I have a 95 civic that I'm wanting to sell because I riced it out and think its hidious looking now! Just not my taste anymore. Anyway, I'm hoping to get at least $4k out of it and am really wanting a nice, reliable SUV. Well, as nice as you can get for around $4000. I was looking at blazers, explorers, and cherokees, but I've honestly heard bad things about all of them. Transmissions, air conditioner, engine problems, 4WD problems, etc.

So, I'm thinking about going with yet another Honda. I've put over 80K on my civic and not had a single problem, and I just but that their SUV's are the same way. So I guess I'm considering a CRV or Pilot.

Anyway, I'd just like to get some opinions and see what experiences people have had with different make/model SUV's. Thanks!

 

explorers do have their problems with trannys. the 5.0 AWD ones are strong, but I doubt you will find one for that price. If you do decide a sploder, at least make sure it is not pre 97.

 

You'd need more than $4k, but my wife and I bought a 2001 CR-V with 53k on it. It runs really well, and has a lot of great features- storage for cups, maps, etc., great visibility, decent gas mileage (24-26 highway). The more I drive it, the more happy I am with choosing it over a Civic.

The only drawbacks I've found are that it needs a little more power for the uphills in top gear, but plenty of power if it downshifts. Also, it's great for commuting, but only has a tow rating of 1000 pounds, so if you're looking to tow a car or something heavy, you'd have to go bigger.

 

If you are considering a Pilot you can certainly afford a Mazda Tribute. Seriously, I would never have considered it but my wife wanted to try it out and it drives very nicely for a SUV (quick responsive steering, not too much body roll in corners) and has a nice interior (ES has leather). Mazda ia also giving them away, a loaded 04 ES lists at about 28-29k expect to pay around 22k-23k. The "SUV" we ended up with was a WRX wagon

 

I forgot that Pilots were fairly new and expensive! My bad, I still need to stay around $5000.

 

I'm an SUV driver and have been for...well...since before they were called 4x4's instead of SUV's.

If all you have to spend is 5K, DO NOT buy an SUV.

Any SUV that you can find in that price range is just going to be a sack of issues. I see people at my dealership several times a week that in a an SUV (typically Detroit, sometimes Korean-made) that they want to ditch for a Civic because they can't afford the payments AND the repair costs. This also leaves them without a downpayment. The people that are upside down...I can't get financed, not even on an AHFC lease. It is just plain ugly.


If you have 4-5K to spend, I'd strongly recommed sinking it into another Civic or an Accord. Don't go the SUV route unless you can afford something like a pre-owned CR-V.

 

Subaru forester. reliable, rommy, and poor resale. can't beat that.