My reg cab is not as useful now. 2 kids and there is no room. I think I need 4 door car, and haul a small trailer whenever some materials can't be carried in the back.

I'm in NJ and hard to find old cars without rust, but would like any thoughts on suv after 1996 (obd 2) and can be worked on. Any suv somewhat comparable to 1996 F150?

Thank you in advance.

 

Super Crew or any other 4 door truck, don't go all soccer mom on us. I never cared for any SUV, besides the late 90's Grand Cherokee. If I were you and I needed a "family car" I would go with an 01-03 Cadillac STS (Seville Touring Sedan), 4 doors so you can fit the ankle biters in but she's got enough power that you don't have to carry your ***** in a purse. They can be found fairly cheap, are easy enough to work on, and come with most options that cars built in the last 5 years have (except for stuff that wasn't invented before 03 obviously). I can't stand 4 door cars, have no kids either, but if I had to get one that would be the one.

 

I don't know what to recommend, but, an Explorer is not horrible but they apparently have servo issues with the transmission and I think rear bearing issues. It seems to show up at around 150k.

 

We love the wife's Ford Escape. V6, has a 3500lb towing capacity. As much as I miss my old Cadillac I do not recommend one, those cars are attention ****** for sure.

 

That may be why I love them so much, kind of like a kid. There seems to always be something that you can do to it but nothing that can't wait until your ready. I got a 99 Eldorado for my girlfriend and have been looking for something similar for myself as a project car.

 

If you want to go cheaper, a Jeep XJ with an I6 4.0. They drive great, good space, and can tow like a beast. I was in one before, and I only moved into my F150 because of circumstances. They are as tough as these 5.0 V8s, but learn about radiators and cooling. (as opposed to sensors and fuel pumps.)

 

Thank you for all answers. Still I'd like more thoughts.

I had late '90 Grand Cherokee -Jeep. I think it was ok (before I knew anything about cars), but I remember reading about that car where design problems gave it steering or early death for front brake rotors or something like it.

Any other cars worth the look?

 

bronco...lol

 

I rented an '08 escape 4x4 for a few weeks to tour the mountains in B.C. We were really impressed all around. They're another Ford/Mazda project so hopefully as indestructible as a Ranger ?
No idea on long term, but 3600 kilometers thru mountains in 10 days - awesome mileage and real nice cruiser !

 

I love my 94 Explorer and to me it isn't soccer mom like. Only issue I have really had with it is thermostat and water pump but my explorer also has 244K on the entire truck and 144K on the engine.
Trav