I had originally planned on getting a lightly used 2002-2005 generation Explorer to drive a couple years before giving to my son when he turns 16. However, with all the reliability concerns for that particular generation, I've decided to save a little money and buy one of the older Explorers that apparently have proven to be more reliable (from my admittedly limited research).
I was looking basically at the 2001 models, considering it was the final year and most of the kinks were likely worked out. However, were there any real changes between 99-01? If I could expand my search to those years, that would certainly broaden the amount of vehicles available to look at (don't really want to go beyond 10 years old). When looking at this site:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/reliability.aspx?year=2001&make=Ford&model=Explorer
It shows the 2001 as being more reliable, but I don't really know how accurate that is (could they maybe have just sold less that year and had less reports of problems?).
Also, I would prefer the V8...simply because I don't drive much and gas isn't a worry for me...and I figure if it's a gas hog it kind of restricts the driving my son will do when he's 16.
However, is there any difference in reliability between the V8 and V6? I know the V8 comes with a four-speed automatic, while the V6 comes with a five-speed...Any concerns between those two? Finally...I wouldn't mind having an AWD/4WD model. Are there any known reliability concerns there?
I'm not so much worried about my ownership experience (I'll probably put all of 10,000 miles, if that, in the two and a half years before my son gets it)...but I do want something that will hold up to the abuse of a teenager and perhaps take him on into college.
Sorry for the long-windedness. Any help is greatly appreciated.
I was looking basically at the 2001 models, considering it was the final year and most of the kinks were likely worked out. However, were there any real changes between 99-01? If I could expand my search to those years, that would certainly broaden the amount of vehicles available to look at (don't really want to go beyond 10 years old). When looking at this site:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/reliability.aspx?year=2001&make=Ford&model=Explorer
It shows the 2001 as being more reliable, but I don't really know how accurate that is (could they maybe have just sold less that year and had less reports of problems?).
Also, I would prefer the V8...simply because I don't drive much and gas isn't a worry for me...and I figure if it's a gas hog it kind of restricts the driving my son will do when he's 16.
However, is there any difference in reliability between the V8 and V6? I know the V8 comes with a four-speed automatic, while the V6 comes with a five-speed...Any concerns between those two? Finally...I wouldn't mind having an AWD/4WD model. Are there any known reliability concerns there?I'm not so much worried about my ownership experience (I'll probably put all of 10,000 miles, if that, in the two and a half years before my son gets it)...but I do want something that will hold up to the abuse of a teenager and perhaps take him on into college.
Sorry for the long-windedness. Any help is greatly appreciated.
