I wouldn't recommend the Ford line of SUV's. Much as I like my Explorer, it isn't really an off road vehicle, nor is it a good highway vehicle. The main plus for me is that I can pack my whole dorm room into the back and not have to worry about weather like I would in a pick-up.
That is one thing that annoys me about Ford. They keep making more and more car-based SUVS and with every generation of the Explorer they remove some of its capability off-road in favor of making it into a big car with a truck frame. You can't even get a limited slip rear axel anymore and you can't lock it into 2Hi. I had three explorers and they were great vehicles, but unless they turn them back into trucks (or put the Cobra engine in them :))I'm not buying another one.
I am however looking at the new Expedition EL (if they put the diesel in it that they are talking about), since it seems GM isn't making a replacement for my diesel Suburban and I need an SUV that can tow 9,000lbs and still get over 20mpg.
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