better interior room than its competitors ($-Runner, Pathfinder, S-10 Blazer, Cherokee)

see the review above! (horrible auto transmission, poor mileage, front-end alignment, horrible tire wear)

I have owned this vehicle since 1996 and have put 128,000 miles on it and will be selling it this weekend for a Pathfinder. I am a happy man to be rid of this 4,000lb trot-line anchor! Lets start with the worst attribute: the transmission. I have had the transmission rebuilt 4 times and it still shifts poorly and has a slight leak. Also, every sensor related to the engine, tranny and emissions system has been replaced at least twice. If you check the NHTSA web site on complaints from Explorer owners about their automatic transmissions - it reads like a broken record. If you Explorer owners ever see the "OD OFF" light on your dash start flashing...you''re in for an assault on your wallet! When Ford figures out how to build an automatic tranny and a front-end that will stay aligned...they''ll rule the truck world...but thats still a LONG ways off. Ford actually knows about these problems and has done NOTHING to remedy them. Ford is in the business of SELLING cars...not maintaining a loyal customer base. They suck you in with an attractive vehicle (the Explorer IS attratcive), make their money off of one-time buyers, and figure that there will always be another fool around the corner. Well...this fool has owned two Fords! This leads me to the second ongoing annoying trouble with the Explorer: the front-end. It has been virtually impossible to keep the front end aligned since the day we bought it. After talking with several savvy mechanics, they all say that Ford front-ends will not stay aligned for long and will eat tires with alarming regularity. My 1991 Ford Ranger also had this alignment problem...we thought that in 5 years, Ford would ahve worked this bug out, but NOOO! We have babied the suspension on this vehicle and replaced shocks and other expensive front-end parts, but the alignment problems continue. Due to the transmission and front-end troubles, we will NEVER buy another Ford truck and are actually purchasing our first Japanese car BECAUSE of the Ford Explorer. If you''re in the market for a decent SUV, I''d strongly reccommend getting something other than the Explorer. Hey...we drove it for 6 years and 128,000 miles...ignore the posters here with 6 months to 1 year of Explorer ownership (they''re still in Honeymoon mode...that''ll end soon enough!!) and take our advice... ....STAY AWAY FROM THE EXPLORER!! - SA

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1990 S-10 Blazer 4x4 (not as attractive or nice - a more crude vehicle, but a bit more reliable)

Comfortable, rides ok, nice looking, well equipped. As far as I''m concerned, the whole Firestone tire thing is bullocks. My Firestones had about 90K on them when I replaced them with BFG''s, one week before the original recall became public knowledge. I got the BFG''s just because I like them better. The whole "Rollover" thing is bullocks, too. You''d have to be driving like an idiot to roll an Explorer. Unfortunately, there''s a lot of idiots out there.

Could accelerate more quickly, but has plenty of power. Annoying ''features''...the auto locking system p*sses me off to no end -- always having to screw around with the unlocking buttons if I move the vehicle a foot. I''ve also had a couple of minor electrical ''ghosts'' involving the dome lights in the front, and the indicator on the 4X4 system...they come and go.

Bought used at 56K. Now has 115K. Have replaced both front wheel bearings, and it needs a front brake job. Otherwise, has performed very well. I always change oil at 3K. I tow a large boat and snowmobiles long distances with it and have had no problems, other than when towing, the ''check engine'' light comes on after about 2 hours on the interstate. I attribute this to idiot lights in general, as it didn''t get all these miles on it by not running well. Mine is a V6 model. No engine problems to date.

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I have both an explorer and a subaru outback. the outback is an overall better vehicle for the money unless you actually have to have more space inside. off road the subaru actually performs more reliably.

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Lots of vehicle for the money. Very roomy even though a two door (compared to the jeep liberty). Very easy to lay down back seats (not the case in the Tribute I was considering). Plenty of power and good brakes.

Handling at higher speeds is questionable. Two much bouncing from slight highway irregularities.

First day new car blues. Picked up my new (demo with 6K miles) yesterday. It is loaded with everything except a moon roof, which I didn''t want due to carrying Kayaks on top. I will let you know how it is going, but right now is the time to get a great deal on 20th Century technology. I have only found two things that annoy me about the vehicle now that I have pounded out some miles (all road and none using 4WD). You do feel EVERY bump in the road and there is an annoying engine groan and vibration from the engine when cruising at between 50 and 55 in overdrive.

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Nearest comparison were a full size van and a minivan, and I like this better.

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Basically its been a good truck - the only ongoing problem is that the alarm goes off for no reason and I can''t figure out why & that during the summer when I''m running the airconditioner their is a humming coming from my air flow that my mechanic can''t figure out. Has 56,000 miles on it and is in good shape other than those 2 things and if anyone can help me with those please email! Thanks

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Good pick up with the V6. Good looking body.

Paint integrity is bad, cheap trim and seat packages, noisy drive train. The worst problem - Ford dealers - a bunch of real "car salesmen" - not a compliment.

I have been a Ford fan for years - I also have a 96 - V8 AWD Explorer.
However, this Sport model is a real piece of crap. Other than the tires, I have had a re-call on the computer and on the sticking gas pedal. I have since had my driver's seat posotioning handle break off for no reason. The problem is it interferes with exiting the vehicle (and I am not a heavy person). It sticks into your butt as you exit and it eventually broke. Many others have done the same and the Nashua, NH dealership won't do anything about it, and I am only 3,000 miles over the warranty!!
Gas mileage sucks - my V8 is better, I have recurring steering fluid leaks and I get alot of noise out of the drive train.

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It's a beautiful vehicle. Very comfortable. Rides average compared to other SUVs that I've driven/rode in.

Very few weaknesses. The transmission has been, by far and away, the worst case scenario with the vehicle.

I've been very disappointed, thus far, in my 1998 Explorer. Thus far, the horn assembly has gone out and recently, the transmission has gone out. I only have 48,000 miles on the vehicle and bought it a mere 5 months ago. Been a skeptic on extended warranties, I opted to not purchase the $889 drive train warranty and thus, I'm stuck with a new transmission bill of nearly THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

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Chevrolet Blazer-- in a word. STEER CLEAR OF THAT CLUNKER. I owned a 1997 Blazer LT. Loaded. Beautiful vehicle. Piece of junk mechancially.

tough truck, great off-road, never gotten stuck, cargo capacity

ground clearance could be better, a little loud on the highway.

Kind of suprised by all of the problems people are having with this vehicle. I've had no warranty problems and other than routine maintenance have only had the tires balanced once(have 45k miles on it). I do quite a bit of off-road driving here in new mexico and it is a great off-road vehicle.

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00 maxima leaves it in the dust, but it's a truck. 96 ranger xlt also a good truck but all my stuff got wet when it rained.

traction in any weather! i came off a mustang which was horrible in any driving condition expect sunny days. numerious times last winter, i was able to drive up snow covered steep inclined hills w/o any problems (granted I didn't try to drive faster than 25mph). basically, if u keep under 25mph in the snow, u ca drive through anything. cargo area is a plus. radio/dash electrical is easily wired so putting in aftermarket stereo is easy. i like how 4x4 can be switched on/off. two wheel driving uses less gas.

well, for starters it's a ford. my '94 mustang was always having problems even up till the engine blew on the pa turnpike because of some head gasket problem.

anyway, i already had the car services twice for the same driver side front tire hub seal problem; the damn car makes a high piched flapping sound while driving.

the cup holdr design is poor; my theory... it's a sign of low class or cheapness when the cupholder is integrated into the center console w/o being hidden (e.g trap door, etc...). it looks dumb and always gets dust/dirt caught in it.

the firestone tires are already peeling around the white wall letters.

the gas consumption is pathetic: 20 gallon tank only gets me 260 to 310 miles depending on the driving conditions.

i never would have bought this car if ford hadn't given me numerious rebates because of my old mustang break-down. i just think fords are inferior vehicles like gm and chrsyler. my family have been buying american cars for cars and have had nothing but problems. yet my friends or their families whom have been buying toyotas and hondas have had not as many problems; this is a fact!

this is my 2nd writing of this vehicle. it's a 4x4 2000 xlt model with the base v6. i leased it for two years; this ends in may 2002.

if u need a 4x4 and want to be able to wheel and deal with a dealer (meaning getting the car for a little of invoice price), this vehicle is the one for you. beware though, it is expensive to maintain and you have to be willing to accept the fact that it will have to be serviced under the warranty at least 1.5 (i did the math) times a year.

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Positive feel, good acceleration, nice list of equipment (air/CD/rear radio and air controls), nice seat height, controls very handy to driver, good acccesory lighting, and best of all... AMERICAN MADE !!!!

Harsh on train tracks,r.view mirror and pillars cause some blind-spots, MPG could improve. Could use a multi-disc changer and better sound system. Rear bumper will not accept a step-bumper towing receiver, so you need to jump to a frame mount ($40 vs. $ 140). Would not use the bumper ball arrangment unless you don' care about beating up the bumper.

Very nice looking vehicle with factory accesories. This sport model looks much nicer than most sport versions. I do miss chrome but the two-tone paint really sets the vehicle off. Positive to drive. Good visibility. Very quiet with little or no wind noise at 75-80 MPH. If I want to corner or change direction at high speeds I will buy a Vette. If this vehicle is driven as intended it should never be a problem. Carries 4-adults nicely and comfortably.

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Jeep just has a bad history of engineering ignorance. Blazer is very plain in comparison. Bravada is just a Blazer in disguise. Do not drive imports.