QuestionI am currently driving a 2000 Chevy Blazer with about 115k miles on it. I want to have something already in mind when this thing decides it doesn't want to work anymore.
I do not need anything this big anymore, but I do need 4WD (live in upstate NY and drive a LOT). I need it to stand up to a lot of miles - mostly highway, and have a relatively cost of operation (as opposed to just being cheap off the lot)
Are there any brands or models you would suggest ?
AnswerHi Beth,
Thank you for your question. I know the weather in upstate NY, and have a good idea why you want to stay with a 4WD. In Texas, other than on a ranch, the 4WD vehicles you see are more for show than functionality.
What’s great about your question is that you’re doing exactly what I recommend in my book to anyone considering buying a car: becoming an informed consumer. It’s not just about spending money when buying a vehicle, it’s about spending money to get exactly what you want and need, and at the right price, not what some salesperson wants you to buy.
Regarding your question, to be honest, I would be doing a disservice by recommending any particular 4WD SUV to you since I don’t have direct experience with them. In addition, there are so many different brands and models, new and pre-owned, that it would be difficult for me to make a recommendation based on low cost of ownership alone.
The best way I can think of to help you is to point you in the right direction where you can read about and find the information you need. Here are some places that will help you:
On www.Make-Me-Smarter.com, the site for my book $ave Thousand$ On Your Next Car: Confessions of a Former Car Salesman, with multiple links to automobile brand and model information.
www.SaveOnYourNextCar.com
On www.About.com, Before you Buy a New or Used 4WD SUV
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/buysellcartrucksuvonline/bb/bbuyingnewused.htm
On www.About.com, Best Rated Used 4x4 Vehicles
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/cs/buyacaronline/a/usedcarbest_2.htm
www.MSN.com, Sport Utility Research Center
http://autos.msn.com/research/category/suv.aspx
2005 SUV Tax Deduction List
http://www.selfemployedweb.com/suv-tax-deduction-list-2005.htm
I’m including this last link for you to help determine if you may be eligible for the SUV tax deduction.
I do recommend, as I’m sure you already know, that you don’t rely on a particular dealer’s recommendation. They’re in the business to sell you what they have in their showrooms and on their lot’s, and do it right then while they’re talking to you. They know that if you leave, chances are you will never come back, so they have a tendency to tell you what you want to hear.
Good luck with your decision, and please let me know what you finally decide on, Beth.
Regards,
Ron
