1999 Mountaineer. How R the newer ones?

[kitra]

We bought our Mountaineer new in January 1999. It's got 82K miles on it and just lately, I've been spending money on it, mainly because it's time. Rebuilt heads due to I broke an intake manifold bolt, new rear end (junkyard) because the Dealer messed up the pinion preload. New PCV components to solve pinging. Now I put on new Sensa-trac shocks and a Bilstein axle wrap shock. Vehicle needs nothing except paint is peeling off the roof and side of hood. It 's in great shape as it's never had Kids in it to tear it up. Kept the leather perfect.

So now my Wife wants a newer vehicle (newer, not new). She's thinking of an Explorer or Mountaineer again. But are the newer ones as good as the 1995 through 2001's? Does anyone here have the newer years too? She test-drove a 2006 Explorer that had every possible option (except Nav). The price, color and miles were right but I wouldn't let her buy it as I can't imagine the newer ones being as good as our 1999? I'd hate to buy troubles. She only wants "white paint" which seem hard to find. Our current one is white. Also wants the V8 which I've read horror stories with seized spark plugs and stripped out spark plug threads. Just wondering about the newer Explorers?

Our neighbor has a 2005 and they have 90K miles on it with zero repairs. So theirs has been OK, but that's the previous generation.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I would shy away from the '02 if you have a choice, but the others are great. The V8's don't have horror stories, if I had a choice, it would be a V8. I personally like the 2003-2005's.

I'm actually surprised that you have so many (seeming) issues with your '99 with that few miles on it. I also think it would be hard to match the ruggedness of hte Gen II's, but the Gen III's are a really nice compromise of ride and capability. I loved my 2003...

 

[n2epv]

I have a '97 Mounty V-8 and an '04 Ex V8. The mounty is still running well at 195,000 Miles! That being said, the 04 rides smother and quieter, especially on the bumps (despite new SensaTracks and a front-end rebuild on the Mounty).

Both will happily cruise at 75 MPH but my 04 is good for at least 3 more miles/gallon on the highway using regular gas. The 04 has 60,000 miles, so I won't be trying to remove the plugs just yet. The only complaint that I have with the 04 is rear differential gear noise. It hasn't gotten any worse in the 15K miles that I have owned it and it looks as if the previous owner had things pulled apart at one time (there's a neat little bead of silicone sealant all around the diff cover plate).

It seems that anything with a "V8" logo can be had for a good price used, if you shop around. Ford's 4.6 is good for lots of miles - I also have a 4.6 Lincoln - still running strong at 175,000 Miles!

 

[shadowless127]

the only few complaints i have about my 3rd gen is the transmission, and the rear end whine.

That being said, the 4.6 has plenty of power, it is great in the winter, it rides a lot quieter and a lot smoother then my '98.