In eBay Hunting Part 1, we brought you six sports cars you could buy for $6,000 or less. In Part 2, we listed some gorgeous V12 luxury cars available at discounted rates. In this edition, we bring you a collection of cool SUVs available on a budget.
Many enthusiasts have lost patience with SUVs and they despise their proliferation. However, almost all of the examples on this list are true off-roaders. Furthermore, all of the featured vehicles have simple, classic designs. Many of them are genuine icons – which is what makes them so cool.
These examples may have different body styles, ride quality, and passenger capacities, but they share two things – they are affordable, and they are nothing short of timeless.
By Nick Grant
5. 1970 International Harvester Scout (Bid at $6,100; Reserve Not Met)
You may have to be flexible with the price of this one. It is unclear how low the seller is willing to go. What is clear, however, is how awesome the Scout is. It’s one of the old sportsman’s two-door off-roaders from back when that segment was viable. Now, of course, SUVs are family affairs, so almost all of them feature four doors – especially in the United States.
This Scout may be 44 years old, but it only has 81,000 miles (130,000 km). It is also a genuine 4×4 with an eight-cylinder engine and a four-speed manual transmission. It may very well drive like a truck, but it has a sense of purity that’s lacking in today’s SUVs. Check out that gorgeous blue finish inside and out by looking at the listing here.
4. 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport ($9,990)
No list of cool off-roaders is complete without a Wrangler. It is an icon that has and continues to, set the standard in its class. The one featured here looks good for having 173,000 miles (278,000 km). However, knowing Jeeps, this Sport still may have a long life ahead of it. This model has a six-cylinder engine and the standard, manual transmission – a great package for the sportsmen who still like to row their own gears. If you would like to find adventures in this quintessential SUV, click for the listing here.
3. 2004 Land Rover Discovery SE ($9,995)
The first and second generations of the Discovery had serious reliability issues – so much so that Land Rover changed its name to “LR3” when launching the third generation in the U.S. Nonetheless, early Discos had a charm and desirability that new ones cannot match. It had a relatively comfortable interior, creature comforts, and a tremendous capacity for going off-road.
More than anything, it was cool: the raised roof; the sunroofs and skylights; the side-opening rear door. It was quirky, and it was awesome. This example has 88,000 miles (141,000 km). There’s no indication on how drama-free that time was, but reliability be damned. Check it out here.
2. 2004 Volkswagen Touareg ($9,999)
This specific selection of Volkswagen’s first SUV may be a controversial pick. After all, many enthusiasts find the Touareg to be dull, not cool. It also has a reputation for being a family commuter and a bit of a Volvo XC90 rival. However, to emphasize those points is to forget two things about the Touareg: that it has a low range transfer case for genuine off-roading, and that its simple design has aged impeccably.
Indeed, it is still classically handsome after 103,000 miles (166,000 km). Its luxurious interior is also well styled and still relevant. Inside and out, it is hard to believe it is a ten-year-old vehicle. That is a manifestation of the Touareg’s core appeal, which is that, it’s a luxury SUV that operates above trendiness, unlike the Cayenne and Q7, which share its platform. In essence, what makes the Touareg so cool is that it has never tried to be cool. See if you get the appeal by clicking this link.
1. 2005 Land Rover Range Rover HSE ($10,000)
Could any other SUV top the list? The Range Rover is not only an icon; it is a transcendent automobile. It is frequently considered the ultimate SUV – the best looking; the most prestigious; the most expensive; the most desirable.
There is a flurry of forthcoming Range Rover rivals, but for now, it is no stretch to say this vehicle is the most versatile on the road. It can do anything – go offroad; buy groceries; commute with kids; show up to glamorous events in. It is the luxury SUV standard-bearer, and it is all yours for $10,000. Maintenance not included. You can find the listing here.