COOLIS

I'm helping a friend search for a used SUV and am curious what everyone on here would suggest? My friend lives in CO where AWD/4WD will be needed. They are adamant about a 3 row SUV. Budget is up to $15k and they are hoping for something fully loaded with leather and all the bells and whistles. Hoping for 2010+ and they are aiming for something with 120k miles or less. Gas mileage is a slight concern and they do not want a V8. Reliability is of great concern.

Their final choice at this point has been a 2013 Ford Explorer with 130k miles, which I don't think is the wisest decision.

Any thoughts?

jrmckinley

Yikes, those are tight constraints. The 3rd row is what makes it a bit hard to hit that price point. They may have to stick with the Explorer.

Toys4RJill

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

We have 140K on our family '03 Explorer. Started as mom's, then mine, then I passed it down to my sister. Other than a new waterpump, thermostat, and slight transmission hesitation every now and then, she's been a peach.


Seems their options are:
Explorer
Traverse/Acadia/Enclave
Durango
CX-9
Pilot
Highlander
Pathfinder
Some VW Tiguans have 3 rows
Older RAV4 V6 3 row
Outlander
Journey
Sorento
Older Subaru Tribeca

JDR76

I'd chose a 4Runner like this one (V6, 130k miles, $13,883), even though it's not loaded:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0785/overview/

Or a gently used Highlander like this one (V6, 75k miles, $14,999):

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8984/overview/

sm1ke

iTrader: (5)

What about a 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe SE? I did a local search (I'm in Canada, mind you) and found 3 2013-2014 Santa Fe XLs, two with 95000 miles and one with 123000 miles. All between $12-13.5k USD. All are AWD w/ 3.3L V6.

sm1ke

iTrader: (5)

Also, pass on the 1st gen CX-9. They have water pump issues that can lead to engine damage/replacement, and there have been a lot of reported transfer case issues in the AWD trims.

wasjr

I have had 4 MDXs with no issues, so I would say MDX, or Pilot. I'm on the MDX forum and there are frequent postings from purchasers of an older, high mileage MDX who are pleased. Re mpg, the 2011 MDX I had got the worst gas mileage of the 4.

mmarshall

Borregos will probably be a good deal as a used vehicle, with their strong depreciation, but will likely be hard to find.....few were sold in the American market.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

that's your opinion... when i traded my '06 explorer with 110k mi. on it, absolutely nothing had gone wrong or was wrong with it.

COOLIS

In regards to the Explorer, I could completely see the older models going well over 100k miles. I just wonder how the EcoBoost is going to fare.

In terms of the MDX, haven't there been longstanding transmission issues with them?

Good to know about the CX-9. I will tell my friend to avoid those.

I have found a few nice Durangos that have around 100k miles, but not sure about Dodge.

I agree that a Toyota/Honda would be the best bet, but they go quick when they're good.

mmarshall

Did you have the Firestone Wilderness Tires replaced in that recall? That was arguably the main problem on the early Explorers/Mountaineers...a dispute between Ford and Firestone over what was considered safe PSIs in those tires, especially under hot road conditions and heavy vehicle weights.
Agreed.....both of these brands, IMO, are living at least partially off of past reputations.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

that was at least 10+ yrs before i got mine...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firest...re_controversy

the one plus out of that is that my explorer came with michelins... ford was certainly done with firestone after that.

mmarshall

OK....I don't remember it being quite that that long, but I'll take your word for it.


Yep.....Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone personally shook hands over a tire-supply deal....that deal lasted for roughly an entire century.

werewolf

Trannies on the MDX are generally good past 2004. I'd target a 2011 2012 MDX with 120k miles or less with the timing belt/95k mile service done. These are very good soft-roaders.