I am thinking about finally getting me an SUV, that way I can get up and down the Mountain I live on during the winter when we have a lot of snow.
I thought of just putting money into my 96' Park Ave, I did get good chains for it, but it has so many issues I need to tackle, and I want to be able to take my time tackling them.

I am looking for something in the 5,000-7,000 dollar range, needs to have a bench style rear seat, as my dogs ride with me a lot.
Good gas mileage would be nice, but I am more concerned with getting a SUV that won't have me needing costly repairs all of the time.

I am currently looking at some 2005 GMC Envoy XL'*, and a Denali version.
I like them, but have heard of the valve/lifter issues, and the issue with cylinder 4/5 losing compression, I have actually heard of other cylinders with really low compression issues causing misfires.

Why is it the consumer best rated SUV'* I see all seem to be Toyota'*?
They are costly also, but I am guessing they are really reliable considering what they sell for, like the 2005-2006 4-Runner'* and Land Cruiser'*...

William,

I bet you can get a 2005-2006 Acura MDX in the 5k range. After the Wife'* 2000 AWD Bravada got totaled- we did a nationwide search, include paying for numerous inspections, but found all the Bravada'* to be POSs with age.

Finally gave up on the Bravada and after some research went with the 2006 Acura MDX, Loaded with rock solid options. Only issue in 16 months was the alternator- took about 30 minutes to replace. BTW- the MDXs were assembled about 400 miles NW of Mike.

Where? lol

I stand corrected- 290 miles. Alliston, Ontario, Canada:

Found a 2005 Acura MDX Touring AWD for 4,500.00, but it is 2hrs or more away, and it has 234k miles on it.

William,

Hang tight a week or so- I think I can find you a few at 100k miles at 5k price range.

Here is a example of a SOLD price. Three owner- always in Florida, 147k miles, sold for $4051.00

Acura MDX | eBay

Will do, that one is not bad, but I don't think I'd be able to travel that far to get one, I really can probably only travel 2-3 hours max from Roanoke VA area, as I'll have to get my bro to ride with me and drive one car back.

I've been thinking over my reasons for wanting, and needing an SUV, mainly it is so I can make it up and down a mountain when it snows like 5 days out of 365 days a year, I;ll have a 50-80 mile total commute a day, depending on where I work, so I'll be spending a lot more on gas throughout the year, just to be sure I can get to work when it snows.
I already have brand new chains for my Park Ave, but I am coming to terms with the fact that I need to replace the it, that way I can go ahead and get this job, and then work on the old PA in my spare time.

If I were to go with a more fuel efficient sedan what would you guys suggest?
I do love the PA, even though it does not get but like 4-5 more mpg than the SUV'* I looked at.
I'd like to stay with a V6 if possible, I really want to try to stick with a car with the same 3800 II motor, because I know the motor well, and have spare sensors for almost everything.
If I could save a lot more money by going with a 4 cylinder I would, but it has to be a reliable car.
With my PA, if I put chains on it I am sure it would get me off of my back-roads when it snows, and up and down the mountain well when the roads are a little snowy, it has always handled well.
I love the trunk room, and the big backseat for my doggies, but again my main concerns are getting up and down a mountain when there is a bit of snow on it, not a lot, but say 2"-3", and being good on gas since I'll have such a long daily commute.

I wish I could decide on what to get, but I want to be sure it is the right vehicle for my needs before I spend like 5 grand.

So the question now is to be more economic should I ditch the idea of getting an SUV, and go for something like maybe a 2004 Park Ave to replace my 96' Park Ave.
Or go ahead and go with a decent 4 cylinder car that will save me a lot of money per year?
I can always sell the chains and parts I have for my current PA, or I can just keep them in case I get everything on it fixed, and end up using it as a second emergency vehicle..

Are there any good 4 cylinder GM cars that are reliable, good on gas, and have a decent sized back seat so both of my doggies can fit in it?

Does anybody else get as stressed and aggravated while searching for a decent used car as I do? lol
I started looking at Honda Accords, and Civics, since they get good gas mileage, but most I have found for a decent price have like 200k miles, I am not looking for a car that is going to die within a year after I buy it..

The more I look the more I am tempted to just get another Park Ave, but part of me knows I don't need such a big/heavy car, it is a great car, but it would be nice to get more than 18-19 miles per gallon.
Here is a decent Park Ave that I have been looking at, the only thing alarming about it is that the coolant res looks nasty.
It looks like something puked up inside of it, unless that is split on top, looks like it came from the inside to me though.
Also it was "side swiped" but it looks ok.
http://www.carfax.com/vehicles/1G4CW...lonial-heights