Need Car Advice...

I haven't read the whole thing but why would you trade in an 06' that's a new car. You trade it in and you are wasting more money then just fixing it.

The folks I know that have Explorers seem to really like them. Maintaining them hasn't been a big problem. I'd have a good mechanic give you an estimate before trading. I don't do car payments so I'd never suggest you move into another car loan.

I don't know much about the 06 Nissan so I can't help you with that, but for what it's worth, my husband and I own an automotive service shop and used car lot and my husband affectionately calls Explorers "Expoloders" because they always need the engine overhauled or head gaskets blow. They are also fairly common on the transmission problems also. If it's slamming into gear now, You're probably looking at having to have the transmission rebuilt or replaced in the near future and I don't know about there, but here you're talking 2 thousand and up. Just some food for thought. I would say look up the Nissan in Consumer Reports and see how it rates.

Definitely have a mechanic check out the explorer first. My tahoe is a 2002 and has over 150,000 miles on it. We've replaced the transmission and various little things but its been WAY more cost effective to do that than it would have been to get a new vehicle.

We've loved every single Ford we've owned...and it's been alot of them. First off--what kind of noises are you making? You may want to try just a tune up (change filters and plugs/wires) and flush the tranny before you go and do something extreme. Also--Ford vehicles are some of the safest on the road. Ask your insurance company, they'll tell you which is safer.

I would have a mechanic check it out before you go out and buy a new car. It could just be something small. Our SUV transmission was doing something weird like that and turns out it was just a bolt that had fallen out. Nissans are good cars but so are Fords. We have a Ford SUV and have over 300,000 miles on it and know many other Ford owners with very high mileage.

My SO is an auto tech (mechanic), he calls explorers - exploders. Yes they have issues, but can easily be fixed, a lot of stuff *could* be covered under warranty (this is when you need to speak "mechanic" and figure out exactly what your warranty says), and you always have the option of having it rebuilt instead of completely replacing.
In the long run, I would stick with the Ford...your looking at more of a payment each month, your 06 is already decreased in value, depending on your loan (if it's not paid in full) you could still potentially owe on it, and you haven't even checked it out yet....sometimes it's not as bad as you think....especially if it's just started to make a noise.
Now of course if I had money to burn, and my Ford was paid in full, and I found a place that would give me a good price for it....I might consider.
I know people love to bash Fords....honestly fords are easily rebuilt.

the only thing I would strongly suggest is that you check the mileage - i.e., MPG. With the price of gas likely to hit between 4 and 5 dollars a gallon, you do NOT want to spend 70 more a month on your car payment if you are also going to be spending considerably more for your gas.

Bigger car means more gas which is really high right now. Nissans are known to be good cars, I prefer Honda or toyota but do own a Nissan and a Toyota. Not a fan of Fords b/c they usually do not last as long. I know a lot of ppl with Explorers that are happy with them and a couple with Armadas that are happy with them. I suggest you find out what is wrong with your Ford instead of assuming before you make such a huge decision. And with that $70 extra per month, is that on the same note as before, same amount of years or are you starting over with more years than what you owe currently? Good luck

ford can make a truck and thats about it even then you get the rust issue. your hubbys right get rid of the ford and go with a nissan they are good cars. (personally im a toyota person but would deff get rid of that ford!)

We have a 2004 Explorer XLT, runs perfect. Maybe get it checked out before giving it up.

Have someone car savy check it out. You can get a tranny for anywhere from 1500-3k which I would assume is less than the new car... BUT I don't know what installation costs because my dad is my mechanic.

Get the Explorer checked BEFORE buying a new car.

You might find it's only a few hundred to fix instead of a few thousand for a new one.

Follow your gut though! You gotta be happy!!

I don't know anything about an Armada, but I would trust Nissan over Ford any day of the week. We have had multiple Nissans over the years and loved each and every one of them. They rarely had issues, and drove like nothing else. If it is a transmission issue, it will cost a lot to replace. I don't know that I have an answer for you, but I did want to let you know that if you go with the Nissan you won't be disappointed!

Ford is known for transmission problems, if you can get it fixed under warranty do so, if not trade it in now. Nissan is a good car my aunt has an Armada and they love it. Make sure you look at the terms of you loan closely and what they're giving you for your trade. $70 difference doesnt sound right (I work in a dealer) How long is your term?

I drive a 2002 Ford Explorer with well over 120k miles on it (haven't checked it lately to see exact number), and I really like it. It has needed some work now and then, but work on the Explorer is relatively cheap and parts are easy to acquire. A couple years ago, I had the same transmission issue that you seem to be experiencing, and it took about $2.5k to fix it. It has been running great ever since.
Trading one 2006 for another 2006 seems like it would cost you more money for not much benefit. I would just stick with the Explorer, as they're pretty dependable family cars and last awhile.

it sounds like you even may just need transmission fluid. But if your really that much into paying more a month you should make ure that is sound and uses less gas than what you currently drive. I just traded in my Lincoln towncar for a 99 Astrovan and only paid 1600 for it at auto place. Besides Ford explorers are fairly safe