I currently have a 2004 Acura TL that I bought because I was living in Florida during the winter but was driving back and forth between FL and Colorado a few times a year. I just needed something reliable and good for long distance drives. Well, now I am living in Colorado permanently so I want something that can handle the winters plus be used to go up to the mountains for camping, skiing and light off roading.

I am only looking to spend about 15-20k. Right now I am leaning towards a 2004 Grand Cherokee because that is the last year they came with the solid front axle (a plus for off roading) and seems to be the most reliable of the solid axle Grands. As you can see in my avatar, I used to have a lifted 98 Grand Cherokee and loved it but wasn't practical for the cross country driving I was doing. I was also thinking about a 4runner or Tacoma but I feel like the interiors are so cheap feeling plus they seem to be quite a bit more expensive than the GCs.

I plan on keeping this next truck as a dd until I can afford a second vehicle at which point I will designate this truck as a dedicated mountain/off roading vehicle. Sorry this is so long, but any other ideas on what I should look at?

 

we have a 04 grand cherokee trail rated, its a great SUV but uncomfortable as sh**. Its relilable and decent on gas so in that price range thats my vote

 

SVT Raptor!!!

 

^They just released info of a 4 door coming out, so I think I'm sold. To the OP, I have a '03 jeep grand cherokee at the moment and the V8 does get great gas mileage. I understand how strange that sounds.

 

Ford F-250 King Ranch (Diesel)