I have owned a 2002 Ford Explorer (my dream car) since it rolled off the delivery truck in 2002. I absolutely loved that car, and wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world.

I had it when I lived in MD, and then in 2010, the rear got squirrely on some black ice in Alabama. I spun a 180 to the edge of the shoulder of the road, and since there was no guardrail, rolled over on the driver's side, flipped over end, and landed upside down in a creek. It was a good 10 foot drop, and it landed on the roof. I walked away with only a scratch on the top of my right foot. Nobody else was with me, and there was nobody else involved. I was heartbroken beyond all words (still am) as I watched a wrecker pull my Explorer out of the creek.

Had I been in anything smaller, I doubt that I would have walked away like that. The windshield was smashed, but stayed in place for the most part, which was the most amazing part, because the hood was smashed flat, the sides of the windshield frame took a lot of impact, and probably saved my life, along with my seat belt, which locked me in so it had to be cut to let me go. The airbag did not deploy, and the engine was still running, so I had to turn the key to shut it down, and here I reiterate that the hood was smashed from the impact.

When looking for a replacement vehicle, I wouldn't consider anything other than an Explorer, so right now I'm driving a 2005 Explorer. It's not as good looking as my 2002 (it's only got 2 rows of seating, no fender trimming and no cross-slats on the cargo rack), and I'm working on a few minor mechanical issues, because the previous owner didn't take care of it, but other than that, it's perfect, and I feel safe.

I don't drive in Alabama's winter weather any more, but my 2002 Explorer actually did well in Maryland snow (there actually is a difference). Nothing operates well on ice, but ice skates. If I can't get my hands on another Explorer in the future, I'm going to get an Expedition or a Navigator.