It would be a knockaround SUV used for scraping metals, instacart, delivering large objects, stuff like that, not my daily driver. I live in upstate NYS. Willing to get my hands dirty every now and then. Idc about mpg for this scenario as long as the total cost of ownership is under 50 cents a mile.
So I have a few that seem interesting.
2004 2004 Grand Cherokee $2800 143k miles w/ inline 6. Owner says it has rust but I can't confirm.
2003 chevy tahoe $3500 120k miles, small amounts of rust on hood, only gas gauge works, and airbag light is on.
2006 gmc yukon slt 2.2k 165k miles
2005 mazda tribute $1800 130k miles, minor rust on body
1996 chevy blazer 117k miles $2100 needs a brake line on drivers side, but comes with 4 new tires.
1997 toyota 4runner $800 doesn't specify miles. Says brakes don't work at all.
Here are my thoughts:
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Good price but double check on the rust. If the rust is not on the frame then you might be good.
2003 Chevy Tahoe: Good price but I check with a mechanic on the other gauges on the instrument panel and airbag light.
2006 GMC Yukon: Good price and check with a mechanic before buying and check for rust on that car.
2005 Mazda Tribute: I would not buy because the engine in those vehicles had some issues.
1996 Chevy Blazer: Lower the price to $1500. If they say no then don't buy it.
1997 Toyota 4Runner: I would walk away from that one. If the mileage isn't shown and it sold for a price like that, then something else is wrong on that car.
Which engine had trouble in the tribute? V6? I4? 2.0? 2.3?
V6.
I would normally say a 4runner before even seeing your options. In this case, the 4runner sounds like it is about dead.
As for the Yukon, that series were very good. I have I think 4 friends that have 300k+ miles on them, and they just won't die.
That one might be good if it has easily fixable issues, but it is a gamble.
If the Yukon doesn't have any issues, that may be what I would go with, as GMC was doing pretty good, just like the Tahoe back then.
If you are willing to pay $3500, you could likely get a decent condition 3rd gen 4Runner like that 97.
I would stay away from the Blazer, they had more issues, and Jeeps scare me, but there are worse vehicles than that year Grand Cherokee.
It is scary to recommend cars with so many mystery issues.
How about a Suburban?
Or, this may be out there, a used delivery truck like UPS uses?
I didn't find any suburbans that I liked. How do you find used ups trucks?