We all want to purchase a brand new off-roader to begin a new adventure when we visit the dealership, but not everyone has the budget for expensive off-roading. Luckily, this is America, so there’ll be a way for you to get the adventure of your dreams at a lower price.
With a massive market of used cars, you can purchase a more economical all-terrain vehicle by choosing one of these many choices waiting to get back on the road. It’ll surprise you that $10,000 or less will do the trick. Let’s take a look at the top 11 on our list.
What to Expect
It’s impossible to find a brand-new vehicle that is $10,000 and above, not to talk of an off-roader. So, you should already expect to purchase a used one instead. Used vehicles will come with a few bumps and scratches, although this doesn’t mean you’ll get something useless. You can easily get a decent car, although there are a few things to expect.
For one, the all-terrain ride will be a few years old. While some of the options on our list are newer than the others, the lowest you should expect is five years old.
Secondly, you should expect to see some rust and scratches on the bodywork of an under $10,000 rough terrain car. This isn’t the end of the world, and you can still go for it as long as the engine isn’t beat up.
Thirdly, the odometer will most likely not be as capable as the one for a new car. It’s important to check if everything is working well before purchase and even ask the mechanic for a full checkup.
Finally, don’t purchase any vehicle that has been in an accident or suffered structural damage. Now that that’s out of the way, we can look at the 11 best off-roaders under $10,000.
Best Under $10,000 Off-Roaders
Chevrolet Blazer
We’ll begin our list with some larger off-roaders, starting with the Chevrolet Blazer. This vehicle was pretty popular in the 90s and is now called the Tahoe. The car came in different versions and trims since it was released, from the K5 and S-10 to the Trailblazer. You can expect impressive performance when you buy this used SUV. You can also interchange the parts of this with the Yukon since they are from the same platform.
Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is often called America’s favorite pickup truck, and for good reason. This rough terrain vehicle has nearly double the sales as any other used car, and can be found anywhere they sell used off-roaders. Since they can be found everywhere, they are easy to fix up and usually cheaper. Their parts are also easier to find than rare automobiles.
Jeep Cherokee
Although it’s not a Wrangler, the Jeep Cherokee can’t be far removed from it. This off-roading vehicle can go one-on-one with any other high-performance vehicle on this list, with a few upgrades. If you decide to upgrade it, it’ll be a good idea since you’re saving money on the original car. Used Cherokees are also relatively easy to find and fix up.
Ford Bronco
This is definitely on the higher spectrum of $10,000 because it’s very difficult to find in the used market. This is because of how popular the early models are. If your budget is under $10,000, then you’ll most likely purchase OJ Simpson’s 1993 models or any other Bronco released between 1976 and 1996. Hopefully, with new Bronco’s in the market, older ones can become more affordable in the used market.
Dodge Durango
Considered a dark horse, the Dodge Durango is not in high demand when it comes to off-roaders for adventure, and so you’ll find a used one with amazingly low prices. This doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable of whatever you want to do with them. You can also upgrade them with parts from the Jeep Grand Cherokee since they are built on the same platform, which means even better performance.
Honda Pilot
Another impressive off-roader that you can get for under $10,000, the Honda Pilot comes with a plus in the used vehicles market. You can purchase newer models of this, up to those released in 2011, for a cheap price. It is also bigger when compared to the CR-V, so you get eight seats to carry your whole family or friendship group. There’s also a lot of room for upgrades since the SUV was built on the same platform as the Odyssey minivan, Acura MDX and Accord Sedan.
Jeep Wrangler
You can find a Jeep Wrangler for under $10,000, but just like the Ford Bronco, only if you look hard enough. As long as you purchase a good one, you can enjoy all the benefits of what is known as the ultimate American SUV. The base model alone will give you off-roading capabilities that can blow your mind. The downside here is that most people use their Wranglers until they’re undrivable, but there are still a lot of high-quality choices to purchase.
Nissan Xterra
If you don’t care about how your off-roading vehicle looks, you can use your budget to purchase the Nissan Xterra. Although not as attractive as others on our list, the SUV is a powerhouse coming at a ridiculously affordable price. Also, Nissan’s are well-known for being dependable and spacious vehicles, and the Xterra has a wide roof rack for all your extra gear.
Range Rover Sport
Also, an amazing choice for those looking in the $10,000 and below spectrum, you can find Range Rover Sports released between 2006 and 2009 in the used car market. This doesn’t mean that they are abundant, and it’ll be very hard to find classic models. You can get a lot of Ranger Rover Sports, although a recommended model is those in the HSE trim line. They are a bit closer to $10,000, but worth it from the exterior and interior features.
Toyota 4Runner
The Toyota 4Runner is popularly known as one of the best cars for rough terrains and highways globally, and if you get a good one in the used market, you can enjoy its full capacity too. This sports utility vehicle is impressively durable and reliable, especially when you go for the 4X4 options. You can also get recent models, up to 2008.
Subaru Forester
This is not the least of off-roaders under $10,000 on our list, as this SUV features massive cargo space, an all-wheel drive, and factory roof racks. The Subaru Forester features a very impressive performance on and off-road, and you can find models from 1984 to 2014 on the used market, especially those in the 2.5X trim line. If you’re considering looks, you can go for the Subaru Outback instead.
Conclusion
Now that you have a guideline in mind, you can score the used SUV market for a dependable off-roader under $10,000. Remember to check the engine and other important features, after all, you want your used car to still be drivable and adventure worthy.