looking to buy an explorer, need opinions

[MrSwiss 10+ year member]

i want everones opinion on the explorer. looking to get one anywhere from 97-2003. if you own one, is it reliable? and this being a car audio forum, let me know how easy/hard it is to install/mod sound equipment. yknow basic stuff.

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[ljbaron 10+ year member]

Have a 05, pay threw the roof in gas prices.....easy to install sh!t.

 

[ljbaron 10+ year member]

On another note they are very reliable.

 

[MrSwiss 10+ year member]

gas isnt too much of an issue as i drive a 92 lesabre atm, not exactly the most fuel efficient car. i get around 14-16, so it should be similiar in miles to the gallon.

 

[1991Brougham 10+ year member]

One of my friends has an Exploder (as we call it...LOL!) that is a bit older. It's junk. The electrical system is a mess, the ****** went out, the 4WD stuff up in the hubs was some sort of plastic gearing, it doesn't have that much room and if you leave the back door open so you can let longer objects stick out, the interior light stays on as there is not a switch to control the rear interior light. My friend got it as an inheritance and I'm sure he wishes someone else had inherited this pile of automotive misery...LOL!

With SUV prices plummeting, look for a good import model at a cheap price. Some dealers won't even take SUV's in on trade these days as wholesale values are dropping like a rock at the auctions. It's a buyer's market for SUV's and you can do better than a Ford Exploder.

Rick

 

[profundus-sanus 10+ year member]

i average 17 mpg..

doesn't seem very reliable. since i've got it i've replaced the brakes, a wheel bearing, both tie rod's, all 4 shocks, and my check engine light is still on.

its a 1999 limited w/ 90,000 miles on it. Also, the h/u mounting system is stupid. Held in by clips, cd's skip in the 147db range w/ my 880 prs anyway.

 

[ljbaron 10+ year member]

Its the way you take care of the vehicle.....you bag the crap out of it, its going to break. Goes for any vehicle.

 

[MrSwiss 10+ year member]

ive read consumer reviews on this vehicle and its been a mixed bag. some said they were great, some say theyve had numerous problems. im still not sure exactly what i want to buy. but a reliable, lower priced suv is what im in the market for.

 

[profundus-sanus 10+ year member]

the only reason i got an explorer was for db drag.....From my knowledge there known as being full of problems.

Also, my drivers side door locks don't work, nor do my power mirrors or memory seats.. they all just stopped working.

I've only owned this thing for 3-4 months and drive it pretty lightly, to conserve gas.

as for other choices, i really don't know..

 

[1991Brougham 10+ year member]

If you can afford a monthly payment of $300, I'd say go look at a new Dodge Caliber crossover. You get a lifetime powertrain warranty that goes on for as long as you own the vehicle. It's got a smaller engine that will be a bit overworked but you'll have that warranty to bail you out if you really pound it hard. Look for MPG's in the lower 20's.

If you go Real Big as in Ford Excursions, Chevy Suburbans, GMC Yukons and such, you'll get the most SUV for the money since those big ones are a drag on the market right now. Lowball the dealers for all you're worth since they will wind up even more lowballed at the wholesale auction...LOL!

If you go import, go Toyota. They haven't risen to their position of strength by making a lot of junk. Read the reviews on their various models and see what's available in your local market.

Rick

 

[fooch 10+ year member]

Mine has 100,000+ miles on it(mostly highway) i got it from my dad and he took great care of it and so have I. It's a 2002 and i never have problems with it...hate the gas mileage tho :/

 

[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

i owned a 96 explorer, 4x4, and i miss it.

1) has potential to be awesome SPL vehicle

2) extremely easy to do installs on

3) i found mine extremely reliable. I had it on a 5" lift and 33's on a v6 with stock gearing, and ran it up to 150k miles. I sold it about a year and a half ago at 150k, and the current owner gave me a call two months ago and its still going strong.

 

[tRidiot 10+ year member]

As a former paramedic, I would not recommend an Explorer. I would never let my wife and child have one, and I wouldn't feel comfortable myself in them, either.

They have consistently been rated very poorly in rollover crash-test ratings for over a decade, and Ford hasn't done a **** thing about it.

 

[MrSwiss 10+ year member]

If you can afford a monthly payment of $300, I'd say go look at a new Dodge Caliber crossover. You get a lifetime powertrain warranty that goes on for as long as you own the vehicle. It's got a smaller engine that will be a bit overworked but you'll have that warranty to bail you out if you really pound it hard. Look for MPG's in the lower 20's.
If you go Real Big as in Ford Excursions, Chevy Suburbans, GMC Yukons and such, you'll get the most SUV for the money since those big ones are a drag on the market right now. Lowball the dealers for all you're worth since they will wind up even more lowballed at the wholesale auction...LOL!

If you go import, go Toyota. They haven't risen to their position of strength by making a lot of junk. Read the reviews on their various models and see what's available in your local market.

Rick

my plan right now is to have something for the next 3-4 years until i can afford a charger. so im tryin to find something cheap n reliable, but somethin decent yknow. all i REALLY care about is getting my charger after im done with this purchase.

 

[mepratt1234@cha 10+ year member]

Get a 4runner. They are reliable.

I'm not sure you want to spend that much money though.