Ford Explorer thoughts

[gofaster]

Originally posted by Drifter1234
Bizket,

Bought my 1996 Explorer new in Nov of 95.  Got 178k on it now.  Put the third set of tires on it last summer.  Still on second set of brakes and put new shocks on it last summer.  Couple of tune ups, changed the oil every 4-5k.  Zero problems.  Its has been paid for for the last 3-1/2 years.  Looks good.   It has been a great vehicle.  Wife has a new car but I can not part with my truck.  I think it knows it way home.

Just my experience.

Holy crap that's a lot of tires and miles!  I have a 98 4runner and I'm still running the original set of Michelins. Original brakes, too. Only have 45k miles on it, though.

[gofaster]

Originally posted by bizket
Well I bought one. I didnt by the one the orignal one I was looking at. I did by a 2000 with a little less miles on it.

Notice no Firestones.

Nice lookin' truck.  I like those rims; I have the same ones on my 4runner.

The problem with the Ford/Firestone combo on the first generation Explorer wasn't the tire, it was the suspension.  The Ford Explorer couldn't hold an alignment.  Ford's "economical" solution was to underinflate the tires, which caused the tires to fail but hey, Ford could (and did) blame the tire manufacturer even though Ford intentionally violated the manufacturer's specs.

I think Ford fixed the problem with the 2nd generation.

[Gunslinger]

Originally posted by bizket
I was wrong about that. The other one had the towing package so I assumed it was a V8.

Yea I didnt think so either.....I've never seen an Explorer w/ a V8 in it.  I think for that you'd have to step up to the Expidition.

Have you checked out this forum yet:

http://Http://www.seriousexplorations.com

Its a forum specifically for Ford Explorers and they are pretty good guys

[Ripsnort]

1999 Ford Explorer XLS here, with 97,000 flawless miles on it. Other than the initial recalls (which seems to be the norm in the auto industy these days) no problems...

[ra]

Originally posted by Gunslinger
Yea I didnt think so either.....I've never seen an Explorer w/ a V8 in it.  I think for that you'd have to step up to the Expidition.

Have you checked out this forum yet:

http://Http://www.seriousexplorations.com

Its a forum specifically for Ford Explorers and they are pretty good guys

Explorers come with a v8 option.

[SirLoin]

Ford's do suk(their quality blows)..Unless it's something like an Escape(..A Mazda with Ford sticker on it)

The only thing they make that is any good is the F150's and the Mustangs.

But if you like recalls and don't mind taking your vehicle in every few months to a dealership..Well..Buy a Focus...

Or, for instance..Buya new Ford "Freestar"...CR rates it as the worst minivan u can buy(except for the Kia)..And it's a brand new vehicle...They should have hired Homer Simpson as a design consultant imho.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by SirLoin
Ford's do suk(their quality blows)..Unless it's something like an Escape(..A Mazda with Ford sticker on it)

The only thing they make that is any good is the F150's and the Mustangs.

But if you like recalls and don't mind taking your vehicle in every few months to a dealership..Well..Buy a Focus...

Or, for instance..Buya new Ford "Freestar"...CR rates it as the worst minivan u can buy(except for the Kia)..And it's a brand new vehicle...They should have hired Homer Simpson as a design consultant imho.

Fords quality, customer satisfaction isn't as bad a GM however...
at least according to JD Power Customer satisfaction polls.

Ford is about "average":
http://www.jdpa.com/studies_jdpower/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=674&CatID=1

Also, before using the term "sucks" so loosely, better check the facts out (instead of going by your gut feeling) and check out this page and click "Ford", then look at the "Awards" column.

~2004 Initial Quality Study (IQS) Highest Ranked Compact Pickup in Initial Quality

~2003 India Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study Most Appealing Entry Midsize Car

~2003 Taiwan Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study Most Appealing Entry Midsize Car

~2003 Taiwan Initial Quality Study Best Entry Midsize Car in Initial QualityAutomotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study Most Appealing Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

~2003 Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study Highest Ranked in Satisfaction with Initial Consumer Leases

~2003 Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study Highest Ranked in Satisfaction with Initial Consumer Leases for Luxury Nameplates

~2003 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) Most Dependable Full-Size Pickup

~2003 Initial Quality Study Highest Ranked Full-Size Car in Initial Quality

~UK Car Customer Satisfaction (CSI) Study Most Improved Make in Customer Satisfaction in the United Kingdom

2~003 Initial Quality Study Highest Ranked Full-Size Pickup in Initial Quality


and thats just 2003, and first quarter of 2004 alone.

[gofaster]

Originally posted by Ripsnort

~2004 Initial Quality Study (IQS) Highest Ranked Compact Pickup in Initial Quality

~2003 Taiwan Initial Quality Study Best Entry Midsize Car in Initial QualityAutomotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study Most Appealing Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

~2003 Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study Highest Ranked in Satisfaction with Initial Consumer Leases

~2003 Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study Highest Ranked in Satisfaction with Initial Consumer Leases for Luxury Nameplates

~2003 Initial Quality Study Highest Ranked Full-Size Car in Initial Quality

~2003 Initial Quality Study Highest Ranked Full-Size Pickup in Initial Quality

Does this mean Ford builds its vehicles well, but out of crappy parts?

[Lazerus]

Chevy
~2004 Initial Quality Study (IQS)    Highest Ranked Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle in Initial Quality         
~2003 Thailand Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study   #1 Nameplate in Sales Satisfaction       
~2003 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)   Most Dependable Entry Midsize Car          
~2003 Initial Quality Study   Highest Ranked Entry Midsize Car in Initial Quality          
~2003 Initial Quality Study   Highest Ranked Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle in Initial Quality          
~2002 Initial Quality Study              
~2002 Initial Quality Study    Best Entry Midsize Car in Initial Quality          
~2002 Initial Quality Study    Best Premium Sports Car in Initial Quality          
~2001 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study   Most Appealing Midsize Sport Utility Vehicle           
~2001 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study   Most Appealing Premium Sports Car in a Tie           
~2001 Initial Quality Study   Best Premium Sports Car in Initial Quality          
~2000 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study   Most Appealing Sports Car

GMC
~2004 Initial Quality Study (IQS)    Silver Plant Quality Award, North/South America           
~2003 Medium-Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study   Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Medium Duty Truck Dealer Service           
~2004 Rear-Seat Entertainment Usage and Satisfaction Study             
Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study   Most Appealing Full-Size Van          
~2003 Canadian Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study   Highest in Dealer Satisfaction With Floor Planning           
~2003 Canadian Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study   Highest in Dealer Satisfaction With Retail Credit           
~2003 Canadian Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study   Highest in Dealer Satisfaction With Retail Leasing           
~2003 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)   Most Dependable Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle          
~2003 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)   Most Dependable Full-size Van          
~2003 Initial Quality Study   Gold Plant Quality Award, North/South America          
~2003 Initial Quality Study   Silver Plant Quality Award, North/South America           
~2002 Medium-Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study   Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Medium Duty Truck Dealer Service           
~2002 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study    Most Appealing Full-Size Van          
~2002 Canadian Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study   Highest in Dealer Satisfaction With Floor Planning          
~2002 Canadian Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study   Highest in Dealer Satisfaction With Retail Credit           
~2002 Canadian Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study   Highest in Dealer Satisfaction With Retail Leasing           
~2002 Initial Quality Study    Bronze Plant Quality Award, North America           
~2002 Initial Quality Study    Gold Plant Quality Award, North America          
~2002 Initial Quality Study    Silver Plant Quality Award, North America           
~2001 Canadian Dealer Finance Satisfaction Study   Highest in Dealer Satisfaction With Floor Planning           
~2001 Canadian Dealer Finance Satisfaction Study   Highest in Dealer Satisfaction With Retail Credit           
~2001 Canadian Dealer Finance Satisfaction Study   Highest in Dealer Satisfaction With Retail Leasing           
~2001 Initial Quality Study   Best Compact Pickup in Initial Quality          
~2000 Canadian Dealer Financing Satisfaction Study   Highest in Dealer Satisfaction With Retail Leasing  


pontiac, buick, blah blah blah..........

Explorer is a pretty decent ride, and they are available with a V8. Good luck with it, hope it serves you well.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by gofaster
Does this mean Ford builds its vehicles well, but out of crappy parts?

I can only comment on the previous Ford vehicles *I* have owned, and stats on various websites.

I've previously owned F150(3), Explorer(1) and F250(1)models and have had flawless utility out of them all. All vehicles (except my F250) have had over 100,000 miles on them (the Explorer is fast approaching 100k).  I wouldn't think of owning anything else in respect to an SUV or Truck. The only automobiles that I've owned that were Ford brand are not current to this thread as they were old cars (1964 Ford Falcon convertible w/ 302 Boss, 1967 Ford Fairlane w/289)  I sold the '67 Fairlane with 254,000 miles on the odometer on its original engine, although it was smoking about 1 qt. of oil every 100 miles

[SirLoin]

Just looked at the first bar graph you posted Rip...Ford is rated worst of all vehicles..Hey,some gut feeling eh?

[bizket]

I do have to say I've never owned anything but a Ford. Never had any reason to buy anything else, outside of little things they never gave me any major problems.

First car was a 1983 LTD. It had a 100K on it when I got it and I put on another 75,000. I sold it to a friend and he put another 50,000 on it. The old straight six will run forever. I know for a fact it was still on the road about 4 years ago.

89 Escort GT Used to be my wifes car. 160,000 when we sold it to a guy I used to work with. He fixed it up a bit and drives it 60 miles round trip to work everyday.

91 Escort 175,000 traded it in on a 99 Escort that my wife drives now. That one has 110,000 and finally needed its first tuneup a couple of months ago.

87 F150 190,000 miles, once again the straight six. That one did have a sensor go out that turned into a problem. The guy replaced it with a new one that turned out to be bad also. So the truck never ran any better and he went on to check other things, never thinking that the sensor he put in might be bad. Finally someone from Ford came and took a look at it and got it figured out. But I was without my truck for a long time.

That was the biggest problem I ever had with any of my vehicles outside of wear and tear. And it turned out to be a 40 dollar part. Until they prove me different I'll keep buying them.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by SirLoin
Just looked at the first bar graph you posted Rip...Ford is rated worst of all vehicles..Hey,some gut feeling eh?

Industry average: 767
Ford: 768

Yeah, some gut feeling
(pssst. not all automobiles are ranked in the top 20 )

[Gixer]

I don't care about Fords,Nissans,Mistubuishi's,BMW's,Range Rovers, whatever. I just love my Jeep.  

[Nash]

Forget the Jeep, you're kinda cute Gixer.