Best Truck/SUV Daily for $5K?

[Rocket254]

Looking to promote the Stang to weekend status and pick up a small truck or suv to drive around town in. I need a vehicle with some utility and have a <10 mile commute to work each day so gas is a non-factor. Ideally, I'd stay under $5K and under 150K miles. Can anyone give me some ideas and opinions on reliability?

At first glance, I see a lot of Rangers, Dakotas and Jeep Cherokees at the price/mileage point but I can't make up my find as to whether I want a truck bed or the seating capacity and covered cargo area of an SUV. (No kids, don't really need to haul stuff that often ):shrug:

 

[SID297]

XJ Cherokee is awesome.

 

[Rocket254]

XJ Cherokee is awesome.

My good friend (that lurks here) will enjoy seeing this. He owns one with 294K miles and has called me crazy for considering anything else.

 

[ford fanatic]

I don't see how anyone survives without a truck...so that gets my vote.

 

[R.D.P.]

4.0 Cherokee is one of the easiest vehicles to work on that's currently on the road, plus parts are cheap and plentiful. You just have to not care about the body, because they tend to get rough, but for 5k you obviously have to make some compromises.

 

[sunburned]

XJ Cherokee is awesome.

/thread

I bought my '98 in 2009 with 92k miles for 5 grand. Body/interior/drivetrain was perfect and it was already lifted on 32's. I was DD'ing around 60 miles a day, so 10 is nothing.

 

[RX1Cobra]

A 5.0 Explorer is pretty hard to beat too. Reliable drivetrain and when it needs something parts are cheap. Can be easily had in that price range.

 

[NC85]

I don't see how anyone survives without a truck...so that gets my vote.

I'm with this guy!

 

[Gravik]

+1 for XJ Cherokee. Mine has 204k and climbing.

Ranger is also a good option.

 

[black99lightnin]

1st gen lightning?

 

[nxhappy]

f150 with 4.6 or 5.4

 

[Rocket254]

f150 with 4.6 or 5.4

The few in my area that meet price and mileage for me are either too good to be true deals or clapped the hell out.

 

[Rocket254]

I'm with this guy!

I had a truck all through HS and college and gave it up for the mustang. I've been in an apartment for a while now and haven't ran across a situation where I couldn't borrow my friend's truck for a dozen chicken wings. Now that I'm a year out from home ownership, I'm starting to think I'll be needing one again.

 

[nxhappy]

The few in my area that meet price and mileage for me are either too good to be true deals or clapped the hell out.

could you check out a local auction? They sell the F150 all the time, as well as Ram's. Usually they are state trucks that have been well maintained.

 

[Franco]

I have a 04 wj as my daily. Last year of the almighty 4.0 looks and drives great at 135k. No rust issues whatsoever, however I take meticulous care of it.

 

[nate]

99 xj here. 130k miles. My brother has one as a beater, 220k miles, no problems with either. 4.0 will go forever. Just be prepared for rear main leaks.

 

[Rocket254]

99 xj here. 130k miles. My brother has one as a beater, 220k miles, no problems with either. 4.0 will go forever. Just be prepared for rear main leaks.

Around what mileage does that start happening if at all?

 

[Rocket254]

could you check out a local auction? They sell the F150 all the time, as well as Ram's. Usually they are state trucks that have been well maintained.

Not a bad idea. I've never been to one but know of a few in my area.

 

[Gravik]

Around what mileage does that start happening if at all?

It varies. Mine leaks and I have 204k miles. Doesn't leak enough to bother fixing it. Has leaked for the entire time I have had it (~20k miles).

Friend of mine has a '97 with 120k and it leaks. Same deal.


Also valve cover gasket is another known culprit. Replace with a felpro and you'll be set.

 

[Screw-Rice]

Around what mileage does that start happening if at all?

My XJ had the same damn leak, sold it with 190k miles. Like Nate, it just wasn't big enough to warrant tearing apart. The biggest downside to an XJ is they are terrible at highway speed, maintaining 70 was a chore.