Best small SUV for under $10k?

[911boost]

Older Volvo V70 wagon. Not toally boring to drive and has lots of room.

[speedracing944]

How about a Mercedes Benz E320 wagon? We just bought one to replace our minivan and my wife absolutely loves it. It is a full size car with the 3rd row rear seating so it seats 7 total. With the rear seats down it has tons of cargo room. When driving, the car is solid but comfortable and when you turn up the pace it seems to shrink in size the quicker you go.

Speedy

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

I bought my Trooper for $750. Just needed an alternator.

I couldn't agree more. I have had a 1990 a 1998 and currently a 1999 Acura SLX (Re-badged Troopers). They run forever.

The problem is they haven't been built for years so even the newest models are up there in years and mileage.

[Jandrews]

Rick...any Youtube videos of your VH and/or Rush work?

JA

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

Rick...any Youtube videos of your VH and/or Rush work?

JA

Coming in a few weeks. I have two gigs in Pittsburgh on April 12 and 13. And I'm pretty sure we'll have one here in Phoenix shortly thereafter (different band). We had a great gig at the Hard Rock in Pittsburgh in August and there was a pro videographer there. But no one knew the guy or how to contact him and he left before we could talk with him. I'm sure there's a video of that somewhere.

[Rick Lee]

I'm kind of wondering now if I can get away with a Toyota Matrix. Looks like the rear seats fold down and that would be ample room for all my gear. It's got enough room for four adults with some trunk space, looks small and fuel-efficient, easy to park. I need to find someone who has one when I go out next and ask if I can take a look at it.

[ruf-porsche]

Brought another BM Trouble U last year when our Audi Avant die on the highway. 2001 BMW E53 X5 with the sport package. $6500 + state sale tax $50.00 and Crook County new sale tax tax for non commercial vehicles $175.00 (what a rip). As usual 100% down and no monthly payments. 140,000 miles a Florida car all its entire life.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by speedracing944

How about a Mercedes Benz E320 wagon? We just bought one to replace our minivan and my wife absolutely loves it. It is a full size car with the 3rd row rear seating so it seats 7 total. With the rear seats down it has tons of cargo room. When driving, the car is solid but comfortable and when you turn up the pace it seems to shrink in size the quicker you go.

Speedy

They do look very nice, but I do not want a car that's expensive to fix. I don't mind DIY'ing everything, but MBs sort of scare me. I know there are some bulletproof models, just not sure which they are. And high miles sort of scare me too.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I'm kind of wondering now if I can get away with a Toyota Matrix. Looks like the rear seats fold down and that would be ample room for all my gear. It's got enough room for four adults with some trunk space, looks small and fuel-efficient, easy to park. I need to find someone who has one when I go out next and ask if I can take a look at it.

Not a bad choice, my parents had one and it was a good car. Back seat is decent but not huge. The Pontiac Vibe is the exact same car made by Toyota but often thousands less. Also consider the Honda Fit, it's a little more sporty than the Matrix.

Do you have a Carmax nearby? It's a great place to shop a wide variety of used cars to help narrow them down.

[Rick Lee]

Acting like Slakjaw last night, I made a drunk offer on this one. I lowballed at $6k. They came back at $9k. Oh well.

Toyota : RAV4 Base Sport Utility 4-Door in Toyota | eBay Motors

[matt711]

Had a 9-3 (02 model) that went 85,000 miles. No isses at all, just routine maintenance.

[sck007]

My wifes' 2001 RAV4 has 145K miles. Just the usual maintenance items (ie., oil, brake pads, etc.) Paid someone to change the struts back in December(no frill hassle). Otherwise, very easy to to work on. Last week I changed out the O2 sensor that took 15 minutes. 5 of which was spent looking for my crowfoot O2 socket. Engine bay looks like an ocean compared to our cars. It still amazes me that the RAV4 weighs 2,800lbs versus 2,900 for 930. That's the only negative I give the RAV4 since my wife drives it with the kiddos.....

Also, you can't go wrong with CRV. My Acura Legend just turned 20 years. AC has never been serviced and original Freon still in it. Not a big deal until you've own BMW's, etc.

GLWSearch!

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I'm kind of wondering now if I can get away with a Toyota Matrix. Looks like the rear seats fold down and that would be ample room for all my gear. It's got enough room for four adults with some trunk space, looks small and fuel-efficient, easy to park. I need to find someone who has one when I go out next and ask if I can take a look at it.

Test drove one... whole to like about the Matrix... really like the way the back seats fold flat making a hard plastic deck in the back.

[Rick Lee]

I'm in a holding pattern until I hear about another job possibility. I'm one interview into the process for a job that would pay plenty more than I'm gonna make at the current job. If I get that one, I'll buy the day after I get the offer. Otherwise, I'll be in conservation mode a bit longer.

[Jim Richards]

Good luck on the possible new job, RL.

[Rick Lee]

Ok, new job is in full swing and I'm pulling the trigger soon. Gonna be under $10k. I am open to wagons, but I need something with reliability and low enough miles to not scare me off. I'm leaning toward a Ford Escape now. My neighbor has one, but I never see him anymore after threatening him with a gun over the Saguaro he left in my driveway.

[Cajundaddy]

A lot of car for $12K. We put 260,000 miles on our last one and it looked and ran like new when we sold it. A nice ride with almost zero maintenance. Unbelievably good climate control even in 116 degree Las Vegas summers. Mine was well broken in with band gear also. I could carry the guitar amp, bass amp, 2 JBL PA cabs and 4-5 gear bags. Bass player sat shotgun on many hauls. Worth a look.

Used Lexus RX 330 For Sale Los Angeles, CA - CarGurus

Or it's somewhat less plush cousin on the same chassis:

http://www.kbb.com/toyota/highlander/2005-toyota-highlander/sport-utility-4d/?pricetype=private-party&vehicleid=1720&intent=trade-in-sell&mileage=106000#survey

[Rick Lee]

Man, those Toyotas really hold value. The ones on CL around here are all high miles and around $10k and 10 yrs. old.

[RWebb]

I'd get the Fit or a Mazda over the Yota to avoid excessive boredom (which CAN kill).


If you'd threatened the neighbor with a chainsaw instead of agun, things would be different.

[LeeH]

CRV or Rav4 if you want an SUV. Rav4 comes in a V6 that will get upper 20s mpg if you're nice to it.

I know I sound like a Mazda commercial sometimes, but if you want versatility, reliability, and something a little different, look at the Mazda5. Can haul a boat load of stuff, or six people, and being built on the same platform as the Mazda3 handles amazingly well. Not a rocketship by any stretch, but I get 30ish MPG on a long trip running 75 mph. Best to get a 2008 or newer as they added rear AC, AUX input, various armrests, 5 speed auto tranny, etc.

Touring model adds fog lights, sunroof, side skirts and rear spoiler. Grand Touring adds leather, HID headlights, LED tail lights, Blue tooth (which is worthless due to microphone placement).

This is NOT a GT as they claim: ^^^^2009 Mazda Mazda5^^^^

Mazda3 Hatchback with a 5 speed would be fun, but will lack the cargo capacity of the 5.

I drove a Ford Escape recently. Couldn't get past the truck-like feel.

There's always this: 1994 E320 Wagon - 105K miles