I may need a new vehicle (SUV, FAST, Seat 6)!!!

[bkantor]

I'm looking at a new job that will most likely require me to get a new vehicle. I like my X, but it's 10 years old, paint is crappy and I would need something I could take customers around in and still get my family of 6 in (two car seats).

I saw the Jeep Cherokee SRT8 and Chevy Trailblazer SS but neither have a third row seat... but the thought of 0-60 in 5+ seconds and 1/4 just over 13 seconds is, well, awesome.

So, I'm stuck looking at slightly larger vehicles. I tend to lean away from Chrysler products (multiple bad experiences) and Chevy doesn't thrill me with their fit/finish. The vehicles that pop out are

1) 2006+ Explorer (I want a 5.4!)
2) Expedition
3) Tahoe / Yukon. (Wish the LS2 vette engine were available)

Goals: Stay under 30K total, be fast (doesn't have to be SRT8 fast, but something under a 14 second 1/4 would be cool), not spend months putting it together (family, no back-up vehicle) and of course 3rd row seat. I'll probably look for a low mileage 1-2 year old vehicle to save $$ up front. I'm thinking supercharger and breather mods, that's it.

So, suggest away! FYI, I lean explorer (not so huge) with the new 4.6L 3V engine. I'd be curious in how much hp you think your "suggestion" would yield as well.

Brad

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Minivan

Or find a Excursion, they can be had fairly cheap because of fuel prices.

Then from your list, an Expedition would be nice.

I lean toward the Excursion though.

 

[bkantor]

You yank my chain The excursion won't fit in my garage! I have a friend who has one at it is absolutely ridiculous. As for the minivan, we have one of those (Honda... aside from the paint it's a nice vehicle). I need to keep something around for towing/hauling.

I've seen quite a few cheap expeditions...

 

[etalian]

my 2002 explorer is for sale. has 3rd row seat... seats 7
http://www.ford-trucks.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=12948
just a small 51,000 miles... asking 16K negotiable

 

[Turdle]

my 2002 explorer is for sale. has 3rd row seat... seats 7
http://www.ford-trucks.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=12948
just a small 51,000 miles... asking 16K negotiable

He said FAST

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Seat 6 + fast doesn't really add up. I don't know of anything off hand (stock) that meets that criteria. Thats why I say an Excursion. Then you have an excuse to not be fast = size.

 

[etalian]

He said FAST

it is fast...when you go WOT

Seat 6 + fast doesn't really add up. I don't know of anything off hand (stock) that meets that criteria. Thats why I say an Excursion. Then you have an excuse to not be fast = size.

but if he gets a diesel excursion w/ a programmer like bully dog the thing will fly

 

[bkantor]

I guess fast is relative Fastest car I've ever owned is our current minivan (0-60 in 7.8 seconds IIRC). It goes but I reallllllyyyyy hate front wheel drive!

So far the best option I've seen is an Expedition w/ 5.4L and a whipple SC. This combo seems capable of producing 0-60's around 6 seconds and low to mid 14's in the 1/4... and it's a heck of a lot cheaper than the Chevy equivalent.

1 year old Expeditions seem to be dirt cheap as well...

 

[etalian]

excursion w/ programmer will be faster. and teh engine will last forever

 

[briwayjones]

Porche Cayenne. I don't think they have a 3rd row seat though.

 

[bkantor]

mountaineergree - I know my math is off, but at least the kids are still light

So, someone show me this fast Excursion. I'm curious. It still doesn't fit in my garage, though, which is somewhat a requirement.

briwayjones - Yeah, the Cayenne is pretty cool too, although I think I'd look at the BMW X5 (it has a third row seat) if I got up towards 50K.

In an ideal situation, I would get an Explorer to haul 6 and something like a jensen healey, opel gt, datsun 240z etc for the fun/speed aspect. If you get 200-250hp in one of those they'll really go! The spousal unit won't go for that, though, so plan "b" is to make the SUV go fast.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

This isn't an excursion, but its close.

2006 6.0 F250

Exhaust, Tuner, Nitros

13.867 quarter mile @ 96.3

http://www.dragtimes.com/Ford-F250-Truck-Timeslip-9080.html

Not blazing fast, but with some more bolt on mods, the 6.0s can scream.

 

[bkantor]

That's pretty cool. I think it's neat to see these larger trucks get up and move and it's plenty fast for me. Right now I'm enjoying my stock '97 X.

I gotta figure this out as I've got a powerdyne and TM headers sitting in the garage. If I keep my X, they're going in ASAP.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

What in the world are you waiting for?? Bolt that stuff on and make it scream or send the powerdyne to me.

 

[etalian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX0LJMQm_cg
its an old 7.3 diesel. but if you get a 6.0 it will be even faster

 

['97 V8]

That's pretty cool. I think it's neat to see these larger trucks get up and move and it's plenty fast for me. Right now I'm enjoying my stock '97 X.

I gotta figure this out as I've got a powerdyne and TM headers sitting in the garage. If I keep my X, they're going in ASAP.

If you dont keep the ex, i'll buy the headers off of ya...just keep me in mind.

 

[bkantor]

Damn!!! I especially liked the run against the F150 lightning.

As for the SC and Headers, I'll definitely stick them in the For Sale section if I do switch routes. It's hard... if my X had a third row seat I would keep it forever. Aside from things wearing out, I have had virtually ZERO problems and I love the old 5.0 engine, oh, and only 97K miles (owned since 16K).

 

[Turdle]

The answer to your problem

They list a leather one for 150 bux higher

 

[toypaseo]

Centurion Bronco...?

 

[OZexplore]

what about one of these http://drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?articleID=18092&comparisonID=464