, but not at the expense of reliability), the Jeep Grand Cherokee, The Chevy Blazer or a few others in that field of the 90's vintage.
Any suggestions?
Michael
I'm looking to spend around the same and I'd really like to avoid vans, Mini-vans (actually, my fiance would forbid me to buy either). Older 4Runners probably don't depreciate fast enough and anything luxurious would be a sin since some of my work gets a little dirty. My Explorer's rear seats and carpeting are shot from dirt and liquid chlorine (I personally service some community pools as part of my property management business).
I guess I'm looking at either another Explorer (I'd rather avoid it just for a change of scenery, but not at the expense of reliability), the Jeep Grand Cherokee, The Chevy Blazer or a few others in that field of the 90's vintage.
Any suggestions?
Michael
02-17-11, 08:12 PM
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90's vintage? that's what you already have. if you bought a '98 in '04 then in '11 you'd buy an '05, right. 
02-17-11, 08:34 PM
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02-18-11, 06:40 AM
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I love my Explorer, don't get me wrong, but the suspension is making a new noise, the check engine light is on for about the 4th time in 7 years (oxygen sensors on one of the "banks") and its just time for a change.
If it sounds like I'm nagging about it, I'm not. The thing has been very good to me. I tend to agree with your assessment and would like to try a Blazer, but to be honest, I'm slightly afraid. I was afraid going into my Explorer too and that worked out fine. An acquaintance has had nothing but 80's and early 90's vintage Blazers and Jimmys BUT he is mechanically inclined and does his own work. I already asked him if he could help out in that regard if I purchase one and he assured me he will.
One thing I noticed that frequently happened to him is that the GM trucks he's had often take many cranks/attempts to start. My Explorer, despite it's age and mileage, started on the first try EVERY TIME and sounded eager.
Do Blazers typically eat water pumps and/or fuel pumps or are the ones he's had just been anomalies?
Michael
If it sounds like I'm nagging about it, I'm not. The thing has been very good to me. I tend to agree with your assessment and would like to try a Blazer, but to be honest, I'm slightly afraid. I was afraid going into my Explorer too and that worked out fine. An acquaintance has had nothing but 80's and early 90's vintage Blazers and Jimmys BUT he is mechanically inclined and does his own work. I already asked him if he could help out in that regard if I purchase one and he assured me he will.
One thing I noticed that frequently happened to him is that the GM trucks he's had often take many cranks/attempts to start. My Explorer, despite it's age and mileage, started on the first try EVERY TIME and sounded eager.
Do Blazers typically eat water pumps and/or fuel pumps or are the ones he's had just been anomalies?
Michael
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02-18-11, 07:11 AM
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This may be out of your price range, but see if you can find a 2003 (or so) 4Runner V8. If you find an SR5 with the plastic side cladding, even better as these are cheaper.
Trust me on this. I'm an ASE Certified Master tech. This is one hell of a truck.
My dad has one with 140k on it, and I'm STILL waiting for something to break on it. They hit a home run on this one. The 2UZ is a great mill.
A quick peek under the valve covers will instantly tell you how it was maintained.
It may cost a little more but it will serve you for a long, long time with little to no repairs. Just simple maintenance.
Trust me on this. I'm an ASE Certified Master tech. This is one hell of a truck.
My dad has one with 140k on it, and I'm STILL waiting for something to break on it. They hit a home run on this one. The 2UZ is a great mill.
A quick peek under the valve covers will instantly tell you how it was maintained.
It may cost a little more but it will serve you for a long, long time with little to no repairs. Just simple maintenance.
02-19-11, 04:40 PM
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I agree about the practically-supreme build quality of the 4runners, but if you see what the back of my Explorer looked like within just a few months of work, you'd be apalled.
It would be a mortal sin to do that to a vehicle of such nice looks and slow depreciation.
Michael
It would be a mortal sin to do that to a vehicle of such nice looks and slow depreciation.
Michael
02-19-11, 07:55 PM
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Can anyone personally comment on real world MPG on say a...2000 MY Tahoe 1500 (if that makes a difference) with 4wd? My '98 Explorer with blown oxygen sensors couldn't have been much better, but I never really tried to calculate the MPG I was getting.
Michael
