SUV Purchase

[MontanaAggie]

I know other people have posted similar posts, but I guess it hasn't narrowed down what I am looking for. I want a mid size SUV (used or brand new). I want it to be less than $50k. I want it to be fairly reliable (I had 89 Range Rover Classic, and I realize I don't have the patience, skill, and/ or time to work on cars due to family and work). My current daily driver is a A4 that I have owned for 11 years. Now that my toy SUV is gone, I want to get rid of the Audi and get a daily driver SUV that will last a decade without major issues (hopefully). I will most likely never tow anything as I don't own a boat, motorcycles, etc. I realize that it's a daily driver first and foremost, but I live in Texas and would like to take it to Hidden Falls, Big Bend, Gilmer, etc.

Wrangler Unlimited: Proper Off Roader, but I just don't think its practical as my daily driver due to ride/harshness
4Runner: I really can't get over the front end and cheap looking interior
LR4: I haven't been in one, but wonder if reliable. Also would probably need to be used due to price point.
Range Rover Sport: It would have to be used, due to price point. Also I haven't been in one, but wonder about their reliability. Too me they look low to the ground, so I have never seen one in off road settings

Grand Cherokee: I was excited to see them making a Trailhawk edition, but disappointed once the details were announced besides skid plates/tow hooks/and badging, they didn't really change much to it. I was hoping for an improved suspension setup, lockers, etc. This is the vehicle I was leaning towards with a diesel, but after starting to research online people complain the suspension doesn't articulate and it appears people say its unreliable.

Are there other vehicles I should start researching or if I have the right list, which one makes the most sense? I could wait a year if there was supposed to be a better vehicle entering the market, but I assume any new SUV will even lean more towards car like than off road like.

 

[MontanaAggie]

I should add, I'm ok with a few after market modifications, but I don't want this to become a huge build that eventually becomes a pure off road toy.

 

[EMrider]

With an investment of $1-2k, you can improve the ride quality of the JK pretty easily.

My is driven daily and I find it quite comfortable.

IMHO, a JK is more likely to be nixed from a list due to cargo capacity versus other vehicles.

R

 

[MTSN]

In that price range I'd also look at 2011+ Land Cruisers and I would remove anything British or German if you want it to last 10 years without a massive repair and maintenance bill. In fact I think the LC and the Jeep Wrangler are the only ones that won't cost a fortune in the long run.

 

[MOguy]

The 4 door wrangler. Being able to take the top down helps to make exploring that much better. As far as off roading, the jeep rubicon is hard to beat. If that doesn't appeal to you, than take the jeep off the list.

 

[polizei1]

I'm really loving my JGC, I've had it two years now (14' Limited) and it's great. A lot of the issues surrounding the vehicle were from late 13' and early 14' builds, which have seemed to be resolved by now. For the price, IMO it's one of the best vehicles due to the comfort/tech, and off-road capability. Sure, it's not a JK, but I wanted certain comforts that the JK's just don't have.

That said, RRO (Road Road Outfitters) has a few accessories for them. While the JGC won't get you everywhere a built JK will, I think they're a good compromise. http://www.rocky-road.com/index2.html

Check out this stock 14' going up Hell's Gate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RZlCjil4vM

 

[MTSN]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RZlCjil4vM[/url]

That is quite impressive. I've seen very built rigs struggle there, and to be honest it looked like the low COG really helped.

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

Jku

I have one I have put 130,000 on it. It is lifted but not extravagantly . OME 4 inc which netted about 3, it has front rear bumper side guards and winch one vey cool thing I did was using a locpic i added 2 front camera into he bumper and a back up camper. G For me the ride is fine, little noisy but not bad and I am running 315 70 17 kelly safari tsr tires now. I was on flakiness and they were quiet, The kelly are pretty quiet too more so than say a BFG all terrain, Which I also ran and way more than the stock rubicon tires. The point is only you can decide what your are comfortable with. for the JKU is my dream car and I have had a few nice ones 2 vettes and 94 Viper.. Give me the jeep any day. The thing is there is so much you can do with the jku it is crazy. pick your suspension and some sound Deadening swap tires for something comfortable but capable.. ( if you want quiet and longevity try the flakiness I got 80, 000 out of them and wasn't even down to the wear marks , and I have to say riding around in so cal with the top down in the summer well that is sweet. and no a sunroof doesn't compare...

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

have you driven the JKU

drive and see if the ride is as harsh as you think. MY viper road a lot worse than my jeep .

 

[kmlacroix]

Just got back from Moab with my JGC. Had a great time, did a few sketchy things that the only way out was forward. Did fine, had a great time. Get the rock sliders.

 

[HRPINDC]

I have a JKUR that I use as a DD and I love it. I enjoy driving it 10 minutes or 8 hours just the same. But I also like a stiffer ride and have always gravitated to trucks or sports cars. My buddy has a Grand Cherokee WK2 and it has done very well on the trails. We haven't done anything hard core, but I've been impressed. He has the hemi, so obviously it drives very nicely. 4Runners are nice and well built, but blah in my opinion. Go out and drive the Jeeps and see what you think. Your price range will open a lot of doors good luck.

 

[DallasJKU]

I had a Rubicon and loved it, but decided it was time to move on to something that could handle long distances better. So I just bought a '15 GC Overland with Hemi. Still nothing like top down feeling, but road comfort is a real close second. The GC is so nice and effortless to drive. A lifted JK is not effortless. I like the technology in the GC. I love the simplicity of the Wrangler.

 

[Mitch502]

Ride comfort is related to lift quality quite a bit, remember that!

OME parts on a JK or similar will help quite a bit. That being said, I'm always going to be partial to GCs!

 

[trae]

XTerra pro-4x, body on frame, 4 liter v6 and a factory locker in the back. Sadly discontinued, but that means you can find one for a good deal. Not as much aftermarket support as Jeep or Toyota, but enough if you want lift or armor.

 

[MOguy]

Took the 4runner out on a fishing adventure this weekend and missed the my jeep because there were a few tight muddy trails in didn't want to take the 4runner down. I spent all morning clean dirt and mud out of the 4runner. The jeep cleans up much easier.

Go used and get a Wrangler and a 4Runner.