Have a few questions that I need some good opinions on.
I have now 1995 2wd 6cyl 31" Bfg's with many many extras.
Just moved back up to Mass and this will not cut it for me since it is close to 150,000 miles.
my wife is ok with me getting a new explorer.
trying to keep it under $12,000 but that is not a problem as i am hoping to get close to $5000.00 for mine so...
thinking 2000 or 2001 but i love the 3rd seat in the 2002's and am looking towards the 2002's and want some input of some people that have the newer explorers.
Is the extra money worth going from the 2000 and 2001 to the 2002.
what about the engine in the newer years not sure what they are like gas mileage etc.
and what about 4 wheel drive is it a constant 4 wheel drive or switch on the dash??
I have seen a few 2002's with about 50,000 4 wheel drives for between $11 and $12 thousand so i am opting for that but need advice from people that own then.

thanks all
David M

any help or opinions are appreciated.

ill sell you my 97 XLT with 68,000 miles for around 8,500 :)

not looking to buy another old one!!!

well as far as having a 02.. I like my 02, before I bought it I took a 01 XLT out for a test drive and it felt a little more confining than my ranger that I own and rode worse than the 02 I purchased.

I have seen people complain about rough rides in the 02+ but I haven't experienced any. I bought mine in may with 20K on the odometer and so far have added another 10k.

The third seat would be nice plus you also get the 40/20/40 seats in the back with the third row which is nice since the middle one folds down to a arm rest. Also I would highly recommend getting the rear a/c.. I imagine it would take less time to cool the interior than it does with just the front a/c.. Not saying it takes to long.. I would figure it just would be easier to keep it cool all the way around.

Is the extra money worth going from the 2000 and 2001 to the 2002.
Yes. If you are a "bigger" guy you will want the newer model. I own a 1999 and a 2002 (both limiteds), and the 2002 fits me perfectly. The 1999 is smaller.

what about the engine in the newer years not sure what they are like gas mileage etc.
I have the 4.6L V8 in my 2002. Gas mileage blows, but I normally only do city driving. I get around 14 city. 18 highway. blech....

and what about 4 wheel drive is it a constant 4 wheel drive or switch on the dash??
Its an auto 4wd. If a wheel starts to slip, the others lock in. There is a switch on the dash for auto, 4 high, 4 low.

Just came home with my new 2002...
$9000 cause it has 88000 miles on it which i never worried about high mile to me it depends on how it was taken care of...i lover it so far just driving home feels like i am driving my old 5.0 mustang again...
Gas mileage in my 95 sucked anyway i was getting about 12 with the 4.6l
just filled it and did not realize it had a 21 gallon tank WOW put 20.33 gallons in it.
and best of all the insurance is cheaper on the 2002 than it was on the 1995 they said because of the better safety features,that is always nice to hear....
so the 4 wheel drive is always on right???

In normal driving, 96% of the engine's power goes to the rear wheels. When the system detects slippage, it routes power to the front wheels accordingly. It works well, though I still wish I had a 2WD option.