1996 Ford Explorer XLT review from North America

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.

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.