Reliable SUV's once you get over 100k

[z1ggy]

Summary - Is a 2014 Ford Explorer or Sequoia with up to 120k miles a good buy at $15-17k? If not, suggest reliable larger SUVs that can last well into the 160k+ range without significant issues.

I'm still in the ol 2011 Mazda3 but the CEL is on still and my emissions is now months and months past due. I'm going to try once last time to get it fixed but if it's a no go, it might be a lost cause. If that happens, I will be in the market for a larger SUV, mainly because I have a very small side business where I buy and sell used furniture. A Transit would be great, but I need something that can fit things like car seats and whatnot.

I was thinking something like an older Explorer or even Sequoia fits the bill. Budget is probably max OTD $20k, so naturally this means everything I see on cars.com is over 100k miles. Is something like a '14-'16 Explorer, etc with 100 or even 120k on it worth it? As of now, Im driving only around 12k miles a year with remote work but who knows if that'll last.

 

[NutBucket]

Sequoia yes, Exploder no.

 

[z1ggy]

Sequoia yes, Exploder no.

Exploder, lol

Yeah I just really can't say enough bad things about Ford and Chevy, but somebody else suggested Explorer and I told them my Dads 02 basically sh!t the bed after just 8 yrs but they said, oh no the newer gens are better. I saw a few higher mile '14 and '16's that look ""good" but of the two Fords in my family, both were always giving issues. My wife's Impala also sucks.

 

[NutBucket]

Interestingly I'd trust an '02 much more than I would trust a FWD version. Oh well.

The only real downside of the Sequoia is a abysmal fuel economy. Same for the 4Runner.

 

[dainthomas]

I'd go with Toyota any day over Ford. Or anyone else for that matter.

 

[herm0016]

2000 to 2006 suburban / tahoe / yukon / yukon XL lots out there with 250 to 300k on them with no major issues.

Toyota land cruiser and Lexus lx 4xx and 5xx

something like this: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...startYear=2000#listing=344429672/NONE/DEFAULT

depending on where you are, you may find more 2wd models and they are usually cheaper and get better gas milage.

i have 210k on my 2001 3/4 ton suburban. best 5,000 dollar vehicle I have ever bought.

 

[Torn Mind]

120k is just about the time Fords start flaking out.

https://repairpal.com/2014-ford-explorer/problems

Worse steel and ac breaking has been a Ford thing for a while.

It's clich, but look at Hondas or esp. Toyotas.

 

[BurnItDwn]

My MIL's early 00s Explorer lasted to around 200K but needed a LOT of work over the years and was costly to keep alive. Chassis was solid, but, lots of mechanical issues over the years.

One guy from work has had a Sequoia and he pretty much brags about how it is the most bulletproof car he's ever owned, and he and his family have owned a lot of reliable toyota products.

 

[Greenman]

I've never owned a car or truck that didn't make 250k reasonably trouble free miles.

 

[z1ggy]

Thanks guys. I think even a Rav4 could work in this situation if I needed to save even a little bit more $$. The seat down cargo capacity would fit most anything I'd need to transport at this point.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Can't help but stick my nose into this thread, just for the title. I just changed the oil in my orphaned 95 Trooper SUV.

Every so often, I review my expenses on my Trooper and my 95 Nissan pickup.

I just had my brakes inspected on the Trooper, and it cost me about $600 for pads and new rotors. In January, the starter-motor died -- another $600. But I'd replaced the starter in 2003 for $513. With the starter, it isn't the number of miles that determines how long the part will last, but the number of times you twist the ignition key. Figure 20 years later, it was due for a starter replacement.

Over the last six years on the Trooper alone, outlays for repair and replacement have averaged $114 per month. Add in my low monthly miles driven to compute the gasoline expense, and this becomes about $250/mo. My average includes things like tires, which is just part of routine, periodic replacement expense.

It still seems reasonable to keep driving the Pooper as my regular daily ride. There can't be much more of anything significant to fix for the next three or so years.

If I bought a pre-owned vehicle, I'd try to find a low-mileage candidate and swallow the extra price. This is all about subsystems and parts-longevity. At 100,000 miles, there will be a cycle of repair expenses, but if the engine and tranny are running tip-top, it's part of the expected expense of buying a used car with that many miles. IF you stay on top of "parts expected lifespan", it is extra trouble, but it's always cheaper.

The Pooper has passed 197,000 miles, and neither burns or leaks oil. I'll probably be dead before it makes sense to tow it to the junkyard.

 

[NutBucket]

When you want to part with your pickup look me up. I may be interested

 

[desy]

Minivan
Largest interior by far

 

[Relaxasaurus]

Thanks guys. I think even a Rav4 could work in this situation if I needed to save even a little bit more $$. The seat down cargo capacity would fit most anything I'd need to transport at this point.

That's what we have and it's solid as hell. Only at 66k-ish miles but our previous one was at 90k and felt the same. Only got rid of it due to flooding.

 

[BoomerD]

Summary - Is a 2014 Ford Explorer or Sequoia with up to 120k miles a good buy at $15-17k? If not, suggest reliable larger SUVs that can last well into the 160k+ range without significant issues.

I'm still in the ol 2011 Mazda3 but the CEL is on still and my emissions is now months and months past due. I'm going to try once last time to get it fixed but if it's a no go, it might be a lost cause. If that happens, I will be in the market for a larger SUV, mainly because I have a very small side business where I buy and sell used furniture. A Transit would be great, but I need something that can fit things like car seats and whatnot.

I was thinking something like an older Explorer or even Sequoia fits the bill. Budget is probably max OTD $20k, so naturally this means everything I see on cars.com is over 100k miles. Is something like a '14-'16 Explorer, etc with 100 or even 120k on it worth it? As of now, Im driving only around 12k miles a year with remote work but who knows if that'll last.

FWIW, $15-17K for a 2014 Explorer is way too high. I ran a quick Kelley Blue Book for a 2014 XLT trim Explorer. $9900-$12600 in "very good" condition. If you bump it up to "excellent," the top price goes to $13,450.

They're called "Exploders for a good reason, but really, with any car/truck, it's all about the maintenance over its lifetime. Get one that was meticulously maintained...worth a bit more, probably last 200K or more.

Unless you're hauling only small furniture, the Explorer would be a poor choice. It's just not that big. The Expedition has quite a bit more room...I once hauled a full-size washer and dryer in the back of our 2005 Expedition...which we kept for over 11 years and put about 65,000 miles on. I've kicked myself in the ass numerous times for getting rid of that...however, the damned thing got dismal gas mileage...18 mpg was the best it ever got...on a flat highway, cruise control set at the posted limit. Most of the time, it got 12-14 mpg combined city/highway. I don't miss that.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Summary - Is a 2014 Ford Explorer or Sequoia with up to 120k miles a good buy at $15-17k? If not, suggest reliable larger SUVs that can last well into the 160k+ range without significant issues.

I'm still in the ol 2011 Mazda3 but the CEL is on still and my emissions is now months and months past due. I'm going to try once last time to get it fixed but if it's a no go, it might be a lost cause. If that happens, I will be in the market for a larger SUV, mainly because I have a very small side business where I buy and sell used furniture. A Transit would be great, but I need something that can fit things like car seats and whatnot.

I was thinking something like an older Explorer or even Sequoia fits the bill. Budget is probably max OTD $20k, so naturally this means everything I see on cars.com is over 100k miles. Is something like a '14-'16 Explorer, etc with 100 or even 120k on it worth it? As of now, Im driving only around 12k miles a year with remote work but who knows if that'll last.

That's a lot of miles for the price, but my brain hasn't caught up to the used and new car market yet. I think I gave my opinion, though. Cars are built of subsystems, with expected longevity for this part or that. If you buy used, you need to have some vaguely-calculated reserve of cash to pay for the expected repairs. If you catch up to it, you might squeeze another 100,000 miles from the vehicle.