buying 2004+ used- help decipher options

[expo5.0]

buying another x solely to be used on the weekends to carry camping gear and sports equipment. my mother may drive it back and forth to work some of rest of the time (4 miles each way). I have m c43 which i will drive quite a lot of the time around town after work and such, but i do ride my mountain bike to work every day it's above 20 degrees or so. Additonally, i have a 1998 suburban with minimal body damage and 330k on the click which i'll drive back and forth to work in the winter.

So here's the situation:

I figure i'll put 4-5k miles a year on this new vehicle most of it in a couple of long road trips (vancouver, colorado etc.). I am likely to also want to tow the c43 and the other explorer behind it at times. Yeah, i know the other explorer weighs around 3 tons with all my mods and stereo equipment. I'm sure no one is going to tell me i should be towing it behind an explorer etc.. It will be no more than 1-2 times a year that this would happen (itb and 1 other big show?). won't have to tow with it at all so long as the unkillable suburban keeps running.

can i get away with a v6?
when and which v8 powered trucks have true 4x4/selectable 2wd?
can i get nice leather without the wood grain?
which trucks are monotoned (i know i've seen xlt's that are monotone)
which types are vehicles are eligable for factory certification? (year/mileage)

please share any other advice you may have.

also, for all those who know me... this one is staying completely stock. You have my word. Unless i can't at least get the best stock stereo without having the stupid 6" rear dvd system and the wood grain that i don't like.

 

[FROADER]

Why not use the sub for the camping trips and occasional towing?

 

[expo5.0]

the mileage mainly, and that it is owned by my family. My mom hardly ever goes anywhere but she needs some car to get around town when both my siblings are home over there. it's no guarantee at all that i'll have access to it when i want to, and that it will keep running at this point. with the body damage it is not worth doing any more major mechanical stuff.

 

[FROADER]

Ahh, gotcha...

Well I don't know much about the 3rd gen either, so good luck.

Oh, and we all know it's not staying stock on the inside. :

 

[expo5.0]

yeah, sure would be easier if any local salespeople had the slightest clue about the options available etc., they are all like, "which of the 3 we have do you want?"

 

[techieman33]

My mom has an 03 eddie with premium sound and no dvd, it was an extra option. I believe the xlt's and limited were both available monotone. I can't help you on the wood grain though.

 

[expo5.0]

so some xlt's are monotone from all years? or just certain years?

the easy answer for getting away from wood grain is an xlt (and i really don't need whatever other luxury stuff the limited would have etc.)

 

[techieman33]

I'm pretty sure most of the xlt's are monotone.