Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Opinions: Ford Explorer

I'm getting the itch for something different, and the Bravada is up to 146k miles. I can get a 2002 Explorer, 31k, 4x4, for $14150.

Anyone have experience with the newer Explorers?

One thing I can say from a lengthy test-drive: the independent rear suspension is a big improvement over the solid-axle on the Bravada.

I think its the nicest affordable suv out there. my Uncle uses them for his buisness for 10+ years and recently got 3 of them and puts 100k every 2 years on so they last a while and get decent gas milage (20 highway at 75-80 with the ac on). it is a nice, safe and reliable vehicle with decent power too. the V6 even comes with a manual.

I agree. Very reliable, very safe, and nice power. Leather interior is a wee bit cheap feeling compared to the bravada. But there is a hell of a lot more leg room. Lot more room and at 14K, thats a pretty good price for a 4x4. What trim level is it?

XLS trim level, so it's nothing fancy, but besides the lack of leather, which for that price I can do without, the interior looks and feels decidedly up-market compared to the Bravada. There's a big leap in sophistication between the older GM platform and the newer Ford. You are right about the extra leg room.

The newer Explorers seem to be pretty reliable. My parents had an 2002 Eddie Bauer and it really did not give them any problems. They just purchased a 2005 Eddie Bauer to replace the 02, hopefully this one will be just as reliable. In fact, we pulled a car trailer 1800 miles round trip to get my SVT with it. I think that the Explorer would be a step up from the Bravada.

i want one of the explorer sport tracks

those are nice

i owned an explorer once

my second vehichle

but it was old

1977 f-150 explorer

but it had power

LOL, I bet a lot of these young guys don't know the Explorer was once a full-size pickup.

SportTracks are nice, but I already have something with a bed. It is old, too, but it's got power, too!

try explaining to the auto zone places that they actully made an explorer in 77 i gave up and said it was a f-150

We have a 94 Explorer XLT 4X4 4 door. I know, it's old, but we love it. The thing has never given us any major problems at all. We've had it since 98. Got it before I got my Tour in fact.
Anyway, it's got power everything, V6, cruise, cloth interior. We have 126k on the odometer. We are actually paying the thing off next month and my husband is getting brand new tires for it, a new cd player, new speakers and all.
I say go for it. We love ours, and I haven't heard any complaints from other Explorer owners either.

Thank you Renee and others.

If anyone has anything else, let me know.

I'll let everyone know if I get it or not. I am leaning 99% yes. It has a very slight pulse in the brakes, probably good ol' Ford rotors warping, deja vu from the Contour for me. If they replace them for $0 to the cost, I am buying.