needing a different SUV

[Chet]

I'm in need of a different SUV and just want your opinion and what I should get. I've had American made vehicles all my life but to be completely honest I can't afford to keep fixing them. The wife has an inport car and absolutely loves the quality and we haven't put any money into it other than regular maintennce. Drives and handles like a dream and it's 7 years old.
I have a suburban now that is costing me on average of $2500/year in fuel pumps, fuel filters, u joints, alternators ( 1 per year!) Ive had this for a little over 2 years, love the ride but the repairs are killing me!
My boat weighs about 4200 so I really need to go with a large suv rather than the midsize right?
I'd sure rather have the mid for the economy. Anyone have any experience with an import? Help~

[Randy Kaar]

the toyota tundra is supposed to be a nice truck, but
if your looking used they may be hard to find. id you are
looking for a suburban type replacement, a S10 blazer
would pull your boat but would be pushing it.

randy aka bh

[Cody Gruchow]

i dont deal with inports i a american guy but why not a durango or a explorer i have had a explorer for a little over a year and nothing  has gone wrong. except there power windows suck also just the drivers side one other than that no engine problems.

[Super Star!]

buy a nissan Xterra.. i have one and the thing is unreal what it can tow and go through. i drove to my deer stand with it when we had all that snow. in some spots there was snow rolling over the hood. They are also rated #1 for saftey.. and for resale they are in the top 10. and on top of it all it get pritty good millage to.

[Faceman]

I have a suburban and love it. I have had my share of problems as well but not as bad as you.
S10 blazer just sucks. I had one and will never own another. Too many fuel and suspension problems.
Explorers have problems with automatic lock outs for 4x4. Swap them out for manual lock outs and then they are much better.
Durangos are nice but after about 60000 miles they ride like a lumberwagon.
I dont know much about the foreign suv's.

No matter what you get you will have some sort of issue.

Good luck with whatever you do.

[deadeye]

Faceman, you are right about the Explorer automatic hubs.  What are the symptoms?  Mine stopped working some time this winter.   It was intermittent last year but now nothing happens when I push the 4x4 dash button.  The light doesn't come on and the transfer case doesn't engage.  I don't know if this would be resolved by replacing the automatic hubs with manual hubs.

[Grute Man]

I just saw this one today and it kinda caught my eye surprisingly.  Its made by Saturn and called the Outlook.  Its an 8 passenger, has 19 or 20" wheels    Never hurts to look, hey?

Grute 

[Faceman]

Faceman, you are right about the Explorer automatic hubs.  What are the symptoms?  Mine stopped working some time this winter.   It was intermittent last year but now nothing happens when I push the 4x4 dash button.  The light doesn't come on and the transfer case doesn't engage.  I don't know if this would be resolved by replacing the automatic hubs with manual hubs.

I am not sure about the push button systems. It sounds to me more like an electrical problem or a problem in the transfercase itself.

[Fish Guide]

what year was the sub, Ive had subs forever and they have all been bullet proof.  Maybe you got a lemon?  Id try another sub if i were you, they are hard to beat as far as secure/strong gear haulers,  good luck

[tripnchip]

Guys have you checked the fuses for theose hubs. some times the simples things are over looked

[deadeye]

The hubs themselves are automatic with no electrical parts.  The transfer case is activated by a push button.  I don't think a fuse is the problem because it was intermittant for a while.

[UncleDave]

The last 4  trucks I've owned were all Chevys and I have never had any major problems.  A few minor warranty issues, but no big problems.  I just can't buy foreign.  American companies are struggling and need Americans to keep them afloat.

[Faceman]

The hubs themselves are automatic with no electrical parts.  The transfer case is activated by a push button.  I don't think a fuse is the problem because it was intermittant for a while.

Your problem is probably the motor on the outside of the transfercase that is electrically bad or the switch itself. Most likely needs the motor though.

[Faceman]

The last 4  trucks I've owned were all Chevys and I have never had any major problems.  A few minor warranty issues, but no big problems.  I just can't buy foreign.  American companies are struggling and need Americans to keep them afloat.

I totally agree with you. I always buy american but you cant argue with the reliability and longevity of the Hondas and Toyotas.

[Airjer]

I would stay away from the Saturn outlook. I am pretty sure it is front wheel drive and/or all wheel drive with the rears being driven on a prop shaft.

Nissan X-Terra, Toyota 4 Runner, Toyota Sequoia, and the Nissan Armada Would all be good "import" choices with the sequoia and armada being the biggest. If money is not a factor how about a Toyota land cruiser?

[Grute Man]

I would stay away from the Saturn outlook. I am pretty sure it is front wheel drive and/or all wheel drive with the rears being driven on a prop shaft.

Nissan X-Terra, Toyota 4 Runner, Toyota Sequoia, and the Nissan Armada Would all be good "import" choices with the sequoia and armada being the biggest. If money is not a factor how about a Toyota land cruiser?

Yeah I think that Saturn is all wheel.  What's a prop shaft. 

[Duckslayer]

Yeah I think that Saturn is all wheel.  What's a prop shaft. 

The little thingy sticking out of the lower unit that you put your propeller on!   

Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Airjer]

An all wheel drive vehicle that has a transverse mounted engine (front wheel drive) will typically have a "transfer unit" installed on the passenger side of the transmission between the transmission and the pass. side drive axle. The "transfer unit" shares the power thats directed to the passenger side and turns the driveshaft that goes to the rear differential. This setup is commonly refered to as a "Prop Shaft" setup.