Tow vehicle options

[mothercoder]

For my budget, it looks like my best bet for a tow vehicle will be a relatively high mileage (100k+), 15+ year old, full size SUV.  I will be living in it for a couple of months until I find my TT.  I've been told to avoid those with air suspensions so I'm on the look out for that. 

Here's what I'm considering:

GMC Yukon XL
Chevy Suburban
Chevy Tahoe
Ford Expedition

What I'm finding, however, are prices that are a good deal above what valuation websites say they should be.  I'm not in a huge hurry but I do need to have something in place before the end of March.  My current vehicle's registration expires mid-April and I want it sold so I don't have to pay for the registration renewal. 

Thoughts on these vehicles and are there any others you would consider?  I want something that I would be happy driving as my day-to-day vehicle should I decide to no longer full-time.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

You're going to find that the gas mileage is pretty bad on all of those heavy vehicles, so much so that you probably WON'T want to use one of them as your daily driver if you are no longer towing something.  I've got a Ford F250 that gives me 13 miles to the gallon.  I would be surprised if any of these do much better for you.

 

[mothercoder]

You're going to find that the gas mileage is pretty bad on all of those heavy vehicles, so much so that you probably WON'T want to use one of them as your daily driver if you are no longer towing something.  I've got a Ford F250 that gives me 13 miles to the gallon.  I would be surprised if any of these do much better for you.

Ford F250 van?  And you're right.  I probably wouldn't want to keep a full-size SUV for very long as a daily ride.  So whether it's an SUV or a van, I'd likely have to be prepared to sell it if I decide not to full-time anymore.

 

[DuneElliot]

I'm getting close to 18mpg in my 2003 Yukon as my daily driver with 181K miles on it. I spend around $100 a month on gas driving 20 miles to work each day and then back again with isn't bad for 800 miles of driving in a month. It's been a very reliable vehicle with just minor maintenance issues.

I think you have a pretty good list to consider there and I'm not sure I could think of any to add to it that are in the same size/towing category.

Unless your current car is sitting on a public road and/or you're driving it you can let your registration expire without penalty and it can sit until you sell it so don't feel like you are too pressured to sell it within a certain time frame.

 

[mothercoder]

I'm getting close to 18mpg in my 2003 Yukon as my daily driver with 181K miles on it. I spend around $100 a month on gas driving 20 miles to work each day and then back again with isn't bad for 800 miles of driving in a month. It's been a very reliable vehicle with just minor maintenance issues.

I think you have a pretty good list to consider there and I'm not sure I could think of any to add to it that are in the same size/towing category.

Unless your current car is sitting on a public road and/or you're driving it you can let your registration expire without penalty and it can sit until you sell it so don't feel like you are too pressured to sell it within a certain time frame.

Okay, some really good thoughts there.  Thanks for the information about your Yukon.  I was very interested in a Suburban with 174k miles on it but the dealer was asking way too much and wouldn't budge at all.  He's been trying to sell it since November.  I told him to call me when he gets real.  lol 

I hadn't considered just letting my current car sit.  I could do that if I haven't found a replacement.  I can use public transportation door to door - done that before and it's not a big deal.  It would just get difficult not having a way to go look at new vehicles.  I'd have to press my son into service.  I'm just going to take my time then.  Thanks.

 

[DuneElliot]

Do you have to sell your current car to be able to afford the SUV you want?

You might want to consider looking out in the western states...larger SUVs are pretty common and not expensive, plus we don't use road salt. Mine will be going up for sale in August for $3500 which I think is fair for the condition and mileage. That is about the price range you should be expecting for that age/condition and mileage.

 

[mothercoder]

Do you have to sell your current car to be able to afford the SUV you want?

You might want to consider looking out in the western states...larger SUVs are pretty common and not expensive, plus we don't use road salt. Mine will be going up for sale in August for $3500 which I think is fair for the condition and mileage. That is about the price range you should be expecting for that age/condition and mileage.

I will have to have something to live in for the 2 months between the time when my apartment lease is up and when I retire.  I don't think I'll do well in my little Nissan Sentra.   

I agree with you on the price.  I was looking at a 1999 Suburban with 174k and the dealer wanted $5k.  It's overpriced.  It spent most of it's life in CA so no road salt but depending on where it lived, perhaps some salt air.  If it is mechanically sound I'd be really interested...but not for $5k.

 

[squatting dog2]

I have an 06 Trailblazer EXT with 3rd row seating and have been really happy with it. It has a factory tow package,  Inline stump pulling 6 cylinder getting 16-18 mpg. Even when pulling a loaded 14' enclosed trailer, I was able to get 15-16 mpg. I can lay down the seats and have hauled 4x8 sheets of plywood in it. (much to the wife's chagrin). They made them from 2002 to 2009 and I have seen them with 250+ miles on them. All in all, a good all around vehicle. 

 

[Ballenxj]

I have an 06 Trailblazer EXT with 3rd row seating and have been really happy with it. It has a factory tow package,  Inline stump pulling 6 cylinder getting 16-18 mpg.

A friend has one of those, and he absolutely loves it. That straight six has over 300 HP if I recall. I wonder why they quit making that engine?


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[mothercoder]

I have an 06 Trailblazer EXT with 3rd row seating and have been really happy with it. It has a factory tow package,  Inline stump pulling 6 cylinder getting 16-18 mpg. Even when pulling a loaded 14' enclosed trailer, I was able to get 15-16 mpg. I can lay down the seats and have hauled 4x8 sheets of plywood in it. (much to the wife's chagrin). They made them from 2002 to 2009 and I have seen them with 250+ miles on them. All in all, a good all around vehicle. 

I like those alot but the tow capacity is pretty low with a V6, especially when I don't know what TT I'm going to get and I will be doing some mountain driving.

 

[DuneElliot]

I will have to have something to live in for the 2 months between the time when my apartment lease is up and when I retire.  I don't think I'll do well in my little Nissan Sentra.   

Wasn't suggesting you live in the Sentra, I was just curious if you had to sell your current car to pay for the SUV and if that was a factor in needing to sell it quickly too.

 

[mothercoder]

Wasn't suggesting you live in the Sentra, I was just curious if you had to sell your current car to pay for the SUV and if that was a factor in needing to sell it quickly too.

Oh, sorry.  Nope.  I don't need to sell it in order to buy the SUV.

 

[squatting dog2]

I like those alot but the tow capacity is pretty low with a V6, especially when I don't know what TT I'm going to get and I will be doing some mountain driving.

These are straight 6 cylinders, not V6. huge difference in torque. (pulling power)

 

[frater secessus]

You're going to find that the gas mileage is pretty bad on all of those heavy vehicles, so much so that you probably WON'T want to use one of them as your daily driver if you are no longer towing something. 

That could work to Coder's advantage:  wait for the next big gas price spike and hop on a deals.