'05 Explorer or '06 Altima

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lugNutz

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So I have come face to face with a looming decision. I need a bigger car to fit my 2 year old and her [censored] when we take trips. And most here know that women cant pack light either, so I need to fit my wife's closet in the vehicle too. So we both have Altimas and my mom happens to have this Explorer laying around and said that she would be willing to just trade vehicles to help me out.

The Explorer is an '05 XLT with 90k.. Has the 4.0 with the advance trac system.

My car is an '06 Altima 2.5, Currently in the 160k neighborhood.

I am looking for some opinions as to what YOU would do. I know there aren't a lot of details here, but I don't have many. I have done all of the maintenance on my car since 30k and she only bought it from someone she knows because he wanted to get rid of it last year. If there are some ex or current explorer owners out there that can give me some insight as to some mechanically known issues or even what to look for prior to deciding, that would be awesome of you. I have been driving it around recently and like it, but I hear what sounds like a vacuum is turned on under the rear of the car (guessing fuel pump) and the temp gauge never stays constant (bounces between freezing cold and just over 1/4 of the way up. FWIW I have no idea when or even if the drivetrain fluids have ever been changed.

Let me have some of you smart Ford guys help me out here!
 
Originally Posted By: Maxima97
Ford Explorer.

Pro: Lot of cargo room. 4x4 for off-road. High on the road and safer if crashed head on.

Con: Gas mileage


Safer perhaps in a head on collision but more likely to rollover than just about any passenger car. Even with the enhanced stability controls.

I'd probably still pick the Explorer. It would be hard to give up that extra fuel economy that the Altima would offer, but it is a 160,000 mile Altima. Maybe if it was a really clean 3.5SL I would feel differently. But I just think the Explorer is a better choice in this instance.
 
I believe that era Altima had widespread problems with under carriage rust...my neighbor got rid of his because of this. Google it.
 
I'd take the Exploder any day.

Wife and I used to have a 2005 Explorer as well. Put a little over 105,000 miles on it. Only thing it needed during this time was tires around 50,000 and an alternator around 85,000. And fluids/filters of course. We drove that thing all over the southeast. It was a good truck, I wish we would have kept it. This probably isn't helping you very much.

The timing chain stuff was worked out for the 02 model year so you're good there. The trans stuff was worked out by then too. You probably won't have any major headaches to worry about. Just small stuff here and there. Ball joints, shocks, brakes all the wear and tear stuff.

The 4.0 likes heavier oil btw. Rotella T5 ran GREAT in ours.
 
Arent those altima 2.5's known for the cat breaking down and being sucked up into the engine? If so I wouldn't want to pass that on to your mom and have her deal with it, I would just stick with what you have. If you need something bigger then trade it in on your own. I feel like it would be a good deal for you if you switched with you mom, but not good for your mom.
 
Thanks for the advice so far from everyone. As far as the issues with the rust and precat on the Altimas, those were only for the 02-04 2.5's. All that mess was cleaned up for the 05-06 3rd gens. Plus, I have no precat anyway
wink.gif
The 2.5's are actually the most dependable motor Nissan makes, even over the 3.5

On a side note, we can take issues with the Altima out the of equation for the most part since she is in the car business, she could pretty much turn it over in a day if she wanted to.

My major concern is with the maintenance on the 4-wheel drive. I personally have never owned one and have no idea what needs to be done to maintain it. I'm assuming some D&F's of the Diff and TC are in order?

Also, Stranger, would any 10w30 work or should it be heavier? Conv. or Syn?
 
Originally Posted By: lugNutz

My major concern is with the maintenance on the 4-wheel drive. I personally have never owned one and have no idea what needs to be done to maintain it. I'm assuming some D&F's of the Diff and TC are in order?

Also, Stranger, would any 10w30 work or should it be heavier? Conv. or Syn?


I'm not familiar with the 4wd requirements.

Any 30 weight will be fine. I prefered synthetic but it does not require it. Heres some oils I ran in the 4.0...

Mobil 1 0w30 & 5w30...both noisy enough to drain early
Pennzoil Platinum 10w30...much quieter
Pennzoil Ultra 10w30...same as Pennzoil Platinum
T5 10w30...same as Pennzoil Platinum
T6 5w40...quietest/smoothest of all

This is my personal opinion and is by no means technical at all...I never did a used oil analysis. These are a good starting point but experiment if you want.
 
Originally Posted By: stranger706
Originally Posted By: lugNutz

My major concern is with the maintenance on the 4-wheel drive. I personally have never owned one and have no idea what needs to be done to maintain it. I'm assuming some D&F's of the Diff and TC are in order?

Also, Stranger, would any 10w30 work or should it be heavier? Conv. or Syn?


I'm not familiar with the 4wd requirements.

Any 30 weight will be fine. I prefered synthetic but it does not require it. Heres some oils I ran in the 4.0...

Mobil 1 0w30 & 5w30...both noisy enough to drain early
Pennzoil Platinum 10w30...much quieter
Pennzoil Ultra 10w30...same as Pennzoil Platinum
T5 10w30...same as Pennzoil Platinum
T6 5w40...quietest/smoothest of all

This is my personal opinion and is by no means technical at all...I never did a used oil analysis. These are a good starting point but experiment if you want.


I`ve tried a few different oils in my gf`s 4.0 Mustang:

Valvoline 10w30 conventional (quietest/smoothest)
Valvoline Synpower 10W30 (probably the same as the wb)
Mobil 1 10W30 (loud and rough)

I`m changing it this weekend. I`m either going to go with Valvoline conventional,Pennzoil conventional,or GTX (10W30).
 
Originally Posted By: Maxima97
Ford Explorer.

Pro: Lot of cargo room. 4x4 for off-road. High on the road and safer if crashed head on.

Con: Gas milage


I agree. We have two kids and two dogs so when we travel for the holidays, a wagon/SUV is mandatory. An SUV is also much better for trips to Sam's Club and the lumber yard.

The other 95% of driving is fine with a sedan. But that 5% made the decision for us. We have a Buick Rainier, a Trailblazer clone. I'm starting to look at replacements for it and a sedan isn't even on the list.

The difference on the odometers for the Explorer and Altima is cancelled out by the fuel economy difference. Expect around 15 or so in mixed driving.
 
Originally Posted By: strat81

The other 95% of driving is fine with a sedan. But that 5% made the decision for us.


I never quite got that logic. (Not trying to be rude, apologizes if it comes off that way).

I can understand if it is a weather-related issue with AWD and 5% of the trips (if that) during winter, but the capacity? I just do not get why one would pay for all the extra capacity for only a few trips a year.
 
Originally Posted By: FutureDoc
Originally Posted By: strat81

The other 95% of driving is fine with a sedan. But that 5% made the decision for us.


I never quite got that logic. (Not trying to be rude, apologizes if it comes off that way).

I can understand if it is a weather-related issue with AWD and 5% of the trips (if that) during winter, but the capacity? I just do not get why one would pay for all the extra capacity for only a few trips a year.


Not sure about strat81 but I picked up my big vehicle under the premise that I'd have a daily driver for 95% of the time, and one massive vehicle for the other 5%. Granted, it's apt to become my 100% driver soon; but IMO most of us size our vehicles for whatever is our worst case needs. It's kinda annoying to run around and borrow a vehicle (who loans out vehicles?) or rent a vehicle when the current fleet won't do what is needed.

Plus, extra capacity is always nice. Need to stop and pick something up on the way home, and it turns out it's bigger than you expected? I know my wife bought something once, then I got dispatched to go pick it up, as it wouldn't fit in her car. When it comes to moving around the kids it seems that capacity is used more often than not. Just going to school brings out backpacks and the dog and snacks and who knows what else.
 
Originally Posted By: FutureDoc
Originally Posted By: strat81

The other 95% of driving is fine with a sedan. But that 5% made the decision for us.


I never quite got that logic. (Not trying to be rude, apologizes if it comes off that way).

I can understand if it is a weather-related issue with AWD and 5% of the trips (if that) during winter, but the capacity? I just do not get why one would pay for all the extra capacity for only a few trips a year.


I'm the same way. 95% of the time I'm fine with my sedan, the other 5% is why they make roof racks and rocket boxes.
 
Originally Posted By: supton

Not sure about strat81 but I picked up my big vehicle under the premise that I'd have a daily driver for 95% of the time, and one massive vehicle for the other 5%. Granted, it's apt to become my 100% driver soon; but IMO most of us size our vehicles for whatever is our worst case needs. It's kinda annoying to run around and borrow a vehicle (who loans out vehicles?) or rent a vehicle when the current fleet won't do what is needed.

Plus, extra capacity is always nice. Need to stop and pick something up on the way home, and it turns out it's bigger than you expected? I know my wife bought something once, then I got dispatched to go pick it up, as it wouldn't fit in her car. When it comes to moving around the kids it seems that capacity is used more often than not. Just going to school brings out backpacks and the dog and snacks and who knows what else.


I get the idea about having both a large and smaller vehicle. I have my Outback for that reason (and the AWD for mountain weather). However, when fuel prices jump a few years ago, my wife avoided her Explorer and we drove my MR2 95% of the time (1.5cuft of cargo space). Actually, when getting the MR2, I used the opposite rational. It would serve me 99% of the time as it was mostly my commuter.

I could not see why a 2yo would need an Explorer. I get larger families needing more seats. Simple Math. However, I come from a tall family (all makes are a good 6'2" and above and all except me are 200lbs+) and we never needed an SUV. Nothing a large sedan could not handle. Altimas are on the small side of a mid-sized car but they are fine. I would not have an issue about taking the Explorer over the Altima in this case just because of the mileage but I would be weary as making the Explorer a daily driver depending on the miles you drive. If you only have a short commute or infrequent errand, maybe, but I would not pick it for the 5% over the 95%.

Women can pack light. You have to offer them an incentive. "Sorry honey, if you want to take that extra bag of shoes and emergency candles along, it will have ride in your foot well."
 
Without knowing a lot of details, I can tell you from past experience, that it's much easier to get a little one in and out of an SUV vs. car. We've had both. Everyone in my family prefers SUVs -- especially for trips. The little one will prefer the higher seating position as well.
 
Sounds like the Exploder might have a few issues.
Do you like to drive? Do you do enough miles normally to worry about mileage?
Yes and yes for me, so I took the wagon option for 2 kids as I like driving a manual and need decent mileage. If you want something more substantial than a Focus, you might like a Mazda6, or a Passat or Jetta wagon. They were all availabe with a manual as well if you care.
 
How come you guys keep calling them Exploders? I hope there's no truth in that. Reminds me of the saying, there's a little bit of truth in every joke.
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Sounds like the Exploder might have a few issues.
Do you like to drive? Do you do enough miles normally to worry about mileage?
Yes and yes for me, so I took the wagon option for 2 kids as I like driving a manual and need decent mileage. If you want something more substantial than a Focus, you might like a Mazda6, or a Passat or Jetta wagon. They were all availabe with a manual as well if you care.

Indy,
quick note:
Mazda6 wagon sold only 11 (eleven) in US. 3 are going around Chicago area....(2 black and a purple)
not sure how many with stick/manual
also little known pretty cheap dog: Ford Freestyle aka folvo neither wagon neither CUV with 6-7 chairs
 
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