Lesser of two evils?

[emntheboys]

We currently have a '99 Ford Explorer as our second vehicle. We've been pretty happy with it except that it is two wheel drive and semi-worthless in the winter. We have the opportunity to purchase my husband's great grandpa's Pontiac Montana (betw/ '01 & '04 not sure of the year yet) for dirt cheap. We figure that we would be able to sell the Explorer for enought to pay off the loan plus buy the van outright, but I'm concerned about the safety of the van. I know that the Explorer isn't a very safe vehicle either due to rollover risk, but is one worse than the other? What would you do?

 

[jourdysmom]

Don't buy it! They have bad motors, and have horrible ratings for safety. I replaced my motor at 109,000 miles, went thru umpteen wheel bearings and tie rod and CV boot shafts.

And we were very careful with maintenance on it. They really are junk. We junked it at 150,000 when the transmission went (after $1000 in work on the tranny) two weeks prior.

Just my opinion though. ours was a 2003, my inlaws had an '03 as well, traded it in on a truck and the tranny blew 2 weeks later the dealer told them...it had about 70,000 miles

 

[rosey2007]

I would keep the Explorer and not get the van. Those vans get horrible crash test ratings. I would continue to save your money and get something different.

 

[Qarin]

Huh. My 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette is a goddamn workhorse. I can only wish it would be a mechanical nightmare as that would give me necessary reason to find a way to have something else.

 

[jourdysmom]

Huh. My 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette is a goddamn workhorse. I can only wish it would be a mechanical nightmare as that would give me necessary reason to find a way to have something else.

it was a '99 to '03 or '04 issue if I remember correctly

 

[Maggie]

We have an '01. 150000 and still going strong.

They do get bad crash ratings. I knew that when I bought it. But guess what? It's what we could afford at the time. What worked for our family.

I paid $1200 for it. We were in dire need of a vehicle. We had $1500 cash to spend and out of everything available at the time, the Montana fit our budget and needs.

I will NOT go into debt over a vehicle. Regardless of whether or not we can make the monthly payments. We pay cash or we don't buy it.

I sit as far back as I can when driving. (IIRC the main issue is with the driver position)

I keep my kids in safe seats.

You do the best you can with what you have.

 

[amyd]

I think statistically rollover is less common than frontal so I'd keep the Explorer. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, though.

 

[carseatcoach]

You do the best you can with what you have.

I understand and agree with that statement.

However, she does currently have something that (IMO, at least) is safer than the Montana. I think "the best" would be to keep the Explorer. (Isn't the Montana 2WD also? What would be gained by switching?)

 

[emntheboys]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

Chickabiddy-the Explorer is rear wheel drive so it is pretty worthless in the snow (our driveway is a steep hill). The Montana is front wheel drive so should handle better in the winter.

Anyway, we decided to pass on the van. We found out that it is a '97 instead of an '01 or '03 and has a lot more miles than we were initially told. Plus the Explorer has been a really good runner for us (knock on wood) so it seemed kind of dumb to give that up for an unknown vehicle.