I am really thinking about buying an 04' Explorer with all of the rebates and the probs. I am having with my current one. But I was wondering, is the 4.6L as peppy as the 5.0L, and also does it get winded at high speeds. And one more thing, I am looking at an Eddie Bauer and wondering do they come standard with heated seats?

Here is the info;
Vehicle Description
EXPLORER 4-DOOR 2004 4DR 4X2 E.B.
4.6L SOHC V8 ENGINE
5-SPEED AUTOMATIC O/D TRANS Exterior
OXFORD WHITE CLEARCOAT
Interior
MEDIUM PARCHMENT LUX BKT W/LTHR/HTD/MEM SEAT



Standard Equipment INCLUDED AT NO EXTRA CHARGE

EXTERIOR
. P245/65R17 A/T OWL TIRES
. 17" MACHINED ALUMINUM WHLS
. FRONT FOG LAMPS
. REAR INT WIPER/WASH/DEFRST
. LIFTGATE W/FLIP-UP GLASS
. AUTOLAMP-AUTO ON/OFF HDLMP
. "ARIZONA BEIGE" CLADDING,
BUMPERS AND RUNNING BOARD
. ILLUM. APPROACH LAMPS
INTERIOR
. LEATHER TRIMMED SEATS
. AUDIOPHILE AM/FM STEREO
W/IN-DASH 6-CD CHANGER
. DUAL ELEC AUTO TEMP CNTRL
. HOMELINK GARAGE DR OPENER
. DOME LAMP/DUAL MAP LIGHTS
. MAP POCKETS- DRIVER & PASS
. POWER ADJ PEDALS W/MEM
. STEERING WHEEL W/ AUDIO
AND CLIMATE CONTROLS
FUNCTIONAL
. 22.5 GALLON FUEL TANK
. 4-WHL INDEPENDENT SUSP
. BRAKES, POWER 4-WHEEL DISC
. POWER RACK PINION STEERING
. CARGO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
SAFETY/SECURITY
. PERSONAL SAFETY SYSTEM
(DUAL STAGE AIRBAGS, CRAS
SEVERITY SENSOR, SEATBELT
USE SENSOR, DRV SEAT POS.
SENSOR, SEATBELT PRE-
TENSIONERS)
. KEYLESS ENTRY KEYPAD
. SIDE IMPACT DOOR BEAMS
. TIRE PRESS. MONITORING SYS
WARRANTY
. 24 HR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
. 3 YR/36,000 MILES

Price Information MSRP
STANDARD VEHICLE PRICE $34,365

Key Standard Equipment
ORDER CODE 155A-EDD BAUER V
P245/65R17 A/T OWL TIRES
C-K RUNNING BOARDS
DUAL AUTO A/C CFC-FREE
ADJ PEDALS W/MEMORY
WHEELS, PNTD SATIN NICKEL A

Optional Equipment
2004 MODEL YEAR
OXFORD WHITE CLEARCOAT
ARIZONA BEIGE ACCENT PAINT
MED PARCHMNT LTHR LUXRY BKT
.4.6L SOHC V8 ENGINE
.5-SPEED AUTOMATIC O/D TRANS
3.73 LS AXLE
JOB #2 ORDER
REGL EB LTD LEATHER PKG
FRONT LICENSE PLATE BRACKET
QUAD SEATING 795
MEDIUM O/H CONSOLE
POWER MOONROOF 850
TRAILER TOW PKG CLASS III/IV 400
AUXILIARY CLIMATE CONTROL 650
ROOF RAIL CROSS BARS 60
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM 255
3RD ROW SEAT PACKAGE 745
__________
TOTAL VEHICLE & OPTIONS 38,120
DESTINATION & DELIVERY 645
__________
TOTAL BEFORE DISCOUNTS 38,765

EB LTD LEATHER DISC
-695
TOTAL SAVINGS -695

TOTAL MSRP $38,070

Disclaimer: Option pricing will be blank for any item that is priced as 0 or "No Charge".





Estimated Annual Fuel Cost:$1,235 CITY MPG
15
HIGHWAY MPG
20 Vehicle Engine Information
2004 EXPLORER, 2WD 4.6L ENGINE (FEEDBACK FUEL SYSTEM), 8 CYLINDER, FUEL INJECTION 5-SPEED AUTO TRANS, CATALYST
Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition. Results reported to EPA indicate that the majority of vehicles with these estimates will achieve between 12 and 18 mpg in the city and between 17 and _ mpg on the highway.
For Comparison Shopping all vehicles classified as SPECIAL PURPOSE have been issued mileage ratings from 10 to 24 mpg city and 14 to 30 mpg highway.




Ford Extended Service Plan is the ONLY service contract backed by Ford and honored by over 5,100 Ford and Lincoln-Mercury retailers. Ask your retailer for prices and additional details or see our website at www.Ford-ESP.com

 

We bought an 04 about a year ago. I test drove both the V-6 and V-8 version. It was no question, the V-8 version is the way to go if you are looking for better acceleration and passing capabilities. The V-6 is ok but just not what I was looking for.

 

Jer -

The info you posted shows "HTD" on the MEDIUM PARCHMENT line - don't know if this means driver's bucket or both.

I've never driven a 5.0L Explorer so can't compare, but I have an '04 XLT Sport with the 4.6L and 3.73 LS; it has plenty of power whether towing or not. Installing a FlowMaster and getting 3000 miles on her really helped.

Steve

 

You will definitely enjoy the 4.6.

If I were to get another Explorer, it would be a 4.6. I wouldn't get an Eddie Bauer, but I would get all the goodies that you can get.

 

Heated buckets are standard on the 04 Eddie Bauer. They are toasty and good for cold weather areas.

 

Heated seats are on both sides in EB models. Recently picked up my 5th Explorer (91, 96, 99, 02 and now 04). This is my first w/ the V8. Huge improvement over 4.0L I've had in all my other recent Explorers. It does not get winded - plenty of torque throughout - low and high.

As for gas mileage, it is negligibly different from the V6 to the V8. The city on both are rated @ 15, hwy is 20 vs 19. I drive a ton of miles ('02 had 60K at trade) and will gladly pay the incremental $200 or so a year in extra gas to have the extra power from the V8.

Recommendation for you if you ever THINK you might want to tow something with the 4x4 Explorer: make sure it has a class III/IV (2" sqr receiver) hitch! Most come Explorers come standard w/ a Class II (1.25" receiver) hitch. Since it is part of the bumper assembly, it ends up being very high (about 19.5" off ground). Most 'everyday' type trailers (6x12's and under) that you might want to tow, have hitch platform heights around 15-16". It is practically impossible to get a drawbar w/ enough drop to be able to tow a trailer at level. The biggest drop I could ever find was a 3" drop. Add back in the 3" ball height and you end up being 3-4" off level. It doesn't sound like much until you hooked up a 5x10 enclsoed trailer and you end up towing with it's nose pointed in the air and it's a _ _ end almost scraping the ground. With the Class III/IV hitch (2" recevier) you'll be able to find larger drop drawbars and even adjustable ones that will fit your every need. My '04 has the Class III/IV hitch now as I worked it as part of the deal.

Good luck!