Well I am getting out of cars, after a ****ty winter of getting stuck, digging, freezing I am going back to the SUV/Truck thing. I had a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT before and I liked it, the reliability was an issue however as was the stupid cheapy american feel which makes me wonder weather I want another domestic vehicle. I thought of the pathfinder because it looks nice, seems rugged with what seemed to be good off road capability... OH and it's not domestic. I want a midsized SUV that is not going to give me problems, not el cheapo, not something I am going to roll 100k in and have to worry about replacing the transmission like in my Explorer, I need something that will get me a good 17mpg at worst, something that is good off road weather it's mud or snow or trails or whatever but I also don't want to compromise other things, if I did I would buy a Rubicon. I need an auto, never been a fan of 5spd trucks/suvs I leave that to the cars. I left out things like Lexus RX300's and Acura MDX's etc etc because though there nice cars, there a car breed of 4wd, not traditional and they pretty much SUCK off road I hear. Not like I am going to be trail banging and rock climbing with whatever I get but when **** gets kinda ugly I want to have confidence I can make it through.

2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6:

I like the styling and I hear the 4wd system is awsome in them, the V6 will get my the same gas mileage as my 4.0 SOHC V6 out of my Explorer, the turning radious is awsome but the car feels mushy, bod roll and sloppy steering but hey maybe I'll get used to it, space isnt and issue but the best part are the looks and off road capability but everyone questions the reliability, transmissions and other components and I am not interested in getting into another repair money pit like my Explorer, OH not to mention the ****ty domestic interior. 40-50k $14-15000

2001-2003 Nissan Pathfinder:

I love the styling to em, if it isn't rugged it looks like it is haha, basic interior but not crap like Ford/GM/Chrysler and I don't know how well they do off road but I hear reliability isn't an issue with these and they sure do look nice. 30-60k $16000

2001 Jeep Cherokee:

The styling is nice, simple and I kinda like the boxy style, I hear there motors and transmissions in them are ROCK solid and people run these for like 200+K, that reliability isn't an issue and the 4.0 is powerful out of this small SUV and they are AWSOME off-road, they are cheaper too. But the seats suck, they have that old school half vinyl half RUG like cloth style going which is teh ghey. I also don't know how much I like the small cramped inside.

I don't know what to do, I have set the criteria so by all means if anyone has a suggestion please input the info. I also thought of a 4Runner but there BLAH too.

 

2000-2001 jeep grands are notorious for transmission issues.

Regular jeep cherokees have serious electrical/wiring issues

I would get the 02-05 Jeep personally with the leather interior as they seriously have to be the most comfortable seats imo...

 

pathfinder!! i have a 96 and no probs, the 2001+ have the 3.5VQ with more HP(240) and no commom problems.just make sure whatever you get isnt 2wd

 

Pathfider ftw!

 

You check into the Xterra? Everyone that I ask or tell them about it they say it's the ugliest shape ever....I like em...I think there is S/C verison of one as well.

 

I like the Pathfinder. A friend has one, and it seems pretty reliable.

 

the new(05+) have a N.A 4.0 VQ with 265hp, the older SCed ones (2002-04) had 210hp. the new ones also havea choice of 5speed auto or 6mt and are better offroad with a optional rearlocker, if you can afford the 05+ X will be better than any year pathfinder.

 

i say go for a 4runner or highlander.... pathfinders are nice tho. my mom has a highlander and my sis has a pathfinder.... i would def go with the highlander..... trust me.. ive put both of them through hell.. especially in the snow.. HIGHlander FTW