If I need to buy a used 4x4 or AWD vehicle in the next 6 months, what should I get?

Lots of capability in a small package:  Chevy Tracker, Suzuki Vitara.  They even offered a 3rd row version called the Suzuki XL-7 which offered a manual trans option.

Caution: some XL-7 are just rwd.

Tk8398 said:

Pathfinder is a good suggestion, or the Infiniti one that nobody remembers the right name.  

 

Not sure that I'd want this, but this has got to be a unicorn. 

 https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/d/stanford-2005-kia-sorento/7363399846.html

Interesting Sorento.  I know they made manual trans in fwd but I checked fueleconomy.gov and they made manual trans in 4wd also.  Interesting.

I do remeber Bob saying that the V6 have the power of a 4 cyl and the mpg of a 8 cyl.  Rated at: 14/16/18 

Sorento is an odd duck.  Every one I have been in feels solid, but when I research them, there is very little knowledge and near-zero aftermarket.  For the peace of mind I think its worth it to pony up for the difference to a more commonly loved platform that's well understood, solutions exist for problems that may pop up, and its easier to resell.

Manual trans Xterra and another

Tk8398 said:

ProDarwin said:

In reply to Tk8398 :

Where are you located?

Locall I can find plenty of suitable vehicles under $7500.  Lots of Pathfinders and Xterras in that price range with ~150k ish on them.

I'm in California.  I have seen a few Xterras but they were $5k with 250k miles.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but the only one of those I have ever driven didn't have much higher mileage and needed a timing chain.  

How much is a timing chain job?  The fact that I see these for sale in good working order with 300k+ on them makes me comfortable that a sub 200k mile purchase is still going to be a solid example.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1017728982373393/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/833805287499595/

5spd manual https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1015065242641067/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/4651338738229394/

Tk8398 said:

Pathfinder is a good suggestion, or the Infiniti one that nobody remembers the right name.  

 

Not sure that I'd want this, but this has got to be a unicorn. 

 https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/d/stanford-2005-kia-sorento/7363399846.html

QX4! Should be waaaaaay under budget.

In reply to thatsnowinnebago :

Great cars and good looking I think. 

Another option that I haven't seen mentioned: First generation Ridgeline. I see them under your budget quite often, albeit with high miles, but based on the Suddard's experience I wouldn't let that scare me.

mtn said:

Some of the best value out there are the 1st and 2nd generation Ford Escapes/Mazda Tributes/Mercury Mariners. They're not as good as the CRV or Rav4 at being a car. They're not big enough for most family's as a hauler. The V6's get E36 M3ty gas mileage. They can't tow a ton. So they don't really answer any questions very well. That said, because of all that, they are cheap. $2,500 will get you a very decent one. They'll all probably have a few niggling issues, but nothing that you can't live with...  The single exception would be the rear shock towers. They rust out, in catastrophic fashion. So if you go down that route, inspect that area ridiculously well. Not gonna tackle MOAB in stock form, but they'll be capable for forest service roads. 

As an owner of an Escape, and user of various Escapes for field work, I support this with some caveats.

Dont even bother with the first generation pass right on and find a second gen. The second gen got the 6 speed trans and with my v6 I knock down 23mpg on the highway without trying. 21mpg with some oversize all-terrain tires. The 4 bangers we have at work get better MPG, but I got a deal on the v6. And its decently quick, something like 240hp and 8sec 0-60. The second gen also seems to have fixed the rust issue. I havent seen any 2nd gens with rust issues, and my 2010 still looks clean on the underside/in the wheel wells despite being a NJ/PA salt loving car. They are boxy and I think just under 6' from the back of the front seat to the hatch, so plenty roomy for the size. We have them at work where its literal job is to be driven around farms/service roads and its held up really well to every non-caring driver that comes through here. I actually got rid of my 1st gen Xterra and got an Escape because I liked the ones at work so much. The Xterra would be better for serious off-road work, but for rutty/muddy trails and washed out unimproved service roads the escape had no problems, and did it cheaper, more reliably, and in greater comfort.