MT SUVs

[Skyline_Addict]

Hey beyond,

New to the SUV game, but looking at the possibility of picking one up for the sake of utility and maybe the occassional off-road fun.

Would like something used, preferably manual transmission and hopefully within a $6000 budget (and of course awd). It really won't be driven much, so I'm not wanting to pick up something new or expensive.

From my research so far, this has narrowed choices down to mid to late 90s 4Runners and Pathfinders. JDM appears to be an option, with Pajeros fitting to bill as well.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

[Mibz]

Not sure why you'd want one in MT.

Buy this and be done with it:
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/395943/fs-1999-toyota-4runner-limited/

[ExtraSlow]

Four runners hold thier value really well, almost too well, often if you find one that's a decent price, it's beat to shit and half gone from rust.
Could consider something less popular, I have heard really good things about the Suzuki Vitara/Grand Vitara.

[G-ZUS]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Four runners hold thier value really well, almost too well, often if you find one that's a decent price, it's beat to shit and half gone from rust.
Could consider something less popular, I have heard really good things about the Suzuki Vitara/Grand Vitara.

Id get a Pathfinder

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Originally posted by Skyline_Addict
Hey beyond,

New to the SUV game, but looking at the possibility of picking one up for the sake of utility and maybe the occassional off-road fun.

Would like something used, preferably manual transmission and hopefully within a $6000 budget (and of course awd). It really won't be driven much, so I'm not wanting to pick up something new or expensive.

From my research so far, this has narrowed choices down to mid to late 90s 4Runners and Pathfinders. JDM appears to be an option, with Pajeros fitting to bill as well.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks



Originally posted by Mibz
Not sure why you'd want one in MT.

Buy this and be done with it:
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/395943/fs-1999-toyota-4runner-limited/

Yes, buy my 4Runner.

In all seriousness, a RHD JDM will be the best bet for something in your budget.

[msommers]

I think JDM will be your best bet because anything LHD and with a manual with the specs you're wanting will be quite old, offroaded to hell or too expensive (or any combination of these).

Personally I'd go Pajero. There seems to be enough of them coming in that parts shouldn't be a huge issue.

[birdman86]

Xterra's are sweet pretty sure you could find a mid-00s MT just check that the radiator has been fixed for the SMOD (http://www.thenewx.org/forum/11-powertrain-driveline/62655-smod-hit-list-year-mileage-user-outcome.html) issue ('05-07's i think).

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Yeah in that price range I'd be looking for an Xterra if you don't need a full-size unit.

XJ Cherokees are another option, you'd be hard-pressed to spend $6000 on one that hasn't been modified.

[Skidro]

Another option is Nissan xtrail, Awd, and 4 banger

[Skyline_Addict]

Originally posted by Mibz
Not sure why you'd want one in MT.

Buy this and be done with it:
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/395943/fs-1999-toyota-4runner-limited/

That's a nice 4runner....

Having a relatively uneducated bias towards a manual transmission when it comes to SUVs, is there a performance/fun-factor/reliability advantage to the automatics over manual?

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Originally posted by Skyline_Addict


That's a nice 4runner....

Having a relatively uneducated bias towards a manual transmission when it comes to SUVs, is there a performance/fun-factor/reliability advantage to the automatics over manual?

In terms of performance, I believe automatics are rated higher for towing capacity.

In terms of reliability, at least when I was doing my research, 4Runner's of this generation had an issue with the radiator breaking internally, mixing the transmission fluid and the coolant, known as "strawberry milkshake". The radiator on mine was replaced by the PO, and I opted for an external cooler regardless as preventative maintenance. I believe pathfinders had a similar issue where the transmission filters had to be replaced every 10,000km.

[AutodreamMarvin]

I was going to say CRV up until you said off-roading, but this might help your search:

Kijiji (http://www.kijiji.ca/b-cars-trucks/calgary/suv+crossover/c174l1700199a138?sort=priceDesc&price=__8000&transmission=1)

[Skyline_Addict]

Originally posted by AutodreamMarvin
I was going to say CRV up until you said off-roading, but this might help your search:

Kijiji (http://www.kijiji.ca/b-cars-trucks/calgary/suv+crossover/c174l1700199a138?sort=priceDesc&price=__8000&transmission=1)

Thanks! Lots of variety there.