Getting back into a truck soon, and tossed up between TB and EX

[atvman29]

Hey guys, looks like a nice forum here!

Anyways, as my title suggested, I am going to be getting my self back into a truck likely this summer as my 150 mile roundtrip commute to school wraps up at the end of the year. My 2003 Cavalier has been flawless but I'm sick and tired of getting a half mile running start to get up my snow covered driveway, and driving it through fields during bow-hunting season. Also, I don't think its too fond of pulling my 700lb Polaris Sportsman.... I can't blame it.

So to really get down to it, I'm looking for a nice, 4x4 SUV under $10K with space for a future family, reliability, respectable off-road capability, as low of mileage as possible, decent towing capacity, and manufactured by Ford or the General. As you all know, this leaves the third gen Explorer and the Trailblazer, plus all of their siblings (which I am not really interested in (except maybe the Envoy)). I'm sticking with GM and Ford because I have a father who works for GM in parts, and an Uncle who's been a Ford mechanic his whole life.

My question is this:

Should I look at the Trailblazer or the Explorer and why? I plan to drive both side by side this weekend and have driven both before. It seems like the Trailblazers are about $1000 more for a similarly equipped/mileage vehicle so that needs to be accounted for.

I'm also posting this same question over at the Trailvoy forums to see what I hear over there for comparison.

For this forum, what should I look for in the 3rd gens? I've read on here 02s are trouble, but 03-05 is fine, with 05 being favorable. How about 4.0L vs 4.6L? Reliability is the biggest concern there. Any other things to watch out for??

Thanks in advance!

 

[XLT]

You will probably get some baised reviews here on which to get. Here is a great thread from the past comparing the two trucks. The v8s in the ex are the most reliable powertrain package offered in the ex. I believe by the years you are looking that the sohc v6 finally had the timing chain issue resolved as well. If you are planning on having a family in the future you may want to look at how the two trucks are rated as far as safty goes as well.

Welcome to the Explorer Forum!!! Plus If you go with an explorer this forum has a plethora of knowledge from making repairs to modding out your truck!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Probably the most important reply in that thread:

One thing that made me buy a second X over many brands I looked at when shopping was this forum. I tried to find other sites when researching and nothing compared to this. I know if I ever had a problem with my X I know I can get an answer and in most cases a step by step repair procedure that usually has pics.

Can you get that kind of support with the trailblazer?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Get a second generation Explorer. The 98, 99, and 00 are good. I know that you want a third generation, but they are known for having issues with the transmission (5R55W), and the throttle by wire set up on the later models. As previously mentioned, look for a V8 package.

 

[atvman29]

Thanks guys. I had read through that thread actually. Very helhelpful.

So how many miles is too many miles on an 04 XLT with the 4.0? I'm going to test drive one with 130K for $6995. Only flaw is cracked tailgate.

Any cheap fixes for that?

 

[atvman29]

Welcome to this forum! Get a second generation Explorer. The 98, 99, and 00 are good. I know that you want a third generation, but they are known for having issues with the transmission (5R55W), and the throttle by wire set up on the later models. As previously mentioned, look for a V8 package.

Thanks for the welcome! But I have to be honest... I can't stand the style of that gen Explorer.... haha