mrs.cos Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 My sister is having a baby- and while her Saturn has lasted through a lot- it's time for a better car. My dad wants to buy her and car and has budgeted 2500 approximately. Here are the stipulations. It needs to have a decent crash test rating, it MUST be the big three. No if ands or buts. My dad works for GM and and won't buy anything Japanese/Korean. Please don't get me started on his hypocrisy. It drives me bonkers. Third and final no major flaws. I will be taking whatever car we look at to our mechanic because while she's not destitute, having to fix a car with a major issue will be a serious financial strain for her. She had a old Jimmy before and loved it so something along those lines is what we are aiming for. She also does not share my love of wagons. I'm open to suggestions/links. I should only 5' so she need something has an adjustable height just possibly adjustable steering for what Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 Why does it have to be an SUV? Saturn L-series wagon has great crash rating, more room inside than a Blazer/Jimmy...should be cheaper to maintain in the long run... http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=43220&endYear=2015&vehicleStyleCodes=WAGON&modelCode1=SATLSE&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=1981&makeCode1=SATURN&searchRadius=200&maxPrice=3000&showcaseListingId=0&mmt=%5BSATURN%5BSATLSE%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=336638375&Log=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted April 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 She likes SUVs hates wagons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Bastard Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 Is gas mileage a concern? My wife has a Durango and we love it, however, it is terrible on gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMeanGreen Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 Damn, I'd love to meet your dad, Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 With those requirements everything you will find will be old and worn out and/or badly rusted. Either need a higher price range or different requirements. Only thing I can suggest is a first gen Dodge Durango, which still isn't a great choice. Might find an old blazer/jimmy but those are all junk at this point. Maybe a 90s Tahoe/Yukon, or 90s expedition. Just keep in mind, there's a reason why these can all be had that cheap. You don't want any of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted April 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 Gas mileage on a SUV in that price range is neglible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted April 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 Oh I agree about what well find in that range- but he won't listen to me about something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleguy Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 Exploder or Jimmy again? Although I can't imagine either of them having good crash test ratings. Best idea = Buy old 4-Runner or CRV and put a Dodge badge on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted April 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 Exploder or Jimmy again? Although I can't imagine either of them having good crash test ratings. Best idea = Buy old 4-Runner or CRV and put a Dodge badge on it. I really wish this was an option. I tried having a logical discussion with him about this. It's like hitting a brick wall. The goal is to have this car for 2 years. So she has time to save for a better car as she also looks for a better job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 I'd go with a grand cherokee. Nothing else is going to compare in ride, reliability, and comfort. $2500 might be just a little low to get a great one. I miss my `99 and might pick up another soon and see them for around $3500 asking price. Personally I'd get the selectrac 4wd system instead of the quadtrac or similar AWD systems. Much simpler design so reliability is better, plus if something fails in the front part of the 4wd system you can still run in 2wd till you get it fixed. The whole vehicle is actually very easy/cheap to keep running. Also I'd get the inline 6 engine. They are bullet proof, been around since the mid `60's, downside is gas mileage still isn't very good, but better than chrysler v8's for sure. If your interested I know a bunch about the vehicles and different model years, I owned mine from 80,000 to 250,000 and spanked it hard. It handled it great and when I was done the engine was still perfect and used no oil. My thing was needing better gas mileage at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Here ya go. http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4425001560.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Bastard Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 If they decide to look at explorers stay away from the sohc 4.0 unless they can prove the timing chain guides have been replaced. The 4.0 ohv motor is bullet proof from what I hear though. I think Tractor had the best possible suggestion so far though with the inline 6 jeep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted April 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Here ya go. http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4425001560.html I sent this to my dad- thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 I wouldn't be afraid of a clean Tahoe/Yukon, or a Blazer/Jimmy/Bravada in that price range. It's all about how it's been taken care of and properly maintained, just like any other car. Old and higher mileage doesn't always mean it's worn out junk. No idea about the crash test ratings though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 So she has time to save for a better car as she also looks for a better job. More often than not, a $2500 American SUV will do the opposite of allowing you to save. It's just gonna be a money pit. In this price range, Mick Jagger said it well. "You can't always get what you want." Get a wagon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 SUV = Wagon on truck frame, or lifted wagon. Why people are so stubborn on this amazes me. Most wagons have the utility of an SUV but still drive and handle like a car and get decent MPG's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff1647545513 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 '94ish grand Cherokee limited or first gen Durango for that price range. Durango gas mileage is horrible though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted May 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 So, it looks like we all like the idea of some sort of Cherokee. So- as im newish to the dodge world. What engines should i avoid. What should we look for as common issue with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 The inline six is a great engine but lots of morons don't realize the cooling system needs repair so they drive around at 210 degrees forever and kill the engine. I don't personally like any Chrysler v8 but that's just an opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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