Best SUV for $5-$6.5k?

[J-hop]

If you’re only spending 5-6k you want something with readily available parts at a reasonable price. I wouldn’t recommend a Lexus personally

[beyond_ban]

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If you’re only spending 5-6k you want something with readily available parts at a reasonable price. I wouldn’t recommend a Lexus personally

.... but Lexus' share their parts with similar sized Toyota's.

[J-hop]

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.... but Lexus' share their parts with similar sized Toyota's.

True in some cases but what’s the Toyota version of an rx330? Closest thing would be a highlander I think but they don’t even share the same chassis as far as I know

[zhao]

I would say acura probably still provides the best bang for buck. you're probably looking at a 04+ MDX, which is a pretty solid vehicle. ya, it may not be perfect, but both my mom and my brother (he still owns his) took one of those to 200000+ km without any issues.

lexus RX's were my 2nd pick, but the acura is cheaper and easier to maintain.

I ruled out CRVs and Rav4s because they were acura/lexus money for an inferior vehicle so you might as well go with the luxury model. I ruled out everything else japanese (rogues, mitsu's, etc) because it was inferior to a honda/toyota product for similar money

avoid domestics (most are not cheap to maintain and usually have issues that are $$$), and avoid german luxury vehicles because they are ticking time bombs. as temping as a X3 would be, just dont.

personally I'd just get an awd car like a legacy...... not sure what you need a suv for that a legacy cant do, especially if its a wagon. suv's pull a premium because they are suvs so you end up getting something that's a bigger POS or older, or has issues for what you could have got in a car. the suv's you're probably looking at too are actually just cars with lift kits or bigger tires when it comes down to it.

[SkiBum5.0]

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True in some cases but what’s the Toyota version of an rx330? Closest thing would be a highlander I think but they don’t even share the same chassis as far as I know

They share a transmission

[Diocletian]

The MDX has a 5 speed transmission that has not proven to be a robust unit. I would shy away from any V6 with a Honda automatic in the accord, TL, pilot or MDX until 08 when a stouter unit was used. 03 was statistically the worst year but I wouldn't chance it.

[RX_EVOLV]

We still have our 2003 RX330 since new. 280K now. Running strong. The air suspension is starting to give but otherwise never had any issues with it beside routine maintenance.

[corsvette]

On our 2nd GMC Yukon. Amazingly dependable vehicles, the first one is still in the family with close to 400,000 km on it now, original save for the front differential which needed a rebuild. The newer one is doing great, drinks way more fuel though (a 6.2 V8)

[botox]

With 3 CRV's in the family at one point my vote is obvious. Lots of them in that price range but make sure to get stick cause auto is pretty gutless. It's not a looker but definitely a solid and fuel efficient vehicle and with good winter tires it's pretty unstoppable.

[Hallowed_point]

RAV4 V6 with 3 pedals

[G-ZUS]

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RAV4 V6 with 3 pedals

Is this even possible?

[Hallowed_point]

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Is this even possible?

Oops, guess not. Auto only

[NissanFanBoy]

Xterras come with an amazing V6 and manual

[Tik-Tok]

I'm not a fan of Chrysler products at all (at least nothing since 1970's anyways, lol), however my wife's Jeep Patriot has been pretty f'ing reliable. It's got no balls with the 2.4L, but it's manual, and the AWD isn't terrible and you can't switch it from 80/20 torque split to 50/50 at your leisure. Definitely cheap interior quality, but nothing has broken in the 4 years and 60k kms we've had it, and they're pretty inexpensive to buy. They have a reputation for having poor fuel economy in their class, but isn't a gas guzzler.

I really tried to dissuade my wife from getting it, but after these few years, can't complain as it's cost us nothing in maintenance.

[bh87]

I would be looking at the newest/lowest mileage 4Runner I could get for that money. There is a 4th gen 4Runner listed with no reserve price at Regal auctions for this saturday at 11am.

Otherwise I'd look at the 3rd gen's in your price range. Check out Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 as well (QX4's are cheap!), I'm more biased toward Toyota products but nothing wrong with either of those. Sequoia is a great option too, more thirsty and noticeably bigger. Depends on what you need size wise and if you want to tow anything.

[G-ZUS]

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Xterras come with an amazing V6 and manual

You mean a gas-guzzling v6 that's underpowered for the vehicle they threw it in?

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I would be looking at the newest/lowest mileage 4Runner I could get for that money. There is a 4th gen 4Runner listed with no reserve price at Regal auctions for this saturday at 11am.

Otherwise I'd look at the 3rd gen's in your price range. Check out Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 as well (QX4's are cheap!), I'm more biased toward Toyota products but nothing wrong with either of those. Sequoia is a great option too, more thirsty and noticeably bigger. Depends on what you need size wise and if you want to tow anything.

Regal's junk bin aka unreserved is the last place I'd be looking for a DD vehicle

[NissanFanBoy]

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You mean a gas-guzzling v6 that's underpowered for the vehicle they threw it in?

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The 05-14 got the 4.

Regal's junk bin aka unreserved is the last place I'd be looking for a DD vehicle

The 05+ got the 4.0...