Unless U must have a "foreign" car, I am hugely impressed with the ford explorer, mine is 1999 awd 4..the SOHC engine.
I drove jeeps and S10s for years. Then someone stole and ruined my last S10. Found this explorer where a guy was given a company car, 99
explorer sat for 2 years It had new tires, and 140k miles.Bought a battery and have driven nearly 30k miles.
I found that gm was selling 4 speed autos (400R tranny), lucky to go 80k. Ford uses a 5 speed auto with much better mileage, and if I ever need parts.....OD has a lockout button, you still have 4 speeds.Much Newer ones have cvt also
I have beat this car up and all it does is go. I see millions of them, and there is a reason. They run and run. If you see one sitting for an extended period, it may have a bad tranny. I can identify them by the wheel style used that year, and the foglights, other than that they all look the same.
I hunt, pull motorcycle trailers, drive distances, drive snow.
Older ones have doorlock switch/solenoid problems, fix is on youtube.
I am looking for my next one. Great deals for under 5k$
interior is nice in leather. dont get the eddie bauer with running boards and a 302, baaad gas mileage.
good luck!