Advice requested:$35K budget, what are you buying and why?

[Mrbad]

I've looked at larger options than my GX460 - the third row is an either/or option for people OR cargo, not both. I REALLY think Toyota missed the mark with the raised floor situation in the 3rd row of the new Sequoia. Our dog travels in a crate, and I don't think there's enough height with the platform thing shown here, and not enough length for the crate behind the 3rd row on the floor.

I'm looking at either the current gen Suburban or Expedition Max. Both have vastly more usable cargo space (as do the Tahoe and regular length Expedition) than the Sequoia. The Sub can also be had with a I-6 Turbodiesel which is intriguing.

Not to mention the insane price tag, I’ve seen a few of the new sequoias and I thought I was the outlier because that trunk is almost unusable due to the raised floor.
I’d like to get my wife a Tahoe and I’d have something that gets me around and fits my lifestyle

 

[beef tits]

$10k v8 4runner
+
$25k Sienna FWD

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Plenty big for 3 adult sized kids, and the front on mine is also a bench... so you can stick an extra kid or baby right there. Great family hauler! I've traveled across the country many times with far less luxurious accommodations...

? Huh? I have a GM extended cab. You cant even nicely fit a baby car seat in back behind the shotgun seat if you bring the spouse. She's jammed up forward as far as can be. Thank God she's only 5 feet tall.

Seriously...OP, if hunting is the main concern, you need a truck so you have a separate bed for the carcass. I'm partial to GM myself but any of the Big 3 know how to do it right, especially if you go into 250/2500 territory. Toyota for midsize and the Tundra of course.

If hunting is not the main point, but kid-hauling is, then the Tahoe, Yukon or Toyota Sequoia.

Hear me out on this next one...pre-2017 GMC Acadia. Think I'm crazy? Go look at one in-person. Part SUV, part station wagon, part minivan. I laughed at these until I ever test drove one. Now I imagine one with a mild, one inch lift and AT tires... stock, they are AWD, have 3 row seating and can hold a lot of stuff. Super comfortable. My girlfriend has a 2013 GMC Terrain Denali and right hand to God, but people talk about all the bells and whistles in cars today, her 2013 Terrain Denali had it all 10 years ago. Backup camera, backup sonar, lane departure warnings, automatic braking and collision warning, light sensitive rear view mirror, navigation, heated leather seats and even that old school DVD audio video system for the grand kids in the back. All the same goes for the Acadia.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Keep in mind, for NEW vehicles, $35k will barely, if at all, get you into a low trim full size truck.

For that same $35k, you are at or near top trim level for any Subaru

 

[rruff]

? Huh? I have a GM extended cab. You cant even nicely fit a baby car seat in back behind the shotgun seat if you bring the spouse. She's jammed up forward as far as can be. Thank God she's only 5 feet tall.

They do vary... I know the new DC Tundra sucks for rear seat legroom, but mine is pretty good. No experience with baby seats.

 

[Inyo_man]

OP, have you considered a Gen. 3 Mitsubishi Montero?

We had one for about 20 years while our two kids were growing up. Although we only had one dog, the rig took us on many adventures into the backcountry with a full sized rack on the roof. Finally let it go to my brother-in-law who has two kids and a dog. ...it's still running strong.

You can get these rigs for a good price and throw some money at maintenance for well under your budget.

Cheers

 

[Todd n Natalie]

I’d like to get my wife a Tahoe and I’d have something that gets me around and fits my lifestyle

That's the route I'd go. Stock with decent tires, the Tahoe should get you to most places you'd want to go with little kids.

I did lots of exploring in my Suburban. Didn't even have AT's on it. Never went anywhere super crazy though.







Could you tow a utility trailer for hauling carcasses? That way you could still use the Tahoe for hunting duties as well.

If not, maybe a Yukon / Tahoe for your wife and a 2010ish Ranger / Colorado / Frontier for hunting duties?

I like Tacos but feel you could stretch your dollar a little further and get a newer / lower mileage version of one of the above mentioned trucks

 

[nmoverland]

Good morning! I may have a solution for you. I have a 2010 Tacoma that is for sale with 95K . I too live in Virginia, northern Virginia. It is a great truck that has been well cared for and it will serve the next owner for many miles and years. If you live in Northern Virginia and commute to D.C., this is not a good city commuting vehicle. Asking $31,000 OBO. Below are some highlights. If interested shoot me an e-mail at 202overland@duck.com

What ever you decide, best of luck. Stick with Toyota, a great, reliable, easy to obtain parts, and relatively inexpensive to repair vehicle.

Highlights

TRD Supercharger – 304 hp and 334 lb-ft – V6 4.0L Toyota

• Low miles – 95,000 miles

Manual 6 speed transmission

• Title in hand and clean
• Double Cab – Short Bed
• Factory locking rear dif
• 32 gallon fuel tank
• Alpine Multimedia iLX F411 – 11 Inch touchscreen (Supports Apply CarPlay and others)
• Scheel-Mann Vario F Front Seats
• Old Man Emu Suspension with 1.75 inch lift
• Firestone airbags rear suspension
• Rocky Road Rock Sliders
• All Steel Camper Shell with Ambulance Doors (2,000lbs load capacity on top of shell)
• Truck Vault Drawer System (for tool or long guns)
• Baja Squadron amber ditch lights
• Baja LP6 Amber Lights
• Rigid 20 inch white light bar
• Method 703 Rims with Bead
• Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT
• Flush mount engine block heater plug and flush mount enclosed SB50 Solar plug. Front bumper.

For full list, shoot me an e-mail. 202overland@duck.com