need a budget v6 SUV (good on gas)

nxhappy

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whats up my dudez ....well long story short I am driving a **** load and I need a fuel efficient v6 that is towing capable. The cheaper the better, $6k to 10 grand would be great. Obviously it will be older/higher mileage. What would you recommend?
 

specracer

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Well in your "neck of the woods" you wont have to disqualify 90% of the vehicles you are looking for, vs in our area..... rust.
 

black4vcobra

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How towing capable and what fuel economy needed?

I have a 2006 V8 4Runner. Great vehicle and can tow 7k but only rated at 16/19 mpg. Super capable in bad weather and pretty darn good off road with A/T's.

The V6 version is good for 5k towing and gets 1-2 mpg better.
 

nxhappy

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How towing capable and what fuel economy needed?

I have a 2006 V8 4Runner. Great vehicle and can tow 7k but only rated at 16/19 mpg. Super capable in bad weather and pretty darn good off road with A/T's.

The V6 version is good for 5k towing and gets 1-2 mpg better.
current f150 is 16 mpg, looking for 20+ city

for towing even 3k would be ok
 

Sirhc7897

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A few years used Jeep grand Cherokee with the V6 and 8speed can be had used on the cheap and gets incredible gas mileage.

My ex father in law had one and that thing would get 600-650 miles out of a tank.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
 

RedVenom48

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He's in AZ, I don't think a 4runner can be had for under $10k here lolz.
100% true.

@nxhappy I know you said SUV, but no homo if you need a fuel efficient DD: Prius. Let the truck tow.

If you really want a fuel efficient SUV but can tow 2,000 check out this Toyota RAV 4:

08 Toyota Rav4, 4wd limited - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

Engine is pretty solid. SOME have a tendency to leak at the rear cyl head where it meets the block and timing cover, but its a seep. AWD so you can go to the dunes and not get stuck towing some bikes.
 

Corbic

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Subaru Legacy and Forester are also worth a look.

Honda Ridgeline

Screenshot_20210215-080227.jpeg
 

RedVenom48

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Subaru Legacy and Forester are also worth a look.

Honda Ridgeline

View attachment 1689365
Unfortunately Honda V6 auto transmissions of that generation are not reliable. The Honda dealer I worked at years ago replaced 3-4 a day on Pilots, Ridgelines and Odyssey's.

@nxhappy If the idea of a Prius is... disturbing, a less demeaning version is the Lexus CT200h. I leased one for 4 years and I averaged 38MPG. Thats with me driving with my foot buried in the accelerator everywhere I went. It has a surprising amount of cargo capacity with the rear seat folded too.

EDIT: links work, pages are available lol

Heres one for $10k
Autotrader - page unavailable

My old dealer Earnhardt Lexus has one for sale:

Autotrader - page unavailable
 

Corbic

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Unfortunately Honda V6 auto transmissions of that generation are not reliable. The Honda dealer I worked at years ago replaced 3-4 a day on Pilots, Ridgelines and Odyssey's.

@nxhappy If the idea of a Prius is... disturbing, a less demeaning version is the Lexus CT200h. I leased one for 4 years and I averaged 38MPG. Thats with me driving with my foot buried in the accelerator everywhere I went. It has a surprising amount of cargo capacity with the rear seat folded too.

EDIT: links work, pages are available lol

Heres one for $10k
Autotrader - page unavailable

My old dealer Earnhardt Lexus has one for sale:

Autotrader - page unavailable
Don't need a hybrid for good gas mileage. Grab an old Civic 5spd and at least it will be fun to drive.
 

08mojo

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I would look for a WK Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD (diesel engine). Gas mileage is great, towing capacity is 7k lbs and it uses the mercedes tried and trued 3.0L v6 diesel. They are dead reliable once you remove certain controls equipment (I was in the market 5-6 years ago, so it's been awhile since I researched)

They should be in your price range. I think in the states, the WK CRD was available in 2007-2008. Which brings us to the downfall: they are not easy to find.
 

KilledbyKenne

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If you are only looking for fuel economy look at '93-02 Saturns. SL1 & 2 (sedan) or SC1 & 2 (coupe). 1.9 w/5 spd. I got an average of 38mpg in my 1997 sc1 city/hwy and I wasn't nice to it. You can find a clean one for almost half your $6k budget. Biggest downfall is they eat a little oil but just keep an eye on the level and you're golden.
 

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