Looking for a used vehicle for the Right of Way

duluthsuperior

I am looking for a used vehicle that will work well to get me up and down pipeline Right of Ways. Do a google image search of "muddy pipeline right of way" to get a sense of the driving conditions. I will be putting a lot of miles on this vehicle for work, so mitigating excessive depreciation costs and fuel expenses are also considerations.

Requirements:
<14K
4x4 or AWD

That is the short summary.

Some preliminary (non-expert) thoughts:

Tahoe/Yukon:
Pros: The 1500 platform is so common that aftermarket parts are cheap. They don't hold onto their value well, so used vehicles are economical.
Cons: Poor gas mileage. Mediocre Reliability.

4Runner:
Pros: Reliable (although I heard some years were less so).
Cons: Toyotas hold onto their value, so more expensive

Outback:
Pros: Handles poor traction well (muddy conditions). Good Gas mileage.
Con: While the ground clearance is not that much less than most SUVs, I am not sure how the suspension will handle uneven terrain.

Xterra:
Pros: Used seem to be a decent value.
Cons: Have heard a lot of anecdotes about recent years having poor quality.

Grand Cherokee:
Pros: Has a decent reputation as an off road vehicle
Cons: Poor Gas mileage for the size.

stever

Not sure if mud would offer the same issues as snow (probably worse) but my old Outback, while having lots of ground clearance, barely had any in the wheel wells. Depending on snow conditions, I'd wind up driving miles and mile grinding away on the ice and snow that would get packed in there.

Don't have a great pic but this may give you some idea. I don't think the newer ones are much better than my '97 was. (I left it behind in the UP a few months back).

duluthsuperior

I like the idea of an outback (or crosstrek, but not too many used yet). But yeah, the lack of wheel wells and what that would mean for crossing uneven, off-road conditions, concerns me.

Mr_Shiftright

Outback mileage isn't that great, especially if the vehicle is working hard. I'd say go for the Yukon---remember, parts are available at any Autozone, NAPA, OReilly, etc. You won't find Subaru parts so easily, and they are VERY expensive.