Figured I’d throw this out there as I know a lot of you guys are car people and are into fixing shit up. And I’m sure everyone is aware of the current market conditions for used bikes and vehicles.
I need something to get me through some New England winters. I’m a snowboarder and drive 2-3 hours at least once a week UP to the mountains all winter long. Right now I have a 2000 gmc savanna v8 van with low miles for it’s age, that is all I could’ve ever asked for as a moto van. However last year I tried to make it work in the winter and it wasn’t great. Always felt sketchy in the snow and it cost a lot in gas, also it’s my moto van I don’t want to beat on it this time of year. It’s also not the greatest daily driver I’ve ever had.
I’m not rich, I spend all my money on dirt bikes, snowboarding, and bicycles. Before I got my van I was pulling up to the track with 2 brand new KTMs on my little trailer from the 70s, hauled by my rusty 04 Oldsmobile bravada that I got for 500$. I’m also about the least mechanically inclined moto guy you could ever meet.(Though I have some good friends that fill that role for me) I’m searching for a car or a smaller SUV. Just wanted any suggestions to fine-tune my search a little more, the internet can be very misleading as I have spent hours and hours looking up various vehicles the last few weeks.
Definitely not spending over $6500, it would have to be the deal of a lifetime to even go that high. And I’m not desperate as I do have something to get me to work, track, mountain, etc. just need another option in the driveway. I did find a 04 Hyundai Santa Fe over an hour from me that has a well written positive description, nice pics, 73k, listed for 3900$ that I may go and try to low-ball this weekend. What I really want is an Acura MDX but the people selling them know how good they are, haven’t found any good deals. I’d love to hear what some of y’all think about this subject and what cars/SUVs have gotten the job done for ya over the years.
Chevy cavalier with 4 new snow tires will do the trick. I used this one as my hunting vehicle for a couple years.
Get 1 of these g20 vans on fb there reasonably prices for what you get. I get better mpg that a new pu in town. And chics personality’s get all fun & wild. A 1099 co I worked for this past summer. I pulled in parked & went inside & said bonsor. A real cute Ukrain chic is smiling like a little girl all excited she just met Santa. She’s smiling saying is that your van ? I said yeah honey you what to go for a spin ? Fun to drive after u add a couple performance items like under drive pulley kit, tbi spacers, hotter coil , etc. all cheap parts.
O’Reilly always has the parts in stock or get them the next day. Just throw 3 70 lb sand bags I’ve the rear axle for winter.
I’d have to suggest as a winter vehicle a Volvo xc90 xc60 Lexus rx350 or Mercedes ml350.
All from like 99-2010 , awd with 100k miles or so would be in your price range.
Awd and new tires you’ll be cruising no issues.
With the Volvos make sure it’s a non turbo inline 6 or v8 and they’re reliable.
The Lexus is a freaking Toyota awd tank, and the Mercedes were really reliable back then.
Might consider a Honda CRV. Haven’t looked lately (got my daughter an accord instead), but our price range was similar a couple years ago and there were some options out there. Just make sure it’s AWD and not FWD only.
Only other thing to watch for is in the engine department. Some options/years have timing belts, some chains. Chain years/engines would be my first choice. If it’s a belt, look for invoices on belt changes. They’re typically good for 60-70K, then you’re on borrowed time before the valves and pistons meet.
Also nice to see would be that they replaced the water pump while they were in there.
I think you’ll find that the Honda is cheaper to own over the long haul and very reliable. Get some good winter tires and you’ll be good to go.
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Google " how long does a xyz last "
The further " whats the best model year to buy of a xyz "
The Chevy Malibu says 100,000 miles lol
My wife's Exterra says Extremely reliable reports of over 300,000 Mile's on average.
I bought a used Saturn Vue that was supposed to go 250,000 , it went 225,000 just scrapped it ( frame rusted in half )
My brother had a CRV. I believe he said he put 170k miles on it and not one thing broke. I believe they are also popular vehicles to be towed behind RV's.
Wouldn't a European car be more expensive when it comes to maintenance costs vs an American, Japanese or Korean car?
My wife has an 05 Nissan pathfinder that we love, has 230k miles on it and it still feels tight. I would stay away from the 05 however as that was the first year after a redesign. An 08-12 Pathfinder would be optimal.
My 2010 Chevy Colorado with 120k miles has treated me well. Again, stay away from the first few years. The 08-12 models with the I-5 might be affordable.
Ford Ranger 4WD that fits your budget. Put a shell and a carpet kit in it.
Pretty sure every snowboarder is well aware that an old Subaru shitbox is how you get to the slopes.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/919976649702602/
#1 up in Wisconsin 4x4 pickups and Subaru Wagons 50/50 for sure.
Locals say you know it's springtime when you see your first Prius with Flordia plates..
Bro I just can’t do Subaru anymore. I mean if the perfect deal comes up anything is possible but I had 3 over the past decade and all 3 didn’t go nearly as far as they should’ve and were suuuper sketchy situations when they did go. My Outback locked up goin 60mph and I somehow just skidded to a stop in the middle of the road, blown tranny.
Thanks for all the replies everyone I’m lookin real hard and weighing some options…I’ll post up whatever shitbox I end up with!!
PM me if ya need help finding a car/truck…even if it is out here and we’ll find a way to get it to you.
Hell, just PM me for some alternative ideas. I’ll be back from “family time” this eve and will get back to you.
Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Manny
Subarus are not what they used to be.
When did they "used to be"? Because I think we're looking at 15-20 yr old ones here... lol!!
Honestly if studded snow tires are legal where you're at just get a cheap pair of steelies with studded snow tires on it and drive the van and save your money.
Im in Michigan and drive 2-3 hours to go snowboarding every weekend. Ive been driving trucks (20 years in a 2000 tundra) with BFG AT’s and that’s been my combo for 25 years. Most of my friends that do the same drive have TDI Jetta wagons with steelies and blizzaks.
I,m in Norton shores,Mi. Now. I finger a ld out of Chicago a 3 stop ld, 2 r in Grand Rapids. Lake effect a few miles into mi. To hear. The last few mi was good. Aprox 100 mi was not only 1 plow out. But a few in the ditch including a boxer, haha who the hell would drive that car in winter or ever. Older vehicles r build way better. But if they sit the trans plates dry . Like my van I bought out of state . The next day I put in reverse & it shuddered bad. The trans plates start cracking & chipping . Hv to drop it & replace I told the drunk mechanic replace the torque converter too. It sat 20 yrs it doesn’t quite shift rt. He skips it rushed to hit the Crandon trk races. He had a newer Tahoe with 100k & a bad trans . Ps my van sat in Chicago land 6 weeks it fired rt i hv to rebuild the whole frontend 4 ball joints, frontend parts, a arms I think hv a bearing inside . The rt side makes a metal to metal sound. Since apart replace all rubber bushings. The parts r Very cheap just alot of labor. And the front coil springs there done. I bought coil ovr shocks that helped keep the van frontend from bouncing. But they need replacement. These 95 vans r much heavier than a ext 95 pu in the front.
used cars are so dang expensive. 90s pickups are collectors item prices now. early 2000s Chevy platform is great if you can find a solid Traliblazer or something like that. I have an 03 and its been a wonderful family vehicle for us. I've put 100k miles on it in 7 years and just put a new transmission in it at 160k miles. I had a '99 ML320 as someone mentioned earlier and I just sold it a few months ago for next to nothing to a fella who needed a car. If I still had it i would offer it to you.
Up north where you at, you're going to be hard pressed to find a good reliable used car that isnt a rust bucket. I just did a 100 mile search on FB marketplace for under $6500.
Maybe lowball this guy and use your leftover cash to get the transmission done: https://www.facebook.com/share/17yBNZJcXW/
Well guys it looks like my saga is coming to an end. Was getting really discouraged as I found what I thought were a couple of good deals, only to go test drive complete POS’s that people wanted over 5000 for that I wouldn’t even offer 1000 for. People are real good at dressing things up in the ads and bullshitting.
So out of boredom and desperation I start looking at new cars and what it would take to own one. I realize that if I was going to do something like that the car I would want would be the Mazda CX30. Obviously I don’t have 24-30k for something that nice, and I can’t wrap my head around a payment plan like that. But I send a couple good deals to my mom anyways, she calls me and says “why are you looking at that car….that’s the one I want!” My mom has owned many new cars : a 90s Ford Station Wagon, 2001 VW Gulf, 2007 CR-V, and her current vehicle which is a 2011 Toyota Rav4. Our conversation ended with her deciding to go and get the new Mazda and I’m getting the Rav4.
Gonna give her $2500 which is adding to her down payment, she just put some $ into it with new tires, brakes, rotors, exhaust completely redone, and a leaky axel boot fixed. It has 177k miles. She got it brand new, always had it serviced at the dealer and never drove through any problems, gets everything fixed the moment something comes up. The hardest anyone ever drove the thing was the couple times I borrowed it over the years!
I’m getting some help from my mommy as I have so many other times in this life😎. No more dealing with strangers trying to maximize $$$ on Craigslist and Facebook. I did get snow tires and sand bags for the back of my van. But as I said earlier it’s my mint moto van I only wanna take it for weekly rides around the block this winter until it’s time to go down to FL in march!
Pit Row
Great cars. Stoked for you & your mom…tho, if I were here…I’d get the new Rav 4 Hybrid…they’re pretty damn nice and deliver 40 mpg…btw, all the hybrid Rav 4s are all wheel drive. I’m kinda luvin our hybrids and the mlg they deliver…I’m a cheap bastard when it comes to the price of energy.
Take good care of your transmission and simply replace it when it starts to act up. They’ll last a long time with good fluid.
RAV4 is a win and a half. You’ll be happy. Maybe put some good snow tires on it and consider throwing some fluidfilm underneath it and that thing will get you to hill for years.
get yourself one of these and a stick to beat all the women off
They were truly ahead of there time.
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