Looking to buy a used SUV

Wolvrin704 · 01-28-2009, 12:30 AM

Ok, heres the deal. My 1997 4x4 F150 is getting long in the tooth and just doesn't fit our family needs any longer as well as the fact that I'm sinking too much money into her for repairs.

So as a replacement we have decided on an SUV as the cargo carrying capacity of a truck really isn't a necessity. What we do need (or want) are a mid-large size SUV with the capability of carrying 7-8 people if needed. I like domestic since their resale value is generally lower and for quality they're not too bad. We also prefer 4x4 or AWD for the winter situations, and NO WE DON"T WANT A VAN!

With all that said we have come down to 3 vehicles......

Mercury Mountaineer
Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon
Ford Expedition

From my limited looking so far the Expy and the Mountaineer look to be far more affordable. With my experience with the Ford lineup having owned the 97 F150 now for 11 years and also owning an 03 Mustang GT I have become very familiar with their engines and the platform.
All 3 vehicles come with 3rd row seating so can carry the requisite amount of people. I'm looking at spending 8-10K so for the Expy and Mountainer should be able to afford an 03, maybe an 04 with 100K or less miles. For the Tahoe it would be more like a 98-01 with 100K plus miles. So at this point the Expy is my leading candidate, the Mountaineer 2nd and the Tahoe a distant 3rd.

Any opinions on these 3 vehicles or are there other vehicles I should look at? Some of the others that meet my criteria fall into these ranges: a) too expensive, b) quality issues or c) size issues so thats why we're down to these only.

Folk_guy · 01-28-2009, 05:03 PM

I've got a Jeep cherokee that I've had really great luck with. It's a 2001 with a 150,000 on it and still runs great. Mileage could be better but I consistently get 18 MPG around town, and get up to 22 / 23 on the highway.

doulos14 · 01-30-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Folk_guy

I've got a Jeep cherokee that I've had really great luck with. It's a 2001 with a 150,000 on it and still runs great. Mileage could be better but I consistently get 18 MPG around town, and get up to 22 / 23 on the highway.

But the problem is, cherokees are not very big and couldn't hold 7-8 ppl comfortably, if at all.

Wolvrin704 · 01-30-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doulos14

But the problem is, cherokees are not very big and couldn't hold 7-8 ppl comfortably, if at all.

Exactly, I really want something that can hold at least 7. I've begun looking and have emailed several dealers that have 1 of the vehicles I'm looking at, so far I have one reply. One would think they would be jumping over themselves looking for sales right now. I figure if they don't reply I don't bother looking at their lot. It'll be at least another week before I can get one though as I'm waiting for the tax return.

I'm also determined this time to play hardball with the dealers. Previously I've usually went to the type of lots where the price listed is what you pay beause they don't haggle. When I bought the Stang I didn't haggle either as it was the first one I could find after looking for a month, but I did pay the average on it. This time I want a deal in my favor and I figure I should have some leverage as people are not looking for SUV's during hard economic times, cars aren't selling well either and its tax time so they need to reduce inventory.

doulos14 · 01-30-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolvrin704

Exactly, I really want something that can hold at least 7. I've begun looking and have emailed several dealers that have 1 of the vehicles I'm looking at, so far I have one reply. One would think they would be jumping over themselves looking for sales right now. I figure if they don't reply I don't bother looking at their lot. It'll be at least another week before I can get one though as I'm waiting for the tax return.

I'm also determined this time to play hardball with the dealers. Previously I've usually went to the type of lots where the price listed is what you pay beause they don't haggle. When I bought the Stang I didn't haggle either as it was the first one I could find after looking for a month, but I did pay the average on it. This time I want a deal in my favor and I figure I should have some leverage as people are not looking for SUV's during hard economic times, cars aren't selling well either and its tax time so they need to reduce inventory.

That might be a small problem....But yes haggling works. We practically ignored our salesman so that he talked to his manager. So they ultimately sacrificed their salesman, giving him 25 dollars in commission(on a 14k truck)

Folk_guy · 01-31-2009, 06:16 PM

Sorry didn't see the requirement to carry 7 passengers. Yes the Cherokee wouldn't do that for you 5 is it's max. Definately want to haggle they will really deal these days.

***Art*** · 01-31-2009, 10:06 PM

The Expedition is a solid vehicle. I am a big fan. I like it a lot better than the Tahoe.

mattslope · 02-02-2009, 07:39 PM

The Excursion is built on a solid axle platform, carrying the running gear from F250 trucks, unlike the Expedition which shares the F150's weak IFS . Tahoes and other GM products also have IFS, which is weaker than solid axle suspension. I am currently all about off-road agility, though.

Wolvrin704 · 02-04-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattSlope

The Excursion is built on a solid axle platform, carrying the running gear from F250 trucks, unlike the Expedition which shares the F150's weak IFS . Tahoes and other GM products also have IFS, which is weaker than solid axle suspension. I am currently all about off-road agility, though.

Well if it were to be an off road vehicle I wouldn't even be looking at these vehicles, no my purchase will be a asphalt queen.

A buddy of mine at church is a service manager at a local dealer. He had a sales guy give me a call last night, so I'll be calling him back today. Already checked out their website, they don't have an Expy in my price range but there is a Mountaineer and Explorer that would fit the bill.

doulos14 · 02-04-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolvrin704

Well if it were to be an off road vehicle I wouldn't even be looking at these vehicles, no my purchase will be a asphalt queen.

A buddy of mine at church is a service manager at a local dealer. He had a sales guy give me a call last night, so I'll be calling him back today. Already checked out their website, they don't have an Expy in my price range but there is a Mountaineer and Explorer that would fit the bill.

If I must say it for Mattslope.....NOT AN EXPLODER.... Crash test ratings have been touchy on Explorers what year is it?

Wolvrin704 · 02-05-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doulos14

If I must say it for Mattslope.....NOT AN EXPLODER.... Crash test ratings have been touchy on Explorers what year is it?

Well it lookslike I'm going to get a Mountaineer. It is just an upscale Explorer but its a 2004 and I have checked the crash rating which shows 4 out of 5 stars.

They're giving me a good deal because of my buddy; it has the 4.6V8, AWD, fully loaded and only 36,000 miles. Their original price was 15,900 and they will sell it to me for 12,400 plus I'll be able to trade my truck in. I've been searching for a couple of months and right now these things are selling like hotcakes (Duh, its winter) and for that mileage they could probably get at least 14K for it. Going to look at it today, my buddy stashed it in the service shop last night for me and he says its very clean.

***Art*** · 02-05-2009, 02:13 PM

Mountaineer isn't going to seat 7.

jthomas1600 · 02-05-2009, 03:38 PM

I see you don't have a Durango on your list--I don't blame you if you don't like Dodge. However, I rented a Durango last summer and was pleasantly surprised. It had seating for 7--if they have an option for a front bench seat it could be 8. It was really comfortable and I was really impressed with how smooth it was, especially the throttle and transmission response. Completely smooth from 0 to however fast you wanted to go.

Wolvrin704 · 02-05-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art

Mountaineer isn't going to seat 7.

Wanna bet???

Wolvrin704 · 02-05-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

I see you don't have a Durango on your list--I don't blame you if you don't like Dodge. However, I rented a Durango last summer and was pleasantly surprised. It had seating for 7--if they have an option for a front bench seat it could be 8. It was really comfortable and I was really impressed with how smooth it was, especially the throttle and transmission response. Completely smooth from 0 to however fast you wanted to go.

I briefly thought about but I grew up a GM man and eventually found the light and went Ford, but no way I go Dodge. Nice looking vehicles but they have a rep for bad tranny's and rear ends. Plus my brother-in-law who owns his own mechanic shop says the 4.7's for some years had allot of problems.

UPDATE: I went and looked at the Mountaineer today, I really liked it so I ended up buying it. I didn't get as much on trade-in as I wanted but they gave me a sweet deal so I couldn't pass it up. When it was all said and done I got a 2004 Mountaineer with 35K miles for 12K.

And yes it has seating for 7! 2 in the front, 3 in the 2nd row and 2 in the back= 7.

Its got the 4.6V8 which I know oh so well, AWD and is totally loaded with every option from that year except the DVD system. I'll post up some pics when I take some.

Thanks for the helpful advice. I am now in car heaven with a loaded SUV and my Mustang GT both in the stable.

Speaking of Mustangs, while I was at the dealership they had sitting outside a Shelby GT and a Roush Stage 1, but it got so much better inside. Just inside the door they had a Roush 427R convertible and right next to it was a GT500KR. I was drooling for 3 hours solid.