1996 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0 liter from North America

Summary:

Very well built vehicle

Faults:

Light bulbs starting to blow.

General Comments:

I bought this vehicle used last July with 82,000 miles on it. Ironically it replaced our 2007 Chevy Cobalt, which did not meet our needs. If you remember the cash for clunkers program.

So far my wife and I have put 12,000 miles on it. It is very comfortable and doesn't rattle despite being 14 years old. So far it has been very reliable. Uses no oil either. Its AWD system goes great in the snow.

Only issues seem to be bulbs getting weak. I have replaced three so far.

The only thing I don't like about it is the fuel consumption, but I knew that before I bought it. I've seen it as low as 11 mpg and as high as 19 mpg on the interstate at 65 mph with the cruise control on. It averages about 15 mpg. Yet that was what my 1994 2.5 liter 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler got, and the Explorer has twice the power.

Although the vehicle has great power, its outdated Windsor V8 makes less power than most modern V6s.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th April, 2010

1996 Ford Explorer 4.0 from North America

Summary:

Just totally lame

Faults:

Transmission went, transfer case went, rear end went.

Wires to the starter went.

General Comments:

I got a deal on this car, but I still feel like I got screwed.

Total let down; I have always liked Fords, but I will never buy another Explorer.

I took care of this car and never abused it.

I could deal with the fact that it had no guts whatsoever, if it at least got good gas mileage, but it was horrible.

It handled awfully. I have a four wheel drive pick up from the 70s that handles 100 times better.

It was relatively comfortable, and I liked the moon roof.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th January, 2010

1996 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0/302 V8 from North America

Summary:

A nice looking, powerful SUV; however it can be an expensive one to maintain

Faults:

I bought my Explorer with 163,132 miles.

The radiator had to be replaced in the mid 160,000s.

The fuel pump went around 168,000 and had to be replaced.

Control arm and ball joints on the front end had to be replaced at 180,000. This was sort of my fault as I decided to go mud riding and hit a mud hole at +50 mph.

I replaced the battery around 182,000.

The transmission shuttered between shifts sometimes, and I had it flushed and it seemed to perform better afterward.

At 185,456 my Explorer's life came to an abrupt end. I was driving down a main road in town when a 2009 Avalon ran a stop sign and hit my passenger side. My Explorer flipped twice and I walked away unharmed. She protected me in her final hour.

General Comments:

The 302 V8 is a beast of an engine. For its size the Explorer is fairly quick and I have beat several Mustangs. The engine will pull like a beast too!

The All Wheel Drive does its job and never let me down.

Nice interior... I had a somewhat rugged SUV, but a little bit of style as well.

However gas mileage is horrible. I averaged 11 city/13 highway. They are rated higher than they actually get.

It was a fairly expensive vehicle to maintain, but I did purchase it at 163,000 miles so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

I purchased this car when I was 17, and after working a year at a grocery store to save money. It got totaled a few weeks ago and it's a part of me that I'll always miss and never forget.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th July, 2009

10th Jul 2009, 01:54

I used to have one of these that I inherited from my dad before I bought my '87 Pathfinder. It was an awesome rig, those 302s are pretty stout. When I sold it, it had 206k on it and ran like a total champ.

I know how you feel about losing your rig, man. I'm 17 as well and I just lost my baby yesterday in a rear end collision at 50mph when I was at a dead stop, which plowed me into a Prius (which I am so happy about!) I poured my heart into my Pathfinder and got it where I wanted it, had a whole new exhaust system put on 2 days before the accident, and it was taken away in a second.

It protected my well when I should be paralyzed right now, but I'm walking around with a sore neck.

Good luck on your next truck!

11th Jul 2009, 23:58

Thanks for wishing me luck man. Same back to you, and I'm glad you turned out okay. I really feel what you said about getting it where you wanted it. Mine had a few little issues when I got it, but I fixed a lot of things like paint chips...etc. I put a custom billet grill in, chrome tail lights, and glasspack exhaust. I'm not rich at all, but I just wanted my ride to look the best it could and be something I could be proud of even if it was an old high mileage SUV. I'm still down about it. Insurance companies are full of BS, and when I went to look at my car for the last time, the guy that runs the junk yard started cussing at me. It's good to know there are other people on my level bro.

14th Jul 2009, 14:20

Hey I emailed you those pics... well at least I think it worked... it looks like you may have emailed back, but it won't let me open it. Do you have a facebook?