I'm a teen looking for his first car with a budget of 6-8k. I'm tall and looking at SUVs and trucks (my truck thread at https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11856784) mainly. The Excursion is one sexy beast but I don't think I could afford to back it out of my driveway, the Escape is too small, and the Expedition might be a little out of my price range, but 02-05 Explorers are looking good.

Any common issues with 02-05s?
Anything in particular to look for when browsing online? When test driving?
Is the 4.6 worth it (over the 4.0 V6)?
Any other advice when buying an Explorer?

What do you think of these?
2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT
2003 Ford Explorer

Thanks!

 

I have an 04 and so far like it. It is a little close on headroom (has a sunroof and I'm 6'3) but other than that it's a very solid vehicle. You need to look at the years to see which models had one issue or another. I like the 4.6 V8. It's peppy and it's been around a while. Gas mileage will be the big hit but there are vehicles that get better mileage that I wouldn't touch.

 

Go with the 4.6. I think you get a better transmission, and no worse mpg over the noisy, thirsty 4.0 SOHC with it's POS 5 speed automatic.

 

In the 02-05 Explorer you will get the same 5-speed automatic. The earlier years, with the 5.0L V8, had the supposedly more robust 4-speed auto.

If you do pick one of these Explorers up I would suggest you find a transmission shop that you trust and have them change the fluid and filter in the transmission to see if anything stands out as needing attention.

-Rod

 

our 2002 has the 4.0 and we think its great. That was the first year for the IRS. If i had a choice now i might get a 3-4 year newer thinking some of the problems whould be fixed, even tho i have had few problems.

 

If you look at the Explorer.. with a 4.0 sohc
A. make sure you are the one to start the car when you look at it.
and make sure the motor is cool when you start it.
Reason??? after sitting for a while the oil can drain back and if things
are getting worn out . ie.. camshaft tensioners, timing chains, and
guides. when you start the motor for the first time listen up for a lot
noise immediately after start up. it will go away quickly so you gotta be
aware. once it is started it will start again with no noise due to oil filling
tensioners.
B. Once you start the car as it warms up and idles back down slowly rev
the engine to around 2700 rpm . you are listening for a jingling sound
that would indicate worn timing chain guides. $ 1500-2000 repair
C. take it for a test drive ... ON THE HIGHWAY if you can so you get up
some speed you want to be around 50-60 mph RADIO OFF listen for a
whirring noise from the rear. if it whirrs loudly let up on the accelerator
if it goes away.. rear end bearings are going bad. $500-800 repair
D. of course make sure the tranny goes smoothly through all gears with no
harsh shifting, or slipping.
I had an 04 explorer and these things happened to me @ 112,000 fortunately i do my own repair work.

On the expediton..
A. be wary of electrical issues these have big problems with windshields l
leaking on drivers side. and water getting on fuse box and Gem module.
Indications= no back up lights, no cruise, no a/c, no auto door locks.
sometimes lights stay on with no key in switch!
B. look carefully at the rear lower control arms. ( they rot out terrible)
Experience in repairing a few of these .

just a few personal experiences on the problematic areas. for the most part the explorer is great little suv. my 4.0 got 18mpg on trips with synthetic oil (always use synthetic in the sohc) 15mpg around town.
the expedition is also a great suv you almost forget that is a big suv
the way it gets around.
Personally the 5.0 v8 offered up till 2000 in the explorer is great engine that will easily go 200,000 miles and if you drive it sensibly it wont be horrible on gas either = big engine, small suv. the v8 is in the AWD model.
Right now explorers can be had for cheap as the classifieds are full of them. and parts can be had easily too at the salvage yards.
good luck.
just my 2cents.

 

My only experience is with a 2002 Exploder....excuse me.. I mean Explorer Sport Trac with the 4.0 with single overhead cams. Only 90,000 miles on the clock and the intake valve spring on the number one cylinder broke. What a disaster. Since the engineering brilliance at Ford decided to put the cam drive on the BACK SIDE of the block the engine must be pulled to effect a repair. (VeryExpensive) Maybe some of the other engines in these things are of better quality or design but I'd stay away from one of these. What a PILE. For the size of the vehicle, it did'nt get very good milage either. So, my advise to you is to take your time, dont fall in love with ANYTHING, and do a LOT of research before you lay out your, or your folks hard earned cash on a vehicle of any make.

Good luck,
Nitro

 

anything specific to the 4.6L?

when did they move to the 3V in the explorer's

there's a pretty sweet 04 V8 on Craig's list i've been wanting to go look at. 93K miles and the price seems right. thinking that might be a good upgrade from my '00 5.0.

 

Some Gen III Explorers left the factory requiring a tranny additive; any dealer should be able to run the VIN to see if it was needed/added. I'd stick with the 4.6L, but that's JMHO.

Steve

 

Our 2004 explorer w/4.6l Was in a batch built with the wrong trans fluid installed at the factory.
We got a recall and "luckily" the wife only had
A few thousand miles , she doesn't drive a lot,
So we didn't "need" a new tranny under warranty.

Luckily with 46k on it now it still drives great
so be aware of this.

 

I have owned 3 explorers and loved them all. I know it was not a 02-05, but mine were a 91 (315,000 miles), a 99 (249,000 miles currently, daughter now drives it) and a 2000 Limited. All of them with the 4.0 V6 and were excellent vehicles. Also, all were 4x4. Traded the 2000 in for the excursion, just because I wanted it.

Been looking at 02-05 explorers for wife. Been looking at 4.0's because of the great service life I got out of previous vehicles.

 

Thanks for all your replies, especially yours boots6868. I'll be sure to look for those things when test driving.

 

What do you guys think about mileage and longevity with Explorers (and cars in general)? Should I spend as much as I can to get a car with lower (60-100k) miles (and disregard additional features)?

 

I leased an 07 Sport Trac Limited with a 4.6 engine. Truck would move if you buried your foot. Damn mustang engine that didn't come to life till she was running 4000rpms.

Towing a 2000lb flats boat mpg went from 19-20 to 12-13mpg. The 04 150 would get 17-18 pulling the same boat and get 19-20 on the highway with the 5.4 with 373 gears.

Flat out the wrong engine in the Explorer. Should have just put the 5.4 in them. It's the same block and bore dia. The 5.4 just has a longer stroke and puts out 80% of it's torque at 1000rpms.

The 3.5 liter Ecoboost is thee engine.. Got a 2011 F150 with a boost and it impresses me everytime I even look at the gas pedal..