re: Can I get a reliable used 3-row SUV for less than $15K?

look for a mid 00's suburban, it'll have higher mileage, so stick some money away for a rebuild, when you get to 220k or so you'll probably end up needing to rebuild the motor, but the rest should last you as long as you do regular maintenance and change the oil on time. The good thing about chevy parts is they're fairly inexpensive and readily available and easy to work on if you have half a brain in your head. Also change the bushings and the wheel bearings, etc when you get it.