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Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2005 and earlier

3320 messages,  Last post on Oct 26, 2009 at 5:13 PM

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#4 of 3320 2002 Explorer Test Drive by mrfenway Mar 11, 2001 (4:52 pm)
I just test drove the 2002 Explorer XLT 4 door and I have to agree with gasman1 that there are some pluses and some minuses.. guess I was hoping that they'd leave in the things I liked and improve the things I didn't like, but some things I don't care for. such as... If you use a radar detector.. the lighter outlet is now in the driver armrest console where the tissue box used to be.. this is cumbersome because the plug must stretch across from the dash to the armrest. I didn't care to much for the driver instrumentation and the compass and odometer are stuck in the corner, looking sort of an afterthought and it does seem a bit cheaper. The ride was smoother than my '98 XLT but there wasn't a great difference, even over bumps. The steering was responsive and the brakes were great and it did feel that it had a little more balance and stability than prior years. It is roomier throughout and the third row seating is a nice addition, as well as it's lower and wider getting in and out. The back is lower also but I was disappointed to see that there is a noticeable rise a few inches into the back cargo area. I have a dog that is always jumping in and out and I couldn't help thinking that he'd hit that ridge with the front of his paws and it would hurt him.   GoHuskers..I would definitely take it for a long drive first and see it in and out before I'd place that order. I'm content getting a 2001 especially with the rebates that are being offered, waiting a few years for undetered kinks to be worked out.
#5 of 3320 Drove it and loved it by helperin Mar 16, 2001 (12:20 pm)
I am moving up from a Honda CR-V, and rode the 2002 Explorer yesterday and just loved it. What's really smart about the way they designed the second row seat is the way that BOTH sides flip down, so that you can enter the back row from either side of the car. Also, it felt far less trucky that any of the bigger SUVs I've tried (most of which probably have V8s). I drove the Expedition, the Tahoe, etc, and this car didn't make me feel fearful one bit. Probably a great car for the family, I'm guessing, and better on the gas mileage than the other ones, though not as room or luxurious.
#6 of 3320 TEst drive by sirknightd Mar 16, 2001 (8:04 pm)
I just test drove a 2002 Mountaineer. I currently own a 96 Explorer XLT. I don t understand how anyone could be content purchasing a 2001 Explorer/Mountaineer as the new model has so many improvements. The new suspension, available third row seat, better steering, better brakes, available side air curtain, and noise reduction make the new models a definite step above the older models...But of course..just my opinion
#7 of 3320 A few things by thadjosh76 Mar 16, 2001 (9:02 pm)
First off, let me just say I have test drove an XLS and really loved it. I plan on getting a E.. V-8 as soon as they come out with the late stuff on them. Second, I agree with the mrfenway about the pluses and minuses. But don't get me wrong I also agree with sirknightd about how any one would be content with purchasing a 2001 with so much changing with the 2002. (okay so money does factor into this) beck the 2001, 2000, 1999 all look the same anyway. Third, I really like what they have done with the new Explorer. Boy, they really thought some stuff out. The details are amazing.. larger coat hooks for plastic hangers... V-8 AND 4x4 offered together... my only complaint about it is where did the trip computer go? I have seen one BE and have yet to drive one. Did they put it in the dash by the speed limit? I wish they had left that along. I use that little feature all of the time. Besides that I am happy, well that and the two tone leather on the BE. Anyway I can't wait to get one and I must admit I am happy to see a 2002 Explorer board on Edmunds.
#8 of 3320 2002 Test drive by IntrepidJC Mar 16, 2001 (11:24 pm)
I just test drove a 2002 Eddie Bauer the other night. Like already mentioned here, there are a lot of pluses and minuses. The ride is great.much more car like, but there are still too many negatives about the truck to make me go out and shell out $30k+ for. The exterior is nice, but there is some parts that look very cheap. Who designed those running boards I will never know, but they are UGLY! and the wheel lip moldings on the XLT model are not painted.....just molded gray plastic. It gives it a very cheap look. Also, to get fog lamps you have to step up to an EB model. Also, the back tail area has the same cheap looking graph paper kinda of black plastic like the running boards. other than those details, the rest of the exterior looks great.    Now the interior, it has a very import car kinda of feel to it...to me anyways. They moved the compass and temp gauges into the instrument panel. I kinda like it better on the headliner like my 99 Sport has. One good thing about the EB is that they moved that silly computer thingy into the instrument panel as well, so you dont lose any center console space anymore. Another thing, the radio buttons are kinda small so they might be a pain to find in the dark, even though they'd be lit.One thing Im kinda dissapointed with is that you cant get the electrochromic mirror unless, once aain, you step up to the EB model. Now,the back cargo area is huge now..... compared to the last generation. Seem much more roomier. that independent rear suspension really made a big differen in space, no doubt about that.     Overall I am impressed with the 2002, but I sure wish they made some of the things you can get on the 2001 XLTs available on the 02's. Im sure in the next 2-3 model years they will. But for now, Im gonna trade in my 99 Sport for a 2001 XLT with the Sport package. The interest rates and rebates are just too damn good pass up. Maybe in 2-3 yrs I will upgrade to a 2003-4 or so.
#9 of 3320 2002 Explorer by david3637 Mar 17, 2001 (9:57 am)
I have to agree with intrepidJC about the features and option structures on the 2002. I wanted an XLT with the MACH stereo, fog lamps, and trip computer. But you have to move up to the EB/limited for all that. But I dont like leather seats. I just cant justify the $4000 price jump to a Limited for those options and the other things you get. I also wanted the V8 but have been reading about the durability/overheating/coolant leak problems they have been having with that engine I curently own a Subaru Forester that has been totally reliable but wanted to buy American this time around. Toyota and Nissan are doing a total redesign of the 4runner and Pathfinder for 2002. I think I'll wait and see what those will be like.
#11 of 3320 2002 Explorer Test Drive by wildcat384 Mar 17, 2001 (1:51 pm)
We test drove a new Explorer today - I was pretty impressed. I thought the ride was MUCH better than the previous model, however it didn't feel like the V-6 had a ton of power with four people in the Explorer.   I was disappointed to find out that a lot of the options like people have mentioned are only available on the Eddie Bauer and Limited and not on the XLS/XLT. You can build an XLT w/ leather, sunroof, third seat, etc. and you would still have to jump in price almost $2000 to get the little options like on the Eddie Bauer (auto climate control, electrochromatic mirror, message center, etc.). That is a lot of money just for little gadgets like that.   I was impressed with the third seat room - with the independent suspension in the rear, it really gives the Explorer a lot of third seat room. I'm 6'2" and I had plenty of leg room and head room. We have a Toyota Sienna minivan now (which we've had a lot of problems with), and I thought there was more headroom in the Explorer's third seat than in our minivan. There was also more leg room. However, you sacrafice a lot of cargo space in order to seat 6 or 7 people in the Explorer.   Anyway, thought I'd throw in my two cents worth. Talk to you later.   Wildcat
#12 of 3320 test drive 2002 Explorer by traction Mar 17, 2001 (3:35 pm)
I test drove a 2002 Explorer today and was very impressed.   First, it seems that the packaging is a lot better than before...it seems roomier inside and has a 3rd row of seats yet does not look or feel much bigger on the outside.   I also liked the versatility of how the 2nd row of seats each folded independently and how the 3rd row os seats disappear when not in use.   I was also surprised to see that ground clearance has increased a lot, more than 9 inches now, while having a lower step-in height.   Overall I was very impressed.
#13 of 3320 Mountaineer vs Explorer EB and Limited by sirknightd Mar 17, 2001 (8:58 pm)
Has anyone priced the Mountaineer with the luxury and convenience packages which include the XLS unavailable optional gadgets ?   Also has anyone had any experience with an WAD Mountaineer on the beach?

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