Searching for a good 4x4 under 30k

[chabber]

I just bought a patriot limited 4x2 and I love it for all the reasons you mentioned plus it reminds me of the old Cherokees but better looking. I figured I didn't need the 4x4 living here in Charlotte and only taking it to snowshoe a few times a year but I kind of wish now that I'd have gotten it.

 

jeeppatriot.com has some good threads in there that will let you know what the 4x4 and 4x2 patriots are capable of.

[Anybodyhome]

Ill give you 17,5

 

Dude, Kelley Blue Book retail is $27-28k, trade-in is $24-25k.

 

[Chimera]

How important is the 4x4 aspect?

I'm asking because if its something you need on a regular basis, you can't go wrong with the Nissan Xterra. Its got some relatively serious off road capabilities for under $30k brand new.

MPG leaves a little to be desired... maybe a little over 20 on the highway. 15ish max for offroading or city driving.

Of the two you mentioned, I would say the subaru. but like someone else pointed out, clearance could be an issue. I'm not big on the overall build of Chrysler vehicles at the moment, but you should be fine as long as you don't neglect maintenance.

[Mvp2014]

Dude, Kelley Blue Book retail is $27-28k, trade-in is $24-25k.

Cash.

Nah I just got a new HD pickup. I was looking at the LTZs a few months ago though. Loved my old 05 yukon ltz. Great trucks

[MadHatter]

You cant go wrong with a subaru.

 

Agree

 

My sister had a Subaru when they lived in Alaska and then South Dakota.....she said it was by FAR the best AWD car out there. 

[Panthro]

Seeing a Subaru with 300k miles on it is not out of the ordinary. You can tell a good car by how few are available used. I sold them after college and got to drive them in all conditions.... They are awesome. I'd own one if it made sense.

[MadHatter]

Seeing a Subaru with 300k miles on it is not out of the ordinary. You can tell a good car by how few are available used. I sold them after college and got to drive them in all conditions.... They are awesome. I'd own one if it made sense.

 

If I moved to a place where weather was an issue....a Subaru would be at the top of my list of cars to buy.

[OneBadCat]

Toyota Land Cruiser, FJ Cruiser, Xterra or 2001 Montero are good options. All much cheaper than 27k

 

 

If you can wrench you could buy a Land Rover Discovery for 5-6k and put another 6k into making it a monster. Then buy a cheap Honda for MPG.

 

 

Jeeps are generally POS'

[thefuzz]

Have you looked at Honda Pilots?

 

Not really my thing, but I would certainly have no reservations about buying one.

 

However, if I'm buying a new 4x4 its either a 4 runner, Z71 Tahoe, or a Land Cruiser.

[Johnny Rockets]

Toyota Land Cruiser, FJ Cruiser, Xterra or 2001 Montero are good options. All much cheaper than 27k

 

 

If you can wrench you could buy a Land Rover Discovery for 5-6k and put another 6k into making it a monster. Then buy a cheap Honda for MPG.

 

 

Jeeps are generally POS'

You really would recomend a Land Rover? Won't it cost him $5K a year even if he can "wrench" just to keep the thing running?

[Kettle]

I have an 04 silverado Z71. I have had no problem with the roughly 10" we got in the triad.

[C47]

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=28083&endYear=2015&modelCode1=IMPWRX&showcaseOwnerId=100039074&startYear=2010&makeCode1=SUB&searchRadius=25&maxPrice=28000&mmt=%5BSUB%5BIMPWRX%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=364554565&Log=0

 

Not a mom car....

[OneBadCat]

You really would recomend a Land Rover? Won't it cost him $5K a year even if he can "wrench" just to keep the thing running?

 

 

Im biased because I have one. But yeah he probably shouldn't get one either.  I'm just not the type that would spend 27k on a SUV if I was looking for a 4x4. You can build up an amazing truck for much less than that.  Get a Discovery I or II. Upgrade coil suspension, plus tires, with CDL and he can go about anywhere. Accessories are getting cheaper as well.  Granted I would not have it as a daily driver. They are hobby trucks you have to love them but they are cheap now.

 

If I were to pick something relatively new it would be an xterra or fj cruiser. But none of those will have great gas mileage.

[davos]

How important is the 4x4 aspect?

I'm asking because if its something you need on a regular basis, you can't go wrong with the Nissan Xterra. Its got some relatively serious off road capabilities for under $30k brand new.

MPG leaves a little to be desired... maybe a little over 20 on the highway. 15ish max for offroading or city driving.

Of the two you mentioned, I would say the subaru. but like someone else pointed out, clearance could be an issue. I'm not big on the overall build of Chrysler vehicles at the moment, but you should be fine as long as you don't neglect maintenance.

 

I'll be driving into the VA and PA mountains on a regular basis.  Also do a lot of ski weekends at Wintergreen and Whitetail.  I used to have an xterra back in the day, made a switch to a GT 'stang the year it was redone, and then went to my current double cab tacoma.    

 

Nissans just feel to cheap to me.  Too plastic-like on the interior and I just never liked the ride.  

 

I'm going to have to check out this crosstrek and compare it.