I think you guys are right, I am secretly thinking about keeping it and driving it myself and getting the wife a new ride. Maybe a 05 Explorer.
2005 explorer's are nice for just about anyone to drive.
You can see in my explorer registry, linked in my sig, that I have put in a lot of time with my explorer, most of the time is not even listed in my registry.
My explorer still needs a lot of work, more than yours does from the sound of things. But I'm not married and while I love my girlfriend, I would drop her off on the curb before my explorer went anywhere without me.
I don't want to get into material possessions discussion here. But I've had my explorer longer than my current G/F. And while I own a 1991 Beretta GT, had a 95 Beretta, and own a 99 Cavalier, junked a 94 Grand Am and a 94 Sunbird, I would much rather be driving my explorer.
I've also drove my brothers 02 GMC sport's truck, 01 Z71, and 03 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and did own a 2004 Mustang when I was 19 in 2005. Another brother has a 2008 Chevy pickup, I would still rather be in my explorer.
While I will admit, Since I've had my explorer longer than any other ride, I've put more time into it, working on it. I came to an understanding every time I had to pull out a stuck vehicle, that this explorer can and will handle more than any vehicle I've pulled out of the mud, snow, freshly plowed and wet corn fields. Including that 03 Jeep Grand Cherokee "Trail Rated" as my brother always claimed.
I've only ever had my explorer stuck in 2wd. Once I locked it in four high, nothing would stop it from moving but I've not pushed it to the max, because I know there are limits, mainly being ground clearance.
As my daily driver it sits outside with only the front passenger side brake caliper working. The rear adjusters fall out every time I hit a hard bump and I will be installing new calipers once my tax check rolls in, after handing half of it to my ex, little boys mother. Then Ball joints, one has been busted for two years, RA bracket on the passenger side, new spring kit and adjusters in the rear, new shackles sometime this year and the basic things like new brake pads which will come with the loaded calipers.
I also have drive shaft issues, have a post here somewhere, which leads me to believe a new set of hubs or TC rebuild is in the future along with the quoted $800 engine rebuild by a family friend who builds racing engines full-time.
I love my little explorer and know my explorer loves me back every time she fires right up. They are great vehicles. But the moral of my reply is, no matter what it needs, there are newer and worse vehicles out there. I've seen cars under a year old be towed back to the dealer with "Major" problems, the kind that lead their owners to getting another new vehicle.
Ford quoted my explorer's value at $900 two days ago, I have not even put $900 in it since trading my 95 beretta for it.
My explorer will have nothing wrong with it before it goes through any lift kits and major off roading. That is my current goal anyways.
If you love your Explorer, you will keep it and welcome another vehicle into the family. But always remember, "they don't make them like they use too." My grand father heard that from a state trooper that pulled him over for driving 85 in a 55 in a 1934 Ford Model A.
