SUV questions which one to get

[STLfirewood]

I'm in the market for a new to me suv. I've been thinking about either a Durango or a Explorer. I have to have 3 rows of seating. Baby on he way in 6 weeks and that make 3 kids(2 5 year olds and the new one). I've grown up on Dodge and always had good luck with them. I know there are a ton of Explorers out there and I really like the way they look. I'm not afraid of miles and I don't want to spend more then 6k. I know that's not a lot of money but the kids will just tear it up anyway. It's not a car that will see a lot of miles for me maybe 8-10k a year. I don't want anything foreign.

Thanks Scott

 

[banshee67]

7.3 excursion

 

[HuskyMurph]

tahoe

not sure if they make a three seat one. im sure they do. but up here in minnesota you see way more tahoes then anything else. im sure anything will be fine

 

[Jed1124]

I have four kids(1.5 year old twin boys, 6 year old bot,8 year old girl). I was able to find a 95 Suburban with 175k for 1000 bucks. I've had it for 2 years with a few minor fixer ups. Kids can make a mess, spill stuff, whatever. I take out the 3rd row seat and haul wood with it. For 6 grand you could probably get into a 2000 or 01.

 

[discounthunter]

not sure if they make a three seat one. im sure they do. but up here in minnesota you see way more tahoes then anything else. im sure anything will be fine

they do.the rear door is just right against it,there is little or no room behind the seat. id opt for a suburban,same mpg almost 2 ft of more room behind third seat and they usually resale cheaper than the tahoe.

 

[Dalmatian90]

New Durangos have a lot more room then the Explorers, not sure if the new style are down in that 6K price range yet. My mom has a new style Durango, I find the driver's side "A" post is a major blind spot for me. It really, really annoys me every time I drive it.*

Personally, assuming I get a new job with a long commute (likely) I'm looking at a used Volvo XC90. The 5 cylinder models get 25mpg highway, the turbo has a good reputation, and I can get one for around $12K that should still have another 150,000+ miles of highway commuting life to it. And I'd rather drive something I'm happy with as I'm stuck dealing with M#######s in heavy traffic then have some cheap beater.

The '03 Ranger just turned 200,000 miles the other day and should have many more years for use around town and as a backup commuting car. As much as it annoys me with little things, and I literally have baling wire and duct tape repairs in places...it's only been in a shop once in it's life for anything more serious then an alignment and new tires, and it's only been towed once (and that was to my place so I could repair it myself).

* She had an old style Durango which I liked as well. However one day I'm taking her to some appointment, as we're getting ready to leave I'm a few minutes ahead of her ad get in the drivers seat and brushed the "preset" electric seat settings. I'm a fat guy. The seat went up and forward and pinned me against the steering wheel so I couldn't reach the controls Had to wait for Mom to release me!

 

[NCPABill]

Suburban

We've had a number of SUVs - they just seem to fit our lifestyle. The list includes one explorer, three expeditions, and now a suburban. The suburban is by far the best overall, and the room behind the third seat is great. I hauled my chemical order for the farm with the third row up, and could still haul seven if needed. The mileage is the same at the expedition, which was only 1 mpg less than the explorer. I had a dodge truck which had terrible mpg, and I understand the Durango is the same way.

Best of luck with whatever you get!

Bill

 

[amateur cutter]

Of the 2 you mentioned, I'd do the Durango. I don't think one is necessarily better than the other, but if you do your own repairs the dodge is way easier to work on for the avg. guy. I'm an auto tech by trade, & prefer to work on the durango over the explorer. All that being said, I'd take the Suburban any day over the mid size suv's. Much more room, & very little difference in gas mileage.
jm .02 AC

 

[Fronty Owner]

of the two mentioned. go with the dodge.
personally, I would look at the nissan pathfinder, but im a bit biased.

 

[fishercat]

Toyota.

4Runner or Sequoia.

If you buy something else and you and the family wind up walking,remember I warned you.

 

[Maplekid]

Suburban

My mom has a 99 GMC suburban 2500. It is a 3/4 ton with a 454 in it. It is a great car and has 120,000 miles. There is so much room in the back we brought 2 mini donkeys home from a farm 2 hours away in the back w. The 3rd row of seats still up. And it pulls a trailer better than my dads F250.

 

[STLfirewood]

The wife doesn't care much for the Burb or the Tahoe. I know they have a ton of room and they are great trucks. I can get a Durango cheaper then a Explorer. I guess I'll drive both and see which I like better. My friend who is a tech says the explorers have a lot of drive line issues with the 02 and up model. He said once they went to independent susp they had issues. Bad diffs bearings and t-cases. But he told me they were pretty cheap to fix. Thanks for all the input.

 

[JimiLL]

of the two mentioned. go with the dodge.
personally, I would look at the nissan pathfinder, but im a bit biased.

This. My 02 Pathfinder has 189k on it and I havent had any prolems. Original struts, original lights all the way around, original everything. And it doesnt sound like its going to crack into a million pieces

 

[boostnut]

Tahoe or burb with the 5.3 litre v8 & 4l60 or 4l80 trans. Sorry but you're gonna have to tell your wife to get over it, thats the best drivetrain any 1/2 ton american truck has been fitted with for decades. You should be able to expect 200k+ miles with nothing but general maintenance.

p.s. I wouldn't drive a durango if you bought it for me.

 

[headleyj]

As far as brands go here's my take:

You cannot look at 1 or 2 persons' story and make a decision based on that.

Person 1- I have a Chevy with 500k miles on it. Chevy is the best!
Person 2- I have a Ford that blew an engine with 50k on it.

Hell maybe person 1 towed it behind a camper for 90% of it's life and didn't unhook the speedo. Maybe person 2 never changed the oil.....what I'm saying is you have no idea if what they're saying is THE FULL TRUTH.

I would lean towards Toyota, pre-07. Only because from what I've seen the # of complaints per vehicle produced was much much less with Toyota than Ford, Chevy or Chrysler.

Flame away - I can hear it now "Prove it!" I can dig up data if you really want...I had it at one time, I'm sure I can find it again.

If you're buying brand new, that's a different story IMO. Toyota has dropped the ball lately (not because of the accelerator thing - that's complete BS), but because of a multitude of other issues, across many product lines. I can expand on that if you like.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[Circle B MN]

Steer clear of any Chrysler engine that ends in 7...2.7, 3.7, 4.7 bad stuff.

Chev 5.3's seem to do really well, and if they do one day die, you can get 3 or 4 of them used for the price you waould pay for a used Durango 4.7

All vehicles have thier quirks and flaws, just educate yourself and see what you can get the best deal on. Personaly I would look for a late model Excursion with a pre 2006 24v Cummins and an Allison transmission. Let me know if you see one..

 

[catbuster]

Explorer.

 

[teatersroad]

This. My 02 Pathfinder has 189k on it and I havent had any prolems. Original struts, original lights all the way around, original everything. And it doesnt sound like its going to crack into a million pieces

I like my '03 Pathfinder. but.. the 3.5's are known to spit screws from the intake butterfly valves into the block and grenade it, and a baffle at the pcv valve tends to clog, causing excessive oil consumption. Any rig has it's weak points, if you know 'em you can often remedy it. Saw a good fix thread somewhere, here is a start:

http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/pathfinder/953-2002-pathfinder-severe-engine-damage.html

Though at 189,000 miles I think you're safe.

Something to consider, uni-body -vs- body on frame. The uni-body typically gives you a better highway ride, while body on frame is a more rugged set-up. Kinda wish I went with the 4-runner for that reason sometimes. I do like the styling of the Durango, and looked at them..but..didn't buy.

Edmunds reviews are pretty good.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

I have four kids(1.5 year old twin boys, 6 year old bot,8 year old girl). I was able to find a 95 Suburban with 175k for 1000 bucks. I've had it for 2 years with a few minor fixer ups. Kids can make a mess, spill stuff, whatever. I take out the 3rd row seat and haul wood with it. For 6 grand you could probably get into a 2000 or 01.

they do.the rear door is just right against it,there is little or no room behind the seat. id opt for a suburban,same mpg almost 2 ft of more room behind third seat and they usually resale cheaper than the tahoe.

I tend to be more of a Ford man than Chevy, but I have to agree here. The Suburban is going to be more versatile, and they are reliable as an anvil. Since you don't plan to put on heavy mileage, the gas economy isn't a big deal.

Congrats on the new one!


Two words: coconut oil. Best thing ever for baby's bottom!

 

[JimiLL]

I like my '03 Pathfinder. but.. the 3.5's are known to spit screws from the intake butterfly valves into the block and grenade it, and a baffle at the pcv valve tends to clog, causing excessive oil consumption. Any rig has it's weak points, if you know 'em you can often remedy it. Saw a good fix thread somewhere, here is a start:

http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/pathfinder/953-2002-pathfinder-severe-engine-damage.html

Though at 189,000 miles I think you're safe.

Something to consider, uni-body -vs- body on frame. The uni-body typically gives you a better highway ride, while body on frame is a more rugged set-up. Kinda wish I went with the 4-runner for that reason sometimes. I do like the styling of the Durango, and looked at them..but..didn't buy.

Edmunds reviews are pretty good.

Well you have a point... the Pathfinder isnt much a of a "truck", with its struts in the front.... unibody construction.. and the fact that with a good load of grocerys the rear will begin to sag lol

But this is the first Jap car Ive ever owned, in front of about 5 or 6 domestic cars and trucks.

Its held up the best, rides the nicest, stayed looking nice the longest, least amount/cheapest problems encountered, and all around the best thought out and designed of anything Ive owned.

Im gonna buy another one when this one goes I like it sooo much!!