Best Used Full Size SUV

[AntleredRuin]

Sorry for the long post.

Short version: High mileage Sequoia vs low mileage Expedition or Armada.

Long Version:
OK so I'm looking for a full-size SUV for my wife. Really don't want to spend more than $5k, plus TTL.
I'm willing to go a little higher, but it'll take some convincing her if so. I'm willing to spend more upfront on a better truck overall so I'm not having to do as much 'catch-up' maintenance when I first get it, because the overall cost will probably even out anyways. I'll do all the work myself. No shops.
Obviously if I find a good deal for lower, I'll jump on it.

Specifically looking at full sized SUVs, possibly a 4th Gen 4Runner, if the price is right. Wife's request.
4wd not necessary. No minivans. Kinda going for the "I'm big, get off my ass" aspect of a full size SUV. She's pregnant with our first kid (and probably more in the future) and we're both feeling very overprotective. Don't care about gas mileage or carbon footprint, etc.
This will be a 'keep till the wheels fall off' vehicle, so long lasting reliability is key. That being said, my wife does not drive much, so the miles will be added on slowely. We don't NEED something that will go 300k+, but that'd be nice.



I've been focusing on 1st Gen Sequoias the most. (price range years 01-06)
I know and love my 3rd Gen 4Runner and the Sequoia has the same feel, just a bit larger. Same (possibly better than the 3rd Gen 4Runner) reliability rating, etc. Good support (Sequoia and Tundra forums). The problem is the Toyota Tax.
I've seen a few with lower miles (140k range), but they usually are absolutely disgusting cosmetically OR have the odometer rolled back. The nice looking ones usually have 200k+ miles. I'm *ok* with that, but not if there's a better deal to be had elsewhere.
Basic problems to look out for: timing belt every 90k, LBJs (OEM), and new radiator or tranny cooler bypass



We've test driven a few Nissan Armadas and the wife loves them. (Price range years 04-07) We both agree that the interior feels cheaper than the Sequoia, but they overall feel pretty good. Mechanically, the engine and transmission are known to go 400k+ with basic maintenance so I'm not too concerned there.
I've seen a few in the 140k range, but they seem to start having little weird cosmetic issues around that age. The door panel paint is starting to peel like someone took a heat gun to it, broken window and lock switches, etc. Clean overall, but definitely would need a refresh. Definitely not Toyota quality.
Basic problems to look out for: No timing belt (chain), undersized factory brake rotors (but who cares, it's a brake job, it's easy), leaking exhaust manifold (apparently an easy DIY job), and new radiator or tranny cooler bypass.



I've seen several Ford Expeditions in this range that look great aesthetically (Price range up to year 08), but I'm hesitant about the Triton V8s. I've seen a few people say that they've gotten theirs to 300k+, but not many. Most people seem happy to get to 200k. Several mechanics seem to hate them. Really not looking forward to fighting with the spark plugs. It's be my luck that ALL of them would break off in the heads if I got a newer one, or all them would self-eject if I got an older one.
That being said, there are several near me in spectacular quality with only around 100k miles for under my budget. Maybe change the plugs IMMEDIATELY and hope that they've not baked in too much?
I like the interior fit and finish fine; my dad had an 06 and it was nice inside. I drove an 05 F150 for work for a few years and it was fine inside too.
Basic problems to look out for: both the 2v and 3v Tritons have their own spark plug problems. Cam Phaser problems on the 3v. Possibly bad rear differentials.
I don't like the look of the Lincoln Navigators.



Really not interested in the GM SUVs at all. Aside from the fact that my dad would disown me if I bought a GM, I've never been impressed with them.



I have 2 non-Sequoias that may be worth it. Both have clean KBB, etc

2006 Expedition King Ranch trim with 116k for $5200
2006 Ford Expedition King Ranch - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale


2005 Infiniti QX56 with 170k miles for sale for $4800.
2005 INFINITI QX56 - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale
He says that the power steering whines a little and the fluid is dirty. Probably just needs a flush, which I can do. Everything thing else works fine.
I know it's the same as the Armada mechanically, but overall nicer inside. My thoughts are that the 'Infiniti package' would help it overall feel better internally. More leather, less paint to peel, etc. I see issue with rattles, but I'm no stranger to going into paneling to tighten things down if necessary, etc. (I'm not expecting a 14+ year old car to be perfect).


Does anyone have any input?

 

[turbo8]

You will probably have to pay a little more but you can look for the 100 series Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX470. 99-2007

 

[bewell]

I'd go Sequoia over Armada, mostly for the looks. I like the Sequoias more and more every time I see them. But I second [MENTION=94914]turbo8[/MENTION].. not a bad idea to look at the 100 series. Would pay a little more but its gonna last forever.

 

[AntleredRuin]

I'd love a Land Cruiser 100 or LX470, but that's definitely over my budget.
The cheapest Land Cruiser in Houston is a rusty 1989 FJ62 with a starting problem going for $8k. The 100 series and LX470 start around $15k.

I think I like the Sequoia better, too. The Armada definitely looks more modern inside, but the Sequoia feels more comfortable and high-end.

I found a 2005 Limited Sequoia with 190k for $4650. New tires, timing belt done at 185k, one owner, good leather interior, looks nice and clean. Same basic truck as the 100 series, just not as luxurious. Also in 2wd, no need for 4wd.
I'll check it out tomorrow and let you guys know.

 

[turbo8]

2000 Land Cruiser might have an accident on record.

Used 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser For Sale in Houston, TX - CarGurus

 

[Bumbo]

The only large SUV that even interests me at this current moment if I was NOT looking for off-road centric purchase, would be a Chevy Tahoe / Surburban or GMC Yukon XL.

Over years of renting them for road trips, along with other SUVs, it’s been by far my favorite. Family politics aside, that get my vote if it's not a Land Cruiser.

 

[LandCruiser]

They all suck. Find the cheapest one in the best shape for the least amount of money.

I'm not going to say Land Cruiser anything because people sell them for way too much.

I hate the outgoing Chevy Tahoe the least. You can get a hell of a deal on a NEW one on remaining dealer stock.

 

[AntleredRuin]

The Sequoia I'm checking out today is by far the best condition one I've seen so far in my price range (if the pictures don't lie; I'll find out soon).

Slightly higher miles but they are mostly highway. One owner and she drove it back and forth between job sites from California to Texas to Tennessee. Receipts of all the recorded maintenance from Toyota dealers at those locations proves it.

New tires, new timing belt, new leather seats, and plenty of maintenance? At exactly my budget, including TT&L? I think (hope) I just found a winner.

2000 Land Cruiser might have an accident on record.

Used 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser For Sale in Houston, TX - CarGurus

Didn't see that one. That's actually not a bad price, but still close to double my budget of $5k. I'd love one, but just can't justify it.

 

[AntleredRuin]

An update, for those who care.

I checked it out on Friday, but still have not brought it home.

It's super clean and straight on the outside (could use a slight clean/detail on the inside, but I have a place near me who will do a deep clean of the inside for $20, so I'm not worried there). No torn leather, but a couple small scrapes.
Overall good condition internally.

On top of the new TB and tires, it also has new brakes (I'd still do a flush), an almost new battery, and newish suspension. All 4 shocks have been replaced in the last 50k with OEM and new springs in the back. It had the LBJs done under recall around 30k, so they have 160k on them now. I might do them again at 200k, just in case. It drives super smooth.
Newer radiator (not brand new: Pink milkshake flag) but definitely not stock. Still will replace around 200k, just in case.
The seller already replaced the broken plastic back hatch handle with a metal one, and the hatch struts are almost new.
All windows except the back work, sunroof included. (but I think there's a TSB for a free fix for it)

Fat stack of maintenance logs.



The only reason it's not in my driveway now is that I used my OBD Bluetooth and the Torque Pro app and found that even though it has no check engine light, 2 of the Readiness Checks were not set, 1 for the Evap system, and the other for O2 sensors. This won't pass TX inspection; it only allows 1 check not set for year 2000+ vehicles.
It's registered in TN, and I'm in TX, so I can't even register it as a TX vehicle unless I pass inspection. I told him this, so he said he disconnected the battery recently, so he'll drive it around for the next few days to get them to set and then let me know.

That was Friday, and he said if it's not set today he'll take it to the shop and have them look at it. I think it's just the O2 sensors, as those get checked first, but theoretically it could be the Cat(s), or the SAI Pump. If it's just the O2 sensors, it sounds like he's gonna have them replaced before I buy it. So it might get new O2 sensors, too. If it's the Cat(s) or SAI Pump, I might have to reconsider if he won't replace them. If he can get it down to 1 check, I'll buy it. I can bypass the pump if necessary.

Fingers crossed.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

If you're patient and able to wait - just wait for a 100 series.

I had one, for a short stint, that I paid $4000 for and it had a little bit of interior damage but otherwise was a great vehicle.

We were looking for a manual T4R or a Sequoia - mostly after that roll down back window.... drove some first gen Sequoias and they were just a big "meh".

Big (like empty feeling inside), noisy, rough ride, questionable quality inside. Even made an offer on one.

Thankfully the dealer thought he had gold, refused my offer, and we found an 01 LX for LESS the same week.

Drove it and were flabbergasted it was the same drivetrain. Engine was smoother and quieter, transmission shifts were better, and everything about the vehicle was substantially better.

So glad we dodged those Sequoias.

 

[tcbaklash]

I'm usually a Ford guy, but 2000s full-size GM trucks were miles above their Ford counterparts and SUV-specific parts are way easier to find (and also waaaay cheaper) for the GM triplets. I had an '03 F-150 Supercrew with a 2V 4.6L V8 and it was a very nice and trouble-free truck, but that engine was gutless and it made Bay Area driving scary. Supposedly the 2V 4.6L was more reliable than the 2V 5.4L but I wouldn't recommend it just based on performance alone. At one of my past employers I'd seen our fleet of 2000s Chevy pickups survive 200k+ miles of extreme abuse, a Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, or Escalade should be about the same especially with the 5.3L or 6.0L

 

[AntleredRuin]

If you're patient and able to wait - just wait for a 100 series.

I had one, for a short stint, that I paid $4000 for and it had a little bit of interior damage but otherwise was a great vehicle.

Dang you got lucky on that LC 100. No LC within a few hours from me was anywhere even close to my budget, regardless of how many miles it had.

I don't deny that they are overall better vehicles than the Sequoia (comfort, feel, trim, etc), but the Sequoia is comparable to if not better than my 3rd Gen 4runner, and definitely better than the rest of the full-size competition. No competition at all, really.


I brought home the Sequoia on Saturday. Turns out that the O2 sensors were on their way out, but not bad enough to throw a code yet. So the seller replaced all 4 at his cost, then we got it inspected together. Now all I have to do is title transfer and register it, no problem.
So new tires, new timing belt, new O2 sensors, new battery, new radiator, new suspension, new leather seats, all right on budget, including TT&L. I think I scored.



The engine and tranny are smooth as butter, much more so than my 4Runner, and I thought THAT was smooth! I'm overall impressed with the interior quality. A couple sticky buttons on the dash and rear AC controls, but it has a good feel to it. The suspension is not factory (I don't know it it was replaced with OEM parts), but it is extremely smooth, too. That was one of my wife's criteria; she wanted a big smooth riding truck. It got up to 60 on the highway and I was surprised because for the engine and suspension smoothness, it felt we were still just rolling down the neighborhood.

Gonna take it for an interior detail sometime this week, but the wife is extremely happy!

 

[T4R2014]

I'm usually a Ford guy, but 2000s full-size GM trucks were miles above their Ford counterparts and SUV-specific parts are way easier to find (and also waaaay cheaper) for the GM triplets. I had an '03 F-150 Supercrew with a 2V 4.6L V8 and it was a very nice and trouble-free truck, but that engine was gutless and it made Bay Area driving scary. Supposedly the 2V 4.6L was more reliable than the 2V 5.4L but I wouldn't recommend it just based on performance alone. At one of my past employers I'd seen our fleet of 2000s Chevy pickups survive 200k+ miles of extreme abuse, a Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, or Escalade should be about the same especially with the 5.3L or 6.0L

The 4.6 just isn't enough in those. It is meant for Panther bodies and Econolines. The GMs have the edge in larger V8s. That said, the transmissions are kinda poop. Can't say I trust a 4L60 past 100k. Newer 6 speeds seem to last longer.

 

[shadow247]

The 4.6 just isn't enough in those. It is meant for Panther bodies and Econolines. The GMs have the edge in larger V8s. That said, the transmissions are kinda poop. Can't say I trust a 4L60 past 100k. Newer 6 speeds seem to last longer.

200k is about the limit for these older GM trucks. I had a 2006, and it was DONE at 245k, yet I was still able to get 6k in trade on it. 5k for a Used Tahoe with 200k miles is NOT a deal, they will require many expensive repairs, the heads are notorious for crapping out around 200k.

 

[Moto13]

I had a 2004 Escalade ESV that was nice. The air suspension can cost to fix but the 6.0 was sweet. Trash off the road.

I will say that bigger doesn't mean safer but it sounds like you know what you want.