Looking for a bigger vehicle.

I need to ask other foresters that I sell wood to and deal with. They all drive ford or chevy usually. Most put 20-40k miles a year on a truck. So these guys put the miles on them. Many buyers and companies rotate trucks every 3 years or so. They usually put around 100k on them and trade them so that won't tell me long term I guess?

 

Most people who ditch their vehicles after 100k, that I personally know of, don't ever do tuneups. No tranny fluid changes at all, never mind timing belts and the expensive stuff. Service records are critical for a used car sale I'd say.

Everyone who laughs at the mommy van and then rides in one wants one. Even the cool kids can't doubt their comfort and utility.

 

The ford 5.4 has a chain not a belt right? But anyway on the timing belt thing. As long as it hasnt slipped or broken on an interference engine timing belt that hasnt been done in forever won't hurt...just need to plan on doing it if you cant prove it was done. I think I put 150k on the one on my ranger before I got around to doing it. It was at least the second change that I know of on that engine? I think I put that one in around 289k or something like that. One had been installed when I got it at like 155k.

 

I know a few people that had those Expeditions. Big time gas hogs and they were not impressed with them. I would definitely stick with Toyota if you can. The way I look at it "I can have a car payment or a gas payment". Now for a truck to haul wood I'd get a Chevy or a Ford, but for getting around and going on trips my Toyota Camry is great. Do you really need an SUV? My Camry has a huge trunk, lots of leg room and the gas mileage is awesome. Good luck with what ever you get.

 

Our first "family" car was a compromise - Subaru Outback. Plenty of space for kids and dogs, very good mileage, and AWD rocks! That's my ride now as the wife still craved that minivan. They hold their value very well around New England, so we bought new.

 

I had a 2000 z71 with a 5.3. Put 279000 on it. Only thing ever changed on the motor was an idler pulley, plugs, and fluid/filters. Great running motor. My 07 with the 4.8 is doing fine too, 131000 on that.

 

A cheap obd2 code reader will tell you which cylinder is misfiring. The check engine light never comes on for me though.

Even without a reader you can fingure out which cylinder is misfiring by unplugging one coil and listening for a change in the idle.

 

I have a reader. I couple it to my smartphone and use the app "torque". Its a Bluetooth code reader. Gave my cheap IE to a buddy.

I still think we will get one. Mechanic buddy said the 3V as well are the problem 5.4

 

We HAVE a TOY Highlander. The cargo space is bigger than your camry and when we go out of town it is pAcked to the roof so much that stuff is falling out. There is a car seat and the dog sits beside it. Half the time we have to take the hitch haul or a trailer to carry the rest.

I have my farm property 3 hours away. I am constantly working on it or have to bring tools for potential breakdowns. That and my hunting clothes and guns and climbing stands you quickly run out of room. CAR is not in the question. A minivan would work but she says NO. So that is not an option. She also said no roof carrier...which I have no reason why?

She is a stay at home mom so it won't get driven much. The highlander gives us usually 19mpg going to town and around. It will get 17-19 with a trailer and at best will get 21mpg when on solid highway miles...its the first year they were made and has the smaller 3.0 camry engine in it. Has about as much passenger room as a camry too!! A bit more...more like a minivan in the front

 

Sounds like a woman. I put a 6 point buck in my 2012 Camry trunk on a tarp, climbing stand (Lone Wolf) and all my stuff. I guess I'm just so over SUVs due to the bad gas mileage. Women seem to like them for some odd reason. Good luck in what ever you choose, at least gas prices are going down a little. It's just my opinion.

 

I think women like them for the same reason many men have n like trucks. Most guys can get away with a car and a trailer. So many trucks never have anything in the bed. I have 2 different trucks and their worked hard when I drive them usually.

I drive a saturn car everyday usually to commute in.

 

I'm going to say no(haven't monkeyed with one these fords) - The newer independent coil packs may have the ability to diagnose specific cylinders with a simple OBD II.
Otherwise you'll just get a standard misfire p0300 code.

yet again not 100% accurate - been there chased those ghosts.
Even pulling the injector plug off a cylinder can smooth up a rough idle and not be the right cylinder

 

On my '99 you get the p0300 code when you first notice the rough idle. About 50 miles later when the shudder starts happening at 50 mph I get a second code that is cylinder specific.

 

On my 1997 saturn I get a cylinder miss fire code. Thats the thing all obd2 codes r the same...there is some model specific stuff but basically the same. It did take the saturn a while to show up. Doesnt tell I the coil you have to look bit on these u have a good idea. On my saturn it was a bad wire.