Answers

• zaken1 04/10/12 3:03 am PST

  Edit Answer (for another -2 minute) After careful consideration; I came up with four vehicles which, in my opinion, fit the bill better than any other choices; based on your stated criteria of durability, safety, and with fuel economy in the range you specified. These 4 vehicles have different combinations of price, power, fuel economy, and features. But I consider their durability and safety to basically be similar. They are: 2012 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV 4WD (2.5L 4cyl 4A) 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M) 2012 Nissan Xterra X 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) 2012 Suzuki Equator 4dr Extended Cab 6 ft. SB (2.5L 4cyl 5M) Here is a link to an Edmunds detailed comparison of these 4 vehicles: http://www.edmunds.com/car-comparisons/ ?veh1=101418912|suv&veh2=101416219| suv&veh3=101406874|suv&veh4=101 415689|extended-cab&show=0|1|2|3|4| 5|6|7|8&comparatorId=2023729 The Nissan Xterra is the most powerful, highest priced, and is designed for the heaviest duty use. The Toyota RAV4 is the only vehicle in the group with 4 wheel drive. It also gets the best fuel economy. All the rest have rear wheel drive. The $25,000 price limit prevented adding the 4 wheel drive option (when available) on the other vehicles. Actually, 4 wheel drive may add unnecessary complexity; if you don't need to drive through loose dirt and sand. The Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV and Suzuki Equator Pickup both have manual transmissions; which I selected for their greater durability. Those two Suzukis also come with a 7 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. The other two vehicles have 5 year, 60,000 mile powertrain warranties. and are not available with a manual transmission. The Suzuki Equator pickup is basically a Nissan Frontier, with slight styling changes, a lower price, and a longer warranty. Warranty service has to be done at a Suzuki dealership; which are relatively uncommon. If the convenience of a local dealership for warranty service is important to you; the Nissan Frontier, at a slightly higher price and with a shorter warranty, might be preferable. The Toyota RAV4 and the Suzuki Grand Vitara have the most car like ride qualities; while the Nissan Xterra and Suzuki Equator ride more stiffly, like a truck. I strongly recommend test driving any of these vehicles which appeal to you; in order to gain a more accurate perspective of what it actually is like to drive one. If you can test drive it on an unpaved or rough road; that would be even better. (0)(0) Report It

• morin2 04/10/12 4:54 am PST

  Edit Answer (for another -11 minute) Excellent post by Zaken. I have been watching this question and hoping he would post an answer. As state budgets are slashed, road maintenance funding has also been reduced, with some states worse than others. This means roads, already in poor shape, will be getting worse. I have a 2011 Nissan Frontier and use it for long trips through states where roads are poorly maintained. As Zaken indicated, it is the same as the Suzuki Equator with a shorter warranty but better resale value. The most rugged model of Frontier, or the Xterra (basically an enclosed Frontier with very slightly shorter wheelbase) will be the pro-4X (formerly called the "Nismo") but the price of that model will exceed your price ceiling. The 4 cyl will be well under your target price, but they are hard to find. Typically, if a large dealer has 50 Frontiers in stock, he might have one 4cyl manual and maybe one or two 4 cyl autos. The 4.0 liter V-6 is strong and only sacrifices a few mpg. I average about 20 and can get 22 on the highway, 23 with non-ethanol fuel with my v-6 auto 4x4 crew cab. Your most rugged suspensions will be on 4x4 models - and those with tow packages on v-6 equipped trucks. I had narrowed down my selection last year to the Frontier and Tacoma. I chose the Frontier for its more comfortable and better adjustable seating. The Toyota has slightly better mpg with slightly less power, a higher price, and a higher resale. Their TRD trim would be the most rugged but above your price ceiling. These trucks are mid-sized and very close in size to the full size trucks - except with smaller beds. Alternatively, and especially if you need a larger bed size, you could consider a GM or Ford full-size pickup. I've had both, albeit with older v-8s that did not come close to your mpg needs. Perhaps a v-6 with the heaviest suspension would be worth a test-drive comparison. My preference for the roughest conditions is the old-fashioned body-on-frame construction. Try to test-drive over similar conditions that you anticipate. (0)(0) Report It

• spride 04/10/12 10:07 am PST

  Edit Answer (for another 2 minutes) Thank you for the quick responses. I forgot to specify automatic transmission as my wife doesn't drive a stick. We will be in Egypt far from any US dealership... (0)(0) Report It

• texases 04/10/12 10:14 am PST

  Edit Answer (for another 9 minutes) In Egypt? That may change the answer, you'll want something that can get easily worked on over there. Do you have contacts over there that can tell you what's available in country to meet your needs? It might make more sense to wait and buy one there, or at least buy one here that's available over there to ensure parts can be bought. (0)(0) Report It

• zaken1 04/10/12 10:57 pm PST

  Edit Answer (for another -8 minute) In view of the additional information you posted; I would definitely go with the Toyota RAV4, and would be sure to get one with 4 wheel drive. I would also replace the narrow street tread tires that come on this car with tires that are designed for loose dirt and off road surfaces. Here is my choice of the appropriate tire for this vehicle, in the stock tire size: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ?... (0)(0) Report It

• morin2 04/12/12 12:15 am PST

  Edit Answer (for another 10 minutes) I realize that there could be some financial incentive to buy here and ship if you are getting free shipping to Egypt from the military or a contractor, but don't allow that perk to cloud your judgement on the vehicle selection. I'm not sure I would do it even with the free shipping. The more I think about it, the less confident I am that you should place too much weight on our vehicle opinions here. Have you asked any diplomat staff? Embassy? At one time, I remember that security personnel recommended against 4-door vehicles in countries with violent carjackings. Who knows when a country can become unstable. I'd want to know what others in your situation have to say about which vehicles seem to satisfy the needs of your position. Also, which vehicles can be serviced in the territory where you will be employed? The new adventure could also be viewed as an opportunity to drive something not available to you here in the US that might be better suited to local conditions. Good luck. (0)(0) Report It