I need advise for buying a car?

I am selling my 2003 ford taurus for about $5,000. It is in very good condition. However, I want a SUV. What model would you suggest I buy? Fords are out of the question as I heard they flip. It has to be under $20,000.I need advise for buying a car?
You're thinking of the Ford Explorer in the 1990s. They were no more likely to flip than most other SUVs at the time. The problem was the tires that they came with from the factory. That is no longer a problem, hasn't been a problem for almost a decade, and never applied to other Ford models.





Why do you want an SUV? If it's for space, a wagon or minivan will provide as much or more, with better fuel economy, and in the case of a wagon, better handling (actually, in some minivan vs SUV comparison the minivan wins, too).





If it's for inclement weather, a car will handle that better. 4WD can help you get moving, but it usually (particularly the types of 4WD in large SUVs) can't help you turn, and it will NEVER help you stop. An AWD car will be lighter, and will brake and corner better. Their AWD tends to be set up better for the road, and they have lower centers of gravity, helping them stay planted. They're also lighter, and so can stop more easily. There is a reason that Subarus sell like mad in the snow belt.





The good reasons to get an SUV:





You need to tow something more than 1-2000 pounds on a regular basis, you will be driving in snow or mud regularly, AND you need a lot of space in your vehicle. Full-size vans are also an option in this case.





You drive off-road on a regular basis. (Gravel roads are not off-road. By off-road I mean no construction crew has ever been there laying down a road bed) And it has to be some nasty off-road for an SUV to really be necessary, too. You can do mild off-roading in ANY car.





You get an unbelievable deal on one. Given today's market (less disposeable income flying around, expensive fuel) that's actually more likely than it used to be. A lot of used car lots are CHOKED with SUVs.








';Crossovers'; and older car-based SUVs are the product of people recognizing that their needs are best met by wagons, but being unwilling to admit it. They're a compromise. They're better for most people than a truck-based SUV (like the Explorer), but they still have capabilities most drivers will never use (they usually have more ground clearance and can handle rougher roads than a wagon), which will adversely impact their handling and fuel economy.





Anyhow, what SUV you should get depends on what you want from it. If you're just going to be going down some unmaintained roads during breakup, any ';crossover'; would be more than enough. (Though ANY car can do it with enough driver skill) If you need full-on truck towing and actual off-road ability, I'd say any Jeep (except the Compass and Patriot), an Explorer or Expedition, a Trailblazer or Tahoe (which historically has been one of the more benign SUVs in terms of damage to other vehicles in accidents, BTW), a 4-runner or Landcruiser.I need advise for buying a car?
Subaru Outback Sport- AWD plus 5 star safety.
lMAO!!!! who told you fords flip


yeah the explorers did flip back in the late 90's.....


because firestone would not take responsibility for cheap tires.
Check out Consumer Reports and Carfax.





www.consumerreports.org


www.carfax.com





and of course the Kelly Blue Book





www.kbb.com
That flipping over was due to the JUNK tires that Firestone had installed on them. IF A TIRE DOES NOT BLOW OUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ROLL OVER. Unless the person driving it causes the roll over. Firestone tires are absolute JUNK. They used 2nd. rate rubber. Rubber that should have been thrown out!
Are you talking about a new SUV for under 20,000? Good luck.
Any top heavy vehicle (like an SUV) can flip under the right conditions. Mainly, a sudden loss of air pressure (blow out) while turning. Even though I'm not a big Ford fan, I wouldn't let the flipping concern prevent me from buying one if I found a good deal.


Main piece of advice: when you think you have found the vehicle you like and you have negotiated the price, insist that they allow you to have it checked out by a mechanic of your choice. Any information gathered from this inspection can then be used to negotiate a lower price. For example: ';The valve cover gaskets are leaking and I have an estimate of $250 to repair it. Either have it repaired for me, or take $250 off the price of the truck.';
Try this site.





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