Buying an SUV to tow...which one to get

[Bigs]

I was towing my boat home 70 miles yesterday and bout halfway home the transmission temp light came on . This is a 1991 toyota truck that already seemed like it needed a tranny rebuild even before I started towing with it. I know a tranny cooler would help alot but I dont wanna invest into this truck considering its old, ugly and gets about 15mpg if I'm lucky. So Im thinkin I wanna midsize SUV that I can tow my 16 foot deep V tracker boat, 20 foot center console boat, travel trailer , landscape trailer, etc.. and fit my 2 dogs cages, 10 long rods and reels, tackle, a few friends and whatever else I might need to take with me. I been lookin at 2002-2004 explorers but they are rated the most problem SUV's. Carcomplaints.com has hundreds of complaints mainly focusing on the transmission which is the most important part of the tow vehicle imo. The good part is that they hold no re sale value whatsoever so I can pick up an '04 for less then 8 grand with about 70k miles on it.

My other option is a 2001-2004 nissan pathfinder which is a way way more attractive truck, wayyyyy better interior and just about as much towing capacity(5000). They hold a bit more value tho so I'd be spending more. They also dont get the MPG that the V6 explorer gets, not even close. The flip side is they are far more reliable with few problems reported, just way better trucks in general.I have owned nissan before(maxima) and I loved it. I have also owned many fords too(cobras,saleens,mustang GT) but they arent that reliable from my experience and are built with cheap materials.

So should I pick one of these two or is there another better option for me ? Keep in mind I wanna 4 door mid size SUV that can tow 5000 pounds minimum and get close to 18/20 MPG when Im not towing. I want leather, a moonroof, etc..I was thinkin bout a durango but they suck gas down in a hurry not to mention the front grill and bumper on those makes me wanna vomit. What should I do ? I need to buy something within the next week before I take the boat out again.

Ford explorer owners and pathfinder owners please chime in and help me out !

[BrianinMD]

I think you answered your own question after checking reliability and resale value.....

[Bull Hurley]

Ever heard of a Chevy Trailblazer?

[Bigs]

Very true but thats what a warranty is for. The question is, do I wanna deal with the headache even if I have a warranty. I wanna hear from the guys who have owned these trucks for years.

[Bigs]

Ya I know about the trailblazers but the interior is flat out dated and ugly on those. GM has been using the same interiors since the 80's, I'll pass on that.

[drmnbig]

I'm a Ford loving guy but the Explorers are junk!  You can have the same mpg's if you bought an Expedition and you won't have anything to worry about.  I've got a 00 Expedition with the 4.6 and it tows the boat with ease and I get right at 18mpg on the interstate and 15 in all around driving.  

Stay away from the Chevys, only wierdos drive 'em.  

[drmnbig]

Another thought.  Stay away from Dodges if you don't want tranny problems.  

[ROOKIE02]

im a toyota guy myself, i used to tow my 18ft ranger with my fj cruiser and it was fine until going up hill then it lags a bit but i dont push it, plus the aerodynamics suck on the fj but i bought it for its offroad capabilities, i would suggest a 4runner for a midsize suv its sporty, more offroad capable, u can get it with leather, 4 doors, room for your dogs, tow 5000lbs, plus it holds its value, or go balls out and get a crew cab tundra or sequoia 5.7 i towed my boat with my dads tundra 5.7 going uphill doing 75 mph no problemo just my suggestions get what makes you happy

[bigtimfish]

I drive an 04 explorer (58,000 miles) and pull my Sea Chaser 175 RG (bay boat) just fine.My boat weight is 1310lbs and a galvanized single axle trailer. I don't know the weight of the trailer. I don't think I would pull a travel trailer or a 20' bay boat or c.c. with it though. No problems yet. But my buddy has pulled his 22' blue wave classic c.c. (big boat)with his wifes explorer.

[Bigs]

Ok I wasnt aware of the expeditions mpg compared to the explorer, so Im gonna look at some now. And my mother gave me her '01 4runner v6 a few months ago to sell for her. I sold it fast for 11,700 with 62k miles on it via craigslist of course. I hated the way it drove and the way it felt. It was the least comfortable suv I have ever been in. Not to mention the gas mileage was horrible for how slow that thing was. Im also gonna stay away from dodge altogether.

[Diablos]

The logical choice would probably be a 4runner due to reliability and solid resale value.

If you want an all around rock solid engine make sure to look at any pre-2007 Jeep with the 4.0 engine. These come with all the flashy amenities; leather, ect

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=260194356&dealer_id=625645&car_year=2004&rdm=1249425774993&num_records=25&model=JEEPGRAND&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2002&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&first_record=51&make=JEEP&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=02746&advanced=&end_year=2006&pager.offset=50&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=19&standard=false

A really good sleeper is the Mitsubishi Endeavor. It has a pretty solid engine with plenty of power and decent reliability. 225horse 6cyl

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=264190287&dealer_id=73416&car_year=2005&rdm=1249426032044&model=ENDEAVOR&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2005&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MIT&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=02746&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=53&standard=false

[DawsonH]

Buy an f150 crew cab. sure the gas mileage sucks, but is has power nice interior options and yeah. buy it.

[Bull Hurley]

If you want an all around rock solid engine make sure to look at any pre-2007 Jeep with the 4.0 engine. These come with all the flashy amenities; leather, ect

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=260194356&dealer_id=625645&car_year=2004&rdm=1249425774993&num_records=25&model=JEEPGRAND&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2002&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&first_record=51&make=JEEP&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=02746&advanced=&end_year=2006&pager.offset=50&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=19&standard=false

A really good sleeper is the Mitsubishi Endeavor. It has a pretty solid engine with plenty of power and decent reliability. 225horse 6cyl

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=264190287&dealer_id=73416&car_year=2005&rdm=1249426032044&model=ENDEAVOR&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2005&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MIT&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=02746&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=53&standard=false

The Jeep is still a Dodge and everything but that 4.0 motor is absolute garbage.  

[catchbig0bass]

The pathfinders are a nice vehicle. The expeditions are nice parents owned one for 6 yrs however gas is horrible. They went to an F-150 extended cab. Im 5'9 and fit very comfortably in the back and has tons of power and room for everything you would need. GM's do suck as far as styling goes I will def agree. Hell Ford was just practically giving away F-150;s. You can probably grab a brand new STX 4x4 for around 16-17 with good options. Or a used one with low miles for 15 or so with more options.

[Bigs]

Ok so I found a few expeditions I like. Im goin to check out a King Ranch 2005 Expedition with 65k miles and a 2003 expedition with 75k miles. Are the big lexus trucks any good for towing ? Or maybe the landcruisers? I might even brake down and just buy a tundra at this point. How big of rods can I transport with something like an extended cab tundra or f150? I need to be able to throw 8 foot rods no prob

[drmnbig]

Lexus doesn't make a truck....they are just glorified cars.  

[retiredbosn]

It may sound crazy to you, but get a Suburban, new enough that it has the Vortec engine.  I had one and I routinge got 20mpg on the highway, yes it was 4wd and I live in the mountains.  Most people think that there is no way that a Suburban gets that kind of mileage.  Mine was a 98 with the 350 Vortec.  If you are looking midsize then I would recommend the Chevy Trailblazer, that is what I'm driving now, however the gas mileage is a little less than the Suburban, right at 18 on the highway.  Good luck  

FWIW IMO Nissan and Toyota's trucks are inferior to the Chevrolets.  Mainly due to it isn't their forte'.  They make awesome cars, but I would stay away from their trucks.  The Pathfinders that I've driven get a max of 14mpg.  You can also go to fueleconomy.gov and see real world reports on mpg.  

[Stasher1]

You may have the only Suburban in existence that gets that kind of gas mileage. My 2WD '95 non-Vortec 'Burb and my father's 2WD '99 Vortec 'Burb each get around 15-16. From my experience the newer ones aren't much better, as the '09 Yukon I rented last summer got less than 17 mpg on the highway.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/noframes/15460.shtml

[retiredbosn]

You may have the only Suburban in existence that gets that kind of gas mileage. My 2WD '95 non-Vortec 'Burb and my father's 2WD '99 Vortec 'Burb each get around 15-16. From my experience the newer ones aren't much better, as the '09 Yukon I rented last summer got less than 17 mpg on the highway.

Nope far from the only one, my buddy is the one who talked me into a burb, my brother in law bought one after driving mine.  He figured why drive a mini-van for the kiddies when he could have the burb.  Here is a link to real world drivers who report 17.6 and 21.9 for a 2002 4WD burb.  Mileage is all how you drive and the quality of gas you use.

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?action=mpgData&vehicleID=18276&browser=true&details=on

[retiredbosn]

Lexus doesn't make a truck....they are just glorified cars.

Lexus doesn't make anything, they are just glorified Toyotas

[Bull Hurley]

 Mileage is all how you drive and the quality of gas you use.

Exactly,  I have a 2007 Chevy Uplander van and run only 89 octane non-ethanol gas in it and I get about 2 mpg more than a friend of mine that has the same van and runs whatever gas he finds the cheapest.  I could get better than that but my driving habbits prohibit it.  Also making sure you keep your tires properly inflated with the correct air pressure makes a big difference,  and believe it or not using a good quality 10w-40 oil instead of the "recommended" 5w-30 will make a big difference as well.  

[done]

I have an '02 Trailblazer. With it, I have towed a 18 ft camper form Buffalo, NY to Gastonia, NC. I have towed the camper up and down mountains, I have pull a light jon boat and my new tracker pro team 175 with it. Taken it through snow, off-road, literally through a shallow stream a few times.

It is not a perfect vehicle, they tend to have tranny problems (mine was rebuilt under warranty), because of aluminum sun gears. Overall though with 120k on it so far, it has been a very reliable (knock on wood), very versatile vehicle. The straight 6 runs quiet and gives you a good deal of power (for a 6) when you need it. With a good set of tires and the 4x4 I have not managed to get it stuck yet.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Chevy Tahoe will pull anything!!!!!

[lv2fish]

Ever heard of a Chevy Trailblazer?

POS

[senko_77]

Chevy Tahoe will pull anything!!!!!

X2.  I am about to get the 05 Tahoe and I have heard nothing but good things about the way it pulls and it's fuel economy.