OT....SUV question

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer (Dad's a Ford Employee). Third row seating is awesome! You can fold the seat completely down so that you can gain your trunkspace back when you need it. Personally I'd go for the Explorer over the Expedition as there are more promotions offered for it right now.

 

You can get data for ALL makes and models at www.autosite.com Also if you are looking at getting a Toyota they have a GREAT feature on there local dealers website where you can see their inventory and PRICES!!! All of the dealers have the site as far as I can tell. This makes it so much easier to comparison shop. Theres one dealer I've found that sells the same models for generally 2K less than everyone else! It seems like they always keep more inventory than my local dealership too.

 

Christi,

Check this out. Hold off before you buy that Dodge Durango. Let me tell you some stories from experiences that I've had with SUVS. At one of my current jobs, I work at a rental car business. I've come across many SUV's in our fleet that would raise flags with me when it came to purchasing. We rent Durangos, Explorers, Expeditions, Excursions, Montero's, Isuzu Troopers, Pathfinders, Escapes and Jeep Grand Cherokees. Some of these have third row seating, most of the ford models, the Montero and the Durango. These vehicles ride fairly well but this next sentence is not just going to be my opinion, but a fact. You can put any Toyota SUV up against any of the above mentioned vehicles and I gaurantee you will choose the Toyota over them. No, I'm not a Toyota fanatic, or a spokesperson for them but I just know the facts and I've heard what many people have told me about their personal vehicles at the rental car business and elswhere. That Toyota ride just can't be beat and ofcourse they are known for their legendary durability, reliability and dependability. But, don't take my word for it, just do some research and ask around and you will see. I will tell you this, you will pay a fair amount more for a Toyota vehicle then you would for any other make, but the price pays for itself in the long run. You will have fewer problems in the end. In the end, I hope you weigh all the factors before purchasing a vehicle because this is a huge investment in most peoples lives. Try these websites for research:

www.carpoint.com
www.edmunds.com
www.outdoorwire.com

 

My friend's Durango had the rear differential seize and break apart a few months after the vehicle was out of warranty. They don't actually make a replacement kit for this, each part has to be bought individually and assembled by the mechanic. So instead the mechanic had to locate a front-end-wreck Durango to replace the differential. Plus, it needed four new tires after my friend had to use the front wheels to drag the locked rear wheels across an intersection to get it out of heavy traffic, leaving a puddle and a trail of tranny fluid Cost them at least $2300 to fix. Dealer was too busy to look at it for at least a week before they gave up and had it towed to a independent mechanic to take care of it.

Otherwise, they love it.

-ingenue

 

In my opinion, if I had to get an SUV w/ 3rd row seating....I would go with the Chevy Surburban or GMC Yukon XL. But those SUVs are rather pricey. An Expedition would be my next choice but only if you can get a good deal on it. The thing is that when you get an SUV w/ a third seat, you should sit back there and see how it feels. I've sat in the back of the new Ford Explorers w/ the third seat and I didn't like it AT ALL. I had a 2001 GMC Yukon (not the XL) for a rental one time and it had a third seat as well. It wasn't very comfortable either. The Ford's third seat (I had one of those for a rental as well) was pretty comfortable but the best one in my opinion was the Chevy Surburban.