Looking for an SUV

[Z06killinsbf]

Yea, kind of a tight situation. They just got out of the military, moved back from Washington state and started work a few weeks ago. They're also trying to buy a house at this time (living with my parents and 2 kids!!). He isn't too picky, found a few nice Blazers and Explorers in his range.

I paid $2500 for my Blazer and short of putting a new dryer/accumulator on it, it hasn't needed any maintenance outside of the mods I've done. There are deals out there, just don't want to find one and the vehicle be known for falling apart after 100k.

[76 Maverick]

I have had severalexplorers and have always had good luck with them. First gens can be had cheap and if you find a five speed like the one I drive you won't have any problems with the weak auto transmission.

[naynay]

I'd unload my bronco, possibly, probably not what he's looking for though.

[talisman]

In 07ish I bought my 97 Explorer with 193xxx on the clock for 3k, drove it for a couple of years with no major problems, sold it for 1800 with the trans starting to slip and 220k. Put a radiator and a belt tensioner on it and a set of tires if memory serves.

[Z06killinsbf]

Naynay what you got?

[bcoop]

I'm curious why the Expi's drop so much in value. I was looking at 08-10 Suburbans and Expeditions XL's and you can pick up the ford with more options for less than the Chebbie, considerably so.

I have no idea, but I've loved mine. Put an engine in it at 216,000 or so due to a blown head gasket, and two window regulators. A couple coil packs have gone bad, also. Other than that, just routine maintenance. Bought it with 131,xxx, and it's sitting at 225 or so now. And I drive it hard.

The Expeditions have always been dogshit ugly to me, that might something to do with it.

But an Explorer isn't? lol

[talisman]

But an Explorer isn't? lol

You shut your whore mouth. Actually, it's the first gen Expy I loathe. I did some looking around after it was mentioned since I'm looking at similar vehicles right now myself, and the 03+ models are decent looking, but pretty boring.

[bcoop]

You shut your whore mouth. Actually, it's the first gen Expy I loathe.

First gen Expy still looks exactly like the Explorers of that generation.

and the 03+ models are decent looking, but pretty boring.

They certainly aren't anything exciting, but it's been damn reliable, comfortable, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. If I don't snap out of the Tundra kick I'm on, I may end up with a new gen Expy. They are great deals IMO, due to low resale, which doesn't affect me.

[naynay]

Naynay what you got?

89 with a 351/c6. been a dead nuts reliable truck.. got me to austin and back every weekend from october-february. i do regular maintenence on it just for peace of mind, and it gives me an excuse to not be around the wife. im in it for over $3k obviously, but i'd get out of it to find a blazer like yours (saw a teal one on CL)

like i said it may not be for him. it can be a gas and go type of vehicle, but not sure how long it would last at that point.. i do shit every other weekend or so just to stay busy and keep it up to par.

[Mychael101]

Any interest in a subaru outback or older honda crv? I've seen them in that price range.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/4027552666.html

[Sean88gt]

Removable SUV tops, one of the greatest ideas that Detroit trashed.

[Sean88gt]

Any interest in a subaru outback or older honda crv? I've seen them in that price range.

A friend lent me a CRV for transport back and forth (because I'm too white for dart after 6). It's small, underpowered, but ok comfort and getting ~25mpg in mixed driving.

[hawaii5.0]

PM Sent

[snacksnack]

PM Sent

Thank god you posted that, I would have never known.

[jluv]

Our Explorer is out of his price range (2002 with 80,000miles) by a few grand. But he may be able to find a more used one in his budget. I know our Explorer has been problem free besides 1 CEL an egr part under warranty/recall and a broken blend door (common in Explorers that year) which was fixed by Ford also.

My 2004 has had those exact same two issues, and that's it. I replaced the EGR myself, easy breezy. The part wasn't expensive, and it took maybe 15 minutes. The blend door can be done without removing the dash, so it's not as pricey as some vehicles. Oh, and the inevitable crack along the rear hatch piece at the bottom of the window. It runs like a top, never burns oil, never leaks, A/C blows ice cold, tranny is fine, etc.

I had a '95 Explorer that was similarly reliable.

I think they are great vehicles for the price point. Then again, $3k won't get you a creampuff.