Found my next 3 cars.

[Aren Jay]

But which one to get first?

2002 or 2004 Ford Lightning Good for hauling stuff like my new sofa or getting rid of the old one etc...

2004 Lincoln Aviator My snow Marauder.

2008 Smart Fortwo The park anywhere anything else doesn't fit and costs nothing to get there mid engine two seater.

[Taemian]

But which one to get first?

2002 or 2004 Ford Lightning Good for hauling stuff like my new sofa or getting rid of the old one etc...

2004 Lincoln Aviator My snow Marauder.

2008 Smart Fortwo The park anywhere anything else doesn't fit and costs nothing to get there mid engine two seater.

Still waiting to see a photo of your DTR before I pick your next vehicle.:)

[offroadkarter]

Lightning!

[magindat]

Aviator, Snow Man!

[baltimoremm]

Get the Lightning and put the Smart Fortwo in the pickup bed

[crabby125]

Lightning FTW!!

[CRUZTAKER]

You are somewhat across the board in your choices...

You also haven't listened to my suggestions in the past...so I am not sure a vote from me would matter much...

However I do have an opinion to offer. And it is solely based on your location. Obviously you are a financialy stable young man looking at your choices in the poll.

I say, ditch the snows on your DTR that took six threads and umpteen replies for you to finally make a decision...:P ...and get an Aviator with AWD and throw a set of YS-Blizacks on it.

Also let me say, however awesome and powerfull our Vator is set up for winter and with a Reinhart tune, it has to be the biggest gas hog we have ever owned! It's bad dude....

If your finances are as good as they appear to be...14mpg won't bother you.

Hell....buy ours! I'll drive it up there to Canadia and leave it with you!

2004 loaded minus navigation system, 48k sticker, 36k miles, 20's for the summer, blizzacks on 17's for the winter, Reinhart tune....$26,000 US and base of 5yr/50k warranty.:D

We want a MK-X or perhaps an AWD Escape hybrid.
We unfortunately FEEL the pain of fuel prices.;)

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/4/2/3/AVIATOR01.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/4/2/3/1423AVIATOR_002.jpg

[CRUZTAKER]

I forgot to add...this truck is a pure pleasure to drive. Very nimble cornering, and very nice at WOT. Surprisingly, it puls very well against most suv's on the highway.

Jessica likes to goof with the Cayenne drivers. :D

[Windsor58]

Sorry - can't resist.

Buy two Fortwos, both with sunroofs. That way you have one for each foot...:cool:

[Raudermaster]

Why either an '02 or '04? You don't want an '03? It's funny, Ford has like 3 different style'd rims between '01-02, '03, and '04. '04's have the best rims IMO. I'd get the L.

[CRUZTAKER]

Why either an '02 or '04? You don't want an '03? It's funny, Ford has like 3 different style'd rims between '01-02, '03, and '04. '04's have the best rims IMO. I'd get the L.

Too much focus on RIMS there Raud man...

Brings to mind what I gave birth this morning. :D
http://www.losanjealous.com/2005/10/04/profile-the-great-gaping-brown-hole/

[Aren Jay]

Is that a 6 or 7 seater Aviator?

[Raudermaster]

Personally I like the '99-'00 rims myself, just basic 18" alloys. I was just stating how funny it is that they had 3 different types within 3 years.

[CRUZTAKER]

Is that a 6 or 7 seater Aviator?

She keeps the rear most seat down for loading of goodies...but with it up, it seats six nicely, albeit a bit cramped in the far rear. There are belts for seven however.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/4/2/3/1423AVIATOR1_001_Large_.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/4/2/3/1423AVIATOR1_002_Large_.jpg

[Aren Jay]

ahh my post was deleted.

I do like the six seater.

I will have to wait till February (mud Month) for final descion.

That is a very nice looking Aviator though. Is it black or dark blue?

[SG1NUT]

I'd say go with the Aviator. It's practical, while still maintaining some class. I'm sure that it is great in the snow as well. The AWD in my Expedition works great, engages quickly when you need it.

[Aren Jay]

Thing is If I go with the Aviator I can SC my Marauder. If I go with the Lightning I don't have to SC my Marauder. Lightning and Aviator cost about the same but the Lightning option would be $10K cheaper, SC cost for the Marauder. Now do I want a SC Marauder or just a Lightning?

[J D]

Now do I want a SC Marauder?

Sir, you forget where you post! :drive:

But I guess it just comes down to whether you want to go fast in a car or a pick up :dunno:

[Mike Poore]

[quote=CRUZTAKER ...

Also let me say, however awesome and powerfull our Vator is set up for winter and with a Reinhart tune, it has to be the biggest gas hog we have ever owned! It's bad dude....

[/quote]

I'd stay from a tune, then, if it's gulping fuel like that. :eek:

Barb's getting 19.5 on her '05 and got 20 on the '03. Our recollection was it started getting better mileage at ~20K. Remember what I said about the stability control ...the '05 has it, the '03 did not. Dunno about the '04's.
I think the '05 has a 6sp, but it's so silky smooth, it's hard to tell how many gears there are. It's one sweet machine. :)

Yeah, .....I voted for the Aviator ;)

[Aren Jay]

I don't think I have ever driven a pickup. Been driven in lots of them but never driven one myself. I have test driven two expolders. They both felt tippy. Does the Aviator feel tippy?

I also drove a Durango. Very much more truck like than the Exploders. It was only getting 8 mpg mixed driving though, is the Aviator worse than that?

[CRUZTAKER]

We average 16-18 in the Vator.
No tippy feeling...my wife drives it as it were a suburu.;)

[Mike Poore]

An Explorer, it ain't; as the Aviator is as stable and rock solid vehicle as I've ever driven. :concur:
So far as the Durango is concerned, my information is that it's a total POS.

I'm surprised you haven't taken a test drive yet.

[94_302]

03 and 04 Lightnings had the same rims.

Look for an 03 or 04 because they had more threads in the head to eliminate the issue of blowing the plugs.

[Aren Jay]

One vote for the Fortwo.

:P

[Aren Jay]

I found out today that my garage has an 11 foot 4 inch ceiling. This means that with a lift, or two. All of these vehicles will fit in my garage.

Now all I need to do is make enough money to buy the vehicles.

btw how much headroom does the Aviator have with a sunroof?

[Aren Jay]

Anyone know the headroom specs on the Aviator with the sunroof?