Comfy, safe, very reliable
After the care turned 5years old I needed a new battery 65k miles.
After having it less than a year I needed a new alternator 43k miles.
Thermostat stuck open at 50k miles.
I love the truck, it has been driven across the Midwest and east coast. Drives from Chicago to New York, St. Louis, Iowa, Colorado easily.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th February, 2004
High mileage Explorers could be expensive to maintain for non shade tree mechanics.
All four shocks/struts replaced at 82,000 miles.
Alternator and serpentine tension wheel replaced at 88,000 miles.
Thermostat replaced at 93,000 miles.
Installed 4 Michelin tires at 95,000 miles.
Replaced lower ball joints and passenger power door lock assembly at 103,000 miles.
My wife's Explorer is comfortable to drive, and has been fairly reliable for a high mileage vehicle. It needed new shocks and the tires when we bought it, so we were able to negotiate a lower price with the dealer. (The Ford dealership normally auctions off cars with high mileage, but they kept this Explorer on the lot because it was very clean.)
I do most of my own vehicle maintenance, so my operating costs have remained much lower than if I had had to pay someone else to do the work. (I might not be as happy a Ford owner if I had to pay for labor on all of my repairs.)
So far, most of the maintenance is what I'd expect for an American car with 80,000 - 100,000 miles. (My only exception to this are the front ball joints. I can tell that they have been replaced before. 50K miles between replacing the ball joints is not very impressive...)
My other car is a 1984 Honda Accord with 230,000 miles..
I have been up to my elbows in the guts of both vehicles I can honestly say that the Honda is a much better built vehicle.
On the other hand, the Explorer wins hands down for its versatility and cargo capacity.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th December, 2003
Greatest SUV ever made!
Since purchasing this car in 2001 I have had only one incident where I was left stranded. The coolant temperature sensor fell out of the casing landing in one of the pans. Took the car to my local garage and had it fixed for $100. This has been the only problem. Most repairs are just regular maintenance.
I love this car. It looks great and handles very well. I receive many compliments on the styling and the ride quality.
When this one finally kicks the bucket (won't be soon) I will be heading for another Explorer. I find myself feeling very safe when I am driving it, I also like to sit above all the little cars. I have seen an Explorer hit a tree head on at 60 mph and the occupants walk away with only scratches. I would like to see a KIA do that.
This car has 107,000 miles and still going strong. Must have been built on Wednesday!
The only major problem I have with this car is the fuel consumption, it's horrible. I am a college student and money is tight. I feel like the gas station up the road has become my new hang out. I know all the employees. I do however have a heavy foot when I drive the Explorer, so that could be a little my fault. Other than that, I love the car and feel that it's a great car... excuse me SUV.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th November, 2003
Look out. I have a 98 4 door XLT which has been very very very well maintained. When you get to the mid 100,000's you can look for transmission trouble. I also have had to replace the control arms and bearing to keep it driving like new. In all I think the Explorer is a wonderful vehicle, but is a little expensive to maintain. So far the engine has been bullet proof through 160,000 miles. I've performed very good maintenance and keep it well tuned up and nothing on the engine has ever failed. If the transmission and interior gadgets were as well made as the engine I would think I was driving and import instead of a Ford.
I just purchased a 1998 Eddie Bauer Explorer and immediately had to replace the hub bearings in the front end. I figured since I was doing that, I did rotors and pads too. Rides like a dream now! Also, on day 1, I put a new serpentine belt and tensioner on it. (Got stranded once in my Ranger because of that!) Mileage averages around 19-20 on the interstate. I'd like to see more, so I'll probably get a set of K&N filters and do the Bosch 4-split spark plugs, HEI spark plug wires and anything else I can do to assist with helping the mileage. Other than that, beautiful truck with leather, moonroof, everything but power locks works perfect. So instead of the key fob, I just use the key. No biggie! Next add on will be a swing-away spare tire carrier so I can hold my full size spare and original wheel like the other 4.
19th Nov 2005, 06:50
I love Ford vehicles! I grew up around them, and I have worked on them. I have tried just about all of the other types of vehicles, and not a single one of the others have out-lasted or ran as good as my ford vehicles. The only thing I hate, is the check engine light. Why is it check engine? You can check the engine, and it is still there! Instead of check engine, it should be service required. It makes more sense. Anyways, I will always love ford.