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Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier

3348 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2011 at 3:14 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer, SUV

Messages Page 152 of 336

#1506 of 3348 advice by oldsman01

Aug 20, 2003 (8:14 am)

How is everyone liking their 02/03 Explorer and Mountaineer? I'm seriously thinking about replacing my 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue(which is a complete lemon) and am actually considering an SUV. I'm not a big SUV fan, but have always liked the Trailblazer and Envoy(looked at them when they came out 2 years ago) and I'm really starting to like the Explorer. Other than riding in a co-workers rental Explorer last year, I haven't spent any time in one. I've priced a few out on Edmunds and carsdirect and my ideal Explorer would be an XLT sport 4x4. I haven't seriously considered either truck yet, but my initial impressions are that the GM trucks have a wonderful powertrain and the Ford seems to have much better quality interior materials. With the problems I've had with my Intrigue, I'm a little ticked off at GM right now and frankly other than Cadillac, I think their quality is somewhat spotty. My other question for recent buyers(or leasees) is what kind of deal did you get? Both Edmund's TMV and carsdirect "target price" were significantly below invoice and I see where there is a $3000 rebate on Explorers($2500 if leasing). Should I expect to be able to get this applied to the invoice price rather than the MSRP as this appears to be how both Edmunds and carsdirect for their price.

#1507 of 3348 RE: 2002/2003 Explorers by dtownfb

Aug 20, 2003 (2:41 pm)

I've owned 2 explorers and have had great experiences with both. The 1991 went 110k miles beofre we traded it for a 1996 V8 AWD which now has 142k miles.
 
I would check out the Perpetual Explorer Woes board to see what others have to say about the current Explorers. I'm not sure how the Explorer as a whole have been holding up.

#1508 of 3348 re: explorers by tidester

Aug 20, 2003 (4:26 pm)

Here's the link: Perpetual Ford Explorer Woes
 
tidester, host

#1509 of 3348 by nvbanker

Aug 21, 2003 (9:43 pm)

I've had 1 Explorer and 3 Mountaineers. Currently still hanging on to the 94 Explorer with 115K on the clock, and a 2002 Mountaineer, with 27,000 miles. Have had to have the transmission reflashed (reprogrammed) and the belt tensioner replaced because it squeaked. My wife loves it, and it's been very satisfying. We're particularly pleased with the 3rd row seats that fold flat into the floor. Can't tell you the value of being able to convert the car to carry passengers or cargo without removing a seat.
Huge advantage over the other models, IMO.
 
My old 94 is getting tired, but the engine runs great, transmission is strong, air conditioning is cold, and it looks great. Someday, I'm going to get the 4WD fixed....

#1510 of 3348 advice for oldsman01 by cubes

Aug 22, 2003 (6:59 pm)

We have an 02 Mountaineer AWD and have no trouble recommending the vehicle. My wife puts on 90% of the miles (25,000+ so far) and we have the V6 (adequate). If I were driving the bulk of the miles I probably would have gone to the V8. Only one problem to date and that was a bad seat track. Otherwise the thing is rock solid and handles real nice. My wife loves her "truck". She thought she would never own/drive a truck, but I can barely get her to drive a car any more.
 
The third row was a necessity and it is surprisingly roomy. Would be nice if it were split. Tailgate design is very nice too.
 
Interior materials could be a notch better, but overall fit and finish is very good.
 
Comments on the triplets.....I think the Bravada has the most handsome/clean look.......If you need seven seats you have to go XL (kielbasa/dachshund wagon)...definitely not a well proportioned design......nice engines....but can't get over the Pep Boys "universal-one size fits all" muffler hanging off the back.
 
Just my thoughts.

#1511 of 3348 98 Explorer Roof Rack Question by flaherty77401

Aug 23, 2003 (2:22 pm)

I want to take off the end caps of the roof rack of my 98 Exploerer so I can slide off the factory bars and slide on a Yakima base plate. I can't see how the cap comes off. Something is holding it on. Do I have to remove the back screw for the rack or is there some other trick? Thanks.

#1512 of 3348 Quality Care Service my foot... by idntnvu

Aug 28, 2003 (1:29 pm)

Yesterday, I took my '99 XLS to the dealer to have the standing recalls addressed and also the thumping in the drivetrain and vibration at highway speeds all taken care of. I was told the parts were not available to fix my recalls, but they suspected my transfer case as the cause of the thumping and my front tires are "cupped" or "chopped" so that was the cause for the vibration. They changed the fluid in my transfer case to the tune of $45, and rotated my front tires to the rear and balanced them to the tune of $30...so after tax my bill was $83. When I picked up the Explorer from the dealership yesterday afternoon, my right turn signal would not work, but the indicator on the dash was illuminated as well as the right rear turn lamp, plus the headlights and one driving light were on very dim without the switch even being on. When I turned the headlights on, only the lights on the driver side would work...the headlight and driving light, the ones on the passenger side were just barely lit, and the right rear turn lamp was still on. I called the dealership back when I got home and told them, and they scheduled me for 11 this morning to fix the multifunction switch recall. I was notified at 1:30 today that it was ready, went to pick it up and it was doing the same thing, and I couldn't get the turn signal stalk to work right when making a left turn. Told them before I left the lot it was still doing the same thing, and the service sales manager called the technicians over who then began the blame game as to who was responsible, and this one cocky little jerk, the same one who informed me yesterday that my brand new good years needed to be replaced, that the problem wasn't because of the recall, the recall only fixed something that may cause a fire. The lights going haywire was something else, meaning: "something I'd have to pay for." I kindly informed them...in much better terms than what I'm about to say, that the car was FINE when I left it with them the day before, that problem unexisting, and that I'd part someone's thighs with the car before I'd pay for some slacker jerk's screw up. I wasn't even offered a loaner car, but instead a kind old man who liked to talk a lot drove me home. I told them that if the Explorer couldn't be fixed today, then I'd need substitute transportation to get to work and back. They're supposed to call me back when it's ready. What a pain in the ass. QUALITY CRAP SERVICE is more like it.

#1513 of 3348 RE: advice by argele

Sep 03, 2003 (1:11 pm)

Oldsman01, I just bought a brand new MM 03 premier. The car is excellent and I have no complaints. I was like you and drove a car (honda civic) and didn't really think of driving an SUV. However, due to my lifestyle, I needed to upgrade (and the winter storms).
 
I got an excellent deal on my mountaineer. Got roughly 10,500-11,500k in rebates with a fixed rate. Ended up paying somewhere to the tune of 26-27k out the door for a V8 premier.

#1514 of 3348 Alternate Explorer service shop in Chicago suburb by hwydave

Sep 03, 2003 (9:30 pm)

Greeting everyone,
 
I just move to Mount Prospect (Chicago Northwest suburb), IL. I have a 1999 Explorer XLT (35,000 miles). I have been taking good care of it and I want to avoid "overprice and lousy" dealer service if possible. Can anyone suggest a trust worthy and competent "non-dealer" service shop that specialized on Explorer in the area? Thanks a bunch!

#1515 of 3348 RE: alternate Explorer.... by dtownfb

Sep 04, 2003 (6:29 pm)

I don't live in Chicago but Ford sold over 400k Explorers that year (and each of the past 5-6 years). Lots of mechanics have gotten practice working on these vehcles. Any competent independent mechanic should be able to work on your Explorer. I would ask around your job for a good mechanic. Try them out with a couple of small jobs like brakes, LOF, etc. to see how they operate. If you are satisfied they are treating with respect, you got yourself a mechanic.

Messages Page 152 of 336

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