Wife loves the keyless (Keypad) entry - to the point where she will now only consider another vehicle if it has that option. We tow a boat and this does a better job of towing than the '97 Explorer (V-6) or the '97 Mountaineer (V-8) that we previously owned...the stability is much better and the rear-end doesn't sag while towing like the other SUVs did. The redesigned suspension handles the bumps pretty well...it's not as 'jiggley' as it's predecessors. She likes the exterior looks and the center console/storage compartments.

Transmission - we've had it serviced several times now - shifts very rough at times, especially under load (towing or going uphill). Noisy engine, noisy ride in the cabin. Some instrument panel items aren't well lit or are not lit at all. I hate the wiper blade lever - especially for the rear window - very awkward to get to. 3rd Seat does not lay flat - causing cargo area to be sloped toward the rear hatch - items tend to fall over or slide toward the hatch. Gas mileage is not that great, but it's a heavy vehicle. We average around 16-17 MPG of combined driving.

We have the 4.0L SOHC V-6. This is my wife's primary vehicle and she would be writing a very different review. She tells me that she 'Loves" this SUV, but I can't understand why. If she were rating it, she would give it a 4.0/5.0 - I'm not that generous. It's a descent SUV but I have wished that we opted for something different almost since the day we picked it up.

Similar Products Used:

1997 Ford Explorer V-6 (not the SOHC version) and 1997 Mercury Mountaineer V-8

Love the keyless entry system, appreciate the ground lights on the mirrors as a safety feature at night, the compass/temp device is helpful for travel, very comfortable for road trips, all leather interior is a definite plus, cockpit set-up is very functional and accessible even when driving, ground entry heighth is comfortable for a 5'2" lady and offers vision advantage while driving, turning radius is great, luggage rack is convenient, also love it's tow capacity.

Have had repeated mechanical trouble: Oxygen sensor relaced twice in first year, lifters and valves have been adjusted twice and still having trouble, bad gas mileage, smokes at start-up, transmission occasionally slips even though recently serviced, LED (lights) quit working on radio, rear passenger window control switch has been replaced and broken again, fog lights repeatedly blow out due to moisture retained in lens, rear wiper does not clean window properly and needs frequent replacement.

Loved the look of the Mountaineer. Classy style with a sassy edge in body design. Appeales to one's adventureous, rugged side, as well as the sophisticated, classy side. Overall, it is very eye-pleasing.

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Chevy Suburban, Dodge Ram Charger,

Nice riding SUV handles great in snow. very nice interior the way the rear seats fold down is very functional.

Comfortable ride, impressive option package. Classy appearance.

Gas mileage stinks .. 13 mpg. Many problems. Rear and front wipers don't clean window even after new ones were purchased. Radio antenna doesn't work, CD player quit working, lights on radio didn't work, Replaced Gem-Module (electrical), both back and front driver side doors broke, hate the automatic door lock option, front end vibration, and replacement of upper and lower ball joints at 45,000 miles. Too many little things that have gone bad. Repair costs and gas per month are as much as my loan payment.

Vehicle is classy looking with excellent option. Combo cassette/CD with 10 channel changer gives variety of music. Love the moon roof, leather seats, electric seats as I am short. I like this style of Mountaineer. Do not like the new style Mountaineer. Very UglY!!!! Grill looks like teeth.

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Owned Bronco II, Chevy Blazer

V8, 3rd row seat, Safety Features.

Poor Gas Mileage. Could add more quality to some of the interior materials more

So far, I'm very satisfied with the Mountaineer. The ride is comfortable and the V8 is strong and responsive. All the equipemtns/options such as All Wheel Drive, 6-CD Changer, Reverse Sensing Unit, Memory seats/pedals, Moonroof, Heated seats, Leather, 3rd Row, and Safety Canopy make this vehicle fun to drive and very much comparable to other SUVs with the same features.

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Nissan Pathfinder.

Smooth, comfortable ride. Roomy interior even in the 3rd row seat Safety features such as side-impact air bags. Sound system, especially the in-dash CD changer. Controls and dials are easy to read and operate.

V-6 provides inadequate acceleration. Poor gas mileage

I love this SUV. The body integrity and fit and finish are first-rate. Living in Chicago, I was able to test the AWD the very next day in about 6 inches of snow and the SUV held the road like a tank; absolutely no wheel spin or slipping. Also, the heated leather seats are a real nice feature in the winter. Third row seating has more room than any SUV I've seen on the market. When not in use, it lays flat for ease of loading. The 6-CD changer in the dash is great (no going into the trunk to change CD's, and the upgraded 6 speaker/subwofer sound system is awesome. Only regret is not getting the V-8. The V-6 works fine, but doesn't provide enough initial acceleration. In addition, the V-6 is labeled as getting 15-20 MPH. Even on the highway, I've never gotten more than 16.5 MPH. But we usually don't get SUV's expecting great gas mileage. This is the second Mercury vehicle I've owned and both cars have been extremely reliable and well-made.

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Mercury Grand Marquis

A large luggage area. Ease of 4 wheel operation. Compfort of the front seats. Instruments and controls easy to read and manipulate. Very good Heating and Cooling System. Did have good customer service.

Transmission problems. Poor forward visibility. Small seating area in the rear passenger compartment with very poor visibility. The quick action steering is not for the inexperianced driver. compartment. Poor reliability.

I have the 4 x 4 Mercury Mountaineer and really like it; the seats, amply luggage area and top rack make a fine combination. The ease of using the 4-wheel capability also add to it. However, about 37,000 Miles, just over the warranty, the 2nd gear of the Auto Tranny went out, the rear windshield wiper quit working and the dash-warning lights for the emergency brake and fuel flap were no longer operating. I will not purchase another Ford product, back to the Japanese vehicles.

Similar Products Used:

Ford pickup

Snow, Reliability starting, cruising speed integrity of drive train, controls and brakes. Power. Manueverability. Instrumentation integrity.

Improved front end engineering and stronger materials or design of ball joints. Improve leather quality.

I'm going on 210,000 miles with an AWD V-8 1997 mountaineer. I've been on sandy beaches on the cape, snow, OR, Trip to New Mexico at 200,000 miles. Lots of power & comfort. I put on wider michelins 2 weeks after I bought it in 1997. After 200,000 miles, 1 radiator, 1 tie rod, 2 ball joints, serpentine pulley I would buy another one in a New York Minute. In snow it's superb. Reliability: 1st class. Off Road: Lots of armor under the chassis and plenty of pulling power to get out of swamps or streams. I rate this SUV EXCEPTIONAL. This is based on the vehicle longevity and qualifying mileage. I've driven this vehicle with a component breakdown of less than .001% over 12,000+ component parts over 5 years.

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Jeep, CJ7, Volvo

Looks, 7 Pass. seating, fake leather

Engine, Sound, Price

Typical Ford reliability and ownership costs. For a V6, this thing''s weight seriously overmatches the V6''s strength. For this price, i would suspect the V8 should be standard. The engine sounds too gruff. If I could go back and choose a different SUV, I''d trade in this "Mountaineer" and get a Rodeo made by Isuzu

Similar Products Used:

98 Ford Explorer

Third row seat. Features like heated two tone leather, in dash 6 disc CD player. PRICE! AWD V8 Great looking

Gas Mileage stinks. The antenna doesn''t retract. Tires could be bigger.

I love this vehicle. I test drove everything and found the mountaineer the best of the bunch. We own a 1997 Mountaineer and wouldn''t trade it in if we had to. I traded an 96 Audi A6 for the new Mountaineer. It has as many luxury features and a third row seat. Everyone thinks I paid $20K more for it. It looks and drives great. Only compaint-Lousy gas mileage. But the V8 runs like a trooper. The third row seat folds flat and is easy to access. I would recommend this to anyone.