This is my second post today and I am amazed at the responses and helpful information. It is also cool to see a forum that doesn't have people bash on everyone else and fill the page with arguments and others telling you to use the search button when most of the time it is a question that is asked from a particular situation. So for that I thank all of you.
My next question is about buying a new car.
Price Range: $30,000 (US) or less with trade in for a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD v6 3.0
Objectives:
-easy to maintain
-runs well
-can be taken almost anywhere (for this we are thinking mid-size suv)
-does not have problems now or in the foreseeable future(shooting high)
-if/when it does have problems, can be fixed easily
(all of these points pertaining to DR obviously, for instance, mechanics here seem to hate certain Jeep models and have trouble with them, unless you are Rony, haha).
Our Demographics/Info.: We live in the "mountains" (Jarabacoa), so it would have to make uphill and downhill climbs easily without unnecessary wear to the engine. We make regular trips to the beach (Cabarete), Santiago, and Santo Domingo, about once or twice a month, so it would also have to be able to make distance treks at times.
Just so you know where our minds are at, and they are definitely not set on anything yet, we have been doing research on a 2009 and up Toyota Highlander or a 2008 and up Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Diesel). A question to go along with this is should we be looking diesel or not diesel? Some people say diesel is not up to par in this country and wears down engines quickly. Is it better to buy a regular gas car anyway? I have owned both and if it is the extra power, then thats awesome, but not a necessity for me. Based on how we use it, the extra power will not make a big difference for us. Just a little push up the mountain to Jarabacoa.
Hopefully this is enough information and as always, you guys are awesome and any information is greatly appreciated.
My next question is about buying a new car.
Price Range: $30,000 (US) or less with trade in for a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD v6 3.0
Objectives:
-easy to maintain
-runs well
-can be taken almost anywhere (for this we are thinking mid-size suv)
-does not have problems now or in the foreseeable future(shooting high)
-if/when it does have problems, can be fixed easily
(all of these points pertaining to DR obviously, for instance, mechanics here seem to hate certain Jeep models and have trouble with them, unless you are Rony, haha).
Our Demographics/Info.: We live in the "mountains" (Jarabacoa), so it would have to make uphill and downhill climbs easily without unnecessary wear to the engine. We make regular trips to the beach (Cabarete), Santiago, and Santo Domingo, about once or twice a month, so it would also have to be able to make distance treks at times.
Just so you know where our minds are at, and they are definitely not set on anything yet, we have been doing research on a 2009 and up Toyota Highlander or a 2008 and up Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Diesel). A question to go along with this is should we be looking diesel or not diesel? Some people say diesel is not up to par in this country and wears down engines quickly. Is it better to buy a regular gas car anyway? I have owned both and if it is the extra power, then thats awesome, but not a necessity for me. Based on how we use it, the extra power will not make a big difference for us. Just a little push up the mountain to Jarabacoa.
Hopefully this is enough information and as always, you guys are awesome and any information is greatly appreciated.