2003 Mountaineer or Explorer

[park7163@sympati]

I am in the market not to replace my 1998 Mountaineer but buy a companion one as my wife much prefers driving the SUV versus my 1996 Thunderbird .
My question is about the next generation Explorers 2002 up.
As I said I have a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer 5.0 and it has been the best vehicle I have ever owned.I just turned 165,000 miles and it is running absolutely flawless and other than routine maintenance it has given me no problems.
I have looked at a 2000 with the dreaded SOHC V/6 and from info on this site as well as local garages the V/6 is a no,no,so now I am looking for a V/8 and wonder how the 2002 and newer ones are rated.
I assume the V/6 in these models have the same weaknesses so it would be a 4.6 V/8.

 

[ThePhoenix]

the dreaded SOHC V6 I have is running strong...thank God

 

[tonywerner2]

I have owned a 2003 Explorer with the 4.6 for 6 years and 130,000 miles. The only thing, beside routine maintenance, I have done to it is replace 2 tps sensors, one iac valve, and one dpfe sensor. All else is original and still runs flawless. From my experience, it is a great vehicle.