Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Ford / Ford Explorer / April 2006

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

Explorer Review  - Phil Edmonston - Guide for used 4x4's & Trucks.

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
Grolch - 24 Apr 2006 18:12 GMT
The Explorer got quite the write-up in Phil Edmonstons Guide. For those
unfamiliar, Phil Edmonston has been writing these annual guides to buying
cars for many years and is known to "pull no punches" with his reviews.

Here's what he has to say about the 1991 - 1994 Explorers.

These early explorers are both unreliable and dangerous to drive. Some of
the most common defects reported by owners are transmission and fuel system
failures, electrical system shorts, frequent and expensive brake repairs due
to prematurely worn pads, rotors and master cylinder, constant motor-mount
failures and defective AC condensers. Body defects are legion. What hasn't
fallen off is usually about to, is stuck shut, stuck open, rusted away,
delaminated, or simply broken. The above deficiencies produce poor engine
performance that includes hard starts, sudden acceleration, stalling and
excessive gas consumption; AC failures; noisy, ineffective brakes; lights
and guages that have a mind of thier own; suspension noises and exhaust
system rattles.

1995 - 1999 Explorer

Granted Ford tried to upgrade the explorers relianility and durability with
it's '95 redesign, however, there hasn't been much improvement as witnessed
by the continuing torrrent of owner complaints and service bulletin fixes
for factory defects. The main problems targeted in service buletins.... and
so on.

Makes you wonder why anyone would own one of these eh?
Madmax - 25 Apr 2006 21:13 GMT
I've owned several Explorers of all vintages.  I am currently on my
fifth one, a '95 EB...  That commie bastard needs to get back in his
Toyota and get the hell outta here!

> The Explorer got quite the write-up in Phil Edmonstons Guide. For those
> unfamiliar, Phil Edmonston has been writing these annual guides to buying
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Makes you wonder why anyone would own one of these eh?
Grolch - 25 Apr 2006 23:45 GMT
Mmmm, 5th Explorer eh. That's telling in itself.
Reminds me of Louis Armstrong on Johnny Carson. When Carson asked Louis
about whether smoking marijauana was addicted, Louis replied, " I been
smoking grass every day for over 40 years and I ain't addicted yet"

> I've owned several Explorers of all vintages.  I am currently on my fifth
> one, a '95 EB...  That commie bastard needs to get back in his Toyota and
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>>
>> Makes you wonder why anyone would own one of these eh?
Madmax - 26 Apr 2006 01:59 GMT
Yep, that sure is telling...  Me and my wife, two vehicles needed here.
  I drive in excess of 20,000 miles per year, which will kill any car
quicker than the average consumer would.  The first three were bought
WELL used while I was in the military.  Every one has served me well
until I chose to sell it off.  Two were sold off when I separated and
needed to reduce my monthly payment in sync with a reduction in my
salary.  The '05 EB is my wife's, bought as I traded in my '01 Sport
Trac with over 90,000 miles and only a few issues.  I bought a used '99
Expedition repo with low miles from a auto broker across town, trading
my wife's Windstar.

Ford has repeatedly proven the safety of the Explorer's in government
tests and courts of law.  Maintenance, or lack of is the killer of any
car, Ford's Explorer can not help owners poor maintenance.  Stability
issues are most common with drivers who are on low inflated and or old
tires.  All SUV's suffer a problem with drivers who confuse the terms
Sports Car with Sport Utility Vehicle as the ground clearance and
suspension compliance needed for any off road capabilities directly
conflicts with on road prowess.

My point is this author obviously has an unsupportable distaste for blue
oval products that is not shared by this group as a whole.  Please take
your comments to a news group where you will not be ridiculed for your
opinion.

> Mmmm, 5th Explorer eh. That's telling in itself.
> Reminds me of Louis Armstrong on Johnny Carson. When Carson asked Louis
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>>>
>>>Makes you wonder why anyone would own one of these eh?
Big Shoe - 26 Apr 2006 02:21 GMT
It is really obvious to me that the number of concerns has dropped
tremendously since the earlier days of Explorers.  My '92 and '99 had
a good number of issues though I really liked both of them.  The '92
was sold at about 185,000 and the '99 is still in the family at about
140,000.  We still see questions and comments about the issues with
those earlier models, such as the famous IAC valve, blend door and
radio display.  However, there seem to be no such major issues with
the later models.  My '05 has been great so far, 24,000 miles and no
problems.  The point being, some of the comments have a basis in fact,
but Ford has steadily improved the Explorer to the point where it is a
high quality vehicle.

>Yep, that sure is telling...  Me and my wife, two vehicles needed here.
>   I drive in excess of 20,000 miles per year, which will kill any car
[quoted text clipped - 57 lines]
>>>>
>>>>Makes you wonder why anyone would own one of these eh?
Jim Warman - 27 Apr 2006 08:10 GMT
Both my wife and I loved our 92 Ex... at least three friends had the same
experience with their Exs... I have no acquaintances that have had bad
experiences with any Explorers...

Phil Edmonston has chosen to concentrate on vehicles driven by unsafe
drivers.... Any car is a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands... looking at
MVA statistics, we can easily see that there are many, many "wrong hands" on
the road today.... A bad painter will blame his brush, a terrible carpenter
will blame his saw and a lousy driver will blame his car.... There are no
secrets here....

We seem to live in a "new age" where we are not responsible for our own
actions...

For your part, I see some sort of "agenda"... not sure what it is... I like
the "Mmmm, 5th Explorer eh".... reference. As if someone that changes cars
every three years is having a bad experience... I have no idea what you
drive nor how it is serviced ( I imagine it is a Subaru), but, believe it or
not, there are people that prefer new over pre-owned. They can afford to
trade up at regular intervals and prefer the financial predictability of a
vehicle still covered under warranty.

You have established your place in the pecking order for this NG ... now if
you could only live it down....

> Mmmm, 5th Explorer eh. That's telling in itself.
> Reminds me of Louis Armstrong on Johnny Carson. When Carson asked Louis
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>>>
>>> Makes you wonder why anyone would own one of these eh?
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.