Is it madness buying a 2002-2007 SUV with 100k+ miles on it?

[dbroug01]

I would like to buy a super reliable old SUV for <£3k. I don't know much about cars so I can't tell if this is a ridiculous idea, half the internet seems to support buying older cars while the other half claims 100k+ miles is when you sell rather than when you buy!

I have done some research on reliable models as I want something I can drive to Austria and back from the UK a couple of times a year without a problem - this is the main reason I am looking at SUVs, I want to feel safe on long motorway drives.

So far the shortlist in order of preference is:
1) Honda CR-V: 2002/2004 or 2007 - seem to be widely available online, 2007 would be over budget but maybe sensible?
2) Jeep Cherokee: 2002/2005 - a lot of people online calling them "gas guzzlers", but I can't tell if they are more of a gas guzzler than any other SUV of a similar age? Other than that they seem pretty bulletproof.
3) Toyota RAV4: 2004/2005 - but I have seen some warnings about these, whereas I was hard pressed to find anything negative about the CR-V.
4) Subaru Forrester: 2004/2006 - aesthetically I like these the least but they seem to be reliable.

Does anybody have experience with a car on the list or another suggestion? Or more generally advice on what to look for when buying, e.g. a cambelt change, regular oil changes, would be appreciated too.

[dbroug01]

Also I should have mentioned: I am looking at petrol models only, as I live near the ULEZ zone which an old diesel will never pass/I don't want to use diesel knowing its environmental impact. I'm also looking at automatic models (open to manual).

[davek_964]

Can't comment on those cars, but:

I have a 2003 Porsche Cayenne - bought it 8 years ago with about 80k on the clock for a specific purpose and intended to sell it 6 months later.
It's now got just under 110k on it - I don't use it all that regularly, but it rarely has any issues. I get it serviced every few years - either myself or a local mechanic - and don't tend to get many surprises.

I've actually reached the point where I'd like to sell it now - but suspect it's worth more to me than anybody would pay for it.

But I think it's a very positive example of running a 100k mile plus SUV.

[dbroug01]

That's good to know thanks!

Do you mind me asking how much-ish it costs you in upkeep in a year with MOT/services/road tax/fuel?

[davek_964]

dbroug01 said:

That's good to know thanks!

Do you mind me asking how much-ish it costs you in upkeep in a year with MOT/services/road tax/fuel?

For fuel, I have no idea. It is pretty poor mpg (about 15 on short journeys) but that is balanced against the fact that it's pretty quick for a car of its size and age (mine is the 4.5S).

Tax is £330 a year - big engine doesn't help, but being pre-2006 does.

It's never needed anything for the MOT so is usually about £40 where I get it done.

I've actually just had it serviced by a local guy - I bought the oil at Costco, which was about £60 for more than I needed. Parts were about £100 (filters, spark plugs) and I paid about £100 in labour.

I do not meticulously maintain it - quite the opposite really. It gets serviced every 2-3 years, although that is probably every 10k-15k miles at most. But it hardly ever has a problem (last one was a leaking coolant expansion tank a couple of years ago) which means that despite it being an 'expensive' car, it costs me very little to run.

[dbroug01]

Thanks that's very helpful!

[ZX10R NIN]

The Jeeps are juicy compared to some others but they are simpler to work on, now at this price bracket rust will be you're biggest enemy so check everything twice & if there's not a receipt for it then it hasn't been done, basically buy on condition.

ML 350 the 3.7 V6 is bulletproof but check for rust but due to the early cars poor build quality & lack of galvanising means these are a bit of a steal & you'll get ones with less than 100k on the clock:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-ML350-Auto-V6-...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-ML350-3-7...

Another car that's often overlooked is the Subaru Tribeca another car where you can find a nice low mileage one for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101037...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

Nissan Murano

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102269...

Lexus RX 300

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201912195...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102229...

A 3.0i X5 is a good shout the engine is reliable decent of fuel & overall it's a good car:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bmw-x5-3-0-sport-low-mi...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012227...

[Brave Fart]

We have a 2004 Toyota RAV4 that we've owned since new; it has now done 70k miles. It has been totally reliable - we haven't even replaced a light bulb. It's needed an air con condenser, new rear shocks and a sun visor and that's it. Fantastic. It's a petrol, manual car so not much to go wrong. It averages 30 mpg, VED is £29 per month and it needs an annual service which typically costs £300 at an independent.
We will keep it until it dies; wonderful family car and highly recommended.

[GreatGranny]

OP all the cars mentioned in ZX's and davek's posts are a step up from the ones you mentioned in your post.

Running costs will be higher such as tyres, brakes, suspension etc just because they were £40/50k+ cars when new.

I'm not saying don't consider them but even if they are 100% reliable costs will still be higher.

Personally I would go Honda or Toyota with Subaru next.

It will come down to finding the best example within your budget of either of these 3.

You can't be too choosy with exact models IMO.

[dbroug01]

Thanks everyone for the replies and input, really appreciate it. Greatgranny, do you have any advice on what to look out for on those cars or more generally on a used SUV? Things you'd expect to see replaced in previous services? I'm considering paying £191 for the AA to do a thorough inspection on a potential purchase before I commit, does that sound sensible?

[davek_964]

GreatGranny said:

OP all the cars mentioned in ZX's and davek's posts are a step up from the ones you mentioned in your post.

Running costs will be higher such as tyres, brakes, suspension etc just because they were £40/50k+ cars when new.

Although this is obviously true - I replaced all 4 discs and pads on the Cayenne last summer. Parts (from EuroCarParts) came in at under £400 - and this was a decent brand (can't remember if I bought Pagid or Brembo).

[Roger Irrelevant]

I don't know if just being really quite good off-road means a car counts as an SUV, but if so then a Subaru Outback - the 3.0 petrol one - could be worth a look. I had one that I bought for £4k that I took from 80k to nigh on 130k without incident. HOWEVER although they are reliable in the sense that the drivetrain is very robust, in my experience they aren't very cheap to run if you're doing biggish mileage - on mine the suspension, brakes and wheel bearings need fairly regular attention and bits weren't cheap. I took mine down to the Pyrenees a few times and I was really impressed how a cheap car that could be so good on the autoroute on the way down was also so good on the rough mountain tracks I frequented. With winter tyres they're absolutely superb in the snow too.

[dbroug01]

I think for me the high driving position of an SUV is the primary thing, just feel a lot safer higher up. It will only be me and the dog so ideally a mini SUV would be the thing, but those only seem to have started being built in the last few years.

[ZX10R NIN]

BMW X3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011146...

2.5i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011186...

[samoht]

dbroug01 said:

I think for me the high driving position of an SUV is the primary thing, just feel a lot safer higher up. It will only be me and the dog so ideally a mini SUV would be the thing, but those only seem to have started being built in the last few years.

Cheap Mini-SUV from before they were fashionable:

£2k, 105k miles, 2005
and yes, it has VTEC

[samoht]

Early Jukes are just dipping into that price bracket

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102159...
£3.5k, 102k miles, 2011

[cpl_payne]

Not sure anyone mentioned this but please check specific Euro standard your car needs to meet for the low emissions zone. Unless I'm mistaken it's Euro4 for London ULEZ. If that's the case then you should limit your search to petrol cars registered in 2006 and later to ensure they're compliant.

Edited by cpl_payne on Thursday 11th March 21:24

[samoht]

cpl_payne said:

Not sure anyone mentioned this but please check specific Euro standard your car needs to meet to for the low emissions zone. Unless I'm mistaken it's Euro4 for London ULEZ. If that's the case then you should limit your search to petrol cars registered in 2006 and later to ensure they're compliant.

Good point, although for 2000-05 petrol cars, it's worth checking specific models https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicl... since many models were already Euro4 compliant in the run-up to the deadline of 1 Jan 06. In general models that continued in production beyond 1 Jan 2006 were already Euro4 compliant from their introduction (but need checking), as stated petrol cars registered from 2006 on are all fine.

[OldGermanHeaps]

some even older petrols before 2006 come under euro4 for the ulez, I have been looking at cayenne v8 turbos and v8 s models and they all come in ulez compliant even back to the 53 plate models.
Got to do your bit for the environment. trees love co2.
edit oops i hadnt refreshed in a while an sahmot pretty much said the same thing before i hit submit.

[GreatGranny]

dbroug01 said:

Thanks everyone for the replies and input, really appreciate it. Greatgranny, do you have any advice on what to look out for on those cars or more generally on a used SUV? Things you'd expect to see replaced in previous services? I'm considering paying £191 for the AA to do a thorough inspection on a potential purchase before I commit, does that sound sensible?

No idea on specific models sorry

I've bought loads of cars, many in your budget and have never had an inspection mainly because I'm tight and a bit of a chancer.
Only had a couple (out of maybe 35+) that have turned out lemons.
Look for the obvious, blue smoke, mayo on oil cap, weird knocks, noises, smooth gear changes, brakes straight, no vibration/wobble through steering (although this could just mean wheels need balancing) you normally get a feel when you test drive.

Look at service history and proof of any work done to the car such as belts etc..
It should detail in the book when specific items need to be replaced. Don't presume it's been done just because there's a tick against it.
Also don't be too concerned at that age if a few services have been missed.

Decent matching tyres is a good sign or at least match front/rear tyres.

However getting an inspection is a sensible thing to do but what if something major comes up?
Next car you see, that's another £191 and you now spent >10% of your budget on inspections.

Alternative thing is find a decent garage and take it there if practical.

Edited by GreatGranny on Friday 12th March 09:05