I'm looking for a Ford Explorer 2012-2015 well optioned XLT, Limited or sport 3.5.
Not white, silver or gray, maybe black. Must be from out of the rust belt. Likely a fly and drive since I live in the dust belt. $12k max. There are lots out there, strongly prefer a private seller.
Wild card would be a Honda Pilot Touring or EX-L.
My main concerns are gas mileage that is better than my just totaled Expedition and seats six or seven.
I like the look of the Explorer better but the Honda probably has more useful space.
Super ideal would be a root beer colored Explorer sport with two tone interior with low mileage for cheap, a guy can dream right.
Gas mileage be damned I would look for an LX470 or QX80/Armada Platinum.
And go!
PS I can't travel the weekend of 3-10.
What's the most direct path to "rust free land" from where you live? That major market might be Nashville. 6 hours to Louisville, KY will get you nearly rust free but the few more hours to Nashville, for a total of 8 hours will get you really rust free. Sure, you could go 4 more hours to Atlanta or 10 more hours to Tampa but Nashville should get you the same quality of car.
So, with that in mind, I'd start pointing the shopping sites to Nashville.
Do you have a small fwd car in your fleet? If yes, rather than flying, I'd might consider lining up some samples to see and just driving down in a car. Then with the car you have easy freedom to move from seller to seller. Considering the size of new car you are shopping be sure to acquire one with a tow hitch. Then rent a Uhaul tow dolly (probably about $100 for a one way trip) and tow back your old car with your new car/SUV.
In reply to John Welsh :
Good thought, 75 south is the most direct. My last fly and drive was to St. Louis for a rust free van, it was exactly one tank (31 gallons) of gas to get home.
Atlanta is my honey for rust free but Dallas might be closer for you. Go to a major airport hub and its pretty easy. Or get something from Carmax and have it shipped. Thats the easy button in this case. St Louis is kind of a crap shoot like Nashville. If the car came from south St Louis it could be good if it came from Iowa or Illinois and made its way there it could be a pile. Always run a carfax and check registration history on a used car to make sure its actually rust free from down south instead of just currently being sold down south.
I wouldnt mess with towing a car - if you want to beebop between sellers just fly down and get a rental. Worst case cannonball the rental home it doesnt cost more than just adding days to your rental in most cases. Cheaper than a last minute airline ticket fo sho AND you planned on doing the drive regardless so you wont shoot your timeline.
https://www.carmax.com/car/23745948
Here ya go. Low miles red sport with the 3.5 turbo.
Not quite sure where you are finding these for $12k unless they have over 150k spins on them.
In reply to 93gsxturbo :
Yes, most that I'm looking at have 110 to 150k on them. There is a somewhat rare option of the 2.3T and AWD that came out in 2016, I have a line on one with 110k for $11k. But now I'm getting picky because I really like the cooled seats in my Expedition. That limits me to the Limited trim, maybe sport.
I'd drive an Explorer Sport before I bought one....like really drive it. I had a 2018 or 19 as a company car for a while (black, 3.5 turbo, all the bells and most of the whistles) and it was pretty fast, the 3rd row was decently comfortable, and it held a lot of stuff and that was the only thing good to say about it. Odd visibility, bad on gas, and the seats are somehow like 4-5" from the doorpanel and really close to the center console. Its an unconventional driving experience.
My coworker has it now and at 160k it needs some serious engine work, not entirely sure what but he told me it was gonna be around $5k to fix it.
I would pass on a 2.3T in an Explorer. They are pigs and its an uncommon option for a reason. The standard 3.5 is a better choice.
In reply to 93gsxturbo :
I unfortunately have to agree with you on this one. Test drive of a Limited with 130k miles left me a bit cold. Cam phasers are the sooner or later and expensive repair.
So now I need to check out a Pilot.
I'm comparing these to a 2008 Expedition with 183k on the clock, I am expecting something better.
