Family hauler opinion request!
Hello friends,
I’m currently looking at options for upgrading our family hauler in lieu of significant upcoming maintenance/ repairs in addition to getting up there in mileage.
Household: 3 kids 6 and under. 2 dogs that go with us. MX racing, boating, biking lifestyle.
Current fleet:
2017 Ram 2500 Diesel- primary work and toy hauler. Paid off.
2008 Ford Fusion - gas saver/commuter. Manual transmission (wife can’t drive it) paid off.
Vehicle up for upgrade:
2017 Ford Expedition EL. 100k miles. 4k left to payoff (interest rate is 2.75%)
Pros: wife really likes it. Hauls if we need it to. Huge cargo space with third row up, 4x4.
Upcoming repairs/expenses: water pump and timing chain. I’m losing a small amount of coolant periodically. Timing chains are a common repair on these. Needing tires/brakes soon.
Options we are looking at:
2026+ New Suburban/Yukon XL duramax- I’ve read of quite a few engine failures, (especially on the 6.2 but enough on the LM2 or LZO duramax). If we go GM we will likely go duramax but have not ruled out 5.3. The number of reported issues in these crazy expensive SUVs is alarming.
2023 Expedition Max CPO- Looking at this generation since my wife hates the latest redesign.
New Toyota Sienna- Best looking minivan IMO and the only one I’d consider due to AWD. Considering adopting the minivan ease and fuel mileage in exchange for lower towing capacity and cargo space. Especially due to the increasing amount of traveling we do as the kids get older
Main issue I’m unsure at what point I start considering an upgrade vs putting money into the current vehicle. I read so many horror stories and read about people that wish they would have let their older SUV.
Not interested at all in any more Chrysler products, or Kia/Hyundai.
What are your thoughts?