A fastish, towing capable, decent handling vehicle... what would you buy for 15k or less?

"Stephen Rivers" (stephenrivers)
12/25/2019 at 15:16 • Filed to: None

I can’t think of anything other than an EcoBoost Ford Flex. Got any other ideas?

DISCUSSION (43)

Nibby > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 15:19

ford aspire

CompactLuxuryFan > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 15:25

Pretty much any X5, Q7, or ML is rated higher than the Flex (surprisingly). Plenty around for under 15k. I would go for an X5 3.0si.

Stephen Rivers > Nibby
12/25/2019 at 15:26

You know they’re super cheap too... https://www.india.ford.com/cars/aspire/

Stephen Rivers > CompactLuxuryFan
12/25/2019 at 15:27

I am a Bimmer fan. Might be easier to sell the prospective buyer on that one...

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > CompactLuxuryFan
12/25/2019 at 15:31

The F15 X5 with the N55 is getting to be right around $15k. Still reliable and more modern feeling than the E70, IMO.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 15:31

Im with you on the flex.

Stephen Rivers > OPPOsaurus WRX
12/25/2019 at 15:36

It just seems like it’s going to be the easiest to maintain for him and not far off in terms of power to something really quick.

Stephen Rivers > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
12/25/2019 at 15:38

Anecdotal at the best but I did recently have a customer come in and approve a $7000 bill on his F15 N55. I’m sure the guy I’m shopping for is trying to avoid that but I agree that it’s a great motor for the most part.

Maxima Speed > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 15:41

Kinja'd!!!

Should be able to get a decent C5 for under 15k

Wobbles the Mind > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 15:43

2011-2013 Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango are quick with the 5.7L V8 just not initially off the line due to MDS. They are my top choices since they are cheap to run, drive well, and will tow up to 7,400 lbs.

There are some 2010-ish Cayennes in there too. Maybe early 2010s Land Rov ers may be good if go for the simple trims with the V8. A ll the G erman midsize utilities may surprise you. Acura MDX... really all the larger two row or 7-seater models were pretty impressive in the 2010s.

Stephen Rivers > Maxima Speed
12/25/2019 at 15:49

Tow rating???

Stephen Rivers > Wobbles the Mind
12/25/2019 at 15:51

In general the guy I’m shopping for is leary of german stuff. I would go Cayenne in a heartbeat personally. Big V8 power... 7500lb towing capacity.. handling... yes please. Love the Jeep/Dodge idea though

Maxima Speed > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 16:00

Trailers are not recommended i believe but ive seen a small mini trailer being hauled by one. It was hauling the tires and tool to the auto cross event. Forums are saying anywhere feom 400-2000 lbs. Not sure if it even comes factory.

CRider > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 16:00

What do you need to tow and what is considered “decent handling”? I don’t think the Flex, especially the fast Platinum AWD Ecoboost ones, are going to be had for anywhere near $15k. But a Durango R/T might fit.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 16:00

The twin turbo flex has 355 hp stock. Those motors can be tuned for about a hundred more. They are not slow cars.

Shift24 > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 16:10

Nope, trailblazer SS and cant tow with it unless you mess with that center tailpipe but the WK Jeep Srt8. The forester 2.5xt had 2.4k lbs

https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/1GNET13H272128735

https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/1J8HR78348C144217

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 16:17

That’s interesting. Was it drivetrain related or some other system, or a combination of stuff?It is true, of course, that any maintenance or repair on a German car will cost twice that of the Ford.

Would a Subaru be acceptable? If your guy is only towing a small load, an XT or 3.6r would be okay.

Stephen Rivers > Maxima Speed
12/25/2019 at 16:22

Now i want one. Just for .... Science purposes.... of course.

Stephen Rivers > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
12/25/2019 at 16:24

Ohhhh I like that idea. I love the XT personally.

The BMW needed a transfer case, a valve cover, vanos solenoids, tires (Which were $1400 on their own) and some other stuff. Thankfully the motor itself wasn’t the big problem.

sony1492 > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 16:25

Kinja'd!!!

I nfiniti fx50

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 16:25

Second gen Escalade EXT, with a 400hp 6.2l it’s no slouch, and it’ll two up to 7,000 lbs. if I was going to buy a truck it’s probably what I’d buy.

Stephen Rivers > CRider
12/25/2019 at 16:26

He’s in the market for something with up to 100k as I live down the street and we wrench together should he need to . So I’m finding some flexes.

Stephen Rivers > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
12/25/2019 at 16:26

See that pulls at me. I love something tunable as my post history makes clear

Stephen Rivers > sony1492
12/25/2019 at 16:29

Ooooh. Towing capacity may be a bit low but it checks EVERYTHING else perfectly. Thanks for that

Stephen Rivers > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
12/25/2019 at 16:34

I’m going to bet too heavy for him but damn if I don’t love the simple and reliable 6.2

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Nibby
12/25/2019 at 16:35

A team of them tied together like sled dogs

Under_Score > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 16:36

You can’t go wrong with these. I wouldn’t necessarily trust the Flex or other commenters’ suggestions. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/792102291/overview?aff=share_other

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 16:38

And if you ever get bored there are plenty of blot on supercharger kits.

Stephen Rivers > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
12/25/2019 at 16:43

I didn’t even think of that. Need to go calm down now... thanks HFV

Stephen Rivers > Under_Score
12/25/2019 at 16:48

By far the most reliable suggestion.

jminer > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 17:59

It depends on the Flex. I owned one for about 5 years a 2010 limited 2wd naturally aspirated. It didn’t tow well but did OK, they’re rated at ~2000 pounds and when you tow that it eats the hell out of rear tires as it squats bad with only ~200 pounds tongue weight.

It was a comfortable as hell highway cruiser (best seats of any car I’ve ever owned) but got thoroughly mediocre MPGs (17 mixed).

If you only need to tow something occasionally that’s light and can deal with the poor mileage than it’ll do. Also you get typical Ford build quality and reliability (read thoroughly meh to bad ).

I wanted something just like this when I bought my last car but that ~15k price point is hard to hit for this. I ended up buying a sportwagen for 1.5 /3 of those.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Under_Score
12/25/2019 at 19:16

Reliable but slow. Terrible mpgs. And oh god, the wind noise.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Under_Score
12/25/2019 at 19:16

A festival of snooze

Saracen > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 20:47

I had a Flex rental for a week on the big island. Only the base V6 and it was still really good to drive. Six of us (four adults, a teen, a seven year old) and all of our luggage fit. Very comfortable too. I bet an Ecoboost would be fantastic, but I can’t see them dropping to $15k yet. (Edit: never mind. I’ve found em for half that!)

Biggest downside is that while it did have Carplay, the interior really does feel like a 2009 design.

Clunker Connoisseur - In Lucas we (don't) trust > Stephen Rivers
12/25/2019 at 20:57

Love the Flex, everyone who owns one loves it, and the 3.5 EcoBoost is a seriously stout engine. It can also be repaired with general Ford parts and serviced at your nearest dealer, so it’s practical . It’s also absolutely cavernous inside.

The irrational part of my brain wants to suggest a Cayenne Turbo, as long as you can do your own wrenching. They’re a blast to drive, nice interior, can tow, can handle, and (from the few second or third-hand owners I’ve talked to) are fairly reliable. The Turbo’s have an extra oil injector to lubricate the piston and cylinder walls and (from what I’ve seen), are more reliable than the N/A models.

Under_Score > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
12/25/2019 at 21:06

I thought the V6 was good for these. It can still go 100+ MPH.

Dusty Ventures > Under_Score
12/26/2019 at 01:30

So could my mom’s base model 99 Caravan. Pretty much every modern car can do 100, it's more a case of how long it takes to get there

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Stephen Rivers
12/26/2019 at 01:35

Probably a pre-facelift 2nd-gen Cayenne S. They drive well and hold up much better than other German competitors while towing more than a Flex or an FX50S.

Stef Schrader > Stephen Rivers
12/26/2019 at 02:39

Yet again, the answer is always Cayenne: https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/cars+under+15000/Porsche/Cayenne/Dallas+TX-75250?makeCodeList=POR&searchRadius=50&modelCodeList=CAYENNE&zip=75250&marketExtension=include&maxPrice=15000&sortBy=relevance&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0

Michael Cohen > Stephen Rivers
12/26/2019 at 03:59

How much does he need to tow? That will make a big difference. If he can stretch his budget a little a second generation Cayenne is fantastic. We have the S, the non turbo V8.

Kinja'd!!!

Long_Voyager94 > Under_Score
12/26/2019 at 07:16

So could my car before I motor swapped it , that doesn’t mean it was fast, nor powerful.

Long_Voyager94 > Stephen Rivers
12/26/2019 at 07:17

Define towing capable and “fastish”.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Under_Score
12/26/2019 at 09:16

my expedition can hit 100mph, but i wouldnt call it fast by any stretch of the word