I have narrowed down to 2 different cars for my wife to replace the now-sold Saab...
2003 Ford Escape 3.0L V6 4WD with 132K miles, absolutely spotless engine inside (oil cap view is great-- timing chain, tensioner, and valves are like brand new). 2 tires new, 2 about 50% worn. Small rips and stains in the interior, window crack, and sub/amp removal so the stock radio has no sound coming out.....all will be repaired before sale included in the price. Small dealership, $5500. Drives really well. I only have $2500, so we would have to finance the rest. Credit isn't great, worked out payments to about $190/mo. I am not a fan of financing anything.
1997 Ford Expedition 4.6L V8 2WD, 132K miles also, 2-owner car from a private party, wife's car....3K mile OCI with "whatever fully synthetic oil was on sale", timing chain service, all other service done by the owner himself and with pride. No rips/tears on the interior, and 4 new tires. Guy says dealer trade-in was a joke, so he is putting it up for $2500 so he can have a decent down-payment on a new car...says they typically keep their cars for 10+ years, so it's time to replace...guy was pleasant and knowledgable on the phone. Downside, the Expedition gets "18-19 street and up to 22-23mpg highway" according to the owner, and it does not have the 3rd row seat.
What would you choose? Truck will be driven 3 miles each way to work, and not much else, maybe 320 miles r/t to Austin and back every once and a while. May tow lightweight racecars from time to time. My wife is a teacher and can use either to transport kids on field trips, along with our own 2 kids.
2003 Ford Escape 3.0L V6 4WD with 132K miles, absolutely spotless engine inside (oil cap view is great-- timing chain, tensioner, and valves are like brand new). 2 tires new, 2 about 50% worn. Small rips and stains in the interior, window crack, and sub/amp removal so the stock radio has no sound coming out.....all will be repaired before sale included in the price. Small dealership, $5500. Drives really well. I only have $2500, so we would have to finance the rest. Credit isn't great, worked out payments to about $190/mo. I am not a fan of financing anything.
1997 Ford Expedition 4.6L V8 2WD, 132K miles also, 2-owner car from a private party, wife's car....3K mile OCI with "whatever fully synthetic oil was on sale", timing chain service, all other service done by the owner himself and with pride. No rips/tears on the interior, and 4 new tires. Guy says dealer trade-in was a joke, so he is putting it up for $2500 so he can have a decent down-payment on a new car...says they typically keep their cars for 10+ years, so it's time to replace...guy was pleasant and knowledgable on the phone. Downside, the Expedition gets "18-19 street and up to 22-23mpg highway" according to the owner, and it does not have the 3rd row seat.
What would you choose? Truck will be driven 3 miles each way to work, and not much else, maybe 320 miles r/t to Austin and back every once and a while. May tow lightweight racecars from time to time. My wife is a teacher and can use either to transport kids on field trips, along with our own 2 kids.