SUV 4 x 4 or AW

[jd0716]

Let me start out by saying I HATE shopping for vehicles. I have bought most of my vehicles at auctions because I don't like haggling. I don't want to offend anyone and at the same time don't like feeling that I was taken.

I am looking at replacing my 1994 Olds (which came from the auction). My wife has a mini-van and I have a full-size 4 x 4 I don't drive much due to gas mileage (11 mpg in town/ 14-15 mpg hwy), but use for hunting, bad weather etc... I have looked at Trailblazers and can get a corp. demo with 6,000 miles for around $17K but the gas mileage isn't much better than my truck. People I spoke to that own the Trailblazer say they get 18mpg hwy.

It has been several years since I bought my truck and my wife made the decision on the van. I know I would like 4 x 4 or AWD because we live on a hill and the mini-van has a difficult time getting up the drive with snow. Fuel mileage is important to me or I would just drive the truck. I would also like to stick with a Ford, Chevy or Dodge (not that there aren't better out there), but just something I am trying to be more conscious of.

Here are my questions:
1. Is the better deal to go new or used? I keep my vehicles at about 10 years.
2. Would 4 x 4 or AWD be better for a drive up hill, in the snow? It is not terribly steep, as I can usually get up the drive with the Olds, but the van has difficulty.
3. I can get a Ford on the X plan through a friend, but don't really know how it works. Is the savings significant enough to make it worth going new vs. used? (If I go this route, I was thinking Edge, Escape or Explorer, but haven't driven or researched these vehicles yet) I would like to ball park what I could get a Ford for using the X plan, without bothering the dealer, if there is a formula for coming up with the price.

Any recommendations on a Ford, Chevy or Dodge/Chrysler? I am open to body styles, as long as I have 4 x 4 or AWD.

Thanks for the help and sorry for the long post and all the questions.

 

[schmism]

any SUV built within the past 10 years is going to be AWD.

the idea of an old school transfer case and optionally locked differentials (ie 4x4) is past when it comes to SUV's.

Toyota Highlander hybrid. you wont find a similar product unless you go with a brand new Yukon hybrid or whatever it is.

YOu looking for a cute yute a full size SUV or a mega size SUV (excursion, suburban, Landrover etc)

 

[Matt_Jr]

The only problem I have with AWD is the transfercases on them usually use either fluid pumps clutch packs, or open gearing(like an open differential) and not locked together 100%. Good on dry pavement, not so good when off roading. I live on a mountain and the newer AWD's do better then the older ones but I personally like 4WD.

If you buy used CHECK THE TIRES. I have replaced many AWD components at work due to improper tire matching. This inludes not only size but tread and wear. Make sure they are all worn evenly and have the same tread and the correct size. Same goes with 4WD and 2WD. Also if you buy used change all the fluids immediately. Fluid breakdown causes a lot of problems. Gone are the days of fill it and forget it. If I were to buy an AWD and was stuck on one of the big three I'd look hard at the Ford Escape Hybrid for fuel effeciency.

I would expect a realistic mileage of around 16 MPG for a Trailblazer but I drive a little faster then most.

 

[jd0716]

I would like to stay with a mid-size vehicle.

Schmism, I could be wrong, but I thought the 2008 Trailblazer I looked at was 4 x 4 and you had to manually (turn/push the button to) engage the 4 x 4.

Matt, do you get 16 in town or highway?

 

[schmism]

I would like to stay with a mid-size vehicle.

Schmism, I could be wrong, but I thought the 2008 Trailblazer I looked at was 4 x 4 and you had to manually (turn/push the button to) engage the 4 x 4.

You might flip the dash button, but does the system have any sort of "monitoring"/ATC (active traction control) etc.

Like i said just about every SUV i know of has introduced some sort of system that limits wheel slip when in "4x4" mode under the guise of "vehicle stability control" granted you may be able to turn it off, but if you can, i would argue that its an AWD system with a manual override. ie a bad sensor/electronics could render your 4x4 drive inoperative.

all things equal, ill take my floor shifted transfer case and Detroit locked rear end Toyota 4x4 over my dads lexus AWD SUV anyday

 

[gsganzer]

I bought a 2008 4Runner and have been real happy with it. It's has 4x4 high and low and gets 21MPG on my daily commute (mostly highway). It also has some great off-road capabilities/features including skid plates, downhill assist and locking differential. I use mine for everything, including hunting. I slide a hitch hauler in the reciever for hauling game and coolers.

I only have 10K miles on the new one so far, but my previous Toyota's (including a 4runner and 2 Highlanders) have all been flawless.

I don't know about your area, but Toyota was recently having 0% financing. It's worth looking at.

 

[jd0716]

Schmism, thanks for the info. I didn't realize that you could switch the AWD in & out manually. Do the AWD vehicles have a Hi & Lo range, because the Trailblazer had a Hi & Lo range?

Does anybody know anything about Ford's X Plan?

 

[dmccarty]

Be careful of AWD. We had a Volvo with AWD. Great handling car because of the AWD. The problem is that the manual said to keep the tires the same size. Meaning if you had a flat that required a new tire you could end up replacing all four tires. So before you buy a car with AWD read its manual....

The Ford X Plan give you a certain percentage off the car you are buying. Ford has an X Plan website that you can use to figure out the savings. When I used X Plan in 2002 you also received any other promotion that Ford was doing along with the X Plan pricing. Seems like I got around 12% off of list price. After haggling with the dealer the best price I could get for the truck was %5ish.

I knew what truck I was getting when I went to the dealer and I knew the pricing per the X Plan. We haggled over the old truck I was selling and we haggled over the price on the new truck. Once the old truck selling price was settled I just told them I would take X Plan pricing on the new truck. Done. They were not happy with the lower price I was getting.

Since you can get X Plan pricing, get your X Plan number and go to the Ford X Plan website. Figure out what the car is going to cost with X Plan. Since you don't want to haggle you might want to send out email to the dealers with exactly what you want and have them send a firm price. Compre the dealer price with X Plan and buy accordingly.

To purchase with X Plan you just need the number for your company. The dealer will use that number to verify that you are eligable for the X Plan pricing.

Later,
Dan

 

[schmism]

Schmism, thanks for the info. I didn't realize that you could switch the AWD in & out manually. Do the AWD vehicles have a Hi & Lo range, because the Trailblazer had a Hi & Lo range?

again what is your definition of AWD... its always on and you cant turn it off... like a Subaru? or cute yute of some sort?

I know the early 2000's Jeep Grand Cherokee's had 3 settings. 4x2, 4x4 AWD and 4 low. but still had a traction control system to try to limit wheel spin....

whats your use of 4x4. you want wheel spin for mud and deep snow, or do you just want additional traction and stability on snowy roads or wet pavement etc.
You want to hit a button or shift a lever and have all 4 tires turn at the same rate. (locked front and rear)....

whats your overall goal for the vehicle.
do you want to move 4-6 peeps and there stuff in comfort?
do you want to tow the tractor/boat/camper with it?
you want something to DD and run errands in but want 4 wheel drive for snow etc?

 

[Matt_Jr]

I would like to stay with a mid-size vehicle.

Schmism, I could be wrong, but I thought the 2008 Trailblazer I looked at was 4 x 4 and you had to manually (turn/push the button to) engage the 4 x 4.

Matt, do you get 16 in town or highway?

JD0716, I didn't mean to imply that I owned a trailblazer. The customers who own trailblazers that I work on have told me they are getting on average 16 MPG. That is mostly in town driving. What I meant is since gas prices have dropped around here I've been setting my cruise control at 80 on the highway and my mileage wouldn't be so good.

All of the 4wd Trailblazers I've worked on were just that. 4WD. They have buttons on the dash that allows the owner to choose from 2WD, auto 4WD, full time 4WD, or 4WD low range. The tires on all 4WD and AWD MUST be the proper size, inflation, and have matching tread. Especially if the rear differential is limited slip or locking. If the rear diff is open one could get by not having the tires match perfectly as long as they drive in 2WD but that's it. I've rebuilt countless rear diffs, front diffs, and replaced many a transfer case all damaged by improper tire matching or one tire being low on air. I tell all my customers to check their air pressure at a minimum of once a month and rotate their tires every other oil change. If one has a real slow leak you won't see it but it'll show up on a guage. I even check mine if I notice my fuel mileage change drastically. Also you should check tire pressure if the ambient outside temperature has changed drastically since the last time checked. Trucks are tough but it's crazy when you see the simple things that damage them.