Hi Scotty,
I want to purchase a used truck or SUV in the years 2005-2009. AWD for sure, 4WD not necessary. It seems I always need a larger vehicle to help my kids get to and from college or picking up large loads at the lumberyard.
What make/model would you recommend given your experience?
I've had Fords in the past, but I think in the early 2000's Ford started to abandon "Quality is Job One" as their mission.
The local dealership has a nice GMC Sierra 1500 SLE for $5,500 that piqued my interest, and thought I'd get your take my quest.
I would say a Lexus GX 470 would be a very best bet!
AWD for sure, 4WD not necessary.
Interesting. why one and not the other? What is the difference according to you?
Trucks typically only come in 2WD or 4WD.
It seems I always need a larger vehicle to help my kids get to and from college
In college I felt I was old enough to not have to burden my parents with my transportation needs. I took the bus and worked summer jobs until I saved enough money to get my own car. Anyway you don't need a gas guzzling truck for this. SUVs/Sedans have a large cabins for much less money and consume less fuel.
The local dealership has a nice GMC Sierra 1500 SLE for $5,500 that piqued my interest, and thought I'd get your take my quest.
Year? Condition? Miles?
I've owned 3 different SUV's with selector switches between 2W, AWD, 4LO, 4HI
2004 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE
217,000 miles
$5,500.00
I've owned 3 different SUV's with selector switches between 2W, AWD, 4LO, 4HI
I get it, but these are just badges which have little connection with how the vehicle performs or the underlying mechanics. There's no official definition of what these terms entail. The differences between them are very blurred, and vary from vehicle to vehicle, is what I'm trying to say.
I think it's more accurate to talk about the specific requirements you have for your vehicle. For example "we often get snowed in", or "I operate a ranch" etc.
2004 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE
217,000 miles
$5,500.00
those were ok trucks but that's a lot of miles.
Even if you could dig up a spotless maintenance record, that transmission's days are numbered. $5.5k is out to lunch
Not if it's a manual transmission. $3K would be more like it.
I guess you're right. You could get a manual up until 2006.