Question Used SUV Pricing

comet

comet

Joined
Oct 8, 2002
Messages
258
Even though Gas prices are nuts, I need to buy an SUV to tow my boat. I am looking to buy a used (2 or 3 year old) Mid Size SUV. Perhaps a Durango or Tahoe. How much do you think the dealers will come off of their list price these days? Let assume a vehicle on the lot has a priice tag of 20K. What would you think a dealer may be willing to come off the list price? Thanks.
 
I would start here:

Kelley Blue Book

See what the retail and wholesale prices are in your area and start with the wholesale price and work them from there.
 
I'd be tempted to buy new, with the 0% financing deals. Might even come out ahead if financing a late-model used SUV.

-Bob
 
Another thing to consider is how well whatever you buy will tow your boat. I've seen too many people try to save money by buying a lesser priced truck or SUV that wasn’t rated to tow their boat, trailer, or camper. Don't expect a salesperson to know what will or won't work for you, make sure you do your homework in that regard. To answer you pricing question, how much a dealer will come off of a used vehicle is directly related to how long it's been on the lot. The longer its been there the more inclined they are to "work" on the price for you. Another thing to think about, is having your own financing lined up if buying used. Shop around with your local bank or credit union to get the best interest rate. Sometimes dealers can beat your lenders rate, sometimes they can’t, at least you’ll know your getting the best rate. If buying new, I'd definitely take advantage of any low interest rates or employee pricing. Hope this helps!
 
I think the durango has the beefier engine of the too if I'm not correct. I'd go with the better tower too if that's all you're purchasing it for. You could always get a 4 door short bed diesel truck and that'd be even better suited for towing, but like you I prefer small/midsized SUV's over trucks. I know Jeep is supposed to be coming out with a diesel 6 cyl grand cherokee in the future. Who knows how long though?
 
I wouldn't buy a new one. Seems to me that the golden age of truck-based SUVs is past by a few years. The new Grand Cherokee is more sports car than 'wheeler. Everything else has either gotten carified or turned into some huge melted-looking lump (ie: Nissan Pathfinder.)

Used Tahoes aren't bad. Lots of stuff for them. Durangos have been plauged by suspension and steering issues. I haven't driven one, but another Jeep driver (I have a '94 ZJ) said it has awful blind spots.

'90s diesel pickups are great.
 
How big of a boat are you going to pull? I just bought a Jeep Libert CRD (Common Rail Diesel), and it pulls great. 5000# towing capacity, 22 to 24 MPG, and easy to park. I made the switch from a Ford F150, and I'm happy.

I understand that Mopar may have discontinued the CRD for '07, and with "Employee Pricing", I got a pretty good deal on a fuel efficient little stump puller.
 
If buying a used SUV, you may consider looking for one right at 5 years old. That is when most vehicles depreciate value.

The Tahoe and Durango are both good choices and similarly sized, but the Tahoe is considered a full size SUV- if that matters to you. Try to look for a Durango with the 4.7 liter V8-it's more refined and has better fuel efficiency than the 5.2 or 5.9 motors.

Ford Explorers are decent-the 4.0 SOHC packs 210 HP for a V6 which isn't bad. The 4.0 OHV motor has about 50 less HP. The 5.0 V8 in the older models isn't that much faster than the SOHC V6. I drive a '00 Explorer with the SOHC V6 and average about 20MPG.

Jeep Cherokees/Grand Cherokees are great choices too-their 4.0 inline 6's have good torque for pulling weight from a dead stop. Many of them have Dana axles which hold up well under hard use.

Isuzu Rodeos I would try to avoid if you live where you need A/C. For some reason their A/C compressors run for about $700 new, and are very hard to find remanufactured. They are notorious for their "black death"-black sludge created when it burns up and contaminates the rest of the A/C system.

Chevy Blazers are a good choice also, parts are cheap and plentiful.

As far as negotiating prices goes; most used car dealers use the N.A.D.A. guide for pricing, which sometimes differs slightly from the Kelly Blue Book. Always make sure to ask them if a car has been wrecked before, I believe they are required by law to tell you.
 
Cherokees are on the smallish side of midsize by modern definitions. I wouldn't consider one a tow vehicle in the range of a Durango certainly. It's a great truck, just probably not for dragging things around. The drivetrain lasts forever, though.

As far as Grand Cherokees (assuming '99-04 and newer here), if you're planning on towing skip the 4.0. Not only is it underpowered for the size vehicle, the transmission they mate them to in Grands is the pathetically weak 42RE. Get the 4.7 (or 4.7HO) V8. Decent transmission and transfer case on those. They drive pretty well on-road and are nearly unparalled off-road, especially with some tweaks.

"Dana" brand by itself doth not a good axle make. 4.0s came with the light-but-reliable-if-not-pushed D35. Most V8s came with a D44A, which is strong internally but prone to early wear and failure. They adapted an iron D44 to use an aluminum housing without getting things all sorted out. I think the newer ones are much better, but it's something to keep in mind. For hard core Jeepers it's a popular swap to put in a D44 or a Ford 8.8 in there.

If you're much into modding a 93-98 Grand Cherokee is even more versatile, just less mannered on-road.
 
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