What car: 4x4 SUV, under 10k

This is aftermath of the Commander thread.

My cousin's wife has started a new job at an insurance agency, and they have to go in regardless of weather, so she wants a 4wd SUV. Kentucky usually has mild winters with light snow, but the last two years we've had two crazy 12" plus snow storms a week apart both years.

She doesn't want anything full size, and no AWD minivans, she's very adamant about that.

Budget is under 10k, and to my knowledge there's no preference on brand.

Go!

That'd buy most 2nd generation ('02-'08) Foresters, a nice L.L. Bean or Limited model even.

I've seen 3rd generation ('08-'13) Foresters in that ball park too.

Buy the nicest Mkiii 4runner you can find, then put 5 grand in the bank. Mine v6 sport pkg was bulletproof. Electronic locking rear diff too.

Gen 3 Montero.

Please ask her what is her favorite brand of dedicated winter tires?

Because every thread needs pictures.

Gen 3 Montero, luxury interior, go anywhere capability.

even the Hyundai Santa Fe is not bad.. and as they are cheap to begin with, you can get a fairly new model for that 10k

Saab 9-7x Aero

LS goodness and just enough Swedish quirkiness to be interesting.

Not a Subaru.

The cheap and easy answer is Rav4 and CRV. I'm assuming like most SUVs, the close to off road it'll get is a dirt road?

I picked up a 2005 Highlander Limited AWD for $9500 last year, been perfectly satisfactory as a daily driver. Wouldn't recommend it for off-roading, but should be fine for snow. It seems 2004-2007 is the sweet spot for the first generation models. I don't know if you can get an early second gen for that price or not.

Might also be able to get a first gen Lexus RX330 in your price range, if you don't mind higher mileage.

We spent about 10k when we bought our CRV. I would do it again. Its a nice little rig.

sesto elemento wrote: Buy the nicest Mkiii 4runner you can find, then put 5 grand in the bank. Mine v6 sport pkg was bulletproof. Electronic locking rear diff too.

I agree with this 100%. If you don't need a big SUV, the 4RUnner is perfect. Drives small but has real capability. Good/reliable engines and drivetrain. Sport Edition is bonus with the XREAS suspension in most years, which makes a SERIOUS difference in street driving/handling. I miss ours every time I see one on the road (wife wanted bigger truck, so now we have a dull Sequoia).

EDIT: ok, not 100%. I say go for a 4th generation 4Runner. They're simply better in every way than the Gen3 (which I also love). You could find an earlier 4G (they ran from 2002-2009) well within your price range with a bit of change leftover. Or on your full budget could probably find maybe an 06 or 07. They hold their value for a reason, because they're excellent.

I'm in Kentucky and I will sell you my 02 sport trac 4x4 for $9,999.

The worlds nicest Isuzu Trooper and then save 6k for other things. Real SUV, real 4wd (with auto feature) and non interference motor1

Storz wrote: The worlds nicest Isuzu Trooper and then save 6k for other things. Real SUV, real 4wd (with auto feature) and non interference motor1

Like replacement transmissions. I swear every Trooper on CL has a bad trans, They're cool SUVs but man that seems like a weak spot.

I just picked up a super-nice Gen 3 4Runner Sport 4WD with 120k miles for under that price at a Toyota dealership. They are a little rougher and more utilitarian than the 4th Gen, but I love the size and the look (this is my second one). I plan to keep it forever, and you'll see them around with 300k+ miles still going strong.

Picture not mine

Sidekick/Tracker/Vitara

AMC EAGLE Done

Oh come on really? Do I have to be the first to say XJ? Because that is the correct answer. Bank the extra $6k or spend it after leafing through a Quadratech catalog, dealer's choice.

I'm about to put our 2004 CR-V on the market, only because we need something bigger. Its the best overall vehicle I've ever owned, and whether mine or someone elses, I highly recommend one. It is AWD thought, not 4WD.

$6,000 Allroad, $1,500 for airbags and APR tune, $2,500 for the best aftermarket warrantee on earth and done. 315 hp German superwagon that will go through ALL weather.

4.0 powered ZJ,XJ, or maybe WJ.

On the subject of Suzuki SUVs, how the last generation of Vitaras been holding up? I rarely see them, but when I do, they still look nice.

Turbo 5 cylinder XC90.

My 2500 subaru wagon, bank 7.5k?