With a growing family, I knew we needed a larger, reliable vehicle. As historical re-enactors, we also needed something that would haul all of our gear on weekend trips without cramping us. The Ford Explorer we bought has tons of room for my kids and their friends AND for our weekend events. Last weekend, I hauled enough camping gear for four adults plus a suit of armor, a whole slew of weapons, a Viking rope bed and 3 days worth of supplies. The best part was that we didn't feel crammed into the vehicle like sardines! For an SUV, it gets great gas mileage, even better than advertised. The 4 wheel drive was a life saver in a snow storm this winter. Even though the mileage is kind of high, we haven't had to replace any major parts. I have had a few newer cars than this one but they weren't as reliable as my Explorer. She starts every time. And, best of all, the body is nice enough that I don't look like a "soccer mom" driving it around. I feel like I'm driving a truck. Like a truck, I know she's built Ford tough. The sunroof and CD player are nice additions and make every drive a lot more fun, especially the long hauls when I drive hundreds of miles for my weekend re-enactment events.

What I liked about this vehicle is that it was pretty dependable. The brakes now need fixed. Also, my stepdad always bought Ford cars, so Ford vehicles seem to stand the test of time. Over the years, it seems on most all Explorers that they begin to rust on the undersides of the vehicle. I also like that this vehicle holds a lot. So you can really pack up and travel places, or go to yard sales or the store and fill this car up. The quality of this vehicle is good. This is a well-made car save for some rust overtime.