Anyone here own a ford explorer?

[pigletgirl]

My dbf is needing a newish car, and has been looking at ford explorers! I was just wanted to hear from those who own one! Thanks!

 

[golfgal]

We test drove one once, drove it a block and turned around and brought it back to the lot--the most uncomfortable car I have ever been in--super stiff handling, drove like a tank, it was awful.

 

[LaraK]

I have one. While I am very comfortable in mine (I drive a LOT because my commute is so long) I've already had to replace the transmission and all the breaks. I don't know that I'd buy one again....it's only 4 years old.

 

[DawnCt1]

We are on our second. We replaced the transmission in both, but they are known for tranny issues. We got 260K out of the first and the second one has about 160K and is running fine.

 

[Angelhalo]

I had one for a few years after college and loved it. I never had any mechanical issues with it at all. I guess the only thing I can think of that I didn't like about it was the gas mileage. I traded it for a new Ford Focus which I only owned for two months before a woman turned in front of me and totalled it. After that I wished I had never traded the wonderful Explorer.

 

[4 Ears]

I lover ours (mine). I enjoy the height of it, 4-wheel drive and power windows, power seat. I HAVE to have a power seat, I am 5'1" on good days. It is so hard for me to find something that "fits" me.
Lots of miles and other than general maintence we have had good luck with ours.

 

[JessicaR]

We have one. I find it much more comfortable than our Tahoe. Its a BIG heavy SUV and it handles like one. The Tahoe is much lighter and has a better turning raduis but I love the Explorer. I always say the Tahoe drives like a car and the Explorer is a real truck. Much better in the snow too. This is our second. I love that I can fit my whole family plus my parents and sister and baby. Three rows is great!

 

[sunnyday123]

I have an XLT. It has the 3rd row seating, power seats, moonroof and a tow-thing if I ever have the urge to tow something. I have a Newf and need something with a lot of room! I also feel safe in it-I'll never drive another car. I was rear ended a year ago, and my bumper got a scratch. The Altima that hit me was totalled. They pretty much last forever and are indestructalbe.

 

[Disneycrazy!!]

I don't have an explorer but I recently bought a Ford 500 2 years ago! Biggest piece of junk ever.

Transmission is going out, going tomorrow to be replaced.

Sunroof broke twice.

Brakes had recall.

A/c works when it wants.

The door seals have fallen off.

oh and fuel sensor went out after 1 year.

 

[AshleyW]

I actually just got an Explorer at the beginning of the winter so I'd have something to drive in the snow. It's an older-ish one, 2001 and I have the 2 door version. It has 106k miles and runs like a champ. It handles really great in the snow/ice - haven't had any problems yet. I'm pretty short, about 5'0" and DFi is 6'3" and we both fit in it great - which we've never had with any of our other vehicles. It DOES ride pretty rough, but I've always driven trucks so I'm used to it. DFi had a little bit of a rough time adjusting because he also drives a Ford Focus, which is a super smooth ride. The gas mileage stinks, but, pretty much gotta expect that with a truck. The past two fill-ups I've gotten around 15mpg, but that's with all city driving and having my 4WD on a LOT.

Overall, I really like it. I'd buy it again.

 

[DISFANSTHREE]

Had one for 8 years, liked it but had problems. I pull a bass boat so had brake problems all the time, boat weight was only 2000 lbs not heavy. 4WD went out before big snow. Lots of little problems and only got 14-16 mpg.. Traded up to a full size truck no problem now...

 

[barkley]

we have one and like it. i know our kids like it-they find the rear seat very comfortable and say the heat and a/c is better than in our previous vehicals.

the main complain i have with it is there are some bad blind spots so you have to be very careful backing up.

if your dd does'nt need the truck aspect of it i'de suggest she check out the ford escape. we have one of these as well and it's been a great vehical. i was the primary driver on it until we got the explorer, but b/c dh does allot more driving esp. in the winter he took it over (he adores the heated seats).

ya know, if your dd is undecided on what to get she might try renting the model she's interested in for a couple of days. it gives you an idea of how it handles and weather it fits your needs.

 

[Kteacher]

We own 2-a '92 or '93 that is still running and a '03 that is also still running and looks great. My DH is very good with cars and has kept both looking and running

 

[johnsontrio]

We leased one a few years ago so we only put 25K miles on it. No problems with that car, but I'd rather have a minivan. The gas mileage was about 15 compared to 19 in the minivan and you have a lot less flexibility with seating, hauling stuff, etc... The Explorer did ride more like a truck, very stiff and I hate when I don't have anywhere to put my purse when there are 4+ passengers. In the minivans I always have the floor between the seats, but in the Explorer that is all console.

 

[puffkin]

My mom had a '96 and put a 175k miles on it with no real issues except the normal brakes/tires. She loved that car. Now she is an empty nester and doesn't need such a big vehicle so she finally replaced it with a '09 Ford Escape. She is very happy with the Escape. She did test drive a new Ford Explorer and she thougth it was much bigger, boxier and harder to drive than her older model.

I have an '03 Escape and I it. Handles great, comfortable to drive and just the right size. I haven't had a single problem with it, only brakes. I would like some of the newer features (heated seats, bluetooth, sync) but not enough to trade in a paid off excellent car! Unless you really need the cargo room, I would look at an Escape over the Explorer.

 

[SC Minnie]

We've had 2. The first one we had for 10 years and the only problem was the transmission at about 15K miles. They replaced it and never had another issue. We sold it and bought another Explorer when they started 0% financing. I wish we would have kept the old one. The new one was good- never had any issues at all- and had more bells and whistles but the old one was still in good shape. I was the main driver on the Explorers until we bought the Solara. Then DH drove the Fords. He said it drove too much like a truck for him so we traded it in for a Highlander. The Explorer had much more room for traveling. We can barely fit all our luggage and stuff in the Highlander but he likes it so....

 

[MickeySP]

I had a 98 XLT - loved it. I would still be driving it but we had a piece of road debris shoot up into the engine. We ended up with about 200,000 miles on it.

I would buy another in a heartbeat

 

[Trish Bessette]

Worst vehicle I ever owned. I bought it used - two years old. Had it for only a year and had to get rid of it on a panic one weekend as the entire transmission was going. The ride was uncomfortable compared to other SUV's.

Dumped it off at a Toyota dealer and bought a new Toyota Three years later and 90K miles - not one problem.

 

[tazdev3225]

My DS has one and he loves it. He bought it used with around 90,000 miles. He has had it for 2 years and when he gets a new car he is buying another Explorer. He has had no real issues with it. I have been in it quite often and it is very roomy. I love it because he is alive. He was side swiped by tractor trailer around Thanksgiving and forced into a curb. He walked away without a scratch. The Explorer had a small crease in the fender. If he had been driving a lighter car I don't think he would have been so lucky.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We have an older one we purchased used. Had to have transmission replaced, which dealer paid for...no issues and we only use it for towing a boat seasonally. SO, its worked hard and a a good vehicle. Meanwhile, there is NO comparison to my Pilot, which I love!