I need advice on a new (probably used) LARGE SUV.

From what I know diesel is better for towing usually. We tow a trailer to car races and I have heard my husband talking to the guys about diesel having more torque and I think and much better gas mileage when towing.

Hopefully you will get good answers here, but if the Q is slow, I can ask my husband tonight, he knows thos stuff.

@JLeslie Thank you! I heard that as well, and everything I read says the same thing. However, my commute to work is 2 miles, but it takes 15 minutes. Is that too short of a distance? I dont want to kill it too fast!!! :)

@mowens 15 minutes is not a good commute for a diesel. But the Excursions had the V-10 gas monster, that was good for towing. Do you need something that BIG? Have you driven in traffic and parked a land barge like the Excursion or Suburbans ? They are a different vehicle from the Merc Mountaineer, Excursions can feel like they are twice as big a Explorer/Mountaineer—THEY ARE !

Go to www.edmunds.com and research the make and model year of the vehicle you are considering. Then, be SURE to take it in for a diagnostic pre-purchase if buying from a private party.

Another option is to buy a fuel efficient daily driver, and then get something to use for towing the boat and driving your friends around. You could have the best of both worlds (fuel efficiency and the size/power/room that you occasionally need). I personally expect gas prices to become pretty ridiculous in the not-so-distant future (maybe going above $10/gallon in the next decade), the world oil supplies are being tapped, and all of the cheap/easy to find stuff is gone already.

@Tropical_Willie Only about 4000 lbs. My 20 ft SeaRay. But still. :) And yes, I used to drive my friends F250 all the time. It is huge, and a bit of a pain, but easily gotten used to. With the exception of my daily commute, the majority of my driving is long hauls.

@gorillapaws True. If that is the case I might just keep the Mountaineer, spend the 1500 to fix what needs fixed, and get like a mini cooper or something.

So, you are the taxi for all your friends? How did this happen? You must be loaded with money if the gas mlieage makes no difference to you.

Why not buy a good, used sports car from CarMax?

Then, pick your favorite girl from your friend list and show both of them off to the world.

You will get better gas mileage, your girlfriend/boyfriend will love your for it and your friends will have to find a better mode of transportation.

Your insurance rates will be cheaper and I will thank you for keeping another gas guzzler off the road. jp

@john65pennington Haha Nice. I mispoke before… I like gas mileage to be higher… but with cars this size… you are not going to get 40 mpg.

And since I have the boat, I normally take all my friends with me when we are going boating on a road trip. On road trips, I sometimes end up profiting off of the gas donations!

How many friends? It may make more sense to get a crew cab pickup like an F150 or a Chevy 1500 with a towing package.

My stepfather has a big pickup he uses in his work. He thought he liked what diesel would do for him until he got one. A little better mileage at a very steep price. He got rid of it in a hurry. On the other hand it does give you the biofuel option.

If your commute to work is 2 miles why not ride a bike when the weather permits. I can bike 2 miles easily in under 15 minutes.

@johnpowell I would agree. However, this is not a safe 2 miles. The 3 options to get to my office are too filled with traffic and people who dont pay attention.

My family has been ford believers forever. Try a ford expedition. I mysel have an escape and love it. Perfect for me. My mother has the expedition and loves it. It’s a v8 that’s about 80 to fill but it’s a great ride. She had an 05 fully loaded Eddie Boure expedition with 70k and traded it in for 13k so it might be a bit higher range but remember it was fully loaded ( heated seats, air conditioned seats, 2 DVD player etc.)

I decided to drive this one until the wheels fall off. (and until I can pay cash for a new car.) :) When I get something newer, it will most likely be a Ford.