Are Explorers rubbish?
Discussion
Explorers are actually very good.
I had a 2000 Explorer 5.0 with All wheel drive, it was superb.
They are good for taking 4 adults with loads of luggage on a long journey.
For fuel economy you'd expect about 23 British mpg on a long run at 70 mph.
As far as the tyres go a number of magazines did tests where they blew the sidewalls out at 70 mph and there was no drama whatsoever. In the majority of cases those people that had accidents the newspapers reported that they were smoking pot or half asleep when they crashed.
Personally I think it's a better car than the Jeep. They're a lot more user friendly and easier to drive.
I'd drive it and give it serious consideration.
I've gone on since then to buy a 2002 Explorer, which I have replaced with a 2005, so I am biased.
I had a 2000 Explorer 5.0 with All wheel drive, it was superb.
They are good for taking 4 adults with loads of luggage on a long journey.
For fuel economy you'd expect about 23 British mpg on a long run at 70 mph.
As far as the tyres go a number of magazines did tests where they blew the sidewalls out at 70 mph and there was no drama whatsoever. In the majority of cases those people that had accidents the newspapers reported that they were smoking pot or half asleep when they crashed.
Personally I think it's a better car than the Jeep. They're a lot more user friendly and easier to drive.
I'd drive it and give it serious consideration.
I've gone on since then to buy a 2002 Explorer, which I have replaced with a 2005, so I am biased.
Explorers are fine. Even the tyre thing wasn't too bad as I got free replacements all round from Ford when the Firestones wore out. The new '04-onward
model is very good, it's a shame that Ford hasn't brought it over here; it looks like they are selling in RHD in Oz. The previous generation is good both on and off-road with either OHC V6 or V8, 4WD or AWD. The only let down is that the interior is built for four large adults, not the 5 or 7 people that the exterior size would lead you to expect.
If you don't mind LHD I'd look for a '04-'05 US import rather than the UK RHD model, without privacy glass and with a floor-mounted shift stick.
model is very good, it's a shame that Ford hasn't brought it over here; it looks like they are selling in RHD in Oz. The previous generation is good both on and off-road with either OHC V6 or V8, 4WD or AWD. The only let down is that the interior is built for four large adults, not the 5 or 7 people that the exterior size would lead you to expect.
If you don't mind LHD I'd look for a '04-'05 US import rather than the UK RHD model, without privacy glass and with a floor-mounted shift stick.
mikef said:
Explorers are fine. Even the tyre thing wasn't too bad as I got free replacements all round from Ford when the Firestones wore out. The new '04-onward
model is very good, it's a shame that Ford hasn't brought it over here; it looks like they are selling in RHD in Oz. The previous generation is good both on and off-road with either OHC V6 or V8, 4WD or AWD. The only let down is that the interior is built for four large adults, not the 5 or 7 people that the exterior size would lead you to expect.
If you don't mind LHD I'd look for a '04-'05 US import rather than the UK RHD model, without privacy glass and with a floor-mounted shift stick.
The new shape came in at 2002 MY, was available in mid 2001, but the manual transmission was discontinued after 2002 MY. After that everything has had an automatic.
If you do have the budget for a new shape one I can say they are far better to drive than even the old one.
We've got a Ford 4.0 Auto North Face as a daily drive. Have to say that it's excellent for most things - I throw a dog in the back every day, I use it to commute to work up the M1 at a constant 85 mph every day and I live in central London. It's easier to park than you think.. the wife even likes it. I've been down to France in it with 4 adults and bought back a boot full of vino. I use it to haul a 60 ft boat trailer around every weekend too. It's as capable off road as any luxury off roader and I do have need to take it off road every now and again (it's great in the sand)
My only concern would be that its drinks petrol like a fish, but as I get that paid for its not a problem and the faux walnut trim I could do without. But it's a Ford, and its does everything you want it to and it starts every time. I would recommend it to anyone. As 4X4's go its the most underated, undervalued 2nd hand buy in the market. I did have to look around at a few and I'd suggest that you go for the upgraded spec - leather, aircon, CD, electic windows, seats...the list goes on. I paid £10K for a 2001 car with 22K on the clock and haven't looked back. I had one guy come up to me and say he'd done 300K in his and he'd never lifted the bonnet. As an indication I was looking at an X5 and the Merc M Class as alternatives - and ending up getting a similar (if not better spec) on a bigger car for 25K less.
My only concern would be that its drinks petrol like a fish, but as I get that paid for its not a problem and the faux walnut trim I could do without. But it's a Ford, and its does everything you want it to and it starts every time. I would recommend it to anyone. As 4X4's go its the most underated, undervalued 2nd hand buy in the market. I did have to look around at a few and I'd suggest that you go for the upgraded spec - leather, aircon, CD, electic windows, seats...the list goes on. I paid £10K for a 2001 car with 22K on the clock and haven't looked back. I had one guy come up to me and say he'd done 300K in his and he'd never lifted the bonnet. As an indication I was looking at an X5 and the Merc M Class as alternatives - and ending up getting a similar (if not better spec) on a bigger car for 25K less.
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