Which is the better SUV???

[cbk4lyf]

Hey,

Im lookin to get an SUV (4x4) but am having troubles choosing one of them.....here are the choices i got so far but feel free to make any recommendations!!...

2000ish Toyota 4Runner (SR5 or Limited)
2002ish Nissan XTerra (SE or SE-SC)
2001ish Nissan Pathfinder
2000ish Mercedez ML320

all are about the same price range give or take a couple G's....

im leanin towards the 4runner personnally

Thanks

[240droptop]

Originally posted by cbk4lyf
Hey,

Im lookin to get an SUV (4x4) but am having troubles choosing one of them.....here are the choices i got so far but feel free to make any recommendations!!...

2000ish Toyota 4Runner (SR5 or Limited)
2002ish Nissan XTerra (SE or SE-SC)
2001ish Nissan Pathfinder
2000ish Mercedez ML320

all are about the same price range give or take a couple G's....

im leanin towards the 4runner personnally

Thanks

I found the 4 runner was good for going offroad however comfort in the city is a bit less if you even care about that lol. I belive they have a truck chasy so they ride much like one. The Pathfinders are good vehicles there pretty reliable. and a good al around vehivle. The xtera is much liekt he pathfinder to me only looks a bit diffrent lol. And i'v enever had any experience with the Ml

[Rav4Guy]

try and jump into at least an 2003 4runner... better performance, increase in leg room, plus a newer design.

[SteveMo600]

I'd go for the 4Runner as well...good find.

[heavyD]

I know this is of no use to the discussion but I HATE HATE HATE HATE sport utility vehicles with a passion.

Done venting. Sorry.;)

[bspot]

Stay away from Xterra's... the worst made Nissan available in their current lineup.

[statick]

Don't get an ML, not great vehicles - unreliable, nothing too great about them other than the badge. Xterra is half decent, but not amazing - the only outstanding thing about this is that its SCed:thumbsup: . 4runner/pathfidner are both great choices, reliable, resale, decent speed, good interior, godo build quality. the only defining factor on choosing between pathfinder/4runner is that 4runner is a bit more expensive because bigger/better engine, bigger chassis, and some other small stuff. can't go wrong with 4runner or pathfinder:D .

[joseph]

4 Runner :thumbsup:

[sml]

I have a pathfinder and it's awesome! Nothing bad about it except for the fuel consumption! The 4runner is EXPENSIVE!!! Especially the limited. But it's very similiar to the pathfinder. I've read reviews on the xterra and it's only good off-road, on-road it's a pretty harsh ride. The ML is just BAD... might as well buy a FORD or GM, at least it's cheaper so you EXPECT it to break! :rofl:

[big_k]

4runner by far, an awsome SUV

[hustler]

:werd: ^^^

[roopi]

4-Runner

[90Tegra]

for looks i would add the infiniti QX4 and also it has the better resale value than all of them and looks better than those 4 listed.:hitit:

[Gspotracer]

4-Runner:thumbsup:

[Godfuader]

The 2000 Runner limited was perhaps the best lookin SUV ever made. Thats the one i'm considerin. Looks great, drives great, and its a Toyota :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Weapon_R]

4 Runner - we've got one and it's quite simply the most reliable and best looking SUV you can get :D

Actually, maybe not, but it's very reliable and the LTD (the only one you should consider) is very luxurious and smooth.

[ICEBERG]

I know most people don't like the X3 here but after test driving one with the 3.0 litre 225 horses jet black with 18" wheel option this thing drove like a sports car. You can get the 2.5i for like $44,000 i think. Just a tought.

Cheers.

[LittleAngel]

4runner for sure. The new ones are great! Limited for sure, until you want the hood scoop

[jaysas_63]

i'm not a fan of suv's....but if i had to drive one it would definatly be a MB:thumbsup:

[Akira911]

I have driven the 04 4-Runner V8 and its phenomenal. The traction and acceleration are amazing. Heard from a couple people the Pathfinder is poor on gas.

[Hash_man]

I have driven all of those vehicles aside from the Xterra... I think the 4 runner drove the best out of the three, and knowing its Toyota quality and reliability, I would definately go for one.

They look great as well. :thumbsup:

[ZorroAMG]

Originally posted by statick
Don't get an ML, not great vehicles - unreliable, nothing too great about them other than the badge.

LOL nice that you know nothing about them and post complete garbage.

Now I am not a fan of the ML in that it's not on par with other MB model standards. This is mainly because it's made in Alabama. Now as an SUV goes, the ML multilink suspension is about as good as it gets this side of a hummer (H1, not faggy H2) or Range Rover. It has a great engine in the ML320 V6, the 430 and 55AMG are a blast. The quality is as good as th 4 runner and pathfinder as they are not without their qwirks either. Pathfinders in that year range are gutless pussies IMO

I wouldn't count out the ML at all, it just comes down to features, condition and styling when comparing all those used vehicles.

[Impreza]

I would go for the last generation 4runner. Used to have one and it is an absolute blast to drive. BEST suv on your list imo. It's a no brainer! and get the Limited! haha

[20incheyes]

Originally posted by ZorroAMG


LOL nice that you know nothing about them and post complete garbage.


Well since the warranty sales clerk at Hyatt is a friend of mine she did mention avoid 98 and 99s, those gave the ML the bad reputation. As for offroad availability the ML has actually beat these vehicles in various tests. I get them as loaners and enjoy their feel. The 4 runner is super, Pathfinder is great but I'd rather look into QX4 if it's similar money. Those 4 are good choices, now it depends on the actual car, how many KMs, shape, etc.

Have fun on the search

[t-im]

Personally, I LOVE the look of the ML..looks clean, classy and not too agressive.

The interior of the ML interior is top notch (it's still a Mercedes, after all)... Also, feature wise those other suv's don't compare. (ESP, side airbags, optional integrated nav system..etc)

2000+ ML's are the way to go, since they came standard with command (nicely filling up the empty space 98-99's had), rear side airbags (98-99's only had front side airbags) and color matched bumpers (which were originally only for 430's) and generally updated interior, among other things.

Reliability has been hit or miss for ML's..I know people with 99's who have had no problems, and people with more recent models that have...the one thing is that the problems they've had range from minor (door not opening) to major (iffy electrical issues)....which are not as common on japanese vehicles...

I say ML's are a good buy right now as i've noticed 2000~ 320's hovering around the 30k mark...

If not ML, then 4runner

[t-im]

Originally posted by ICEBERG
I know most people don't like the X3 here but after test driving one with the 3.0 litre 225 horses jet black with 18" wheel option this thing drove like a sports car. You can get the 2.5i for like $44,000 i think. Just a tought.

Cheers.

I like the look of the x3 but they are not priced right at ALL.

After everything is said and done, the x3 3.0 is quite close in price to an x5 3.0...and I personally would rather have an x5.

x3 2.5 with a FEW options comes out to ~50.. and considering the 2.5 i6 is just enough power for the 3 series, I can't imagine it being powerful enough for a mini suv.

[statick]

I may not know techinical details about the ML but,a friend of mine has one, and i've driven a pathfinder/4runner. i personally don't think that the ML is worth the amount of money u pay for it, and also my friend who owns it, now has some regrets about buying that over an X5. the reason why i say pathfinder is because u can get one for reasonably cheap compared to the others. and a fully loaded 4runner has enough options for me to get by, so IMO ML is not the best choice.

[alomke]

4-runner is pretty good but if you were looking for another option outside this, I would recommend a 1999 and newer Isuzu Rodeo Sporty. Very comfortable and reliable....am getting one soon. They have from V4s to V8s....good idea?

[T-Dubbs]

Jeep with hemi!

[Bonka]

I assume you won't be 4x4ing?

Scratch the Xterra off. Truck-based platform and the ride is a lot rougher compared to the other choices there.

Pathfinder or 4Runner. The ML is a shitbox.