ok guys, the time is coming for me to get a new vehicle. Realized I cant justify buying a fullsize since I dont tow or haul anything. Would like to stay around the 10-15,000 mark

So my choices have come down to, but not limited to:

Nissan Xterra

Toyota 4Runner

Chevy colorado/canyon (not a suv i know)

anyone have input on these vehicles? I'm most iffy about the colorado since the 3.5/3.7 are newer engines and seem to get alot of trash talk in reviews. also the interior is uhglay.

 

a colorado will get pretty close to what a 1/2 ton would get so if i had to choose colorado or chevy 1500 i would go with the 1500. a guy i work with swears he gets 22-24 mpg with a newer 1500 4x4. i think he marks his numbers up a little...
if you want a 1/2 ton and want decent fuel economy check out an early 90s 1/2 ton with a 6.2L or a mid with a 6.5L. a 4x4 6.2L will get 16-18mpg.

 

I saw a really nice x-terra today. Black on black, pre-runner bar and rear wheel rack. It was nice. I have heard its hard to find aftermarket off-road parts for them tho.

Toyota's are bullet proof lol. I coulda GAVE you one with a blown engine lol 88 fibreglass top on 33's. just went to the scrap yard.

I hate the canyon. Just my opinion tho. Unless it has the 5.3l in it, I wouldn't buy one.

I would steer you into a full-size. You can find a good late-model full-size for 15 all in.

 

Xterras are good trucks. Pretty reliable, and good off-road.
4Runners are decent, but sort of "soccer-mom".
Colorados? No offense to anyone, but I would avoid them. Motors are decent, but I've heard of other issues, and the build quality seems worse than the S-trucks family. But, I don't own any of these, so... yeah.

 

If/when the time comes to replace my Blazer I'll be getting an Avalanche with the 5.3. Powerful enough to tow with, versatile as all get out and easy enough to mod to make quite capable offroad.

As for the options you listed, I'd got with the Xterra. And there are plenty of aftermarket parts for them. MUCHO more than for what we all drive.

 

Yea. I was thinkin about it a second ago and I think I got mixed up between it and the pathfinder. My mistake!

 

get a land rover discovery you can get a fairly new one in your price range

 

Too bad those spend more time in the shop than at the house.

 

Toyota and Fords will last a long time (about 200,000 miles) without any major problems. Are you wanting a brand new or slightly used vehicle? If I were you I would probably get a Ford Explorer sport-trac version (truck), or preferably an Ext Cab Ranger. My family has had the best luck with Ford and Toyota.

 

IMO both a Nissan XTerra and Pathfinder are good trucks when it comes to looks, as long as they're lifted with tires larger than stocks...

One friend of mine has a 1999.5 Pathy w/ AC lift and 32's and it's ridiculous...

My other friend however has a 2004 4Runner lifted on 33's and it's an effin tank...

So if you had to choose I'd say go with a Pathfinder or 4Runner