I currently have a 99 f-350 quad cab long bed 4 wheel drive diesel. I LOVE IT! But its got some big problems, and I'm sick of dumping money in it. My wife and I are expecting our first baby (its a girl!!) and I need something dependable. I was thinking of a Sport Trac or an Escape. Something with 4 wheel drive and four doors. What do you all think. Is there any years to stay away from? ...........I hope no one from the powerstroke group reads this! And if they do I'M SORRY

 

My wife and I bought a used 01 Explorer 4.0 SOHC with 4wd right before we had our little girl. Strictly my wife's vehicle at the time. It was convenient for taking the whole family, including a greyhound, and strollers and other baby gear around, but honestly it was just ok. When I had to trade in my Ranger to get a smaller car for the missus and her job that required a lot of driving (the 01 Expy got roughly 15-16 mpg), I inherited the Explorer and really didn't like it. A few months later after one thing after another kept going wrong with it, I traded it in for a used 04 F150 SCab, which I love...

Not sure how current Explorers are, but I wasn't a big fan of the 01 that I had...

 

We have two, a 96 XLT and an 04 Limited. Both were bought new, the 96 now has 105k miles and has been a VERY good car. The 04 with 23k miles has had cosmetic issues (stupid things) that I thought only Chevy people experienced but as far as mechanical it has been good so far. The 96 doesn't ride as good as the 04 and the 04 has better creature comforts. Hope this helps, Greg

 

Have you looked at the VW tdi's. I got a 2003 jetta wagon tdi, 5 spd. I get about 45 mpg with AC. 4 doors, hatch in back. Quite a lot of room for a VW, and it has a tubo diesel. It doesn't sound as good as a power stroke, but it doesn't sound bad. Especially when the turbo gets wound up

 

Based on my '98 experience, and reading this site, I won't be buying one.

If you are going to follow up with a 2nd child, or even it you are not, I recommend--heresy, I know:

A minivan.

We bought a '97 Olds a few months before the '98 Exploder. Very little trouble with it, lots with the Exp.

Now don't go buy an Olds. Nice at the time, but they don't make them anymore, and the GM vans are dated. So is Ford.

Nissan and Mazda are too small. (if you are going to suffer the minivan thing, you need lots of room and features so you can suffer in luxury.

That leaves Toyota for the largest, and Honda for the best bells and whistles.

Oh, Chrysler vans. Always rated high, but always on the list of "used cars to avoid". If you have a decent dealer and buy the long, long warranty....

Just my mini-van damaged opinion. Trying to get the little woman to buy another one, but she thinks the Jeep Commander looks so good.....

 

Well, like most I have some comments and like most some of you will be able to figure out I am assuming some things - you know the *** out of U and ME.

Anyway, assuming you might be interested in Ford and even with a diesel now, that you might want to go for at least average milage or better. Maybe you really use 4WD, maybe not.

So, Explorer, I like mine, 2003 XLT 4X4 with roof rack option, that's it. Bought when close to $10,000 in discounts - Ford and dealer available so I went with the base XLT for most common options and left it at that. 4L SOHC, auto nice cloth seats and class 2 towing. Maybe could have should have gone one model up with XLT with Rear AC, third seat, towing package for a couple of grand more and 3.73, but I like what I have. If you buy Explorer, since it's rear wheel drive, get 4WD. AVERAGE 16MPG running around, almost 21 on the highway 100% cruise control at 70 with 3:55 gears. Lots of folks still sucking it up for the V8 as the MPG is that close to the V6 and much smoother when you need the power - you tell me, I have the V6.

So, maybe consider the smaller Free Style. I know it's a little different, you could buy only FWD which is good for most running around even in winter. If you don't like that it does come in All Wheel drive. Just a little smaller and lower than the Explorer - but BETTER milage so I hear. Smaller 3.0 vice 4.0 engine. Kind of interesting to me.

Escape, I don't know, a lot of folks like them, still I am happy with the Explorer - you folks pick on me to liven this up. Test drove Escapes some years ago, would again assume however that you would get the V6 for more power, so why not move up to the Explorer at that point. Don't know about V6 MPG?

PS: Do yourself a flavor with anything new - get 4 Doors. I have had many 2 doors, they are fine, but with several of you - just go 4 doors. Longer, more room, more flexiblity.

I did have a 95 Powerstroke with 4:10's so it's amazing the milage they can get empty.

Thanks

Mike

 

I have an '05 Explorer and love it...(V8, CT, RSC, XLT Loaded)

With a "dynamic" family size, I recommend the 3rd row seating option. It seems that's a HUGE deal for resale, as well as a practical option.

True, the folks in the third row need to be "chummy", if adults, but for little ones it should be a great addition.

I got the V8 because I prefer the smoothness and responsiveness... NOT that the V6 is lame ( I drove both).

I also switched from a F250 (5.4 gas). I miss it and loved it... but ga$ prices and my true lack of NEEDING it kinda swayed me to something a LITTLE more efficient on fuel.

I seem to recall that my 250 with its gearing got around 11-12mpg, sometimes below 10mpg, for me... the explorer V8 consistently has me in the 14-15mpg range---more highway. The V6 should do better for you on gas, though.

Just my $0.05.

Good hunting.