What's your recommendation on a reliable 5-10k awd used SUV for a college student?

Lol I'm sure some people get lucky. After all, if they were 100% all bad they probably wouldn't be on the streets. But I've had enough hands on experience lol. Maybe they fixed their issues in the newest one but that would place it outside of the budget range. Also the V6 models aren't too economic out in California where gas is expensive. What year is your wife's MDX? The few Odysseys and Pilots I've had the misfortune of repairing were in 07-10 range.

 

I've just heard from people that they have a tendency to drink lots of oil, depending on the year. Also I've noticed a lack of those cars running around while older Toyotas remain chugging which seems suspicious.
Plus in an SUV that's gonna make for one slooowwww car.
CR-V's are good from what I can tell. +1 for RAV4 and -1 for Honda Pilot, most things automatic Honda is a proceed with extreme caution.

 

Good points. I should have put it in the original post but to help narrow down the choices more and more, gas mileage is definitely a must so that rules out most of the bigger v6 vehicles. Speed is not too important though.

 

My vote is for a used RX300. It was back when Lexus was simple enough and cheap/easy to maintain. The v6 was bulletproof as long as oil was changed frequently. They’re often cheaper than a comparable RAV4 of the same year and have more luxury features. Gas mileage isn’t the greatest, but you have a bit more power and torque, along with some light towing capability as well. If you can find a quality used one with maintenance records, I’d spring for it.

 

Soo my vote was for Highlander but +1 for nicer Highlander. Basically what this car is. Luxury without all the nightmares of keeping a European car on the road, gotta love Lexus.

 

What year range are you guys thinking?

 

Yeah not sure why I said rav4, but meant highlander. For whatever reason they can be had for cheaper than highlanders and often with less miles. Great vehicles!

 

Whatever your dollar range allows. They came with the 3.0, 3.3, and 3.5 V6 engines. All fantastic. Then they made hybrids later on. But they're relatively the same. No major years to avoid as far as I know.

 

We have had good luck with my wife’s Mazda CX-5

 

Good to know . Thanks for everyone's input so far.

 

2011 rav4

 

RAV-4.

 

If you can find an 01-03, they did a mid generation update with a few more features. But any model year with the 3.0 should be just fine. But maintenance records would be key.

 

Just bought one myself.
230k and runs like a dream

 

Honda Element. Can get AWD, stick shift, reliable, rear seats fold up or pull out easily, and they ride great. You can find them in your price range too.

 

It was mentioned earlier but you might want to put a V6 RAV4 on your potentials list (2009 - 2012, the 06-08 had an issue with an oil line that could blow and kill the engine. In 09+ the line was made of metal instead of rubber).

Good MPG, very reliable, available AWD, and available 3rd row seat if needed.

The only thing is you might want to drive it yourself first before letting your wife loose in it because they are surprisingly quick with the V6.

 

I love Subarus and find them to be very rewarding cars. However, if you are looking for reliability above all else, a RAV4 is probably a good option. If you can find a V6 model, they are deceptively quick. No one expects them to be anything but a boring mom car, but they punch well above their weight.

 

Hmm, for some reason I didn't think of the Element, but you're right. And they come with the K series engines. They're a bit annoying to change starters on, and they eat them a little more than other vehicles I've seen. But overall they seem decent.

 

But fugly as hell

 

We bought ours new in 2005... AWD Auto in red. My brother has it now with around 230k on it. No major repairs of any kind.