Post by: luv2hunt on February 10, 2014, 08:57:24 AM
Post by: Crunchy on February 10, 2014, 09:13:59 AM
Post by: Craig on February 10, 2014, 09:16:18 AM
Post by: huntnphool on February 10, 2014, 09:21:16 AM
Post by: jackelope on February 10, 2014, 09:25:03 AM
I'm fairly certain if I do buy one I'll have to revamp my garage storage setup so it fits inside. Its significantly bigger than my '06 Grand Cherokee.
Post by: Hunterman on February 10, 2014, 09:29:08 AM
Hunterman(Tony)
Post by: rainshadow1 on February 10, 2014, 09:29:35 AM
Post by: luv2hunt on February 10, 2014, 09:51:19 AM
Post by: jackelope on February 10, 2014, 01:11:56 PM
Do the mirrors electronically fold on the Explorers? If not that's not much room to spare. Thanks
I'm not sure. I believe it is an option. I'll be at work tomorrow and can find out for sure but I think that it's an option. If you're looking at the Explorer, do yourself a favor and have a look at the Grand Cherokee too. Very nice ride. It's down to an Explorer or a GC for us.
Fortunately for me, I get deals on either one.
Post by: Bean Counter on February 10, 2014, 01:21:50 PM
Post by: FC on February 10, 2014, 01:44:33 PM
I see new Ford Explorers every day. They're far from compact. Really very few mechanical problems with them.
Is that for more than the first couple years? I used to see an awful lot of Exploders too and their owners were generally pissed about it. Those things have been a disaster for over 20 years!
Post by: luv2hunt on February 10, 2014, 01:46:29 PM
I don't have much experience with the autos you're considering, but would like to add some financial advice: Pay cash for the car. if you can't afford to do that, you don't have any business buying brand new. Just my humble opinion and I respect anyones right to disagree. :)Can I ask why? I own both my houses free and clear and could pay cash for the rig I choose, but why would you not take advantage of 0% financing for 48 months and keep making interest on your money?
Post by: rainshadow1 on February 10, 2014, 01:48:24 PM
Post by: jackelope on February 10, 2014, 01:51:34 PM
I see new Ford Explorers every day. They're far from compact. Really very few mechanical problems with them.
Is that for more than the first couple years? I used to see an awful lot of Exploders too and their owners were generally pissed about it. Those things have been a disaster for over 20 years!
I don't know yet. They're all new as of 3 years ago. The older ones are problems for sure. The ones I see at the dealer...(Read--I don't see old Explorers much...usually 2004 or newer mostly?) are not too bad relative to everything else I've seen. They're definitely better than Jeeps of the same vintage. The new ones are a lot nicer than the old ones, and we make very few serious repairs to them. That's what I know.
Post by: jackelope on February 10, 2014, 01:52:40 PM
I don't have much experience with the autos you're considering, but would like to add some financial advice: Pay cash for the car. if you can't afford to do that, you don't have any business buying brand new. Just my humble opinion and I respect anyones right to disagree. :)Can I ask why? I own both my houses free and clear and could pay cash for the rig I choose, but why would you not take advantage of 0% financing for 48 months and keep making interest on your money?
:dunno:
Seems logical to me.
Post by: bobcat on February 10, 2014, 02:07:21 PM
(2014 Motor Trend SUV of the year)
Post by: FC on February 10, 2014, 02:10:46 PM
They're definitely better than Jeeps of the same vintage.
No argument there! Heeps are the only thing that could compete for worst POS against em! :chuckle: :chuckle:
Toyota/Lexus or Honda/Acura for longevity indeed, tough to go wrong there.
Have you looked at the Subaru Forester?
(2014 Motor Trend SUV of the year)
Excellent choice as well.
Post by: Dhoey07 on February 10, 2014, 02:12:44 PM
Have you looked at the Subaru Forester?
(2014 Motor Trend SUV of the year)
We have a 2011 forester and it has been nothing but great to us, but the OP said he needs to be able to tow a boat and i really don't think that the 4 banger would toy anything. They do make a turbo'd Forester than might tow.
Post by: Bean Counter on February 10, 2014, 02:52:56 PM
I don't have much experience with the autos you're considering, but would like to add some financial advice: Pay cash for the car. if you can't afford to do that, you don't have any business buying brand new. Just my humble opinion and I respect anyones right to disagree. :)Can I ask why? I own both my houses free and clear and could pay cash for the rig I choose, but why would you not take advantage of 0% financing for 48 months and keep making interest on your money?
:dunno:
Seems logical to me.
Once again I go assuming that a person on the other side of the internet is of a similar background to me :sry: If you own two houses paid for, free and clear, then you likely don't need a lecture in debt and financial responsibility. I offer that advice wholesale because most people looking for a new car usually have no business buying one. As I alluded to above that's usually young toolbags early in their career (i.e. me) who by God's blessing have managed to land a good job and therefore "can afford" the car payment, but otherwise are riddled with a mortgage, student loans, and no nest egg of cash. Some attach their self esteem to the condition and value of their vehicle, others find the status it brings necessary in their career growth. Ie what the boss sees you drive into work each day.
I look at a car as a depreciable tool and not a status symbol. I happen to ignore them when things are going well and find them a headache when I've got either a payment or mechanical problems. Debt or not, I think its foolish to own depreciating vehicles that equal 50% of your annual salary. Say your annual household income is $50,000 and you own $25,000 in vehicles. Its just beyond my comfort level. YMMV and I appreciate peoples right to disagree. I hunt, commute, like 4wd, and have a growing family. Despite all those particularities being satisfied by my vehicles, the total value of all our autos is less than 15% of my annual household income. This keeps me free from car payments, keeps insurance low, and keeps me emotionally detached from my vehicles. I got rear ended once and took the $1,500 insurance settlement and threw it in my bank account. I didn't even bother fixing what amounted to a cosmetic impairment of the bumper only.
If I were a financial advisor (I'm not) I wouldn't have a problem with you buying that new car on a loan. But to stimulate thought: what is the opportunity cost you speak of? Ie earning interest on the money. Banks are paying what, 0.25% right now? To me, I'd rather just pay cash and be done with it. That's exactly what I did with our last two purchases and there's nothing like driving them away after purchase and knowing that there isn't a bill for a payment coming in the mail in a few weeks. Then you can focus all your energy on building up your 401k or IRA or both 8)
Congrats on owning the houses outright :tup:
Post by: luv2hunt on February 10, 2014, 03:41:13 PM
You make some great points BC, I was just asking the question because of the way you came across as to buying new. I have never bought a new car/truck in my life, hence maybe the reason I'm in the financial position I'm in, now I'm about to turn 48 and I am still having a hard time with it. Can I afford it yes, will it make the wife happy yes, is there anything wrong with whats she's driving now other than it won't pull a boat no, if I don't buy it is she going to divorce me after 27 yrs hmmm we'll see. Sometimes asking these simple kinds of questions on a forum can save a guy 40k. ThxI don't have much experience with the autos you're considering, but would like to add some financial advice: Pay cash for the car. if you can't afford to do that, you don't have any business buying brand new. Just my humble opinion and I respect anyones right to disagree. :)Can I ask why? I own both my houses free and clear and could pay cash for the rig I choose, but why would you not take advantage of 0% financing for 48 months and keep making interest on your money?
:dunno:
Seems logical to me.
Once again I go assuming that a person on the other side of the internet is of a similar background to me :sry: If you own two houses paid for, free and clear, then you likely don't need a lecture in debt and financial responsibility. I offer that advice wholesale because most people looking for a new car usually have no business buying one. As I alluded to above that's usually young toolbags early in their career (i.e. me) who by God's blessing have managed to land a good job and therefore "can afford" the car payment, but otherwise are riddled with a mortgage, student loans, and no nest egg of cash. Some attach their self esteem to the condition and value of their vehicle, others find the status it brings necessary in their career growth. Ie what the boss sees you drive into work each day.
I look at a car as a depreciable tool and not a status symbol. I happen to ignore them when things are going well and find them a headache when I've got either a payment or mechanical problems. Debt or not, I think its foolish to own depreciating vehicles that equal 50% of your annual salary. Say your annual household income is $50,000 and you own $25,000 in vehicles. Its just beyond my comfort level. YMMV and I appreciate peoples right to disagree. I hunt, commute, like 4wd, and have a growing family. Despite all those particularities being satisfied by my vehicles, the total value of all our autos is less than 15% of my annual household income. This keeps me free from car payments, keeps insurance low, and keeps me emotionally detached from my vehicles. I got rear ended once and took the $1,500 insurance settlement and threw it in my bank account. I didn't even bother fixing what amounted to a cosmetic impairment of the bumper only.
If I were a financial advisor (I'm not) I wouldn't have a problem with you buying that new car on a loan. But to stimulate thought: what is the opportunity cost you speak of? Ie earning interest on the money. Banks are paying what, 0.25% right now? To me, I'd rather just pay cash and be done with it. That's exactly what I did with our last two purchases and there's nothing like driving them away after purchase and knowing that there isn't a bill for a payment coming in the mail in a few weeks. Then you can focus all your energy on building up your 401k or IRA or both 8)
Congrats on owning the houses outright :tup:
Post by: 4fletch on February 10, 2014, 08:28:26 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on February 10, 2014, 08:38:18 PM
You make some great points BC, I was just asking the question because of the way you came across as to buying new. I have never bought a new car/truck in my life, hence maybe the reason I'm in the financial position I'm in, now I'm about to turn 48 and I am still having a hard time with it. Can I afford it yes, will it make the wife happy yes, is there anything wrong with whats she's driving now other than it won't pull a boat no, if I don't buy it is she going to divorce me after 27 yrs hmmm we'll see. Sometimes asking these simple kinds of questions on a forum can save a guy 40k. Thx
Cheaper to keep her! Buy her the car, boss. Make it happen! :)
Post by: jeepster on February 10, 2014, 08:39:53 PM
Grand Cherokees are awesome
Don't forget the 4 door wrangler :tup:
Post by: jackelope on February 11, 2014, 09:09:19 AM
I am looking also. Have a 93 grand Cherokee had to replace the heads. A auto machinist friend said jeep v 8 do have problems at times. I have noticed on Craig's list quite a few used ones have had head gaskets replaced.
99-02 or so 4.7L v8's had cracked cylinder head issues from time to time. If I remember correctly they fixed the problem on the newer ones. 99% of the time you'd get a #1 cylinder misfire. The plug gets caked up because of the cracked head burning coolant. There's also some head gasket issues too, but mostly cracked heads.
Post by: Mongo Hunter on February 11, 2014, 11:24:47 AM
Post by: luv2hunt on February 11, 2014, 11:40:34 AM
Had a 96 Ford Explorer Sport back in 03. Ball joints went bad on me twice and had to put in a new tranny at 110K. replaced it with a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 60k on the clock. Over heating problems (New radiator, 2 water pumps and a thermostat) and an electrical short I chased till I sold it. This whole time I was surrounded by Toyota's (04 cammery, 03 Tacoma, 04 Tacoma, 00 Rav4), so my next rig was a 09 Tundra...Never gunna look back, its been a fantastic truck. so my vote is for the 4runner.
Thanks Mongo,
I am leaning that way, if only I could get over the looks of the newer 4Runner body style it would be a no brainer. I do like the fact that the 4Runner comes standard with the class III tow receiver where it's a $500.00 + option with all the other vehicles. My Dad had a 03 Sequoia limited and sold it to my brother, it has 230k on it now and the only thing done is water pump and timing belt replacements. I have been looking for a 07 Sequoia limited (last year of that body style) but they are next to impossible to find (in the right color that is). I guess it's time to start test driving and see who the winner is. Thanks to everyone for your help.
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on February 11, 2014, 11:41:12 AM
Post by: Mongo Hunter on February 11, 2014, 11:47:35 AM
Post by: 6x6in6 on February 11, 2014, 11:51:40 AM
Good grocery getter, decent MPG.
I'm luke warm to it. But I'm 6-2 and 210 lbs but I shoe horn my way in. I'd rather drive one of my full size trucks. :chuckle:
Post by: 6x6in6 on February 11, 2014, 11:53:03 AM
Post by: swanny on February 11, 2014, 12:07:12 PM
Post by: luv2hunt on February 11, 2014, 12:07:37 PM
Post by: FC on February 11, 2014, 12:17:10 PM
http://www.lexus.com/models/GX/ (http://www.lexus.com/models/GX/)
Post by: swanny on February 11, 2014, 08:02:34 PM
Thanks guy's, in my OP I said I needed something that would pull my boat two miles round trip to the boat launch at my vacation home. My boat is a wakeboard boat and weighs in at approx 4300lbs w/trailer. I think the highlander, escape, edge etc are a little small.
I'm confident the 4runner especially with the V8 would pull it. Depending on what year and model you buy the brakes are bigger or smaller. In the 4th gens the SR5 models have 16" wheels and smaller rotors than the Sport and Limiteds. My brother has 2001 Malibu Wakesetter, haven't towed it with our 4runner, only used my silverado, but am confident I could but the rear would sag a bit. 2 miles I'd have no issue with it though.
Post by: jackelope on February 11, 2014, 08:15:45 PM
Jackelope - what's the service department skinny on the Edge?
So far so good. I'd buy one but my wife isn't even luke warm to it. Escape is probably mechanically our worst based on what we see on a daily basis.