Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives What would you buy?

Really just day dreaming here, but what would you buy for a cheap 4x4? Say you had less than $3000. For a hunting vehicle and for snowy roads and some highway travel. Probably thinking more suv than truck, mainly to seat a family of 4. What are ones you'd avoid?

You are dreaming if you want to get a family of 4 into a 4x4 for under $3000.

Maybe an old Bronco?

2004 or 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor. At that price, probably higher mileage. Looked at them when they first came out, nice vehicle, but never owned one as the Mits brand scared me.

I can find all kinds of blazers, suburbans, explorers, pathfinders, tahoes, etc for sale in that price range. Yes they are usually mid 90s to very early 2000s with 120-170k on them.

I didn't mean I wanted a new family car for trips to Disneyland. I just mean an ok 4x4 for hunting and occasional trips to town, which is 30 miles for us.

http://www.ksl.com/auto/search/index?perPage=48

That link is just an example of vehicles I found searching one classifieds page with the filters I posted plus newer than '92.

30 miles 1 way? With most of the older SUV's that's 5 to 6 gal of gas for a round trip.

If it were me I'd find a zj grand Cherokee with a v8 for that kind of money

Ford Expedition...I see 97-02s in that price range all the time, and the platform is solid.

Cherokee sport with a 4.0. Great suv and the 4 liter is bullet proof.

I had good luck with Suburbans. Look for a 3/4 ton with the vortec engine and a 4L80E tranny.

late 90's 'Yota........or 'Zuki Samarie (spelling)

As is the AW4 transmission and solid front axle.

As far as mpg's go my '96 XJ gets 16-17 on our rural roads and 21 hwy.

Good option.

Stay away from the Grands.

^^^^^^^^ This or an older Toyota 4 runner with the 2.4L (22RE)..

For a woods runner my Samurai is perfect. If you are wanting to haul a family of 4 you guys better be dwarfs if you are going to put everyone in there.



The solid axle Cherokees have a big following around here. My pick would be an old 4 Runner.

I agree on the 4 runner but they usually get more for them and also listen to Add, stay away from the grand cherokee!

I don't own a jeep sport but several of my friends do, I do own a wrangler with a 4.0 and it has been the most dependable vehicles I have ever owned. 196k and zero problems with meachical failure. Rear main't seal at 150k and oil pan drain plug stripped out and a few weeks ago a fuel pump relay went out. All of this was over a period between 2002-present.

Auto correct sux.

Curious to know what your rationale is behind that suggestion

Grand Cherokees had electrical issues. My favorite car dealer has told me the same thing. The little Cherokee with the 4.0 is a great vehicle. Bought one new in 1996. Wish I still had it instead of my Yukon. mtmuley

I was heavy into the zj scene for a number of years, I don't recall any serious electric issues popping up. The 4.0 zjs were absolute turds, but the v8 zjs are pretty good. The biggest problem I can think of is viscous coupler issues with the np249 transfer case, but swapping a 231 or 242 is a couple hours work at most

I've never owned a Grand, but when looking for a rig for my kid, I did find more than a few for sale cheap because of electrical bugs. Mostly lights that wouln't turn off, mysterious radio issues and starting problems. I like the looks of certain Grands better than the XJ, but the little Cherokee is tough to beat. mtmuley