Are Explorers really as bad as consumer reports says?

[parkerbink]

Looking for an suv. Preferably a 4runner, but I am finding decent ones are twice as much as equally equipped Explorers. Consumer reports says (especially 2k) Explorers are to be avoided. What is your experience?

I can get a super clean 2k 4X4 Explorer fully loaded for 6500.00 but am afraid as cr literally says don't ride in one.

[Jon325i]

Looking for an suv. Preferably a 4runner, but I am finding decent ones are twice as much as equally equipped Explorers. Consumer reports says (especially 2k) Explorers are to be avoided. What is your experience?

I can get a super clean 2k 4X4 Explorer fully loaded for 6500.00 but am afraid as cr literally says don't ride in one.

FORD = Found On Road Dead.

Toyota = Built to last for ever (loosely translated japanese :-P )

I owned a Toyota 4x4 pickup for several years....never gave me any serious issues (replaced clutch and dead battery were the 'worst' problems in the 7 years I had it). If you can manage to pay a bit of a premium, go for the 4Runner. Solid truck.

Jon

[parkerbink]

I can afford to spend more and I should it just seems wrong not to be able to buy American.

Oh well. Toyota here I come. I loved my Tundra btw and have had many Toys over the years. Guess I'll just spend alittle more than I want to.

I looked at a 98 4runner limited today was really rough and he wanted 8k I said thanks but no.

btw love the avatar, I really like those commercials. VW. lol

[James Crivellone]

I drove a 2005 ford explorer v6 and minus the worthless advanctrac, horrid seats, and horrible transmission I guess it was decent.

Older ones are complete pieces of shit, I test drove a 97 and it was the worth suv I ever drove.

Get a 4runner, 96 - 99, 3.4L V6, and are really well built.

[Avus E30]

I drove a 2005 ford explorer v6 and minus the worthless advanctrac, horrid seats, and horrible transmission I guess it was decent.

Older ones are complete pieces of shit, I test drove a 97 and it was the worth suv I ever drove.

Get a 4runner, 96 - 99, 3.4L V6, and are really well built.

not bias are ya james? haha

on topic Id say the 4runner is your better bet

[Ryan Stewart]

Having owned a Tacoma. Get the Toy. I declared a Jihad against that thing and its probably still running today (having sold it a long time ago).

Fords really are as shitty as everyone says. Id love to give them the benefit of the doubt but they are horrid. You can go domestic in a GM but even then, for what you are looking for, you will still be falling short.

The japanese just build better cars.

[UNHCLL]

For the sake of your childrens spines/posture/and future liason's with Chiropractors.... stay away from Explorers!


Back seat is the worst SUV seat I've ever sat in.

[grapedrink]

Sister HAD one. They are possibly the worst SUV EVER.

[parkerbink]

WOW! consensus! I am looking at 98 4runners as that is the first year that I can import without any bs.

Thanks guys.

[assoutE12]

I would stay as far away from ford exploders as humanly possible. I drove one for a little while when I was in highschool. that thing was a POS and it was pretty new at the time, It only had 70,000 miles when I sold it. I had to replace the trans when it had under 50k!!
I ended up trading it in on a 99 Tacoma which I have beat the living shit out of for 5 years and damn near 200,000 miles without many problems. I have also taken to beating the shit out of it off road. and it has never failed me (which is pretty common on Jeeps and the like) I have always made it home intact.
the only big thing that I have broken is the rear pinion gear (which was caused by an aftermarket kit to convert the stock eLocker to be cable actuated. and that didn't "break" per say, just started making all sorts of racket.
I have always wanted a 3rd gen 4runner (96-04) with a 5-speed, they are pretty hard to find, but they are out there.

[808BMW]

It's not hype, fords really are rolling piles of shit. Especially an explorer, I think the only thing that would go below that would be a ranger.

My mechanic told us he would refuse to work on any of our cars if we ever bought a ford exploder, he'd disown us.

[Avus E30]

It's not hype, fords really are rolling piles of shit. Especially an explorer, I think the only thing that would go below that would be a ranger.

My mechanic told us he would refuse to work on any of our cars if we ever bought a ford exploder, he'd disown us.

My brother has an '02 ranger and he likes it alot. no problems at all.

[808BMW]

My brother has an '02 ranger and he likes it alot. no problems at all.

Wow, 4 years old and it hasn't broke yet? Must be a record.

My best friend once bought a lifted ranger and surprised me with it. I was like "Dude you really shouldn't have bought that".
It broke that week, then he fixes it and it broke 2 weeks later, then he fixed it and it broke, then he fixed it and sold it before driving it ever again.

Another friend had an explorer, he tried to use it as his DD but it kept breaking, so he parked it with a for sale sign.

[Super Sedan]

My mom's '04 Explorer has been great since she bought it new. The V6 gets the job done, but then again we don't really use it to haul anything besides the occasional loads of firewood every fall. It pretty easy to clean the interior as well.

[Avus E30]

Wow, 4 years old and it hasn't broke yet? Must be a record.

My best friend once bought a lifted ranger and surprised me with it. I was like "Dude you really shouldn't have bought that".
It broke that week, then he fixes it and it broke 2 weeks later, then he fixed it and it broke, then he fixed it and sold it before driving it ever again.

Another friend had an explorer, he tried to use it as his DD but it kept breaking, so he parked it with a for sale sign.

yeah i gave him a hard time for getting a ford but its been nothing but good to him. no complaints at all