Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests In search of a new (to me) car....

OK, more added to the "Need to test drive" list

1. Legacy GT (Even a wagon )
2. Saabaru

Well, I've done a lot of test driving over the last month or more

I've decided to cross cars off my list, even though I still want a G35 coupe pretty bad I need a 4WD/AWD truck or an SUV with a decent towing cap to fit my needs better.

I've all but talked myself out of a diesel, even though they seem to last damn near forever with routine service. (I like the Chevy/GMC HD's with the duramax/allison combo....)
My currant list is...

1. '04+ F150 crew cab (Lariat or FX4)
2. '06+ Explorer (kinda pricey still...)
3. '04+ Avalanche (w/o the plastic body crap)
4. '05+ Grand Cherokee Limited w/ hemi
5. '00+ Chevy Tahoe LT/GMC Yukon SLT (If only the Denali came with a 5.3 )

I'm also going to check out the newer Durango since it shares the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and can be had for a bit less $. The Nissan fullsized truck and SUV are something I'm considering, but need to read up on them more. $25K is the max I want to spend, is there another vehicle I should check out?

How much towing capacity do you need? And how often are you going to use it?

Personally, I wouldn't buy a full size gas pickup. If I needed the capacity and utility that bad I'd get the diesel, which sure you pay more but gets much better mileage and hold their value too when you go to sell it.

I would be towing a 20 ft boat every now and then, a utility trailer more regularly.

I would like a diesel, but I don't like the idea of buying a truck/suv with around 100K on the clock to get into the 25K ballpark. A truck would have to be a crew cab and I want a good package like a lariat or an LT type (heated leather, nice factory stereo, etc). If the Jeep Liberty CRD wasn't so small and with such a bland interior, I'd get one of those

I had a '00 F350 with a powerstroke with about 110K on it. The steering was SO sloppy, even after a total overhaul. I really like the Chevy HD's with the indepednant front suspension, and the duramax/allison combo is near bullet proof.
I love the sound of a turbo diesel with a free flowing intake/exhaust setup

03 Duramax crew cab 31k mi, $23,980

04 crew cab duramax allison 4x4

So a 20ft boat with trailer is what 3500-4000lbs? I would assume by utility trailer you mean like a 5x10 or something? Most midsize SUV's should be able to handle that. Hell, my Escape can tow 3500lbs (and I have gone a little over that). A Nissan Pathfinder might be worth a look for an SUV.

One of those is 2WD, and the other has a cloth interior Finding one with lower miles and more options is a PITA.
Also, the boat is tiny and about that weight, but the trailer I pull is a tandom axel honker filled with tools and a dustless system for wood flooring

I know Ford made some slight revisons to the suspension on the '01 or so, right before the 6L PS came out. I'd want the 7.3, so I'll have to give them a shot.