New/Old SUV help

There seems to be two camps when it come to repairing vehicles.

Side A - It's a machine with moving parts. Something is going to break. It must be maintained and repaired. No problem.

Side B - It should never break. If it does, I don't want to pay for it or put any effort into fixing it.

I might also look for a used Toyota 4runner, Not very pricey used, get 20mpg, and if maintained are super reliable and generally go over 300k miles without many issues. Older ones are all 4x4, models after somewhere around '96 come in 2 wheel drive as well.

I drive a 14 year old '96 model.

Is your son still using a carseat? To fit three carseats across one bench you will probably need something on a full size chassis. We wont be able to fit a third car in back seat of our explorer....

If you get something in mid-size class like an explorer make sure you get a third row seat. Your MPG will be tough to get in an older SUV though.

I'll put in another vote the for Cherokee though....had 3 of them....loved em all.