Don't get a Ford Exploder.

 

We are on our 4th Explorer Limited, get a new one every 2 years. The newer body style (the 2001 and up that's not based on the Ranger) was a definite improvement. We've had not one major problem with any of them. The reason the resale isn't so great is that it's one of the top selling SUVs and there's so many out there! I agree with staying away from luxury SUVs, as they are not designed for the type use you mentioned. They are more for those that want to drive a "name" or for trophy wives in tennis skirts that like to yack on the phone while they're "driving"!

 

The explorer won, but if I (gasp) happened to get married and had kids. I'd probably be looking at one of these- of course I'd get winter skins on it for the ice and snow :smile:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6008

 

The auto trans recall is the only one I'm aware of, and mine was built after they made the change in production. We took it in and had the dealer double check. In four months and about 6K miles, we haven't had a single problem...

Dan

 

It depends on how much you have to tow. If 2000 pounds or less, get a Subaru Outback Wagon. <paul hogan voice> more ground clearance than a Ford Explorer with some pretty exceptional gas mileage <end voice>

We traded my wife's S Blazer for the subie. Of course the S blazer had just over 50k miles so was in "self destruct" mode. We also found that the subie had the same rear door openning as the blazer, so there's plenty of room for stuff.

I looked at Explorers earlier this year because I needed a company car and also tow a racecar. A V8 explorer would work well as a tow vehicle for me (Honda CRX Racecar, so quite light) but I just couldn't get by the gas mileage thing and driving a truck every day. They do handle way better since getting independent rear suspensions (starting 2002).

Have fun looking.

jack

 

The Land Rover LR3 will be out in a couple months. It's getting great reviews.

 

I don't really agree with this statement. Most of the reviews I have seen of the X3 have been positive, particularily for the 2005's (since the interior upgrades came into being). I have 3 friends with an X3 and 2 with and X5 and they have all had very few if any problems with them. The one guy's X5 has a rattle, nearly identical to the one that my Mini has. I know one of the gentleman here on this forum has had some serious issues with X3/5's and I am sorry for his trouble. I think thought that if you look hard enough you can find that with every major make and model. For example the guy down the street has his transmission in his brand new 2005 Chevy Silverado give out on him. The truck only has 1150 miles on it .

My wife and I are seriously looking at the 2005 X3. Right now we are just deciding what size engine in best for us.

I must agree though with others, if money was no option I too would buy an Infinity FX45. That things just looks and sounds too cool for words.

 

Ditto, I drove an Infinity FX45 and it is a stunning car. I say car because it feels much more like a car than an SUV. Probably not the best for your purposes but I hope to get one for my girlfriend soon since she wants a smaller SUV type of vehicle.

 

I second that opinion on the FX. If I ever decide to get a SUV, I'll
probably get the FX...but the FX35 (v6) for fuel economy reasons.
They sound great and reminds me of my G35C.

Nissan SUV's are looking pretty good these days, even for the SUV
haters like me.

 

FWIW, Here's my 'cool' list for SUVs :smile:

OVERALL: Land Rover LR3



PRICE: Land Rover Freelander


ULTRA COOL: Upcoming Hummer H3


PRACTICAL LUXURY: VW Toureg


HIGH END LUXURY: Infiniti FX45


MAINSTREAM: Nissan Pathfinder


EDGY?: Upcoming Ford Sport Trac (no door handles!)

 

I have driven every SUV imaginable (being a valet), I would go with the VW Toureg. They are really nice, and if you get the V8, they have some power too. I have also driven the Turbo V10 Toureg which was to die for, but we don't get it here in the states :(

 

but only if you don't have to tow more than 3500 lbs. The Pilot is the same car, but seats one more, and comes with a lot less standard equipment. When my wife and I were shopping for a replacement for our 92 Ford Explorer Sport (2 door, and a wonderful vehicle that had no real problems in many years of ownership except for a bad barometric pressure sensor), we looked at many...

Ford Escape, nice handles and brakes well, but whayyyyy to much road noise. When we hit the freeway, we just turned back to the dealership.

Ford Explorer with the V8. Nice price, but Ford were being d**kheads when we were looking. One guy at a dealership said the couldn't quote one because the computers don't run on the weekends HAH!

Last version of the Nissan PAthfinder. Liked it, was gonna buy one for CASH but our pimply faced punk of a dealer WALKED AWAY and started dealing with another customer when I asked to see what options and color they had in stock. Idiot. I paid cash for the MDX 10 days later..... But I don't know about the newer body style.

For the Mercedes, the Bimmer and the Volvo (xc90, the crosscountry drove like a tank, only worse), they start nice, but you add options (like wheels and seats ) and next thing you know, you're well north of $45k!

There are lots of small Utes out there that are on unibodies, and they handle better, but most pay a price in towing. The Toureg wasn't out when we bought, otherwise it would have been considered. We really like the MDX and are very happy with our decision.

Matt

 

Small fun practical get a GEO Tracker or Suzuki Vtiara S7 or whatever they call them now

little more power Mazda Tribute made in Kansas City

Power Status towing capacity H2


My 95 Geo Tracker soft top is the smallest car I own smaller than a MINI

 

And why aren't we raving about the Toyota Sequoia? Awesome SUV with all the Toyota strengths and verve. It was my dream car, my goal since 2001...until I went MINI. I had a Toyota Minivan from 1980 to 1996 when some careless driver drove in front of it. It was smashed beyond belief and, yet, continued to run. I sold it in that condition for $3K with over 175K miles on it. That Toyota was like a Christian Scientist...never complained and never had anything wrong with it. You just can't do better than Toyota for overall quality of product (MINIs excluded).

Stay away from Ford. Mine had 9 transmissions, starting from mile 50 all the way until mile 135K. Ford just can't seem to get it right.

Stay away from the Jeep. There's a reason that most movies depicting car trouble in the desert all happen to be using Jeeps in those scenes. Art imitates life.

 

I asked my wife, and we think the Sequoia would have been in the hunt, but it wasn't quite out yet.....

One other: Lexus RX400H. Have to wait a bit, but I think we'd go for that, the Taureg, or a Pilot. The Taureg is the most off-road worthy, and the hybrid the least, but I guess it depends on what you use if for.


Matt

 

If you want an SUV that can give you a lot of the "people Moving" room but is still reasonable in size..and a great ride look into the Subaru Forester. Our "other" car is that..i.e. my wife drives that...and we have nothing but raves for it

(ps. no kids to haul for us..just two big dogs and lots of camping)

 

How about the new SAAB 9 7? It's unconventional, like the MINI.

 

I just visited the grocery store so had a chance to scan Road & Track (I think it was R&T) with an article on the new Lexus 400 SUV with hybrid motor. R&T claims it is faster than the previous one and averaged 28 mpg during their evaluation--not only a new paradigm for SUV performance but a goal for many regular cars as well. A super SUV.

 

we own an lr3. we are extremely happy with it.

 

There's a reason why Lexus sells so many RX330's.

 

I know that the V10 TDI is available in the US - I saw one about a month ago at Buttonwillow. They're just very uncommon, and they also can't be sold in certain states (California, New York, others) due to emissions regulations on diesel engines.

I think the Toureg would be a perfect SUV - they can tow a LOT, are very quick (0-60 in about 6 seconds), have a great 4WD system, and get close to mid-20s gas mileage on highway.

 

A new wife! Just joking I like the QX45