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SUVs Ford Explorer Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier
3320 messages, Last post on Oct 26, 2009 at 5:13 PM
You are in the Ford Explorer Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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We just cracked the 10,000 mile mark on our 2004 Explorer XLS Sport 4x4. We've had it since September. Both my wife and I are HUGE fans of the Explorer. Roomy, nice ride, good power, easy to access dashboard buttons and controls. After driving Hondas and Toyotas, this was our first Ford, and we have been very impressed.
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Replying to: kc_flynn (Jun 07, 2005 10:12 am) 1997 Ford Explorer XLT 137,000 miles 2000 Ford Explorer XLT 101,000 miles 
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Replying to: electricdesign (Jun 08, 2005 3:34 am) 
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Nvbanker - the 4Runner also lacks many of the interior lights on switches and so forth which the Explorer and other Ford vehicles have. The 4Runner is quiet, but expensive, and the solid rear axle is primitive and rough-riding. The 2006 Explorer will be even further ahead of the Toyota / Lexus products. Toyota is vulnerable due to their cheapness - the solid axle is cheaper than an independent rear suspension. If Ford would step up and use the same tool which has helped Hyundai - a 10 year / 100,000 mile warranty, I think they could easily take customers away from Toyota and Honda in segments such as SUVs where they have good products. For those who are interested in my attempt to sell my '02 Mountaineer, an update: I have had one low baller who thought my '02 Mountaineer would only be worth $8,000 to $9,000, and one caller who offered $10,000 sight unseen, but wanted to pay with a check. Other than that, just three or four callers who saw the signs on it when we were driving and who were disinterested after finding out it has 93,000 one-owner high way miles. I will give it time, but if it does not sell, try to go to a swap meet, or just keep it several more years and use it to drive to demolition sites and other places where the minivan might be too low. |
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That will never happen. Can you imagine Ford having to repair for free all the stuff that happens to their vehicles after 36,000 miles. They'd be broke in a year (or at least a year sooner than they are already going broke). I own a 2003 Mountaineer and LOVE the vehicle. So I am not a Ford basher per se. But let's be real folks, the initial quality may have improved slightly, but Fords are no competition for Toyota and Honda, who are eating it's lunch. And as for long term durability, most Fords disintegrate between 75,000 miles and 100,000 miles...or will cost the owner two arms and two legs to keep going beyond that. Sure, you'll post exceptions but in the real world most Hondas and Toyotas go 150,000 to 200,000 miles without too much hassle while Fords, in general, only go half as far with no hassle.
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Replying to: daryll44 (Jun 15, 2005 1:23 pm) |
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The question is why do WE CONSUMERS settle? And the answer is that more and more we are not. Why do you think GM and FORD are teetering on the edge while Toyota and Honda have record profits? Again, I own a Ford and felt that the DESIGN of the current bodystyle Explorer/Mountaineer was superior than anything around. And at 36000 miles I have to admit that this Mountaineer has not had the defects that we saw in our old 1999 Explorer. But if it does fall apart after the warranty (just went over 36K), I'll buy a Honda Pilot next time as the design is very close. GM and FORD (and DCX although diluted since Daimler bot it) don't have the corporate culture to fix the problems it seems. And it's a downward spiral as losses mount, there is less and less money for development and quality improvement, thus leading to yet more sales losses. I hope for the sake of the American economy that things turn around, but it looks grim for both Ford and GM. Meantime, keep on truckin!
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Replying to: daryll44 (Jun 15, 2005 5:19 pm) |
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Replying to: daryll44 (Jun 15, 2005 1:23 pm) "And as for long term durability, most Fords disintegrate between 75,000 miles and 100,000 miles..." I am sorry to say that I sorely disagree with you guys. I've never had a Ford "Disinigrate". Every Ford Explorer that I have bought has had over 100,000 miles or almost 100,000 miles on them, and they were and are excellent vehicles. I also drive the vehicles hard, with a heavy foot, so they have to be strong. 1991 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L V6 - Great vehicle - the only problem was weak auto transmission. Bought at 100,000 miles, Sold at 160,000 miles 1993 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L V6- Great vehicle - the only problem was weak auto transmission. Bought at 112,000 miles, Totaled at 176,000 miles. 1997 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0L V8 - Great vehicle - No problems. Bought at 98,000 miles 2/2002, drives great, will continue to drive it until 2006. 2000 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0L V8 - Great vehicle - No problems. Bought at 99,000 miles 3/2005, drives great, will continue to drive it until 2011. These are superb vehicles, but the trick is you have to do lots of intense research to understand the pro and cons of each vehicle, I shop for what I need and what is the most reliable vehicle with the most reliable powertrain. It is mostly a matter of researching for what NOT to buy. Also, I am not like most of you guys, as I am a little out of place here, being a mechanic and I do my own work. Most of you have to deal with the hassle of having to argue with the dealer to get your cars fixed. I can't waste my time arguing with anybody or waiting on anybody. If my car has a problem, a squeak, a knock, a thump, or whatever, I just fix it and it is done, no hassle. If you buy the RIGHT vehicle, you don't have to repair the major items like engines and transmissions. I use only the best synthetic lubricants, and perform and keep all maintenance up to date. Preventive maintenance is your best defense against unwanted breakdowns and repairs. I'm not scared of a 100,000 mile car, if fact, that is what I prefer. But I can understand your fear of the unknown, you are thinking, Will this thing get me to where I want to go? Or will this thing cost me an arm and a leg down the road? I believe the answer is that a well researched and well maintained vehicle will get you where you want to go and NOT cost you an arm and a leg down the road. But it helps a lot if you can do you own work, at least the light stuff anyway, like spark plugs, batteries, alternators, starters, brakes and general service. Leave the A/C and engine diagnosis to the Pros. I keep my eye on all the new developments, I hear of problems with the sprockets going bad on the V8's with the variable valve timing, at least I read that on the F150 site. Who knows, maybe my next car will be a hybrid! It just depends on what my needs are and what is the best thing out there the next time I'm ready to buy, but I've got a long time to do that research. E.D.
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Replying to: electricdesign (Jun 15, 2005 8:23 pm) Hey Daryl, You know you could very well be correct. Maybe they won't fall apart long term. But Ford continues to do "cost cutting" and some of the initial and widespread problem(s) (the rear-ends for example) don't bode well for having long-term confidence in this vehicle. I really like my '02. However, I have doubts with long-term realiabiltiy! Don't forget, all of the vehicles you have listed above are a different "animal" from the redesign '02 on up. I have not had any trouble (41K miles) with the SOHC V6, but man that motor is LOUD and CRUDE!
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