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Looking to upgrade the wifes 96 V8 Explorer to something a little more fuel and maintenance friendly. We looked at the Suzuki XL7 which I really liked from a maintenance/DIY stand point as the drivetrain is pretty much set up like a 1985 Chevy Pick up…but it’s too cramped for our family.
Keep in mind, we are looking in the 2004-2007 range of vehicles…a budget around $5-9000 US.
We test drove the Santa Fe and liked the vehicle a lot, but I’m not sure about the drivetrain. I like the power of the 3.5 and the shifting of the 5 speed auto, but I look at that dual overhead cam with its rubber belts that need to be replaced every 60k…5 hour dealer repair…yikes.
The Escape I haven’t driven yet, but the reviews in general seem to be really good ( 2005 best buy ) and it’s essentially a smaller version of the Explorer, which we really do like.
The Sorento catches my attention, but I’m assuming it has the same 3.5L as the Hyundai as it owns Kia.
Minivans are out, the wife is driving this vehicle and is adamant that there will be no vans in her future. She’s also against certain things, such as the huge rear end of the Pacifica, even though she’s never actually been in one.
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I really like Chevy trailblazer/GMC envoys.
Stout motors, easy trannys and rear ends. Interchange with a lot of GM models, low but stout.
Yeah, but gas hogs and bigger than we are looking to get. I’ve got an Astro already, so I’m good for towing and hauling cargo/passengers. She wants something that sits high, gets good gas mileage and looks decent. Surprisingly, she likes the 2004 Santa Fe design more than the remodel in 2007.
I’m thinking I may want to stray away from the Escape as it seems that a simple job like a water pump requires engine removal, which isn’t something I’m willing to pay for. Serviceability is important to me as long as it’s something I can do with a jack and 4 jack stands.
Just to close this thread, we decided on a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 3.5L, fully loaded. Nicest car we’ve owned up to this point. I’d preferred a 2007 model with the 3.3L because-timing chain, but I’ve got at least 20k before this one is due for a new belt. The job isn’t exactly easy to do, but most timing belts are intrusive anyway. Seems like there are relatively few problems with these SUV’s as well, so I think we made a good decision. So far, I have to say that I really like it. We are averaging 18 mpg and seeing over 20 with a higher percentage of highway driving.
Another thread update. We’ve sold the Santa Fe. In the time we owned it, the steering rack, starter and rear axle had to be replaced. We were getting due for the timing belt and new tires, and really weren’t loving it anymore. The wife missed her Ford Explorer, and started looking at Sport Tracs. We purchased a 2002 Sport Trac and haven’t looked back…we really love this truck. The mileage in the Santa Fe wasn’t much better than the 5.0 AWD Explorer, except on the highway, and the Unibody construction left my wife wanting for a solid truck frame feel. She missed the sturdiness of the Explorers on frame construction and ride height. The seats are much more comfortable for me and it feels like we are back home in the Explorer, it just has a small pick up bed instead.
The Santa fe was a great ride, the aftermarket warranty paid for itself, but the trade in value was nothing near where we had hoped, and it was still clean and rust free ( and a limited edition with all the bells and whistles ). Oh well, we don’t regret the decision, and the Ford will have the same end date on payments as we had left on the Santa Fe anyway, so in the end it will work out. The wife says she plans on keeping this truck and not letting it go, so I guess I’ll have to really keep an eye on the maintenance on it.
Wow this thread has been going on for awhile.
I am the original owner of a ’02 Sorento, which now has about 128K miles. For the most part I feel it has been highly reliable. This is in part because I have taken meticulous care of it. I really like it a lot and no plans of selling it. It’s a true SUV in the sense that it is built body on frame like a truck with, I think, 12 cross members. So structural rigidity is way up there. After 13 years of daily use, it has no squeaks or rattles often found in unibody cars of the same age. It feels tight and sold. Being built like that though, the ride is more stiff and you will feel more bumps in the road, so it won’t drive like a Buick. However, I’m okay with that because I know it’s because the vehicle is sold.
The first gen Sorento, like the one I have has a very robust, reliable drivetrain. The engine has an iron block, Bosch ignition, generous low end torque and feels more powerful than it’s HP numbers suggest. It has a very solid, reliable BorgWarner transmission. It shifts precise and smooth, and often I can’t feel it shifting.
With all that being said, the Sorento has not been maintenance free. You have be able to accept the fact that vehicles are mechanical objects and WILL require replacing parts as they age. If you’re not wiling to accept that than you’re better off getting a new car with a warrantee.
During my ownership I’ve had to replace a few sensors, few hoses, the accessory belts needed replacing twice, I’ve done one timing belt and water pump change, and it’s due for another change in another 20K miles. I just recently replaced all shocks and struts. I’ve replaced a couple of tie rods, and the rack and pinion. Brakes have been done a couple times. two sets of new tires. Spark plugs and wires, gaskets. It has a hydraulic valve lash adjust tick, upon start up, but goes away when warmed up and oil circulates. (not a big deal right now but I may have to have them replaced sometime in the future) Understand though that for the most part, these are typical things that can and often do need replacing in older vehicles. Most people have the mistaken belief that a car is unreliable if these things need replacing. Not true in my opinion.
If the car you’re considering doesn’t have a timing chain, just expect that you will have to replace the timing belt (and might as well the water pump), as soon as you buy the car if it has 60K miles or more and there is no documentation it has been done. That’s just a plain maintenance item. If it has an interference engine (which most vehicles are), if you don’t replace it, and it breaks, collateral damage of valves and pistons will occur and there goes your engine.
When buying a used car that is of the age you’re considering, here are some things you probably might have to replace if you have no written documentation from the previous owner they have been done. You may have to do all of these or none of these, but be prepared and don’t be shocked in case you do. These are typical of age:
– All fluids changed or flushed out (coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid)
– Timing belt and water pump (typically every 60K miles, but I’ve gone as far as 80K)
– Tie rods
– Ball joints
– Brakes (including calipers and rotors)
– Wheel bearings
– Hoses and belts
– Suspension bushings
– Sway bar links
– Motor and transmission mountsHow I judge that a car is reliable is the drivetrain,. If three are no major issues with the engine and transmission, to me the car is reliable. This has been the case with my Sorento. Sure, I’ve had to do maintenance work on it, but that is something you will have to do with ANY older vehicle.
Try to search out one owner vehicles that have been well maintained and you will have better success at owing an older vehicle that requires less things fixed or replaced. Once you narrow down your search to the vehicle you want go onto that particular vehicles internet forum and post a message asking what peoples thoughts are of their vehicle. Doing this step before buying it, will give you valuable insight into quirks and issues with that vehicle that general automotive forums would not know. This will give you a clearer understanding if that is indeed the vehicle for you.
Just remember If you take care of your vehicle, it will take care of you. Vehicles ALWAYS will need ongoing maintenance on a regular basis and things fixed or replaced. Again, if you’re not willing to accept that, get a new car with a warrantee.
Good Luck!
[quote=”87FoRunner” post=60517]I really like Chevy trailblazer/GMC envoys.
Stout motors, easy trannys and rear ends. Interchange with a lot of GM models, low but stout.[/quote]
Wait until you have engine work done with the 4.2,most of the headbolts break off upon removal.The 5.3 has cylinder head problems,they were casted wrong from the factory with no middle support in the middle headbolt hole area.One way to tell is to see coolant loss with no outside leaks.
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