This year we decided to lease a 2001 Ford Explorer Premium Sport.  We got an excellent deal, and we badly needed a sport-utility vehicle for all our outdoor sports.  The ride is rough, but it handled itself well on the terrible "roads" near Mt. Adams this spring, and pretty good in the snow as well.  The high ground clearance is nice for off-road, and it's a good looking car for the price.  We use it like it's supposed to be used.  We throw our snowboards and mountain bikes on top, our golf clubs or climbing, scuba diving, and backpacking gear in the back and we're on our way!