Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
This is another mental exercise for me but I wanted to poll the board here and see what kinds of things I might be looking for if I wanted to move up to a full sized SUV.
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So here's my question for the group: Based on your knowledge and experience, how would you rate the full sized SUVs in terms of power, usefulness, reliability, fuel economy, and general build quality?
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Reason I'm asking is that while my '07 4runner is a perfectly adequate tow vehicle for "Livia", our little T@B clamshell, I keep thinking that I might eventually want to move up to a full sized SUV (particularly if we ever get rid of Livia in favor of the Airstream Liz is always talking about wanting.)
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I would probably be looking at getting a replacement vehicle next year at the earliest, since we're still paying off Livia, but potentially I could be shopping in the Summer of 2016.
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My budget would most likely be in the 12k - 20k range just because I don't see any point in paying more than that (unless there's a good reason to do so.)
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My requirements would be: V8 engine, ability to tow at least 4,000lbs comfortably (which in my mind means a tow rating of at least 6000), true 4wd with low range and at least mild off-road capability (for those familiar with Colorado and Utah, think Alpine Loop or White Rim trail, without the trailer obviously.)
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Just scanning CL it seems the likely contenders are the 1st gen (2007 and earlier) Toyota Sequoia, the Nissan Armada, the Chevy Tahoe (and its clone the GMC Yukon), and the Ford Expedition. The 100 series Land Cruiser may also be a contender although I think if I'm going to go big, I want to go BIG and the LC still seems "mid sized" to me.
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Being a Toyota guy, I'm most familiar with the Sequoia. It's too bad that the "newest" 1st gen Sequoia will be 9 years old by next year (2007 was the last year of the older body style) but I know Toyota's last a long time. As far as the 2nd gen (2008+) Sequoia, not only are they way out of my price range but I can't stand the way they look. IIRC the 1st gens had the A340 4 speed through 2004 and then got the 5 speed for the last three model years (05-07), correct? There are a surprising number of these in my price range so they might be the first choice but I don't want to be a "Toyota bigot" and ignore the competition.
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So what can you tell me about the Armada? As near as I can tell they've been pretty much the same in terms of running gear for their whole run, right? 5.6 V8, 5 speed auto? Any particular years to avoid or desire? How does the "automatic 4wd" work in those? (I know the Sequoia has the same "multi-mode 4wd" that my V6 4runner has.) Any concerns about the independent rear suspension on mild 4wd roads?
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Ditto for the Tahoe. I don't really know anything about them except I see a lot of them on the road. Are there some years/models that are more desirable than others? Any known pesky issues like electrical gremlins?
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And finally, same question re: Expedition. I know they went to IRS some years ago, but, again, I see a ton of them on the road so I assume they work OK? Do they have an 'automatic 4wd' system like the Tahoe and Armada do, and if so, how does it work (I would assume it works by using the ABS sensors to detect wheel slippage but I don't know.)
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Mostly I'm just looking for input from those who have full-size vehicles. This board has a kind of mid-sized 'bias', which is probably understandable given the kind of travel people do.
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A bit OT but if I did go to a "full size" 4x4 SUV it would be the first time I'd owned such a vehicle since 1985. That was the year I traded my '71 Blazer for a new, 1985 Toyota 4x4 Hilux pickup, my first new vehicle ever. :elkgrin:
.
So here's my question for the group: Based on your knowledge and experience, how would you rate the full sized SUVs in terms of power, usefulness, reliability, fuel economy, and general build quality?
.
Reason I'm asking is that while my '07 4runner is a perfectly adequate tow vehicle for "Livia", our little T@B clamshell, I keep thinking that I might eventually want to move up to a full sized SUV (particularly if we ever get rid of Livia in favor of the Airstream Liz is always talking about wanting.)
.
I would probably be looking at getting a replacement vehicle next year at the earliest, since we're still paying off Livia, but potentially I could be shopping in the Summer of 2016.
.
My budget would most likely be in the 12k - 20k range just because I don't see any point in paying more than that (unless there's a good reason to do so.)
.
My requirements would be: V8 engine, ability to tow at least 4,000lbs comfortably (which in my mind means a tow rating of at least 6000), true 4wd with low range and at least mild off-road capability (for those familiar with Colorado and Utah, think Alpine Loop or White Rim trail, without the trailer obviously.)
.
Just scanning CL it seems the likely contenders are the 1st gen (2007 and earlier) Toyota Sequoia, the Nissan Armada, the Chevy Tahoe (and its clone the GMC Yukon), and the Ford Expedition. The 100 series Land Cruiser may also be a contender although I think if I'm going to go big, I want to go BIG and the LC still seems "mid sized" to me.
.
Being a Toyota guy, I'm most familiar with the Sequoia. It's too bad that the "newest" 1st gen Sequoia will be 9 years old by next year (2007 was the last year of the older body style) but I know Toyota's last a long time. As far as the 2nd gen (2008+) Sequoia, not only are they way out of my price range but I can't stand the way they look. IIRC the 1st gens had the A340 4 speed through 2004 and then got the 5 speed for the last three model years (05-07), correct? There are a surprising number of these in my price range so they might be the first choice but I don't want to be a "Toyota bigot" and ignore the competition.
.
So what can you tell me about the Armada? As near as I can tell they've been pretty much the same in terms of running gear for their whole run, right? 5.6 V8, 5 speed auto? Any particular years to avoid or desire? How does the "automatic 4wd" work in those? (I know the Sequoia has the same "multi-mode 4wd" that my V6 4runner has.) Any concerns about the independent rear suspension on mild 4wd roads?
.
Ditto for the Tahoe. I don't really know anything about them except I see a lot of them on the road. Are there some years/models that are more desirable than others? Any known pesky issues like electrical gremlins?
.
And finally, same question re: Expedition. I know they went to IRS some years ago, but, again, I see a ton of them on the road so I assume they work OK? Do they have an 'automatic 4wd' system like the Tahoe and Armada do, and if so, how does it work (I would assume it works by using the ABS sensors to detect wheel slippage but I don't know.)
.
Mostly I'm just looking for input from those who have full-size vehicles. This board has a kind of mid-sized 'bias', which is probably understandable given the kind of travel people do.
.
A bit OT but if I did go to a "full size" 4x4 SUV it would be the first time I'd owned such a vehicle since 1985. That was the year I traded my '71 Blazer for a new, 1985 Toyota 4x4 Hilux pickup, my first new vehicle ever. :elkgrin: