My Mariner(Escape) was eating transmissions on a annual basis(first/last Ford).Took a Denali for a ride and fell in love
Similar for me, although it took three tries for me to learn to stop buying Fords.
I first had a '99 Explorer with 205K - ran beautifully, but it was succumbing to rust. Sold it for almost what I paid for it, when I bought...
'03 Explorer. This one was beautiful, in comparison - but had a lot of little niggling issues. Thankfully, I knew where to find the info on how to fix them, and I had a great running vehicle for a bit of time & a little bit of money spent.
Two issues I couldn't fix myself - one was the trans, which would slam into reverse from Park. (P > D > R, which I'm always in the habit of doing anyway,) was much better). And it was on at least the second trans.
The other issue was the engine, which was the infamous 'Cologne V6' - FOUR timing chains (in 4wd trim), one of them being in the BACK of the engine. Worse, Ford used PLASTIC timing chain guides, which tended to break. Drove this for about a year or so. My front chain guides were rattling, and replacing the tensioners didn't help. The 'repair' for one of these engines...is a new engine (it's cheaper to find another, than to R&R - and why put another ticking bomb into it. Decided to look for a V8-equipped Explorer.
Found one - in Indianapolis. Had 200K on the clock, but it was well-cared for, with documented receipts over TWO owners (and it was a decked-out Limited, with the beautiful pearl white tri-coat.) Not one sound from the engine, purred like a kitten, and ran like stink - until I got it back home - when it threw a bearing. At that point, I gave up on Ford. As someone said on another forum - "the engineering just isn't there", compared to GM.
The Explorer site I used to frequent had a thread on how the Explorer compared to the TB / Envoy - the people there had a lot of respect for the 4.2L (especially when you compared it to Ford's crappily-designed 4.0L OHC), and I found out on my own that the V8 was based on the LSx engine. Found a loaded LWB w/ the V8, 3.73 gear w/ locker (RPOs: GT4 & G80), and less than 150K on the clock, and felt 'back at home' (I had owned several GM vehicles when I was younger).
Used the 2nd Explorer and cash to pay for the Voy; the 3rd Explorer went to the scrap yard. I still get p!ssed over that one.
(for those that might ask - I wanted a domestic body-on-frame; Chrysler wasn't an option, and the Envoy XL was 'just right', size-wise - the full-size PUs and SUVs felt 'too' big. Plus I had great towing capability, and 120 (?) cu. ft of cargo capacity...I haul 'stuff', not 'people'.
I *almost* went looking for the XUV - until I found out that the midgate / tailgate tended to fall victim to issues a bit too often for my liking.
3 years later, here I am - and plan on keeping my Voy until 'death do us part', or I ever need to tow more than 6000 lbs (it's rated to 7K) - at which point, I'll start looking for a 3/4 ton Silvy / Sierra w/ the 6.0L gasser.
If I ever do sell it, I'm going to list it here first - my posting history will be a testament to the time / effort / love / $ that I put into it (e.g.; I didn't just drive it into the ground, and I only put about 3000 miles/yr on it so far). Body rust isn't an issue with it, thankfully (even though it spent its whole life in the snow belt (central IN for the first seven years; IL for the rest of its life).
Outside of losing a battery (a wear item), a vent actuator that acts up every so often, and burning up my trans and having to have it rebuilt (my fault) - it's been a great truck. Oh, and I'm still trying to find the source of a rear 'clank' that shows up every so often - pretty sure it's the parking brake assy, which I'll be getting to before long.
From a body perspective, I got it with a broken rear spoiler - after trying several things to fix it, I finally found someone selling a backglass w/ an intact spoiler, and just swapped it outright. Looks like 'new'
Has never let me down; I just got back from driving it almost 1000mi in under a week - was hella fun w/ new thermal clutch & Lime-Swap tune!