Car Suggestions....

[lacey9875]

So the transmission went in my Explorer, and I borrowed my step-fathers Caddy until I get it fixed.

Friday the brakes went out in it, and I had to have it towed to a mechanic. :cussing2:

I really wanted my Explorer to hang in there until my daughter graduates college- she's a sophmore in high school now, so I know I might be pushing my luck-it only has 97k on it, and has been good up until now.
Because it sat through the snow ( when my Dad was in hospice, I really didn't think about starting it ) it won't start. I can smell gas, and it sounds like it's going to turn over, but doesn't catch.

Should I bother with getting it fixed? Or dump it and get something else?? I really love the stupid thing, and it's big enough for Maggie, my daughter and the assorted things needed for both.

If I get something else, what do you all suggest? I want a SUV, and definitely not new.

 

[Jentarin]

Had really good luck with Grand Cherokee's (mine hit 270k Miles and still going). Mom has a trailblazer that she loves and is running the wheels off of, but stay away from the regular Blazer and Jimmy (pre 2002), very poorly designed. Ditto for the Durango (any year).

Hear lots of good things about the Honda Pilot, but no personal experience.

 

[Jentarin]

Probably should have commented on the repairs first...

Explorers have a history of tranny problems, mainly in 2000-2004. If yours is that old, I might consider dumping it, simply because at that age and being in the salt, you will more than likely start having more issues. (rusted gas and brake lines, etc.

If you have one of the newer generations (2006 and on) I would try and get it repaired. Under 100k Miles, it may still be covered under your powertrain warranty...

 

[lacey9875]

HA! It's a 2002!

Luckily, it didn't get hit with any of the salt from the epic storms we had, because it wasn't driven all winter.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Dawn, how long has the car been sitting? How well did you take care of it prior to the trans going? The Explorers around here are called Exploder's (lol)

 

[lacey9875]

It sat about 3-4 months I think. I replaced the battery, and it cranks but nada. Never had a tune up, some oil changes..... you know, stuff that probably makes you and Vin cringe in the way of car maintence!

 

[estacey]

Probably needs a tune up. Spark plugs can only take so much. Maintaining costs so little compared to getting a new vehicle every 100K.:kgo_027:

 

[DAWNMERIE]

If you didn't keep up with the oil changes, than next to go would be motor, not worth putting a trans in, if motor is even in question. The fact it sat over winter months can rust all the cars away so fast these days. I'll bet all your brakes will be shot and at that mileage you'll probably need calipers and it will just become a money pit.

Hate to see you put 3k into something that's just not worth it. Do you have any reliable and honest mechanic's you know down there? Do you have AAA? (check your insurance policy to, some cover towing) It might be worth towing it some place (maybe dealer--cause they might give you a good deal on a trade to put you in a newer vehicle) to get checked over before you dump money into a lost cause.

Just looked up trade in, in good condition it's worth $2500, so if you put a trans in it, and get into an accident and total it you probably wouldn't even get your $ back, if you have full coverage.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Just mentioned to Vin...he simply said get another vehicle. Bet the caddy rusted the brake lines....big problem up here with any of the GM's and chevy's.

 

[lacey9875]

ARGH!!!! :cussing2::cussing2::cussing2:

That's what I was afraid of. Sigh. At some point in my life, I have severely maddened the Gods.


And of course I have AAA-I have a Ford!! Lol!

 

[Milliejb]

All I know is you better get this vehicle before Ocean City, or we are going to very crowded in the Jeep after I pick you and Maggie up!! lol

 

[R Taft]

Obviously when you said Caddy , you did not mean VW Caddy, which is just the best little van for newfies as it has side slide doors and low to get into........We love our VW Caddy Life

 

[victoria1140]

If you have a good mechanic ask them to give it a once over to see if worth salvaging it.

We bought a kia sedona MPV, rear air con and removable seats so comfy for the dogs.

 

[lacey9875]

Obviously when you said Caddy , you did not mean VW Caddy, which is just the best little van for newfies as it has side slide doors and low to get into........We love our VW Caddy Life

Lol, Ronnie. Nope, '99 Cadillac....El Dorado. The ultimate pimp-mobile. :crazy:
Not roomy AT ALL.

 

[R Taft]

Lol, Ronnie. Nope, '99 Cadillac....El Dorado. The ultimate pimp-mobile. :crazy:
Not rommy AT ALL.

:lol: :lol: :lol: