Time for a new car Chevy vs Ford Vs Toyota... soory too long ;-)

[rama1200]

Howdy ya'll... I posted this on another thread (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145974)
but I think this is another good place to get input...

ok.. here is the deal, I currently own an 01 x sprt, and it's time for a change, I bought new new and saw the resale value go to the floor throughout the years... so since I decided not to a buy a new car (at least until I'm rich)... I am considering 3 options, all of them 2002 year models:

1. ford explorer 4D,
2. chevy trailblazer
3. toyota 4runner

Each of the truck has defenite pros and cons over the others... to helped me get even more confused, i have gone to a lot of site with cars reviews... it looks like all of them have user riviews that are negatives and positives, so I'm still not sure what should I get... so here I am asking ford king help to make up my mind (man... and to think that I complaint when my wife can't make up hers about what shoes to wear...)

I was wondering if you all have opinions as far a quality, mechanic relaibility, mpg, etc. when it come to one car or another...

chevy: I've read that chevy have great ride, suspension, engine (270 hp), but I also have read that it has a lot transmission and electrical problems problems, and that mpg is not that great (eventhough it advertises better milage than ford).

ford: i've read ford is the most "sophisticated" ride of the 3, 3rd row seat, all-wheel independent suspension and other goodies make it a nice choice (plus it really looks good and I have own explorers all my life); but also have read a lot of people complaint about explorers breaking down a lot... but there doesn't seem to be a specific point that is really a clear as the transmission problems on the chevy, for example.... Oh I also read that the transmissions enclosure is sealed from factory and will not need any servicing until about 150k mi... an big point to ford's favor.

toyota: I've read that defenitelylyly is the best quality among the 3, decent ride and prooven off-road ability... on the other hand, it looks like it has the worst gas milage out of the 3 (even when it has the smallest engine out of the 3), that dealerships are horroble, and I really dislike the facts that is (by far) not as wide as the other 2 and the engine is not as strong as the other 2...


... as you can see, I'm in a predicament... if you have any comments regarding either truck, good or bad, I'll greatly appreciate any input...

 

[RockRanger]

Ive had all three as rentals on different business trips. trailblazers and explorers will 45 mph in first while the 4 runner will only do 40. When its 25 degrees below zero out side an explorer wont run worth a crap for the first thirty minutes you start it up if you dont plug it in over night. The auto 4wd in the explorer works well we had a heck of a time trying to get it to doughnuts in the snowy parking lot. The chevy trailblazer has a nice jack that can be used easily as a bottle jack on a construction site to help perswade items into place. with the 4 runner with the rear locker you can have fun with it in icy parking lots as well.

Of all three I like the explorer the best. It had the most space inside and with the third seat down it made for alot of space for tools. However it got the worst mileage (but it was a v8) I didnt like the interior of the 4 runner at all and the trailblazer felt small and kind of cheap. The trail blazer felt most car like while being driven.

 

[Blee1099]

Lets keep it to one forum.. If you want the other thread moved, let a moderator know.