Used SUV

Any thoughts on buying a used SUV in the $20-25K range? Looking at 2007 and 2008 Expeditions. I have an older one currently and like it overall. It has lasted 11 years with minimal repairs. I like the automatic folding rear bench in the newer models. Not sure what else is available in that price range. The Tahoe's I've seen easily run $5-8K more for the same year models and mileage.

The SUV would mostly be used for city driving (my wife with the kids) and for trips and towing our 23LSV.

Thanks.

Nissan Armada / Infiniti QX56

I just sold (last week) a 2007 5.3 tahoe for 22k. I would not recommend purchasing one if you are going to tow a lot. It lagged over grades, the trans would get hot, I replaced the u joints and engine mounts and it had 65k miles on it. Its a great truck for a mom mobile and towing short distances. Someone warned me before I bought this truck and I wish I would have listened to them. My buddies 04 expedition seems to tow better but does not ride as well as the tahoe.

I think you can buy a new Dodge Durango pretty heavily loaded and with a hemi for 25ish.
We got ours new a couple years ago and it's been fantastic, perfect for towing a lot.
It's pretty rough on gas however.

Nissan Armada / Infiniti QX56

+1

Thanks for the opinions. The QX56 looks nice but about $5-10K over the price range I listed. Armada is more in the range, but why it over the Expedition?

+2 for Armada. Tows like a dream.

Originally Posted by eubanks01

Thanks for the opinions. The QX56 looks nice but about $5-10K over the price range I listed. Armada is more in the range, but why it over the Expedition?

more power? more torque?

The QX56 with the air suspension tows really well.

They do burn gas like a mofo though.

Towing w/ air suspension...love it on my Rover.

Well here is my 2 cents worth of information on this topic. I have a 2005 Expedition with the 5.4 4x4 and tow my boat and my 4 place snowmobile trailer with it all the time. I purchased the boat in California and I had to go down and pick it up. Now I live in Utah so the drive home was pretty much all up hill. It did a great job on the 900 mile trip home and really surprised me on how well it did. Here in Utah I pull our boat to Bear Lake which is about 2 hours from my home a couple times a month which I have to go over to passes to get there, no problem. The real issue I see when pulling is when I get behind someone that is going slow up a hill. Recovery is not there like it would be with a diesel motor, or even a bigger motor. Overall for what we use it for I can't complain a bit. This is our 2 one and have pulled many trailers and boats all year around.

Hope this helps.

My boat is a 2006 Sky Supreme V232.

I bought a 2007 Yukon Denali to tow my Axis A22. I had a 2005 Dodge 2500 with a modded cummins to pull my old 230s and got rid of it because it rode like a dump truck and the front end was chronically f-'d up. The Denali tows really well with the air suspension, but I average 8 mpg on the interstate towing my boat now.

Originally Posted by chattwake

I bought a 2007 Yukon Denali to tow my Axis A22. I had a 2005 Dodge 2500 with a modded cummins to pull my old 230s and got rid of it because it rode like a dump truck and the front end was chronically f-'d up. The Denali tows really well with the air suspension, but I average 8 mpg on the interstate towing my boat now.

How fast do you drive, chat? We tow with our QX56 from reno (4500') over donner summit (7,000') down to about 2000' and back all the time and I can manage a "stellar" 10mpg. I'd think it's lower and flatter on your side of the mississippi.

I'm not a Ford fan generally, but we just towed my buddy's X15 with his 05-06 Expedition. Loaded down boat with 2 families gear and 8 people+ more gear in the truck and it towed like a dream, other than expectedly kinda gutless.
It did not sag. All the weight leveled the suspension out only and the boat did not push or "drive" the truck. Very impressed, better than a 1/2 ton p/u towing.
Has about 120k mi on it and it runs flawlessly except the clips that hold wires onto the coil packs started breaking. Had to stop a couple times and zip tie a couple on, started mis firing.

What is your mileage limit. You can get a higher mileage 07 Escalade within your budget.

Used to have an Armada, loved it! Armada gets my vote.