Most "sporty" SUV under $4,000?

Hello GRMS, a friend recommended me this forum to ask for advice since apparently most of you are quite informed about all cars out there.

I was wondering if there was a reliable alternative to the BMW X5 for under $4,000 in SoCal? Something like an Infiniti FX45, but obviously not that pricey. I tried driving an old Trailblazer, and I really hated the wondering feel it had while testing it. So basically, I'm looking for a sports suv/crossover/wagon that isn't slow, preferably RWD/AWD, and reliable. Thanks in advance.

on the same chassis as the trailblazer, try the Saab 9-7. Sometimes known as the "trollblazer" is it the Swedish version of the Trailblazer SS

Maybe an early Mazda CX9 if you're looking for a large-ish sporty SUV

Otherwise, V6 Rav4 :)

Define "sporty"

I have a BMW X5 with a manual trans. I would not call it sporty. I guess I would need more definition of what you are looking for. maybe a BMW or Saab wagon, or maybe a Subaru. I have had my X5 for almost 7 years they are great for what they are , but to me sporty is not what it is.

If you want a sporty SUV for cheap, you're probably best off focusing on cheap and easy to mod and then making the thing sporty.

Yes, there will be some trade off here.

...looking for a sports suv/crossover/wagon that:
isn't slow
preferably RWD/AWD
reliable
inexpensive (under $4k)

One a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best here is a recommendation,
'01-'06 Montero Limited (not Montero Sport)
1: slow, not fast with just a 3.5L or 3.8L V6
5: very capable offroader
3: more reliable than some, less than others
5: all day long for less than $4k
14: total score where 20 would be the perfect score

Real example asking $3,900

Maybe bonus points for 3rd row seating, 5,000 lb tow rating and looks similar to Lexus GX

Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander were offered with a Hemi 5.7 engine. Even older Grand Cherokees were offered with a 5.9L V8.

Sample GC

In reply to John Welsh :

Now I'm curious as to how many SRT parts bolt right on that WK.

I mean any wagon will be better than any SUV and there are a number of BMW wagons out there. And pretty much any golf. Can you get a forester XT for around that money?

The Dodge Durango and then later the much forgotten Dodge Nitro both offered a Hemi. Maybe some interest in those?

If you think the Dodge Nitro is forgotten then you have likey never heard of the even more forgotten Chrysler Aspen. The Aspen in this case is not a rebadged Volare/Duster but instead a tarted up Durango and all had Hemis. So forgotten and so depreciated.

'08 Aspen w 168k asking $5.5k

John Welsh wrote: Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander were offered with a Hemi 5.7 engine. Even older Grand Cherokees were offered with a 5.9L V8. Sample GC

The generation that came with the HEMI is anything but sporty (or well built IMO).

An older one with a 5.2 or 5.9 has plenty of easy power potential and isn't too hard to sharpen up in the handling department. Or get an XJ Cherokee and save 1100 lbs or so but get less power and smaller size as the tradeoff.

"So basically, I'm looking for a sports suv/crossover/wagon that isn't slow, preferably RWD/AWD, and reliable. Thanks in advance."

Out of these options unless he edited it I would think wagons are going to be a lot more likely to be sporty?

How about just holding out for an Infiniti FX45. There are currently a number of the on CL and neighborING CL asking under $6k. One asking $5.3k

How about Dodge Nitro?

mad_machine wrote: on the same chassis as the trailblazer, try the Saab 9-7. Sometimes known as the "trollblazer" is it the Swedish version of the Trailblazer SS

https://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/d/saab-9-7x-42i-suv-for-sale/6250554836.html

Not bad eh? I do have one issue - when I tried the 4.2 I6 on a Trailblazer, it felt VERY sluggish to accelerate (no CEL on), but maybe that was just the one example. Otherwise, I am interested if it doesn't have the usual undynamic feel that I had with the Trailblazer - I really like the 4.2 I6 too.

irish44j wrote: Maybe an early Mazda CX9 if you're looking for a large-ish sporty SUV Otherwise, V6 Rav4 :)

V6 Rav4 would get the job done, but I couldn't find either of them for under $5,000, let alone my budget of $4,000.

Chadeux wrote: Define "sporty"

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/d/1995-buick-roadmaster-estate/6271749010.html https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/d/buick-roadmaster-station/6281665777.html

Hmm, not bad at, but those are the only two I found that weren't beat to E36 M3, or hiding mileage. I was thinking about the Roadmaster wagons a while ago, but I've been trying to get away from that boaty feeling, without having to spend extra into suspension parts.

John Welsh wrote: Yes, there will be some trade off here. ...looking for a sports suv/crossover/wagon that: isn't slow preferably RWD/AWD reliable inexpensive (under $4k) One a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best here is a recommendation, '01-'06 Montero Limited (not Montero Sport) 1: slow, not fast with just a 3.5L or 3.8L V6 5: very capable offroader 3: more reliable than some, less than others 5: all day long for less than $4k 14: total score where 20 would be the perfect score Real example asking $3,900 Maybe bonus points for 3rd row seating, 5,000 lb tow rating and looks similar to Lexus GX

I was once interested in the Montero, but I'm looking for more of a road-going SUV, than an offroad one.

John Welsh wrote: Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander were offered with a Hemi 5.7 engine. Even older Grand Cherokees were offered with a 5.9L V8. Sample GC

Neither the WK GC nor the Jeep Commander are under $5,000. The only 3 GCs I found were salvage, $5,000, and from a tow lot so I have no idea about previous ownership. I also have to pass on the older GCs with the 5.9 Magnum - there's just no top-end power, in addition to not really being meant to handle.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/cto/d/2008-jeep-grand-cherokee-4x4/6253816321.html https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/d/jeep-grand-cherokee-hemi/6281307756.html https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/2006-jeep-grand-cherokee/6207155111.html

Jaynen wrote: I mean any wagon will be better than any SUV and there are a number of BMW wagons out there. And pretty much any golf. Can you get a forester XT for around that money?

The Forester XT was the first thing on my mind, except there's only two in my area (over my budget), and one's got a cylinder misfire, the other 210k miles, so that got ruled out:

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/d/2006-subaru-forester-25xt/6283107567.html https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/d/2004-subaru-forester-xt/6281859805.html

John Welsh wrote: The Dodge Durango and then later the much forgotten Dodge Nitro both offered a Hemi. Maybe some interest in those? If you think the Dodge Nitro is forgotten then you have likey never heard of the even more forgotten Chrysler Aspen. The Aspen in this case is not a rebadged Volare/Duster but instead a tarted up Durango and all had Hemis. So forgotten and so depreciated. '08 Aspen w 168k asking $5.5k

The Nitro didn't have the Hemi, but I can find the Durango all day for under $4,000! The question is, who here has driven one, and how do they drive? Numb or fun?

rslifkin wrote: The generation that came with the HEMI is anything but sporty (or well built IMO). An older one with a 5.2 or 5.9 has plenty of easy power potential and isn't too hard to sharpen up in the handling department. Or get an XJ Cherokee and save 1100 lbs or so but get less power and smaller size as the tradeoff.

The XJ Cherokees intrigued me, but honestly, having solid torsion suspension up front AND back does not make for a good daily driver.

Jaynen wrote: "So basically, I'm looking for a sports suv/crossover/wagon that isn't slow, preferably RWD/AWD, and reliable. Thanks in advance." Out of these options unless he edited it I would think wagons are going to be a lot more likely to be sporty?

But what comes to mind? What is the 3-series/5-series wagon alternative that won't break down?

toms69 wrote: How about Dodge Nitro?

Can't find an R/T under $5,000, let alone $4,000.

I got my 2003 X5 4.6is for right around $3500. It had 213k miles and needed a mild engine rebuild but that was pretty easy for me to take care of. Otherwise it's in good shape, looks great, and does 0-60 in 6.4s, which is not bad for an SUV.

I think you can also find a beat up Porsche Cayenne for that budget, that'll be pretty sporty. But again, it'll require some work to get a super cheap Cayenne up to par. If you want a sporty SUV you'll likely need to do some work... you're not gonna find anything perfect for $4k or under. Not trying to be a downer, just being realistic.

You can get a w163 Mercedes ml55 amg for that price, maybe not trouble free but the engine and transmission are pretty durable and reliable even compared with Japanese stuff.

Mazda 6 wagon? They're not very common so it might take awhile to find one but it would be far "sportier" out of the box than a lot of the things you're considering.

Maybe your answer will be PT Cruiser GT w/ 5 speed manual.

2.4L turbo

Real sample asking $1.9k

Here's a rare car! The wonderful combination of V6 and Manual trans in a reliable wagon.

Mazda 6 wagon asking $3.8k

dannyzabolotny wrote: I got my 2003 X5 4.6is for right around $3500. It had 213k miles and needed a mild engine rebuild but that was pretty easy for me to take care of. Otherwise it's in good shape, looks great, and does 0-60 in 6.4s, which is not bad for an SUV. I think you can also find a beat up Porsche Cayenne for that budget, that'll be pretty sporty. But again, it'll require some work to get a super cheap Cayenne up to par. If you want a sporty SUV you'll likely need to do some work... you're not gonna find anything perfect for $4k or under. Not trying to be a downer, just being realistic.

Couldn't find a Cayenne, but I did find some X5 4.4s, within the budget in reasonable shape. However, I can't count on BMW's reliability (currently a college student), and why I ruled it out in the first place.

Tk8398 wrote: You can get a w163 Mercedes ml55 amg for that price, maybe not trouble free but the engine and transmission are pretty durable and reliable even compared with Japanese stuff.

I've given thought about it before, but unfortunately most of the ones in my area under $5,000 have 180k+ miles.

STM317 wrote: Mazda 6 wagon? They're not very common so it might take awhile to find one but it would be far "sportier" out of the box than a lot of the things you're considering.

I was really hoping for something RWD/AWD, but this may be the one choice I have to go with.

Does anyone have any experience with the 2001-2004 R50 VQ35 Pathfinders/QX4s, and the 2005-2006 Altima 3.5 with the 5-speed auto?

John Welsh wrote: Here's a rare car! The wonderful combination of V6 and Manual trans in a reliable wagon. Mazda 6 wagon asking $3.8k

Not only does this seem like a decent buy, but I'd go check it out just to see the other stuff in his driveway and chat him up about his "oldies". Looks like he's got some cool stuff.

What about an S10 Blazer? They're comfortably inside of your budget which leaves room for fun parts. It can't be that difficult to make one fairly "sporty" with how massive the S10 aftermarket is. A RWD Blazer that was lowered with aftermarket S10 stuff, crammed full of rubber, and had stiff swaybars would probably be a good time. V8 swap or manual trans have both been done many times too.

This one has lower miles and blingy rims that you could probably sell to recoup even more modding money.

So wait, you wanted a "sporty" SUV for under $4k and now you're asking about the Altima??? I'm confused.

The Altima is a fine car, and the 3.5L is the VQ engine that Nissan has put in pretty much every vehicle they build. It's very reliable, but the Altima is a family sedan.

I'm sorry, but you're looking for something that really doesn't exist. For under $4k, you won't find a true SUV that has any sporting dynamics. Just not gonna happen, unless you want a basket case. Get a wagon of some type if you really want the room, with some sort of driving fun. Think Kia Soul, PT Cruiser (though reliability isn't great), Chevy HHR, Mazda6 wagon if you can find one, Kia Rondo as a wild card, Mazda5 w/stick shift, Mazda3 hatch, Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix, etc...