SUV replacement recommendations?

[hobo]

89 Laredo with 212k miles been in the shop for 4 days with a stalling problem which occured after picking it up after they replaced the alternator. Never stalled before. We've given the guy 1/2 more day to properly diagnose the problem before we pick it up and take it elsewhere.

Looking online for a new/used vehicle replacement and I am shocked at the used car prices. We need some towing capacity for our 8x5 utility trailer and frequent heavy loads in the vehicle.

Can spend up to $30k for a replacement vehicle and have the 2004 consumer guide for Suv's, have been to Edmonds, etc and read reviews.

Looking for fuel economy yet need towing capacity and power. Not too picky on ride- after years of our truck based Jeep anything new should be a stepup, but for $30k I'd expect a tight ride.

Looking at the Nissan Morano for a middle of the road vehicle or a Toyota Highlander. Last ditch, a Nissan Exterra. Honda's are rated good, but lack towing capacity. A full size pickup would be ideal, but they are gas hogs.

Not opposed to used with less than 50k miles

Anyone purchased an SUV recently? Advice? Ideally I'd like to keep the Jeep also, yet time restraints with a move coming up don't afford us the choice of fixing it now. Especially when finding a competent mechanic to correctly diagnose the problem is an issue.

Open to all input and appreciate it.

 

[Hamilton Felix]

Have you considered going diesel? That will certainly narrow down the search. Gas is really expensive (well, so is diesel), and does not store nearly so well as diesel. Diesels get better fuel mileage.

 

[hobo]

Hey HF - yes we've considered diesel but haven't kept up with them in several years. The last diesel we looked at was an 87 extended cab pickup - been awhile!

Can you only get diesel in pickups? Do you know of any highly recommended?

 

[dieseltrooper]

If you go for the truck option, a 3/4 ton Dodge w/Cummins TD will get the towing job done and with the xtracab you have the same seating capacity as the Jeep.
The Jeep Liberty will be available with a 2.8TD in the fall and should get really good mpg,but I don't know about the tow capacity.
If it's a Cherokee you have with the 4.0 six cyl, it's time to rebuild that six if you are attached to it and would like to keep it. IIRC, Chrysler has 4.7 ltr stroker kit that would increase your tow capacity.
I'm sure a new 3/4 ton 4x4 w/TD will exceed the 30K figure,but you can check out prices using autotraders advanced search for one 3-5 yrs old for under 20K. At 50K mi, a diesel is just broke in.

 

[hobo]

thx for your input Dieseltrooper - we got the Jeep back today unfixed and if we keep it in 2nd or 3rd gear pulling up to a light, we can keep it running. In drive, the tach bottoms out and it stalls on deceleration.

I love my old Jeep, especially because they don't make them built on the truck frame anymore. If we had land to park it and get back to fixing it later, it would be a great keeper, but it's definitely time for a full time replacement. We have to have something we can rely on.

Looked at a Toyota Highlander and it's a glorified van. Didn't bother to look at the Nissans in that size. We test drove the sequoia and has a powerful V8 with 14/18 mpg, 6,200 towing capacity. Because of time contraints, I think we're down to a Sequoia or a Tahoe. Can get either new for around $30-32k. Also looked at the 4runner and wheelbase wise it's about like a JGC or any other mid-sized. Overpriced for what it is.

Worse part is driving a stalling car around town to look! A truck would be a good choice as a 2nd car, but we will only have 1 car, so the SUV seems like the best route. At least the Sequoia and Tahoe are based on truck frames (rwd) like our old Jeep.

One saving grace, our son has a '96 Jeep Laredo and we can pull our 2 week old Pirelli LT's off our Jeep and put them on his. Get our $400. back and give him a great set of tires.

I hate to see an old car die. We've had the Jeep for 9 yrs (used) and it's part of the family. I think I've felt that way about any car I've ever owned. Guess you trust what you have more than the unknown, and you know your way around maintenance and repairs...until they become a money pit with age.

thx again for your input. I really appreciate it. If our Jeep will make it to a few more dealers we'll check out some diesels too.

 

[dieseltrooper]

So the stalling problem did not appear until after the alternator repair? Sounds like they should diagnose it, but if they don't have the skill or electronic diagnostic tools, you could get the computer diagnostic at the Jeep dealer for an hour of labor.(I think)
I've been having running prob's with my '91 Trooper w/TBI GM V-6. Luckily, I got a free computer diagnostic coupon in my bank statement so I got the diagnostic done for free and then knew what parts to replace. (coil,ign module, and spark control module)

I know your frustration, or as Clinton put it: "I feel your pain."

 

[hobo]

hey DT - yeah exactly, they don't have the skill. They put it on a scanner, but it wasn't bringing up any trouble codes. Yes, it started after the alternator replacement. Didn't even make it home from picking it up without stalling at the first red light.

We planned to do a Jeep dealer diagnostic today, but it looks like it's at the age to start really nickel and diming us. Still a great vehicle for a farm or bugout property because of the 4wd combined with our 8x5 trailer, but it's too unreliable for long trips.

Worse thing is I can afford a new vehicle, but have no parking where we are to keep the Jeep, utility trailer and a new vehicle. For the sake of parking I'd have to let the Jeep go.

I bought it in '95 with 79k miles and it's been pretty low cost except for maintenance and some overheating/fuel injector headaches common for that year. Getting 134k more out of it in 9 yrs isn't too bad. Wish I knew a likeminded person locally to to hand it off to, because trade is neglible ($500 w/out new tires) I'd love to see someone get it rather than a wholesaler.

I'm in ETX if anyone with mechanical ability is interested. We're pretty sure it's a vacumn leak or a sensor. It runs too strong to need an engine, and burns no oil.

The body/paint is VGC (white) except for 2 minor door dings. removeable CD player, gray cloth interior VGC, power windows/locks, Class III hitch, roof rack, new alternator, tuned, battery, shocks, brakes, all maintenance records, no leaks.

Be a great bugout vehicle for a mechanic. lol I feel like I'm giving away my pet to a good home!

 

[hobo]

Finally made the decision and bought the 2wd Sr5 Sequoia. I'll miss the 4x but we aren't in the mtns anymore so the suv should have enough torque and power being a V8 to get the job done in the woods too.

we were afraid the jeep wouldn't make it down the street another day.

thx again for your help.

 

[dieseltrooper]

Well, you can't beat Toyota's reliability record.

 

[hobo]

Got that right. Through the years we've had a Corona, Corolla, Camry, Tacoma, old Toyota beater truck, 3 different year Celicas, and an old Supra. (mostly our son's vehicles) Even the beaters were the best cars we ever had for reliability. Several of them were salvage title toyotas and it made no difference= Turn the key - they start immediately and purr like the day they left the factory.

Plan to keep this one at least 300k miles like the Camry we sold years ago. Knock on wood - no wrecks and this will be our last car. And with this room - it will be a great bugout vehicle :