Lost Sailor
New Member
- Joined
- December 3, 2006
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Asheville, NC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Eddie Bauer 4.6l 4x4
Hi all-
I am trying to decide between 2003 E.B. 42k miles, 2003 Ltd AWD 28k or maybe neither. I dated a girl who had a new EB back in the 90's, which essentially became my vehicle for 2 years. I don't remember having any problems with it and really liking it a lot.
But flash forward 10 years, and in that time I've had a LandCruiser, Mustang, Boxster, Volvo, MGBGT, RX-7, Jeep Liberty, Honda Accord, as well as having driven many other makes for long periods of time. My father has a lot of cars, which I've had to borrow, mainly during the time I had the Mustang. That's why I'm here.
My research on the 2003 Explorers seem to indicate a lot of transmission problems, and issues with their fit and finish. I noticed this with the Mustang; plastic EVERYwhere, and that car broke down weekly. I hated it. Complete POS.
But I love the styling of the newer Explorers, and the size and features are perfect for what I need. If only they're reliable, it would be perfect.
What is the consensus on this MY(2003) and is there any big deal in models(Ltd vs. E.B.?) There's a $400 difference in price, but a 14k mileage difference. Is it the "they both are fine.....but get the extended warranty" kind of thing, meaning-they'll be in the shop constantly? Or maybe not constantly, but something will fail, and when it does, you're screwed?
Also, are Ford dealerships generally accommodating? My experience when I had to have the Mustang in every day was a nightmare, and I almost got into a fight with the GM there. They overcharged me for things, kept the vehicle for EVER, did shoddy work, were inattentive and apathetic, even lost the cover off the dist. cap, then when questioned, of course, said it was never there. Which of course I knew it was, because when I showed them a problem with it, I pointed right to it before leaving it with them. Bad experience I hope is just OC Welch in Bluffton, SC. Also while I was waiting in the waiting room I overheard the service tech come in and tell some poor woman with 5 kids running around she was going to have to have some VERY expensive work, which I knew was unnecessary. I know cars. I thought the days of dealers just outright screwing customers were over, but I guess not. I guess I had such a great experiences with Volvo, Toyota and even Porsche.
Can anyone give me any insight what ownership might be like with these 2 vehicles and which one you would buy? If they're just dogs, I'm looking at a Tahoe, too, but would prefer a truck a little smaller.
Thanks!
I am trying to decide between 2003 E.B. 42k miles, 2003 Ltd AWD 28k or maybe neither. I dated a girl who had a new EB back in the 90's, which essentially became my vehicle for 2 years. I don't remember having any problems with it and really liking it a lot.
But flash forward 10 years, and in that time I've had a LandCruiser, Mustang, Boxster, Volvo, MGBGT, RX-7, Jeep Liberty, Honda Accord, as well as having driven many other makes for long periods of time. My father has a lot of cars, which I've had to borrow, mainly during the time I had the Mustang. That's why I'm here.
My research on the 2003 Explorers seem to indicate a lot of transmission problems, and issues with their fit and finish. I noticed this with the Mustang; plastic EVERYwhere, and that car broke down weekly. I hated it. Complete POS.
But I love the styling of the newer Explorers, and the size and features are perfect for what I need. If only they're reliable, it would be perfect.
What is the consensus on this MY(2003) and is there any big deal in models(Ltd vs. E.B.?) There's a $400 difference in price, but a 14k mileage difference. Is it the "they both are fine.....but get the extended warranty" kind of thing, meaning-they'll be in the shop constantly? Or maybe not constantly, but something will fail, and when it does, you're screwed?
Also, are Ford dealerships generally accommodating? My experience when I had to have the Mustang in every day was a nightmare, and I almost got into a fight with the GM there. They overcharged me for things, kept the vehicle for EVER, did shoddy work, were inattentive and apathetic, even lost the cover off the dist. cap, then when questioned, of course, said it was never there. Which of course I knew it was, because when I showed them a problem with it, I pointed right to it before leaving it with them. Bad experience I hope is just OC Welch in Bluffton, SC. Also while I was waiting in the waiting room I overheard the service tech come in and tell some poor woman with 5 kids running around she was going to have to have some VERY expensive work, which I knew was unnecessary. I know cars. I thought the days of dealers just outright screwing customers were over, but I guess not. I guess I had such a great experiences with Volvo, Toyota and even Porsche.
Can anyone give me any insight what ownership might be like with these 2 vehicles and which one you would buy? If they're just dogs, I'm looking at a Tahoe, too, but would prefer a truck a little smaller.
Thanks!
