Value, little repair work

A little rough on the bumps

The best vehicle I have ever had, and I've run the gamut between Cadillacs to Jeeps. No major problems--just the usual maintenance. Have looked at the Chevy Tahoe, but in comparison, you can't beat the value and quality of this explorer. When I trade it, I'll get another for sure.

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Will buy a Ford over a Chevy any day.

Lots of room, hauling space.

Very rough ride, poor gas mileage, pick up speed is slow, speed decreases when going uphill. I've had lots of repairs, even AC compressor have gone out recently.

I am not happy with my SUV in any way but the space it's given me. It's given me a lot of problems. I would definitely recommend looking for another vehicle before considering the Ford Explorer, any model.

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Nissan Sentra, Oldmobile Cutlas, Ford Taurus, all smoother rides and better gas mileage (but these are after call cars).

This is a good truck. Have had problems with the maual transmission leaking fluid and have had internal damage. Finding parts are hard. Still, I would buy another. Like the pep and the pulling power.

Transmission and the a/c

This is an enjoyable truck. Used in all ways..as a truck and a car. Still would buy another one.

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compared to a 150 Ford truck. Like the Explorer better

nothing

EVERYTHING! has been in shop, more than driven. Crappy steering, power, and controls. Uncom. back seat, and thin cushions. Power windows have been replaced, Firestones are good tires - not not for the explorer! I hate it, my wife bought a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and I bought the explorer. Should have followed her! Grand Cherokee is quiter, more comfortable, more car like, and much better service. Ford is just pathertic. Had Nissan Maxima before explorer (ok but to small) wife had Nissan Quest (had over 200,000 miles) still runs, but made by Ford, products always being replaced, you think it is great, but whenyoy think about it, they are too small, and money money money on service. Would go with Chrysler any day.

DONT BUY AN EXPLORER!

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JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE: 100% BETTER THAN EXPLORER
NISSAN QUEST: TOO MANY REPAIRS (HIGH MILEAGE) WOULDNT BUY FORD OR NISSAN AGAIN

Great looks. Great in the woods & snow (I put on Kelly All Terain tires). Decent mileage: 17 around town 20-22 highway with cruise. No major problems. I bought it with 20,000 miles on it. It now has 62,000 miles. I put on new brakes,tires, & thermostat. Sway bar broke but is covered under Ford recall.

If you plan on towing anything heavy, opt for a larger SUV. I have the 4 liter 6 cyl. & tow a utility trailer without any problems. Step rails have rusted out.

I have had great luck with my 2 door Explorer Sport. I got into an accident a month ago: I totaled a "little" Saturn (not my fault - the driver of the Saturn received a ticket)- my truck responded great. I was able to keep control while sliding through & down a median during a snow squall. Both right wheels were broken, grill, bumper, & quarter panel replaced. I had 3 passengers and no one was hurt. I couldn't have asked my vehicle to respond better in an emergency situation.

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I used to own a 1989 Pathfinder: rust problem & very expensive for parts & service.

Comes with all the toys. Limited Edition has captain chairs that make all the difference in long trips.

Wind noise & bumpy ride (common in all suvs)

I don't recommed an SUV, period. It is very expensive to fuel and unless you really have use for it then buy it but if you just drive to and from work then buy yourself an economical car.

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You cannot compare Ford quality to Toyota. Toyota will give you better gas mileage but Ford will give you luxury, safety and dependability.

205 HORSEPOWER V-6 HAS DECENT ACCELERATION.
COMFORTABLE RIDE.
NICE SOUNDING 6 DISC CD STEREO SYSTEM.
CAN HOLD DECENT AMOUNT OF CARGO WITH REAR SEATS DOWN

WATER AND ROAD DIRT LIKE TO ACCUMULATE IN THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL DOOR AREA.
LIKES TO USE ALOT OF GAS.(CAN BE EXPECTED FOR A SUV)
REAR TIRES SPIN REAR EASY ON WET SURFACES AND DURING HEAVY ACCELRATION WHILE TURNING.SUCH AS PULLING OUT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAVING TO HIT THE GAS.

THE MSRP WAS $29190.00 SINCE I COULD NOT FIND ANY LEASE DEALS FOR THIS MODEL I OPTED TO BUY THIS ONE. I FELT I GOT A VERY GOOD DEAL PAYING ONLY $100.00 OVER INVOICE FOR A TOTAL PRICE OF $26290.00 AND THIS WAS WHEN THE 2001'S FIRST CAME OUT. I ALSO LOOKED AT THE SPORT TRAC AND WAS IMPRESSED WITH IT BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT BUDGE OFF THE STICKER PRICE BECAUSE THEY WERE IN MUCH MORE DEMAND THAN THE SPORTS. I AM SATISFIED OVER ALL WITH THE 2001 SPORT. I STRONGLY RECOMEND THE 6 DISC IN DASH STEREO SYSTEM - IT SOUNDS GREAT AND IS WELL WORTH ITS $500.00 PRICE

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I HAD A 98 SPORT PRIOR TO THIS TRUCK. RETURNED WHEN LEASE WAS UP. WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THAT TRUCK. THE ONE THING I NOTICED BETWEEN THE '98 AND 2001. IS THE 2001 SEEMS TO RIDE SMOOTHER THAN THE 98 DID.ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.IT ALSO HANDLES BUMPS ALOT BETTER. I ALSO NOTICED FORD HAS LEFT A FEW SMALL THINGS OUT OF THE 2001 SPORT THAT WAS IN THE '98 SPORT EVEN THOUGH THEY BOTH WERE SIMULARLY EQUIPPED. THE 2001 DID NOT COME WITH A CARGO COVER AND MAT, LITED VANITY MIRRORS OR AUTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. (YOU HAVE TO TURN THE SWITCH TO PUT IT IN FOUR WHEEL HIGH) IT WILL NOT GO IN AUTOMATICLY IF THE REAR WHEELS SLIP. AND THE 2001 HAS EVERY OPTION AVAILABLE INCLUDING LEATHER AND MOONROOF- THE ONLY TWO THINGS THE '98 DID NOT HAVE.

Smooth Handling
Spacious Interior
Excellent CD Player
Good Reliability
Great Vehicle in Snow and Ice

Gas Mileage, Power (V-6) if I wanted to tow something.

Paid $27,500 brand-spanking-new, only had 16 miles on it when I drove it off the lot! Went to the Ford dealer to buy my daughter a Ford Escort (which was her dream car at 16). Teased the young salesman who helped us by telling him if he could get me out of my 95' Kia Sportage (which was truly a lemon) that we would buy the Escort. To make a long story short, my daughter and I both ended up with new Fords that day and really put a smile on that young salesman's face. I loved the car the day I drove it off the lot and I love it more every day. I have performed the recommended routine maintenance and have never had one ounce of mechanical problems with it. I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone interested in dependability, comfort and style. Just ask my 92lb. golden retriever who is my constant companion and has claimed the middle seat!

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1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Brother owned one and he even admitted that he liked driving my Ford better than his Jeep!

SOHC 4.0, 5 speed automatic transmission, tows well, interior layout, mileage (for an suv), door lock/unlock inside by rear liftgate, visibility

front seat comfort is ok, but Ranger seats are better, everybody wants an SUV pricing.

First things first, if you are going to gripe about the way an SUV rides, GET A CAR!!!!! This vehicle is based off of a truck chassis, so it is going to ride like a truck!!
The 4.0 SOHC engine and 5 speed auto transmission combo in this vehicle is worth spending the extra money for. After a week of towing a trailer in Colorado, the highway mileage was still better 20 mpg and the vehicle drove as if there was nothing behind it. Lots of uphill passing power and good mileage for a SUV. The rest of the vehicle works so well that it does not draw any attention to it.
My only dislike is for the comfor of the front seats. The bottom cushion is to long for the average person and hits past my knees (I am 5'10"). The only way to afford one of these is to get it used. The demand for SUVs is so great that the price have been driven into the Stratospere.

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'90 Bronco II

Comfortable, Interior, Cargo Capacity, Styling, Reliability

Electronic 4 x 4 switch, Gas Mileage, Door Handles, Brakes

Bought it with 75K miles for $11,00 four years ago. Originally I wasn't to excited by the styling, but it's grown on me. This truck has a ton of cargo capacity compared with other SUV's of it's size. I really can't get over how big it is inside, makes Jeep, Blazer feel cramped. I've have replaced many of the standard things on a car of this age, brakes, tires, etc... Big repair was about $1000 worth of front end work a couple of years ago (re-built hubs, new suspension parts) works great now.

Biggest complaint is the electronic switch for the 4x4. Mine has never worked in low range, and now has to wait until it warms up to engage in high. After it engages, it handles the snow up here no problem, but it can take awhile to get warmed up in this weather. I've heard that many Ford's around this age have problems with the 4x4. Starting to rust some at the rear wheel wells, seems to be a common problem with this vehicle. Rides like a bulldozer, but you get used to it.

Engine has been flawless and has plenty of power. The EB interior package is great, the leather seats are great for long hauls. I like the JBL sound system as well.

Overall, the more I drive it the more I like it, especially now that it's paid for. I keep test driving newer models, and I haven't found anything that I like better. I'm at 120k now ready for many more.

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1980 Jeep CJ-5 (different animal), Test drove and/or rented nearly every mid-size SUV out there.