Looking for a new (used) vehicle...

[stricklybojack]

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I have been eyeing big old suv’s, like Suburbans and Expeditions, that are selling super cheap these days here in SoCal. The Blume is off that rose no doubt. Also I noticed even Saturn Outlooks (same as Acadia) are fairly reasonable. However Range Rovers and Jeep products, and much (but not all) of the Asian suv’s seem somewhat immune to this trend so far.
For example, I can get a 2002 Expedition for $2200 with 120k miles, or a 2009 Outlook with 150k miles for $4000...both pre-dickering.
Another Expedition, this one with a 4x4 with transmission solenoid issue, can be had for about $600-$800! Still drives, just upshifts to top gear way too soon.
I like to keep the mileage lower, which these days mean 100-120k, although I won’t be putting a whole lot of miles on it. I want the option of picking up multiple laundry appliances in one run. My Saturn LW300 can only hold one...unless it’s a Miele.
And before you ask about about pickups, zip it, they are like gold around here. If it has a reasonable price it has to be considered damaged goods. I saw a promising one advertised pictured at a job site (see last pic)...notice anything wrong?
What’s the word, GM or Ford? Some of you guys seem well versed on the topic. Or maybe even a Chrysler ASPEN...rarest Chrysler since the TC Maserati!
[this post was last edited: 2/6/2019-01:33]

 

[askolover]

I"m partial to Chevy/GMC's just because I like their looks better.  The Triton V8 Fords are good trucks though.  I won't buy Dodge unless it's a Cummins diesel.  Toyota makes a great truck.

 

[combo52]

Best Used Appliance Hullers

A mini Van or a used 8 foot bed 6 cylinder 2WD PU truck are by far more useful than a V-8 SUV for moving appliances, the lower lift height and better gas mileage are big pluses. Older large and mid-sized SUVs are far too dangerous to drive for my taste, they are in far more crashes and roll-overs than 2 WD PUs and MVs to say nothing about bad handling and just plain a PITA to drive.

 

Chrysler MVs are usually the best buys and most serviceable, I actually got 3 full sized pairs of W&Ds in my old 1994 Chrylser T&C MV.

 

John L.

 

[vacerator]

Robert,

rear drive trucks in general are more durable than a front drive car. Half shafts are stronger, bearings, etc. Some, not all tie rod ends and ball joints on them still have grease fittings so they can be lubricated.
Mainly 90's era GM's, etc. Transmissions all pretty good. That era of the old GM cast iron small block V8 was prone to rear main oil seal leaks. Not expensive to repair though.
The Dodge/Chrysler 4.7 litre V8 in some trucks, Jeeps, and the Aspen suv do not offer good fuel economy. Same with the 3.7 V6. Their newer engines are all much better. The old 318, and 360 V8's were rock solid. Ford tritons are known to need engine overhaul's above 150,000 miles.
As usual; caveat emptor-buyer beware.

 

[xraytech]

I have a 2015 Buick Enclave that I love
I’d also suggest a Tahoe/Suburban if you can find them reasonable
Around here the Tahoe/Suburbanreally hold value, certified ones are almost the same price as new, and ones that are 15 years old and 250k miles are like $3-4K

 

[deltablu]

If you take a trip out here to the upper Midwest/plains area, you can pretty much name your price on a two wheel drive pickup. There was an older ford ranger 2wd with 60k on it back around Christmas that was listed at $2500.

 

[firedome]

if it's chiefly about hauling appliances...

seems to me more sensible to pull a small trailer behind a car. Last month we bought a brand new 4 x 8 trailer from Harbor Freight for $350. Unhitch and get high mpg for the 90% of time when not snagging washer and dryers, but have the ability to haul when you need to. This trailer folds up and can be stored vertically against the wall, so takes up very little space. Why get stuck with a vehicle that gets 12 or 15 mpg, these low gas prices won't last forever, bank on it. Otherwise a mini-van makes the most sense. My $.02

 

[good-shepherd]

Chrysler MVs are usually the best buys

I'll second that.

The sliding side doors and low lift height make appliance transport a one man job and no concerns about the weather.
Simply lay a moving blanket or something on the floor and the washer/dryer slides right in without back braking lifting and plenty of room left over for the appliance hand truck.

MPG will be far better as well.

 

[dustin92]

I wouldn't touch a Chrysler minivan with a 10 foot pole! I've owned 2, a 1987 and a 2005. The 87 had an excuse, it was old and I only paid $400 for it, the 2005 just sucked. It was the most unreliable vehicle I've ever owned and I've owned some junkers. I had a Toyota Prius following the 2005, and it was the most trouble free, reliable vehicle I've ever owned! I just passed it on to my parents, still running strong with 230,000 miles. I bought a 2006 Scion XB (made by Toyota) and I'm hoping it will be just as reliable. It only has 118,000 on it so I should be good for at least another 100,000. It's HUGE inside and will easily fit a washer or dryer, and gets 30 mpg! Plenty of room in front and back, and has surprisingly good pep for a 1.5l 4 cylinder. I wouldn't imagine it would fit everyone's needs as well as it fits mine, there is surprisingly little cargo room with the back seats up, so I wouldn't take a road trip with 5 adults in it, but it's a zippy little box and it does just fine for me! Definitely worth looking at if you don't have a big family and still want room to haul appliances!

 

[fan-of-fans]

I just got a Ford Taurus and am very impressed with the trunk and back seat space. But I'd eventually like to have either a minivan or SUV for hauling stuff.

I'd probably go with a 2007+ Chevy/GMC Suburban or Tahoe. I like the looks of them and they seem pretty reliable. The prices are getting reasonable with age considering they start around $50k. But they're bigger than what I need so I think I'd likely go with a Chrysler or Dodge minivan with Stow N Go. The 2005-07 and earlier years of the last generation of Town and Country can be had pretty low price now. But I don't know I trust one with higher miles.

Trucks are rediculously expensive. I don't like regular cabs due to little interior space for moving stuff out of the weather and they just feel tight to me as far as being able to move the seat back. But crew cabs seem to be what everyone wants anymore and hold their value too well.

I really thought of getting a crew cab truck when I got my car. But when I saw that a comparable truck would be about twice what I paid for my car, I said "no way!"

 

[fan-of-fans]

I like that generation of Expedition in the first picture (2004-2011 I think?). My aunt had both a 2000 or so Lincoln Navigator and now has a 2007, which is the same thing as that. The Navigator has been on many trips from FL to GA and NC over the last 12 years and keeps on going. Original transmission and engine.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Love the Scion

I remember those when they came out. Always thought they looked neat. There's one around here that is white and says "The Brave Little Toaster" on the side windows. My friend has the coupe model, TC has close to 200k on it and very reliable car.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Chrysler mini vans are way over priced here. Best to go with Toyota or Honda in that category.
Mini vans make sense no doubt, but the screaming deals around here are with Expeditions, Suburbans, Tahoes, Navigators, etc.

 

[good-shepherd]

wouldn't touch a Chrysler minivan with a 10 foot pole

My 2000 GC has 245,000 miles and has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever had and I've been through many new and used vehicles including a 1984 and 87 307 Olds Cutlass Supreme which were like Maytag washers, they just ran and ran...

The 2001-2007 Chrysler minvans are rust buckets and decontented in later years and generally should be avoided.

However, post 2011 models with the 3.6L Pentastar engine and revised interiors offer a lot of value for the money.

 

[fan-of-fans]

We had a 1998 GC but it was always having problems - alternator, window motors, etc. Too many problems for a vehicle with less than 70k miles on it.

2008-2010 models have the lego block plastic interior I don't care for. The 2011-2019 models (now only GC is offered) have a better one.

I like the 2005-07 best of the 2001-2007 because they added the Stow N Go seats those years and other features later in the run even though some details as you say were decontented. The rust isn't a problem in FL with no salt on the roads.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

There's a reason......

The Asian stuff has much higher resale. I wont own anything domestic built after 1969.

 

[dustin92]

2001-2007 Chrysler minivans are rust buckets...

Yes, mine was already starting to rust in the usual places when I bought it with 113,000 miles... By 130,000 I had replaced all the suspension, radiator twice, had the check engine light as a permanent fixture, and was having electrical problems, along with a coolant leak I never found. In addition to that, the brakes were shot, it sucked gas like water, my rear heat never worked and one of the power sliding doors was broken. I didn't trust it and traded it in for half what I paid for it, still owing $1500 on the piece. No more american cars for me, I've been extremely happy with my Toyotas and I'm going to stick with them for the foreseeable future. I put less in my Prius in 3 years, including replacing the hybrid battery at 205,000 miles, than I did in a year of owning that stupid van. Pretty sure I only did about $800 worth of repairs to the Prius, the van somewhere around $1500 and still needed more. Just sayin' but I think the Japanese got it right.

 

[wayupnorth]

I have owned Chevys since 1984 and still own them, almost all trucks. Up here where there is snow, crap and never had one fail me and thats mostly what you see on our roads, not Toyotas or Fords or any other foreign companies. Neighbor had a Tacoma and got a big credit after his frame rotted after a couple years but as we have alot of salt on the road that rots vehicles. Once they wont pass our state inspection, they are shipped to states without inspections and buyer better beware. I make sure mine is washed underneath well. Got nearly 20 years out of my last Silverado. And 2WD is basically non existent around here any more.

 

[good-shepherd]

Just sayin' but I think the Japanese got it right.

The Chrysler stuff was hit or miss depending on the model year and options. Some were nothing but trouble, others could run 300,000 miles with regular maintenance.. Best not to get one in the first few years after a redesign while they work the bugs out. The 3.3/3.8L engines were mostly bullet proof however.

Too bad, cause they are very versatile. I've comfortably hauled everything from W/D sets side by side, refrigerators, 4x8 sheets of drywall, lumber, dumped cut up tree trunks and other heavy debris.

Then put the seat back in, load up the beach umbrellas and cruise down the shore with the A/C on.