Marc R. O'Leary
EF5
Sounds like you'll need a set of weathertech floormats/cargo mat for this thing, whatever you end up with!
New chase vehicle
- Thread starter Ethan Lang
- Start date
Ethan Lang
EF2
@Marc R. O'Leary haha yes I will, once I get it I will be sure to trick it out a little, not to mention my first aid kits and all of my rescue tools!
Ethan Lang
EF2
Hey all I just wanted to give you guys an update. I ended up buying a 2010 GMC Terrain SLT. 2.4L 4 Cyl that I will be putting a turbo on. AWD with leather, navigation, sunroof, 60,000 miles. Got it for a great price and so far I absolutely love it!
Chris Dickerson
EF0
You can easily get a used mid-oughts 4Runner in your price range. I had a 2003 for 9 years, took it from 0 to over 200K miles and it was EXTREMELY reliable. It also comes with a full-size spare and maintenance (aside from the A/C) was ridiculously easy. I’ve never had an easier time changing brakes on a vehicle than with my 4Runner. You’ll get 4WD, great ground clearance, and more cargo room than a Subaru. Mileage will be worse, but the reliability will more than make up for the unexpected repairs that can rear their ugly head with a Subaru. I’ve heard horror stories about low mileage vehicles bought brand new that blew their engines very early, but that is admittedly anecdotal.
Whatever you choose, I hope you find something that checks every box and isn’t a money pit for repairs.
Whatever you choose, I hope you find something that checks every box and isn’t a money pit for repairs.
Marc R. O'Leary
EF5
Be VERY careful putting a turbo on a factory normally aspirated engine. Going to a forced induction setup requires a LOT more than just slapping on a turbo. You'll need to change the entire air system (intake through exhaust) as well as get a tune. You'll need different plugs and likely need to run higher octane fuel. This is a dangerous game to play if you want reliability. If you end up running more than a couple pounds of boost, you're chances of blowing up your engine via head gasket, cam or piston failure goes up exponentially.
Other factors to the increased power output of a turbo add-on are can the clutch and transmission handle it? Are your brakes up to the task of stopping a more powerful car? Can the ECU be reprogrammed/tuned? What is your N/A engine's redline and can that be adjusted without blowing holes in your pistons or block? If the N/A cooling system up to the task of handling a much hotter combustion cycle? Where do you put the intercooler, should you choose to use one?
In my opinion, leave it alone. You're asking for long term problems if you go this route.
My advice is chase this season stock. If you need something a little hotter, trade it in in the fall for something with a turbo or V6, preferably with some warranty involved if you go turbo.
Good luck!! Looking forward to seeing the new interior setup.
B. Dean Berry
EF4
- Joined
- May 25, 2014
- Messages
- 405
If you're looking for a crossover, I'd go with the Ford Escape with the EcoBoost turbo motor and intelligent AWD. My wife has one, and it's a great little truck.
Ethan Lang
EF2
So far I absolutely love my '10 Terrain. It has an eco mode with I leave on while driving in the city. But once I turn the eco mode off I have tons of zippy power. This week we got a bunch of snow and my vehicle ate it up. AWD is certainly nice.
B. Dean Berry
EF4
- Joined
- May 25, 2014
- Messages
- 405
Just re-read through everything. I will second the advice to be careful with aftermarket turbo kits. Unless you're reconfiguring the entire engine, it's a risky proposition.
Good on the Terrain working for you, though. Keep up with the maintenance. GM products can be divas if not maintained rigorously.
Good on the Terrain working for you, though. Keep up with the maintenance. GM products can be divas if not maintained rigorously.
Ethan Lang
EF2
@B. Dean Berry yes I know this all to well I drove a GMC Sierra for 190,000 miles and the maintenance was plentiful but thankfully easy
