Oppopinions: 3rd Gen Ford Explorer

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
11/18/2014 at 22:05 • Filed to: None

*Gasp* the Chevy guy is looking at Fords.

I've always sort of liked these things. Smaller than the Expedition but bigger than the Escape. Kind of the ideal size for an SUV I think. I think they look pretty good too.

Most of the ones for sale on Craigslist have the Cologne V6. Which at 205 horsepower and 245 ft-lbs of torque doesn't sound horrible. Channeled through a five speed automatic, one more cog than most of GM's offerings at the time.

The interior looks as cheap as anything else coming out of Detroit at the time, so I'm not concerned as long as the seats are comfortable.

So Oppo, would these be a good choice, or should I stop looking at them right now?

DISCUSSION (59)

Spaceball-Two > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:07

I don'y want to talk out of turn but have you ever driven a 4runner. (ducks)

GeorgeyBoy > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:08

I like them, but the built quality is absolutely terrible.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Spaceball-Two
11/18/2014 at 22:08

Most 4runners I see for sale have well over 200,000 miles on them, or are out of my price range.

Milky > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:09

Another fantastic american car from the time when they were all just so … there.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > GeorgeyBoy
11/18/2014 at 22:09

Eh, like I said, probably no worse than anything else Detriot was making at the time.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:10

I've heard terrible things about the transmissions.

Dsscats > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:11

Get a Lexus LS400.

Spaceball-Two > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:11

A 200,000 mile 4runner isn't even broken in yet. Easy to work on too.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:11

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/…

carcomplaints.com says that it is the worst car on the road.

Coty > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:11

We all realize the error of our ways eventually.

I think I have like two of those for sale.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:11

2004 Mercury Mountaineer with the V8. Es muy bueno en mi opinion. My dad has one, has been reliable, interior was quite good for 2004 in America. I love it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/18/2014 at 22:11

Like worse than GM's 4-speed auto terrible?

BrownMiataDieselWagon > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:11

All I know is: IRS, no Firestone tires, and stability control wasn't standard for some reason.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:12

click the link on the other comment I left.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dsscats
11/18/2014 at 22:12

But I want an SUV!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/18/2014 at 22:13

If that's true why do I still see so many on the road?

Dsscats > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:13

....why?

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:14

Kinja'd!!!

STAY THE FU*CK AWAY. My Mother's is on its 3rd transmission. Unless you get the V8 don't bother.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Coty
11/18/2014 at 22:14

The only reason I'm looking is because it has more tradition SUV styling compared to the Trailblazer.

You work at a Ford dealer right? How often do these come in with serious issues?

dogisbadob > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:15

Are Aviators in your price range? Oh also, watch out for Firestone tires /hides

Fun fact: the Taurus wagon has the same amount of cargo space as the Explorer.

Of course Toyota is better, if you can afford a 4runner, but other good options are the Isuzu Axiom and Vehicross, Suzuki XL7 (the only 7-passenger vehicle sold in the US with a manual transmission at the time), and the Pathfinder/QX4.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dsscats
11/18/2014 at 22:17

Because I like being high off the ground. They're 4-wheel drive which makes driving in winter easier. I can fit more stuff in them. And because I've grown up being driven around in nothing but SUVs and SUV-like vehicles.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Dsscats
11/18/2014 at 22:18

Because SUV's are cool, duh.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > dogisbadob
11/18/2014 at 22:19

All 4-runners in my price range have well over 200,000 miles on them. Axioms are impossible to find. Pathfinders I've looked at, but I'd want a newer one with a more powerful engine.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
11/18/2014 at 22:19

God damnit.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:21

Meh, I've never liked them. But they aren't terrible. I would really try to find one with the 4.6, though. The 4.6 is waaay smoother, and doesn't get much worse gas mileage than the 4.0. Plus, you'll have more power. The 4.0 pulled its own weight, but hated being pushed too hard. I've also heard that the transmission puked out rather quickly, but I'm assuming that's hit-and-miss, just like any other car.

If it were me, I'd stick with a Blazer/Jimmy. But this isn't a terrible option.

Coty > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:22

I don't really know, to be honest. I don't do a lot of the taking in part of it. We did almost buy one for $200 because the motor was completely done.

Dsscats > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:22

Get an Impreza wagon. Be happier.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:22

I DD a 2000 mercury mountaineer, so the equivalent mercury, but a generation older, mine has the colonge V6 in it with 215 HP (when new), so close to the same power and same 5 speed in mine, beware, the V6 is REALLY underpowered, your not going to be winning any drag races, plus the 5 speed in mine is quite the slushbox, its REALLY lazy, won't upshift real easily, it downshifts if you plant you foot though.

Its pretty comfortable, if a little floaty for the ride, my moms 2005 escape is SO MUCH HARSHER.

Overall it is a pretty good car, its big enough for moving a bunch of crap which I do a lot, so it comes in handy.

good luck with your Ford!

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:23

Get a 4th gen if you want one that bad, those have the 6 speed auto instead of the crap 5 speed.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:25

3rd gens will go on to 400k miles if maintained decently.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dsscats
11/18/2014 at 22:25

I'll be perfectly happy in an SUV, thanks.

I own dead car brands only > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:26

The timing chain guides in the V6 do cause a bit of trouble. And in ford wisdom, one guide is in the front for one bank and the other is in the back foe the other bank.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:27

Gas mileage, American transmission.

Dsscats > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:28

LIES. GAS AND RELIABILITY

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:29

That was possibly the worst vehicle ever made

http://carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/…

Boxer_4 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:29

They made something like 1.3 million of them between 2002 and 2005.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dsscats
11/18/2014 at 22:30

You cannot use reliability after mentioning an Impreza wagon with it's head gasket eating motor.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:31

Thats a good question.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:31

200,000 on 4runner is nothing

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/18/2014 at 22:31

These are two things any car I'm looking at have as issues.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/18/2014 at 22:32

I drive a 2000 mercury mountianeer, other than the slow V6, and the slushy transmission, it does reseonably well, especially for a car that has 170 thousand miles on it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/18/2014 at 22:32

My rule for whatever the Safari gets replaced with has to have less miles. So anything over 147k (with a few exceptions) is out.

GeorgeyBoy > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:38

GMs 4 speed auto is granite compared to the ford 5 speed, which is also shared in my car..

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:39

Why not Japanese?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man
11/18/2014 at 22:39

Ours has 119,240ish. Had it since 2008. Suspension bits and exhaust have been replaced but that's normal because of the road salt.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:40

I'm going to sound un-American when I say this, but most any American vehicle in your price range will not be very good. Yes, sure the 4.0 Jeep/AMC engine is bulletproof, but everything else on what it's equipped to is not. Sure, most of the engines are fine and dandy, but any Dodge fanboy is going to say that Ford and GM transmissions from that era are shit and the circle will continue by brand. N0ne of them were very good.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:41

147k is pretty low on a good, reliable vehicle...

GeorgeyBoy > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:43

No it was pretty sub par. I mean it was ahead of the other domestic in terms of design, but just so many unnecessary problems.

mazda616 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:46

I like the way they drive. But they have more than their fair share of suspension issues. Every one I see squeaks like crazy when going over even the smallest of bumps. In 2007, I worked at a Ford dealer and one of the managers drove a 2004 Explorer that I had to take to fill up with gas quite often. And even at that point it was squeaking like crazy.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > mazda616
11/18/2014 at 22:47

So that's suspension issues and transmission issues so far.

Yeah, I think I'll stay away.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 23:08

Not bad compared to a similar period blazer.

ly2v8-Brian > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 23:10

just, no

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/18/2014 at 23:12

This. I'm driving one for the next few months and the transmission is so bad. It lags and then will jump into gear with a big jolt even under normal conditions. that and if you have one with a v6 its just super lethargic.

Dsscats > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 23:16

You can not stereotype stereotype after stereotype stereotype stereotype.

Orange_Crusader > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 23:25

Because they sold like gangbusters in the SUV hey days that were the 00's? How many as a percentage of the total is still driving around a decade later, that tells a more complete story. You might get a perfectly trouble free truck (but odds are it won't be), don't say we didn't warn you.

Travis, Senna of The High Seas > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/18/2014 at 23:27

I'd like to point out that among the top ten "worst vehicles" on that list, there's also a Honda Accord, 2 Honda Civics, and a Toyota Camry. After looking at the ratings, they appear to be based purely on the total number of issues reported, instead of the percentage of cars sold that developed issues, or something intelligent like that. So take that for what you will. But, like I said on one of your earlier posts, PATHFINDER!!!!!!

Kinja'd!!!

EDIT: I wasn't very clear. I meant carcomplaints.com's full list of the "worst vehicles" that you should "avoid like the plague." It appears to me that the people running the website actually know very little about cars, and I would avoid IT like the plague.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Travis, Senna of The High Seas
11/18/2014 at 23:29

Kinja'd!!!

Stock Armada beats modified Pathfinder.

Travis, Senna of The High Seas > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
11/18/2014 at 23:42

Holy shit.... Say goodbye to that oil pan

In all fairness though, Armadas are also sick, and I think some of the best looking full size SUVs. I really wanted my mom to get one when she was shopping for a car several years ago. However, I get the feeling that if our friend the "GM Aficianado" were looking at something of that size, he'd probably get a Tahoe or a 'Burban.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/19/2014 at 00:21

V8 and its going to be pretty awesome.