HELP~ Need ideas on a car/SUV under $20,000 with towing capabilities!

Hi there,

I am new here but thought this would be a great place to get some advice! :biggrin:

My current vehicle is on its last leg and I have to move out of state in two months, so I figured I would sell some of my stuff and look into a vehicle that is capable of towing some of my items rather than throwing money away on movers.... (what do you think???) :uhoh:

That means that I am looking for a car/ small SUV/ midsize SUV that is capable of towing a 4x8 or 5x10 uHaul trailer. Unfortunately, I really can only afford about $20,000 or less on a vehicle (plus the few hundred to add a hitch if it is not already on the car).

I have been looking a lot at the small SUVs, but I am really open to ANY option that is a decent vehicle, is within my price range, and is capable of towing a small/medium trailer. (However, the catch is that I REALLY don't want a truck...)

ANY suggestions are appreciated! I am looking to buy new, but am willing to buy used if it is less than 20,000 miles and a 2007 or newer. So suggestions on slightly used cars that might be within my price range would be great too!

Also, I am interested in your thoughts on the following cars I am thinking about:
Ford Escape
Jeep Liberty
Jeep Patriot
Hyundai Tucson
Saturn Vue
ANY others you might recommend!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I have been reading a lot oline, but am a little overwhelmed.... This will be my first car buying purchase on my own... (thus the anxiety). :eek7:

Hey man, sounds to me like a 2000ish toyota 4runner would suit you perfectly. They are good running and tough cars. They are built on a truck frame and certainly have the ability to haul things. Very dependable also.

I have driven all the one's you mentioned and my personal choice would be the Ford EscapeV6 - 3L engine excellent on gas consumption , the LTD comes with leather, roof, and tow package.
Your best buys will be lease returns 05 - 06 models or an 07 model that will most likely have been a rental

A well maintained used car that's less than 4 years old will give you the same satisfaction as a new car...for about half the price. "
You been reading a lot online, but am a little overwhelmed " :banghead: no wonder, you enter a query in a search engine and up pops hundred of sites giving you advice, end result is total confusion, pick one or two sites and stick with them dont surf, sites like edmonds.com is excellent or be my guest and enter my website and learn the buying process, good luck

I would go with the Ford Escape.

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Hi, I am an outdoor guy and had similar requirements. I move out to camp on the mountains. I got my Ford Escape XLT for $19,999. The guys at zibe were cool. Scout around a bit and am sure you will get a good bargain. I agree with Ray. Too much of searching does cause confusion.

My personal opinion would be a 2001 chevy tahoe, its able to tow quite a bit if you go with the 5.3L :) or there is always a 00 or 02 gmc sierra 1500 or 2500HD i'd suggest the 5.3L in 1500 and the 6.0 in the 2500. But its just my personal flavor of chose, the tahoe is great for excessive space to haul or the sierra for that extra weight to be pulling. :)