Experiences with the Ford Explorer?

[funboy6942]

I would look into a grand cherokee any year with the straight 6 4.0. Or even the regular Cherokee with the same engine would be a good choice IMO. Bought the wife the regular version and I cannot kill it and has plenty get up and go too which suprised the hell out of me.
Vertually indestructable, parts are cheap, and easy to work on and better gas milage.
Not to mention the kick ass 4x4 capabilities verus the explorer.

 

[monk3y]

My sister had an Explorer for over 5 years and loved it. She had no maintenace issues but ended up getting rid of it for a compact car that offered much better gas mileage.

 

[Zenmervolt]

My father has had three. A '91 that we had for 175,000 miles, a '98 with the DOHC V6 that we had for about 140,000 miles before it suffered an untimely death being sandwiched between a semi and a Class IV Motorhome (dad and his passenger walked away from the accident without a scratch, the semi and my dad were stopped and the motorhome hit them at what the police estimated was 40 mph), and a '99 Eddie Bauer with the 302 V8 that is over 200,000 miles and still driven daily by my little sister.

In my experience they have been exceptionally reliable and very good at towing/hauling. The Eddie Bauer pulled a 5,000 pound trailer through the mountains in NH without any protest at all, couldn't even tell there was a trailer behind it.

They're good, sturdy vehicles and if you don't try to drive it like a sportscar, you'll be very happy with it.

ZV

 

[ScoobMaster]

I just bought a 2003 XLS last year - it has been trouble-free for us so far. I replaced a 1997 Grand Caravan with it, but my criteria included the ability to tow 2500lbs comfortably.

Here is a picture of my 03 Explorer

Here it is hitched with camper

We get about 20 MPG on highway trips and 15 in town. Hitched to the camper (fully loaded with the bikes on the roof) I get about 13.5MPG

If you are just looking for transportation, their fuel economy is not great. However, if you need towing capacity, it is a GREAT travel vehicle for taking trips with the camper (or boat) in tow. If you just want a 4x4 sport utility and towing is not a big concern, I'd look at Hyundai Sante fe's or a Suzuki XL-7. My wife and I liked them both when we test-drove them - plus even used they have lots of warranty left (Sante Fe 5/50 and the 'Zukis carry 10/100000 to ANY owner for the life of the vehicle!)

Xl-7s are usually affordable too

Oh - if you do go for an Explorer, try to shoot for at LEAST a 2002 if your budget allows. That is the 1st model year of the "3rd generation" with the independant rear suspension.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
ford exploder :laugh:

Quality is job one.

Putting out the fire is job two. :laugh:

 

[j00fek]

my friend had a 96 explorer, the whole interior fell apart, it was a pos from the start. then the reg stuff went like the clutch adn thyem it just stopped working cus its a ford 😛

 

[desy]

Explorer is fine if you really need something that big
If you just want AWD and better fuel economy and ability to put stuff in CRV is the best smaller SUV, getting one that isn't overpriced is harder tho.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: ScoobMaster
I just bought a 2003 XLS last year - it has been trouble-free for us so far. I replaced a 1997 Grand Caravan with it, but my criteria included the ability to tow 2500lbs comfortably.

Here is a picture of my 03 Explorer

Here it is hitched with camper

We get about 20 MPG on highway trips and 15 in town. Hitched to the camper (fully loaded with the bikes on the roof) I get about 13.5MPG

If you are just looking for transportation, their fuel economy is not great. However, if you need towing capacity, it is a GREAT travel vehicle for taking trips with the camper (or boat) in tow. If you just want a 4x4 sport utility and towing is not a big concern, I'd look at Hyundai Sante fe's or a Suzuki XL-7. My wife and I liked them both when we test-drove them - plus even used they have lots of warranty left (Sante Fe 5/50 and the 'Zukis carry 10/100000 to ANY owner for the life of the vehicle!)

Xl-7s are usually affordable too

Oh - if you do go for an Explorer, try to shoot for at LEAST a 2002 if your budget allows. That is the 1st model year of the "3rd generation" with the independant rear suspension.

If he is looking for the years he listed, the 01-02s will both be Explorer Sports, not yours with IRS.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: funboy42
I would look into a grand cherokee any year with the straight 6 4.0. Or even the regular Cherokee with the same engine would be a good choice IMO. Bought the wife the regular version and I cannot kill it and has plenty get up and go too which suprised the hell out of me.
Vertually indestructable, parts are cheap, and easy to work on and better gas milage.
Not to mention the kick ass 4x4 capabilities verus the explorer.

Also higher in price than same year Explorer. I'm a Jeep guy and even I recognized that an Explorer is a better deal. Plus, early 2nd gen. Grand Cherokees have some very serious axle issues.

 

[johnjbruin]

Have a 98 explorer.
No major problems. CD Changer went bad, and the lights on the radio went bad.
It is starting to rust and is pretty bad on the mileage.
But its chugging along - we dont drive it that much so it only has 50k miles on it. Usually just use it as a backup vehicle for transporting bigger items.

 

[Horus]

We had a '96 explorer for almost 8 years, no problems whatsoever. My dad traded it in for an '02 "No Boundaries" edition explorer, with the V8 and AWD. Once again, no problems whatsoever.

 

[bmacd]

i have a '96 4 door 5.0L v8 2wd and I love it. I just started recently having some minor trouble, due to lack of maintainence on my end. This is the first problem I've had in 10 years. After my deployment, I'm going to buy another Explorer.

-=bmacd=-