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What Truck/SUV would you buy and why?

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
Alright so some have you may have seen me rambling about wanting to buy a truck or SUV, I want to get back into the fishing scene this summer and gonna need a boat and a hauler for it to do so, thus my question - If you were going to buy a truck or an SUV what would it be and why?

Here's some requirements -

This is going to be my daily driver so I want something that is comfortable tooling around town and going back and forth to work. The higher the gas mileage the better, but I know I'm only going to get so good while meeting my other needs.

Must be AWD or 4x4

Needs to be able to haul a 2000-3000lb boat on a semi-regular basis (every other weekend lets say). This rules out a lot of the smaller SUV's as I don't want to be right at the max rating of a vehicle.

Prefer leather and other toys but am not dead set on it.

Needs to be available for ~$20k give or take, and have 50k miles or less, lower price and miles is always good but I know as I get into more options, leather, etc the price goes up or the miles do, or both. $15-18k is my ideal target.

Now the vehicles I'm considering currently:

2005ish F150 FX4 Crewcab - Awesome towing capacity, leather trimmed interior is pretty fancy for a truck, provides some additional utility by being able to haul a fourwheeler or sled in the bed. Negatives would be lowest gas mileage of anything I'm looking at, no auto-4x4 mode, 4High and 4Low only, meaning I'm stuck with RWD unless the roads are very icy or fully covered with snow (read most of the time).

2005ish Explorer 4x4, V6 or V8 - I've owned multiple sploders in the past and have been a big fan of em. Decent space inside (both seating and cargo) fold flat 2nd and 3rd row seating, decent gas milage with the V6 and can still tow quite a lot, V8 is better but the gas mileage drops some. Auto 4x4 option + AdvanceTrac are both nice additions over the F150. A little less flexible in hauling larger items, 4x4 or sled would require a trailer. I was originally leaning towards a V6 one of these, but they seem harder to find well optioned with anything but a Tan interior, FML.

2005ish Mercury Mountaineer V8 - Similar to the explorer, I'd probably be spending a little more here, but getting full time AWD and a little fancier interior. The AWD is great (owned a 98) however it dings you on Gas mileage probably being similar to the F150, other pros/cons apply.

I'm open to constructive feedback (positive or negative) to the above options as well as other suggestions, lets hear em!
 
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1Kris06

MAD LIGHTS YO
have you considered midsize trucks, or are you only looking at fullsize ones?
i've always been partial to the chevy colorado, but the 4k towing capacity may be cutting the 'max' a little close with a possible 3k boat.
 

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
I did kind of look them over briefly (mid-size pickups that is) but for the most part I feel they are either too small / lacking on features, or the price difference between them and the full size models isn't enough of a savings for what you give up.
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
Denali- cause they're ballin.

Toyota Tacoma/Tundra. As top gear has proven, you CANNOT murderate the things.

Outside shot, Ford Excursion. Big as shit, v10 and badass.
 

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
How many Denali's with <50k miles for <$20k have you seen?

The new tundra's are the only one's I care for at all looks wise, I did not bother seeing what they were price (I'm guessing too much) as I have heard the opposite of how well they hold up, besides I am not a Toyota fan heh.

Excursion? lol far beyond my needs if you read any of it.
 

AJ

110 HP of FURY!
I think you should at least drive a couple of the new trucks. If you want to take mine for a spin go for it. I personally love my Frontier. The price was right for buying new, Kline Nissan was eager to deal, and they are holding their value really well! On long drives the comfort is there, even with the cloths seats, as during 3 hours trips to IA i've never complained about a sore back. The crew cab has a ton of room, and towing wise it's rated to 6200lbs on my v6.

My dad picked up a new F150 recently and those are also worth the $! I think the Ford dealer right off 169 and bass lake still have some on the lot from the hail damage that where going for 20k last year, yes brand new and some nicely featured. I would of gone that direction, but I really fell in love with the size and setup of the Frontier. If I didn't go with that the F150 would be looked at, as well as other related trucks.

Take a look at some of the v8 heavy dealers. Yes the gas mileage may suck a tad, but the $ you can save on the price can offset that a lot. Hummer is a good example. They don't move for shit anymore, and you can get them for a steal.
 
W

WhiteSpy9

Guest
I really dig the F150s interior and exterior.

I have rode around in AJ's frontier, it is a very nice ride as well.

I think you'd be happy with either if you can find them used and in the mileage you are looking for.

The slpoders and mountaineers just seem too "family". The way the backseats are and the additional third row.
 

VTEC8YA

The Story Teller....
I could see you rocking an Avalanche. Paint all the black plastic shit on it to match the paint on the truck.

I have always liked the looks of these. The older ones with the large plastic running on the bottoms of the doors are ish.

 
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YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
Most of what I'm seeing above seems to be truck-based.....either an actual truck or a truck-based SUV, so just to throw out some other options:

Honda Pilot/Ridgeline both have really smooth rides, although and their towing capacity is 3,500, but 4,500 for a boat (due to the aerodynamic nature of boats [no kidding, it's in the manual]).

Volkswagen Touareg...even the V6 has a 7,700 towing capacity. Here's one with 50K miles for $17,995 asking price

And don't forget the Lincoln Aviator. Smaller than the Navigator, but has similar look to it and a 7,100lb towing capacity and here's one with under 43K miles for 17,995 asking price at a dealership. Read the list of features on this thing and tell me you don't get a semi....hell, I want to buy it and I don't even NEED a new vehicle!...lol
 
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VTEC8YA

The Story Teller....
Wow...... You are a brave man suggesting pickles buy a honda product. He will probably ban you for life for saying that.
 

YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
Tom's the only hardcore anti-Honda guy, but IIRC even he was impressed with how friggin' sweet the adjustable center console on the Ridgeline was at the car show last year. Oh, and in case any of you read the Aviator info and see "3500# hitch" they're wrong, because I cross-checked it on a couple of different sites.....stupid dealerships :facepalm:
 

Big Nate

Chaos Engineer
How many Denali's with <50k miles for <$20k have you seen?

The new tundra's are the only one's I care for at all looks wise, I did not bother seeing what they were price (I'm guessing too much) as I have heard the opposite of how well they hold up, besides I am not a Toyota fan heh.

Excursion? lol far beyond my needs if you read any of it.
I got my Denalli for just under 20k with less then 40k on it. <.< >.>

It was an 02 though so that is a little out of your range.

I would keep your eye out for a nice F-150 they will hit the dealers with low mile close to spring with all the oldsters selling or trading to get into the new body style. Plus oldsters are great cuz they don't beat on the truck and they love all the fun little accessories.
 

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
VW = German, so I'm a little hesitant to go that route. When I looked for Aviators I hadn't seen much, you linked the Touarag twice Pete.

I honestly haven't looked at anything Honda related, I will check out the Pilot - I can't say I'm surprised the manual says you can tow more weight if its a boat, sounds like ricer math to me :p rofl

Some of the vehicles can tow more than the hitches they come with from the factory allow Pete, requiring a different hitch to be installed, I'm not real worried about that. The Aviator is basically a explorer/mountaineer but in Lincoln trim though I don't think they make them anymore.

Most of my choices are truck based as they tend to be the ones that offer higher towing capacities and I am not a big crossover fan.

Nate - Not saying you CANT find a Denali for that price, just they are pretty rare from the searching I've done.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.
 

JohnnyT

New Member
BMW X5's are rated at 5k lbs, but they're just at the peak of your range. They can be had for ~$20k with 60k miles with the 4.4 V8. You'll get just about everything you're looking for.

My buddy had one with 116k miles on it, thing was absolutely pristine. Something different...worth a shot.
 
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