That mustang makes me sad

Having 2 teenage boys my heart goes out to you. Get him mustang and please paint it.

MarkinSC wrote:

Here's my .02 cents

Be leary of any vehicle with a salvage title.  You may have a hard time getting insurance for it. Esurance and Geico will tell you that they will not insure a salvage title vehicle when you input the vin number on thier website.  So look for a clean title.

beware of scam ads on craigslist. They put a price that is really low to get you to inquire about it, then they sell your email address or your phone number and you will get a bunch of non wanted texts to your phone or unwanted email solicitations.

Just about every ford explorer / expedition / excursion that I have ever encountered has transmission issues.  I haven't found one where it doesn't need a transmission for one reason or another.

I understand where you live 4x4 are probably more common for the weather, but keep in mind gas prices and gas mileage on those vehicles. Explorers aren't great on gas. I spend 50 a week in gas for my Hyundai Elantra 4 cylinder, imagine a 8 cylinder 4x4. .   Might want to consider a subaru that has all wheel drive and "decent" on gas or a Rav 4 or Jeep Patriot 4 cylinder.  

All my kids have thier own insurance policies. They are not covered under my insurance at all.  If something happens, at least I won't lose my insurance if they have one too many accidents or tickets. It will only affect them., and vice versa.  They may have to pay more money having thier own policy, but it  will be a good lesson for them, on watching thier money go each month just to drive a car. 

  Thanks for all the Great Info.  Didn't know the explorers had a bad transmission.  Thanks Steve69
 

First, congrats on him getting his license. I got mine the day I turned 16. Been a hot rodder ever since. My two boys 22 and 27. Had no real interest in there license fore a couple of years after they turned 16. Still do not know why.
Back to the three choices. Not a big fan of that mustang body stile, but as the birdman said you got to paint that's sucker!!!!!
The Explorer could be a good choice but watch out for that trans.
Looks wise have always liked the Durango. I know several people that have them and the only complaint I hear is they suck fuel and it doesn't seem to matter what engine it is either.
Good Luck!

I'd go w/the Explorer, check the trans out.  The trans went on my 2000 went with 145K miles on it.  It was a V6, highway mileage was in the low 20's, city was 16-18 mpg.
Note, I had a full size Bronco when my kids began to drive, and never worried too much with them driving it as it was like a tank.  The Explorer would give me peace of mind.

My thougts, per your request.

The Durango is a Dodge...I guess some peope like them. 

The mustang...I won't even capitalize the name it's so hosed up.  IMO, anyone who would paint a car like that would likely be too ignorant...or maybe just plain stupid, to give a car the kind of care that would support any claim of a "well cared for" vehicle.  And it can't be driven easily in the snow.

The Exploder is a Ford.  They have made a zillion  of them I personally haven't heard of trans trouble but then I'm not looking for an Explorer.  Drive it, have it checked.  As someone else said, you can buy an earlier one for half the $$$ and do a trans if necessary but if this one has low miles and is clean and straight, well clean and straigt can be worth a lot.  And it's sure-footed.

BB