Back with ?s on Price and ride quality

[Sonny]

Hello again all,

I still have in mind the 2WD V8 Exp, Would someone give me some details on the ride quality, mostly regarding general driving on street. How does it take the road rash in the city and on the hwy? My Isuzu Rodeo is great off road but the ride is very stiff on pavement you feel alot of the road even with new Monroe's.

It is hard to judge a auto with a test drive or two.

Second ?, I have found a 99 2Wd V8 at a dealer for $14,000 I think this is a little high, it has under 50k Carfax= 1 owner

What is a fair price for this year Explorer. I really do not think I will find one anytime soon thru a private sale, so I am down to the dealer and sales tax, I hate that Tax thing...

Thanks, Sonny

 

[RiverRat]

We used to have a stock 98 2WD V8 Mouny. It was very smooth onroad and very comfortable on 500 mile trips. I don't have anything bad to say about it except the mileage but hey, it's a heavy SUV.

It never went in the shop for any repairs over the 80K miles we owned it except for the seat back adjuster.

 

[FLYIN 5.0]

WELL I HAVE ONLY HAD MY 2WD 98 A FEW MONTHS BUT THE RIDE IS QUITE NICE ON THE ROAD. OFF ROAD AND ON UNEVEN ROADS IT CAN GET A LITTLE HARSH AT TIMES BUT THEN AGAIN MY TORTIONS ARE TWISTED ALOT. CHECK PICS. $14,000 FOR A 99 IS JUST A LITTLE HIGH UNLESS IT'S PERFECT WITH VERY LOW MILES.

 

[Stephen]

Please don't type in all caps, thankya

Well, what are you comparing the ride to? In my experience the Explorer rides fine on smooth pavement, but doesn't handle undulating pavement well at all. Bumps are surpressed but theres a lot of side to side jarring.

As live axled SUVs go though, not bad at all.

 

[hrbib21]

I like mine very much. I think the ride quality is very good. If you have decent shocks and decent tires, you should be happy, too.

I have found a 99 2Wd V8 at a dealer for $14,000 I think this is a little high, it has under 50k Carfax= 1 owner

Doesn't sound like a lot to me. I paid more than that for mine but mine is a Limited (loaded). I guess it depends on the trim level.

 

[Sonny]

"Well, what are you comparing the ride to?"
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I have the Rodeo, mainly I can compare it to this as I have owned it for 8 months, long enough to know it is STIFF (jolting) going over the normal city streets and hwy's. It is not terrible I would like just a little more comfort on the long trips. It is my 1st SUV and I did not do any research into diff brands at the time. It was a good deal and I bought it

I honestly have been going around and around with what to buy as money is a big factor. I have also looked into the Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have researched both GC and Exp. I like the interior much better on the Ford, I also like the exterior. The search on the Ford V8 gives me the impression that it is a much more reliable vehicle than the Jeep. The Jeep seems to have a better ride, but I have only drove each for very short rides. I maintain my autos very well and other than normal wear and tear I expect them to perform for many miles
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"but doesn't handle undulating pavement well at all. Bumps are surpressed but theres a lot of side to side jarring."

Could you explain this a little more???
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"As live axled SUVs go though, not bad at all."

Excuse my Ignorance, Would you also explain the differance regarding Live Axle's...

Thanks very much for your time,
Sonny[

 

[TPLYNCH]

"but doesn't handle undulating pavement well at all. Bumps are surpressed but theres a lot of side to side jarring."

Could you explain this a little more???

If you are going over bumps/potholes in a straight line, then it's ok, but if you hit bumps/potholes while turning, the rear end has a tendency to kick out. This is an effect of having a live axle, which (to answer your next question) is a solid rear axle. Where one wheel tries to go, it will take the other wheel with it. All Ex's up to 2002 had solid rear axles with leaf spring suspensions. The 2002+ have independent rear suspensions which means the road effects on one wheel does not effect the other wheel. As a comparison, the Jeeps (except for Liberty) have solid (live) axles front and rear.

 

[fetterjohn]

Sonny,

Take the Monroes off the Rodeo and buy the X. Put the Monroe's onto the X and you will have a very nice ride. I'm happy that I got the Monroes. But getting a good price for a used X shouldn't be that hard...as long as the miles are relatively low. If you pay more than $14,000 it is too much...but just think of the difference. More room inside...better ride...more balls...better feeling in your soul that you don't own a Rodeo!!!
My wife has a Rodeo and I have an X...guess which one we drive on any type of road trip (long or short). You're wrong if you guessed the Rodeo.

-John

 

[Stephen]

You'll be happier with the ride on the Explorer than on your Rodeo.

I think everyone else took care of your other questions.