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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 49 of 335

#481 of 3348 Clunk, price, feedback by made_mind_up

Nov 06, 2001 (9:09 am)

I started my search in May 2001, Sequoia proved too big (engine tick on that thread scared me to too), Highlander too cheap in quality for the money, then looked at Explorer in June, wife liked it but I figured we’d take a look at the AWD Mountaineer since we live in NewEng. Looked at it, wife liked it even more, so we both win. We looked for a silver, cloth-seat AWD with the 66A Conv Pkg (no adj pedals) for quite a while, none around all summer. Didn't want to pay a "locator" vig, so decided to wait. I thought there might be another incentive after the 3.9% financing ended July 2nd, no such luck. After another six weeks, realized that even tho these dealers say they've been “selling 8 Mountaineers a week”, I didn't believe them, they weren’t. The dealers got nothing delivered over this period and essentially nothing left the lot. In mid-August, we decided to buy the only one around (black) for $29K, cash deal, done in 24 hrs. I still think I might have paid too much based on how long it sat on the lot. Recently, LM has been advertising them on TV, I’ve seen more around town, the 0% financing seems good now, I guess they’re finally selling.
 
On my sales agreement, I asked the dealer to put into writing that three items were fixed: (1) that the scraped sidewall recall on the tires was OK; (2) the rear glass hatch springs were replaced; and (3) the service bulletin for the transmission "clunk" that Rpashby speaks of gets implemented. They signed off on all three. Two months later, it turns out they didn’t do the xmission reprogramming, “computer was down”, poor communication between sales and service, blah-blah-blah.. We had the same “clunk” at 26 MPH during SLOW acceleration. If you accelerate quickly, it doesn’t happen, it shifts smoothly. Brought it back a 8AM, service guy drove it, agreed, I gave them printouts from this discussion, they reprogrammed it (news to them) and called back around noon saying it was ready. Problem fixed, shifts great now. Service Record said “Performed WDS Diagnostics - all normal - Reprogrammed Power Control Module (PCM) to latest calibrations - 0.2 hours.” What I don’t understand is why every 2002 Mountaineer on the lot built prior to May 2001 doesn’t get this 15 minute re-program. Setup the computer and drive them all in!! It’d be done in mere hours. I was actually livid becuz I had to bring it back after I asked that it be fixed b4 I plunked down $29K. My assessment is EVERY customer will be unhappy if they buy a pre-May 2002 vehicle without this fix implemented .... they will likely have to return it for this fix - take time off work - stupid customer relations in my mind. Maybe LM doesn’t want the bad press for another recall on the books?? Not sure. I really can’t fault the folks I dealt with, they thought they were doing everything right. It kind of bugged me that I new more about this xmission problem than they did. Allowing time for the transmission “learn” is BS. In the end, I got a spare (3rd) key programmed for free (yippee), they gave me the rear rubber hitch cap I was missing when I bought it and they touched-up some paint by the license plate that was flecked when we got it - all gratis. I am now a happy LM camper.
 
Zero other problems thusfar. Wife and I really like the vehicle and style, happy with the ride and Independent Suspension - no issues yet but only 2,800 miles. At this point, I’d buy a 2nd one. I haven’t checked the gas mileage yet as it’s the wife’s vehicle.
 
Me two cents to LM designers are:
 
1) the transmission shifter (P,R,N,D,1,2) extends too far, blocking easy access to the radio.
2) initially grabbing the drivers side seat belt is very difficult, it’s too low.
3) the under-rearview mirror convenience lights shut off in a minute or two after tripping, but if the rear hatch is left ajar, they seem to stay of for quite a while (too long in my mind) and if you touch the lens, you get burned - honest. Keep the kids away, it’ll burn them. The bulb wattage is way too much and the timer doesn’t seem to work in conjunction with the rear hatch - maybe it’s my vehicle. This should be fixed by Ford/LM and very likely will be in the future.
 
that’s it, albeit relatively menial complaints.
 
I don’t have adj pedals but if they malfunction and one gets in an accident bucuz of it, maybe Ford’s on the hook? Maybe that’s why they’re suddenly “unavailable”?
 
Re. car wax and Consumer Reports; #1 was Zymol, I use it on my black Mazda B4000 4x4, looks good but as CU states, it doesn’t last that long, plus it’s kind of pricey altho wax is a small expense for a vehicle these days.

#482 of 3348 Pgm Keys, oil flushing by gregb882

Nov 06, 2001 (4:26 pm)

made_mind_up: I hope the key you got for your troubles was also free because you can program your own on the 2002 as long as you have both originals that came with the vehicle.
 
Thanks to all for engine flushing thoughts. I may just do it myself, save the money, know it's done right!

#483 of 3348 Wish I ordered the Aux A/C by roger57

Nov 06, 2001 (6:55 pm)

Love our new 02 Exp Ltd, V8, but one major exception: The fan, housed in the center console for the rear passengers, is not adjustable for speed! It is a slave to whatever speed is set for the front.
 
On both our 95 and 98 Explorers, it was adjustable. Not only that, but on the 98 EB, you could switch it off from the instrument panel.
 
I never thought to check that out before ordering. If I had, I definitely would have gotten the aux unit, esp since we got the third seat option.
 
I mentioned this to the salesman, and he of course had no clue why Ford dropped this simple but convenient feature.

#484 of 3348 Compass and Headroom by thegov1

Nov 07, 2001 (11:08 am)

Took delivery of EB 2002 V8 in October, really like it.
 
1) Compass is almost always reading "S". Rarely "SE" or "SW", and never "N", even when I know I'm facing North. Does is need to be "calibrated?" with a button push? any similar experiences.
 
2) I'm 6'2, when I sit straight up, with drivers seat all the way "down" and "back", my head just touches the roof. (yes I have the sunroof and I know now that it cost me 1 3/4 inches of clearance). On one hand it is a problem I can work around by leaning the seat back a notch or 2, but I'd rather not drive that way. Question. I know that on the BMW's, there is a pin the dealer can remove which allows the seat to go back another couple of inches....any such pin on the 2002 explorer so the driver's seat will go down 2 inches? Any insight would be appreciated. (Yes I called my dealer and the sales guy is looking into it) - Jim

#485 of 3348 Compass Calibration by roger57

Nov 07, 2001 (1:42 pm)

Check the owners' manual, there are instructions on how to calibrate the compass.
 
Don't know about the seat adjustment.
 
We had sunroofs in both previous Explorers, but since this is a vehicle used mainly for long trips at highway speeds, we found we rarely used it so didn't get it this time. We have a Mazda Protege (2002) we use for around town, it has a sunroof and is, by the way, a great little car. It sure has lived up to the reviews.
 

#486 of 3348 by allroy

Nov 08, 2001 (6:23 am)

Have any of you tried your new 2002 Explorers 4x2s in the snow or other inclement weather?

#487 of 3348 Resolved Floor Mats Issue by rrbhokies

Nov 08, 2001 (4:59 pm)

Went back to dealer finally to resolve floor mat issue. When I took delivery of my EB 4x2, the floor mats were labeled "XLT". They looked a little on the cheap side, so I suspected that they probably weren't the right ones.
 
The dealer claimed they were all the same regardless of the trim line, but Edmunds said that the XLT were 12oz. weight and the EB and LTD were 18oz. weight.
 
When I went back to the dealer, we found another EB on the lot and inspected the floor mats. Sure enough, those were indeed a little heavier and a little more plush. I say a little because there really isn't any discernable difference between the two sets. It's very subtle, but for anyone interested, there is a difference.
 
mazman said he knew someone that got theirs and it had Eddie Bauer embroidered on the mats. The ones I got don't. Maybe his was a 2001 model year and not a 2002?????
 
watchtower, looks like the same thing happened to you as it did to me. There isn't much of a difference except in face weight of the mats. If the dealer is close, you may want to check and see if you can get the right mats. Again, not a big deal, but you matter as well get what you paid for, right???
 
P.S. - Love our 2002 EB 4x2. Runs great. Built in 9/01. First tank was 15 MPG on a mixture of driving. Love the steering wheel audio and fan controls, the 6-disc CD changer and the dual zone climate control. We also have the auxillary climate control, but haven't had to use it yet.
 
Also curious as to how our 4x2 with rear-wheel drive will behave in light snow compared with the front wheel drive Mazda MPV that we traded it in for. Some people say that even though it's rear wheel drive, it should perform pretty decent because of it's weight and large profile tires. I realize that it won't out perform a 4x4, but if it does at least as well as our minivan, I'd be happy. We live in Virginia and only get a few snow storms a year and even then, we mostly stay indoors and don't bother trying to go out. Any thoughts?

#488 of 3348 help me please!! by allroy

Nov 10, 2001 (6:37 pm)

Ok, I am in a bit of a quandry...I have to choose between a 2002 XLT 4x4 and a 2002 AWD Mountaineer. The XLT is fully loaded and they are offering me $31,700. ($200 above invoice) Mercury is also offering me a 2002 AWD Mountaineer fully loaded (without the V8) for $33,200 (about invoice). What do you all think? I really love all the extras that the Mountaineer has but is it really worth it? Can you all help me make a good decision? Thanks ahead of time!

#489 of 3348 help for allroy by cubes

Nov 10, 2001 (8:27 pm)

I think alot depends on the value you put on the extra bells and whistles you'll get with the Merc. Dual Zone ClimateControl and Heated/Memory Seats are big for us as well as the Steering Wheel Controls. The Merc has more of a 'high end' look to it inside and the exterior is certainly more contemporary than the Explorer (JMO).
 
I'm pretty sure that a loaded AWD compares more closely to an EB/LTD Explorer than to an XLT. So I think that you should price it against one of them and see where that leaves you. If you go back and read some of the earlier messages, I believe that a couple of posters had mentioned opting for the Merc because it actually priced out better than the EB/LTD Explorer.
 
My wife and I drove a Merc AWD today and were generally impressed with it (first time driving an SUV). We're probably going to sign a contract to lease a fully optioned AWD on Monday. We'll probably have to order one since we're opting for the Rear Air instead of the Moonroof. Couldn't find the color/option combo we want. We have a moonroof in our Millenia S and it gets very little use and the rear air in our E350 Clugb Wagon is a godsend.
 
Good luck with whichever way you go.
Nick

#490 of 3348 Adive to Allroy by mgazak

Nov 10, 2001 (8:31 pm)

Here's my $.02:
 
First of all, do you have the extra money to spend? If so, I'd go for the Mountaineer. You said it was "fully loaded without the V8". If I'm correct, you mean it has every option except the V8. In that case, you're getting goodies like dual-zone climate control, climate and radio controls on the steering wheel, the audio-phile sound system, heated seats and mirrors and message center (though I left out a few). These are options that aren't even on the XLT model of the Explorer. So, for only about $2000, you're really getting a lot of extra stuff. Making it a great value (according to Edmunds, it's about $4000 less than MSRP).
 
The thing is, do you really, want all of it? Some would rather save money and skip on the extra options (not me!) If that's you, then go for the Explorer (also about $4000 less than MSRP).
 
Either way, you'll be getting a great vehicle. Good luck and happy shopping.

Messages Page 49 of 335

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