Best SUV for $5-$6.5k?

[The BMW Guy]

Been looking at SUVs for the gf. Price range is 5-6.5k. Manual or auto doesn't matter. AWD and reliability are important. Lower mileage (under 200k kms)

I'm not too familiar with cars outside of Germans and Subarus.
I see a lot of cheap Jeeps, Ford Escapes, Dodges (Journey) but I'm unsure on their reliability.
Toyota Rav4 looks nice but the 2006+ body is on the pricier side +$7k.
Seen some Honda CRVs for cheap, not a big fan of the body but the prices seem right.

Any other recommendations?

[tonytiger55]

Im driving a 2002 Honda CRV Manual. I bought it with 212,km on it five years ago. I specifically bought it for the reliability. Ive had friends family buy newer cars and poke fun at me, my car is still running, whilst they have changed theirs as things have started to go wrong.
I just hit 330,000km. Engine wise it runs fine.

[Disoblige]

Depends which kind of Jeep you are looking for, but Wrangler's hold their value really well. Good luck finding one under 200k, unmolested and with decent engine choice for $6.5k.

I'm actually looking for a first gen CRV (2001 or older), 5 speed manual in mint shape personally. Super reliable, and I like the look of them once you give it a small lift and bigger tires.

[Brent.ff]

I sold my '04 CRV when i bought the taco with 250k on it..thing was indestructable. Hard to beat the reliability

[lee88]

3rd gen 4runners

[G-ZUS]

+100 for CRV's. Ford Explorers are good bang for your buck

[tonytiger55]

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Depends which kind of Jeep you are looking for, but Wrangler's hold their value really well. Good luck finding one under 200k, unmolested and with decent engine choice for $6.5k.

I'm actually looking for a first gen CRV (2001 or older), 5 speed manual in mint shape personally. Super reliable, and I like the look of them once you give it a small lift and bigger tires.

Are the Jeeps really reliable..?
I was looking online at http://www.dashboard-light.com/ and they seem pretty good. But how are they reliable and other Murcian vehicles are nothing more than polished turds?

CRVS Manuals stopped in 2005/6. So I started looking at Jeeps, but need more reliability data and discussion.

[Brent.ff]

from everyone i've known with a jeep..jeep and reliability are mutually exclusive..

[Disoblige]

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Are the Jeeps really reliable..?
I was looking online at http://www.dashboard-light.com/ and they seem pretty good. But how are they reliable and other Murcian vehicles are nothing more than polished turds?

CRVS Manuals stopped in 2005/6. So I started looking at Jeeps, but need more reliability data and discussion.

I don't know much about the JK Wranglers, but I know a lot of people since high school with TJ's and they have been pretty much bulletproof with the 4.0L and manual transmission.
I own one now and it's been effortless to maintain. Drive it both summer and winter, and enjoying it to the fullest. Everything on the Wrangler is such easy access, and plenty of room to work on. And also the fact that you can check any codes it may be throwing on the dash is a plus too.

[Kjonus]

I've got a 2003 Pathfinder which I've had now for 13 years and its been bullet proof. Got 230,000 kms on it with the only thing to failed being an O2 sensor and just doing the routine maintenance. In my mind they are just as good as the 4Runner but at a 1/3 of the cost.

[J-hop]

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3rd gen 4runners

Problem is people love those so much you can only find them with insane kms

[Sentry]

You want a city SUV or something more offroad capable?

X5s are reasonable. Just needs a good PPI.

[Sonic]

Pathfinder or Xterra... That's all you need to know.

Well not quite, look up tranny cooler house reroute and look under to make sure it's done... Most have been, then you're set.

[dirtsniffer]

I was going to suggest xterra

[muse017]

buy used sequoia with high mileage.
Mine is at 420,000km and still running fine. Just free oil change at CH Toyota and routine maintenance.

[Diocletian]

Yes sequoia is a great choice. High mileage ones still have lots of life left in them if they have been maintained and the frame isn't too rusty. 3rd gen 4 runner is an option if you can find one that's not too used up. Older CRV's and Rav4's are also good choices if you want something less heavy duty

[C4S]

Early RX300 ... even with 300K km ...

[G-ZUS]

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Early RX300 ... even with 300K km ...

Don't they have shitty transmissions?

[flipstah]

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Been looking at SUVs for the gf. Price range is 5-6.5k. Manual or auto doesn't matter. AWD and reliability are important. Lower mileage (under 200k kms)

I'm not too familiar with cars outside of Germans and Subarus.
I see a lot of cheap Jeeps, Ford Escapes, Dodges (Journey) but I'm unsure on their reliability.
Toyota Rav4 looks nice but the 2006+ body is on the pricier side +$7k.
Seen some Honda CRVs for cheap, not a big fan of the body but the prices seem right.

Any other recommendations?

Comfort is priority? Don't get a Wrangler. RAV4 with a V6 is good compromise. Ford Escape is subpar and Journey sucks. You can get a mid 2000s Grand Cherokee in that range but it'll be high mileage.
Off-road is priority? Get a Wrangler.

Ever thought of a Legacy wagon? Or an Outback? Audi/VW would be $$$ to maintain.

[Diocletian]

Yes, the RX300 definitely have some transmission woes. The RX330 is fine, but they fetch considerably more money. Speaking of transmission issues, avoid the MDX and pilots for the same reason.