What SUV to buy?

[Ger42]

I am looking for an SUV 1998- 2005. I'd like one with under 100,000 miles that can be our family hauler, don't need 4WD. We only put 8,000 a year on a car so I don't care if it gets poor gas mileage.
Anyone have suggestions? My budget is $7,500.
Suv for the ability to fold down the seats and load it up.
Thanks

 

[stockfornow]

find a explorer that fits your needs

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Explorer.

If you can find a good deal on one, get an Expedition.

My parents did a lot of looking at different SUV's in that year range. Mom used to always have station wagons but it became hard to find a large one without getting an ugly boat, so they decided to go to an SUV. They looked at all the major manufacturers and the Explorer had the most leg room in the front and back seats, the biggest cargo area, the best ride, and the best value out of everything they looked at. If they would have needed a bigger one, they would have gone with an Expedition.

Mom did like the Jeeps of that vintage, but they lacked some of the cargo space.

So we got another dark blue truck sporting a blue oval in the driveway... to fit right in with the other 5 (now 6) dark blue Fords in the driveway...

 

[fastpakr]

I am looking for an SUV 1998- 2005. I'd like one with under 100,000 miles that can be our family hauler, don't need 4WD. We only put 8,000 a year on a car so I don't care if it gets poor gas mileage.
Anyone have suggestions? My budget is $7,500.
Suv for the ability to fold down the seats and load it up.
Thanks

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/1491289621.html
http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/1487954649.html

Hard to go wrong with one of those as a family vehicle like you're seeking.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

No gas mileage Huh...? Well in that case get an excursion ans swap in a supercharged 520ci nitro/meth FORD big block v8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But yeah an explorer would probably work fine for you.

 

[Ger42]

Okay explorer it is but what drive train d I look for?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well they only came with the 4.0L v6 and 5.0L v8, and if you don't plan on doing anything but family and some light loads I would just go with the 4.0L

 

[Will]

I would get a minivan. Much, much larger interior than an SUV. Better mileage too. Most will take full sheets of plywood and still close the door--no problem. Newer ones have seats that fold amazingly flat into the floor. The inside of a minivan is like the cargo hold of a C130 without seats in the way. No way I would buy a 2wd SUV.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Yeah But who wants to drive a mom mobile? lol jk yeah I can vouch for that though... My friends mom has a Town and Country with the button doors and stuff. But you take out the back seats and its huge. you can even leave one of the front seats in.

 

[joldtown]

2001 Escape with a 3.0. My wife drives one, and we love it. Make sure it has the column shifter. FAST!!! Good gas mileage. NEVER had any problems with it.
.02 done.

 

[fordman2121]

all depends how much crap your wanting to load up and how much your planning on towing. the wife has an excursion with the 7.3 and she loves it! i also have a brother in law with an escape and he loves it, so it really boils down to what your plans are. as far as the explorer you may as well get the v8 and have the extra power if you ever need it, since you said you only drive 8000 miles, plus the diff in mpg would be small anyway

 

[aaron_ariens]

I would get an explore or an escape. We once rented a Toyota Sienna minivan, it was like an 08, and that thing has SO much balls! SO FAST. 0-80 in like 6.5 seconds.. I mean.... I'm not rough on rental cars!