For $8K, which should I get?

[Lamar]

So the Bonneville is in need of repairs and has numerous annoyances at the moment... much more than I'm willing to pay for. Plus, with two kids, I'm out of space when it comes to traveling. Ergo, I'm seriously looking to let it go and move into something bigger.

As the thread title suggests, my budget is really low, to the tune of no more than $8000. Now I realize that most of the vehicles I look for in this price range will be high in miles, but there are some reasonable examples out there on a miles-per-year basis.

So, fellow C&Gers, here's my short list in order of preference:

1) GMT360s, preferably with 7 seats.

Pros: Not a weak engine in the bunch, space, uplevel models aren't uncommon in my price range

Cons: Appear to have had several different types of mechanical problems prior to 2005 (Chevy/GMC mostly)

2) Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer

Pros: I like their style and how they ride

Cons: Reliability prior to 2006 is a concern, esp. regarding the transmission

3) Lincoln Aviator

Pros: Luxury, 302-hp V8

Cons: All within that scary Explorer year range

4) Dodge Durango

Pros: Ubiquitous

Cons: Most models are spartan

Experiences? Advice? Other suggestions I may not have mentioned? Talk to me.

[G. David Felt]

I would stay away from the second generation Durango, these full size SUV's are a night mare, my nephew bought one and has had nothing but problems and the car report did not show any issues to be concerned but as you research, the full size SUV's are not reliable.

Better to look for the 3rd generation Durango that has 7 seats but is mid size and seems to have a better reliability track record.

Aviator is nice, but I hear from a former owner that as they get older they end up having lots of electronic issues and so he sold it rather than chase the problems down to fix.

Cannot comment on the Explorer or mountaineer but do not see many on the road here in the NW.

GMT 360's yes have their issues, but are easy to repair and troubleshoot and seem to still drive on for a long time. I would check these out for the best option IMHO.

[G. David Felt]

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Chevrolet/Tahoe/Athens+GA-30601?endYear=2015&makeCode1=CHEV&mmt=[CHEV[TAHOE[]][]]&modelCode1=TAHOE&searchRadius=25&showcaseListingId=362677645&showcaseOwnerId=1389900&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&startYear=1981&Log=0

Seems to be some nice choices for a Tahoe in your area.

[Drew Dowdell]

GMT-360... unfortunately the 7 seaters are only from Chevy or GMC. I've seen Bravadas with 60k on them for $8k and still pretty much as loaded as you could get them back in the day. The Atlas-6 is a new level of smooth. It's a shame you're budget isn't higher... I've seen 9-7xes with 35k miles for $16k

[Lamar]

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Chevrolet/Tahoe/Athens+GA-30601?endYear=2015&makeCode1=CHEV&mmt=[CHEV[TAHOE[]][]]&modelCode1=TAHOE&searchRadius=25&showcaseListingId=362677645&showcaseOwnerId=1389900&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&startYear=1981&Log=0

Seems to be some nice choices for a Tahoe in your area.

Man, I'd consider a Tahoe if the wife were willing to drive it occasionally.

GMT-360... unfortunately the 7 seaters are only from Chevy or GMC. I've seen Bravadas with 60k on them for $8k and still pretty much as loaded as you could get them back in the day. The Atlas-6 is a new level of smooth. It's a shame you're budget isn't higher... I've seen 9-7xes with 35k miles for $16k

Didn't Isuzu make a 7-passenger Ascender? I've seen a couple advertised.

And yeah, I wish I had a higher budget too. But I'm in a tight spot right about now.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'd completely forgotten about those. Maybe.

[Lamar]

Here's one I have my eye on:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?ownerId=94580&searchRadius=0&listingId=360384347

It's an '03, though, and some sites have said that this year had a few expensive problems. I don't know how overblown that is, however.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'd be more concerned with the miles than the year. You'd be out of the frying pan into the fire with that one.

[SAmadei]

Favorite quote I ever heard about the Lincoln Navigator and Aviator was "To make them uglier, you'd need a bigger truck."

[Lamar]

I'd be more concerned with the miles than the year. You'd be out of the frying pan into the fire with that one.

This is true.

Favorite quote I ever heard about the Lincoln Navigator and Aviator was "To make them uglier, you'd need a bigger truck."

The funny thing is, I liked the design of the Navigator and Aviator in '05. When they went to the braceface with the current Navi and the previous MKX, now, that was horrible.

[Lamar]

I would stay away from the second generation Durango, these full size SUV's are a night mare, my nephew bought one and has had nothing but problems and the car report did not show any issues to be concerned but as you research, the full size SUV's are not reliable.

Better to look for the 3rd generation Durango that has 7 seats but is mid size and seems to have a better reliability track record.

The 3rd-gen Durango is the current generation. I enjoy it, but it's currently wayyyyyyyyyy more than my $8K limit.

Edited January 5, 2014 by Lamar

[G. David Felt]

QUESTION?

Is the 8K the amount you have to pay down so the auto is paid for and you just have to gas it, insure it and drive it?

Reason is that at least here in Washington for the 7 passenger CUV's, I see many fully loaded or well loaded for a reasonable 300 month lease payment. One option to consider so that you can get into something bigger and more reliable.

[Lamar]

8K = total purchase price. I can probably go up a bit if I like it enough.

Edited January 6, 2014 by Lamar

[G. David Felt]

Not sure where, but I am sure your area has the same thing as my area. Look at the Reposed / confiscated auto's. In washington state they all go to various auction houses and every saturday and sunday on the first weekend of the month they go up for sale to the public. I have seen some sweet deals where people have captured only a couple years old auto's for a few thousand dollars.

This is what I quickly found in your area.

http://www.athensautoauctionga.com/

http://www.georgiacarauction.com/athens/

[Lamar]

Yeah, I drive throughout the region when I'm on my used-vehicle expeditions (no pun intended). I've seen several of the auction houses between here and Atlanta.

The first link has a Yukon XL I would be all over if the auctions weren't held only on Tuesday night (probably the one night this week I'm not free). Maybe it will still be there later.

[Lamar]

Bumping to update.

Yesterday, I signed the papers on a 2005 Buick Rainier V8. Maroon, and almost every option.

I'll get pics of it after I pick it up on Monday.

[Drew Dowdell]

very nice ride. I've looked at those myself

but wait, those aren't 7 passenger!

[Lamar]

very nice ride. I've looked at those myself

but wait, those aren't 7 passenger!

Yeah, well, I had to reevaluate some things. 7 seats would have been great, but we don't need that many at the moment. We'll replace my wife's car with a 7-seater when our third child materializes in a few years.

Plus, $6999 was way too good a deal to pass up.

[Drew Dowdell]

how many miles?

[Lamar]

102k.

[ocnblu]

Only problem with those has been the airbag suspension giving out. If it's already been retrofitted with steel springs, all the better. Good luck with it. Pics please!

[Lamar]

Thanks, 'blu. I'll keep an eye on that. It seemed fine when I test-drove it (on a cold day, no less). I may do a preventive mod later depending on how I feel.

Pics Monday when I get it.

[daves87rs]

One of my faves...good price by the way....

[Lamar]

Pics as promised:

(ETA: that's no ghost; my wife is in the driver's seat checking things out)

Edited February 11, 2014 by Lamar

[SAmadei]

Not knocking your purchase, Lamar, but I'm just looking at all the ribbing on the sides, and can't believe GM put it on these trucks after Pontiac got lambasted and swore off ribbing by 2004.

[ocnblu]

That is a very clean vehicle, Lamar.

[Lamar]

Thanks, guys.

Not knocking your purchase, Lamar, but I'm just looking at all the ribbing on the sides, and can't believe GM put it on these trucks after Pontiac got lambasted and swore off ribbing by 2004.

Elegance with a touch of EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is what I'll call it.

[G. David Felt]

Awesome ride for the Price! That is one of the cleanest I have seen with those miles. Way to Go, awesome deal, awesome auto. Look forward to hearing how it treats your family down the road.

FYI, I have a GM 2006 SUV and 2008 SUV both with the airbag suspension and have had NO PROBLEMS. Both are over 100K miles also. So I think the issues early on in the production of the auto have been worked out.

[Lamar]

I look forward to many happy miles, dfelt. And hopefully no speeding tickets.

Thanks for the anecdotal experience with the air ride. I'll keep an eye on mine, but threat level has been reduced to "low."

[Drew Dowdell]

Not knocking your purchase, Lamar, but I'm just looking at all the ribbing on the sides, and can't believe GM put it on these trucks after Pontiac got lambasted and swore off ribbing by 2004.

Given GM's lack of direction at the time... it was probably there so Pontiac could throw their nose on it too and call it a Pontiac TransForm SV8

[smk4565]

The air suspension is only in the rear I assume. My Aurora had the air suspension in the rear and never a problem.

[Drew Dowdell]

The air suspension is only in the rear I assume. My Aurora had the air suspension in the rear and never a problem.

Yours is a different style (the more reliable of the two). The Aurora uses standard rate metal springs with air adjustable shocks. The Buick Rainier (and Oldsmobile Bravada and Saab 9-7x and Others?!) use a rubber airbag and a standard shock. This is the setup in the Lincolns that you see kneeling low all the time.

There is a lot of fear surrounding the airbag suspensions, but even a shade tree mechanic can repair them on his own.... the airbags are actually easier to replace than standard metal springs. If I owned one of these and the airbag went out, I would not replace it with the metal spring as Ocn suggested because the replacement is relatively easy and I could do it on my own. I would not want the sacrifice in ride quality that comes with the shift to metal.

[ocnblu]

Kit is not expensive. Labor is not intensive. And it is a one-time thing. However, if Lamar's Rainier is fine with the airbags so far, then he's got the best solution... do nothing. Enjoy your vehicle.

[daves87rs]

Good looking ride.....