I'm now leaning towards an '06 Ford Explorer - a little more than what I wanted to pay, but still under what I was willing to pay.
just get one on ebay. http://motors.shop.ebay.com/items/C...el1313QQ_odkwZ06Q20fordQ20explorerQQ_osacatZ0
I drove a 1996 explorer for 12 years and 200,000 miles. My 2008 Explorer seems like a good one, too. Ford builds good trucks.
I had a 1998 explorer, drove well until about 120k miles and then I started having problems and traded it in for a 2003 Dodge Stratus coupe, which was a very good car for me for about a year and a half, then I got hit by a dump truck and it was totalled. I got a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse after that (same car as the Stratus Coupe, just different badging) and it was terrible, but from what I could tell it was one of those when the used car dealer gets a car in, prettys it up asthetically to make it look like new, and then after you drive it for awhile all the problems become more and more apparent. I drove it for a year and a half as well and finally was able to get rid of it in August of last year. I picked up a certified used 2005 Mercedes C230K for just over 20k and it's been a really great car so far. I'd recommend the certified used route, if you can do it. I got all the service records and stuff on the car, and they basically did a factory refurbish job on it before selling it. It came with a 3 year, 50k mile warranty as well, and I got it for about 60% of the original price.
I have: -2008 Jeep Wrangler 4 door (I don't recommend for your main vehicle, but they're fun weekend vehicles which is what mine is for) -2007 Honda Accord LX- I use this to drive to and from work. I pile the miles up quickly and this vehicle can handle miles...just keep the oil changed and you're good. -2007 BMW 330i- This vehicle is good, but it takes supreme gasoline, which during the gas crunch, it was a b*tch. It has a 50K warranty, but anything after that is expensive Go with the Accord.
I really like my Explorer (especially since it still looks really good, and it's paid off.) I've never talked to an Explorer owner that didn't like their truck. Now, I like my Lexus better, but I picked it up used. I wouldn't buy a brand-new Lexus because there are lots of certified pre-owned out there (so many people lease them.) Mine only had 18,000 miles on it when I bought it.
My first car was a 94 Nissan Altima. I loved that car. I drove that thing like a truck and it lasted much longer than it should have. If I ever get a car again, I will be getting an Altima. They are durable like tanks, have some sweet options if you wanna mack it out, a brand new one is only mid 20's with decent options and they get about 27-30MPG. My second car is the one I am driving now and is a Dodge Dakota. Perfect size truck to me. Runs good, pulls anything I hook it to with no problems and has not given me any trouble in 5 years. Glad to hear you totalled a car and lived to tell about it. Not many people are so fortunate.
I've been in two wrecks with totaled cars (not driving either time, guys.) I actually wasn't injured in either one. I figure that my luck has all run out!
