Our truck is 1wd (open diff) and we have one of the water bag's for weight. Never left us stranded yet. Just have to be smart about your driving style.
Just saw a TV commercial last night for Andy Mohr Ford... 2012 Escapes priced at $14,900... Can guarantee there isn't a single "option" on them an they're 2wd, but it's a start!
Also, OP, are y'all dead-set on having AWD / 4WD? Is that really NEEDED in Indiana?
-J-
How about the Ford Escape?!
I have one. Had it for almost a decade. Good little SUV. If I was in the Market for another in this small SUV Class I would definitely look at another one.
Do yourself the Favor of having an open mind in regards to their Auto 4wd. Mine has it, would not hesitate to order another with it. As a matter of Fact in the 9 Years I have had the Escape, it has only been in Manual (Auto Override) once. It is a wickedly capable little vehicle on the Winter Roads.Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Lincoln Aviator
Ive been looking hard into these little things for my girlfriend to replace her ageing and degrading Blazer and im becoming very fond of them. Id get the V6 4x4 Though. Both of these powerplants have been in my most familiar vehicles the Ford Ranger and the 2.3l 4 cyl will be a dog especially as a 4x4 TRUST ME ive had 2 4x4 4 cyl rangers in the past and they couldnt get around anywhere quickly or efficiently. The 3.0l flex fuel V6 is the better choice. It has just enough power to move it and do so efficiently as long as your not thinking about stuffing larger tires underneath it. Most of the 3.0l Truck engines Ive seen will run well past 200k miles. That will probably be longer than the transmission will last anyway. Going from Expedition to any small SUV will take some adjusting though. Most of the people I know who went from the big ones to the small ones complained about the lack of mass and just the different feeling you get from it.
To solve this I prefer something with fully reclining seats and an adjustable steering wheel.Here's my two cents on the Dodge Nitro.
No head room.
Reliable, handle easy in small spaces. Still fairly useful. Nice inside, and reliable. They hold resale value like crazy.
Just saw a TV commercial last night for Andy Mohr Ford... 2012 Escapes priced at $14,900... Can guarantee there isn't a single "option" on them an they're 2wd, but it's a start!
Also, OP, are y'all dead-set on having AWD / 4WD? Is that really NEEDED in Indiana?
-J-