Getting Ready to Buy, Recommendations?

[vaaccess]

I'm planning to buy a Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer. I've narrowed down the years to 2003 - 2005.

I'm debating the following:
Ford vs Mercury
RWD vs 4WD vs AWD
V6 vs V8

Here are the items it must have:
Leather
3rd Row Seats

I'm leaning towards the Mercury because of the styling and slightly better JD Power ratings.

I live in Virginia and we don't get a lot of snow, but do get ice sometimes. I'm planning to move to a rural location so will be doing some gravel/dirt road/off road stuff, but not for sport.

I found a 2003 Mountaineer AWD V8 with 44K miles that has everything I want for $17K. BUT...I just don't know if the AWD and V8 are necessary. Well, I know they aren't "necessary", but it's hard to judge whether the small extra cost to get that is worth it or not. Is the V6's 210HP enough? I drive a 1994 BMW 525i right now that has more HP than that...

Also, as I understand it I need to do the test drives with the windows down and radio off to see if I hear any whine or clunking when it shifts. Anything else I should take into consideration? I'll probably buy an extended warranty for the R&P problem alone.

I'm still reading through the forum, but so far haven't seen any threads that deal with these specific questions.

Thanks!
Mike

 

[vaaccess]

Test drove a 2003 Mountaineer V8 AWD and a 2003 XLT V6 4x4.

The V6 vs V8 question has been answered. V8 baby. All the way. And, the Mountaineer handled better, too. I'm sitting here trying to decide how I didn't buy it:

$17,000
2003 Mountaineer V8 AWD
44K Miles
Leather, heated seats, dual zone climate control, sunroof, memory seat, numeric entry, 6-disc in-dash player, 3rd row seats (obviously), etc.

The extended warranty would run me another $2K for 60/60 additional, taking it to 2012 and 104,000 miles, which would be nice to have.

The truck was at CarMax.

Hell, it's even a color (interior and exterior) that I want.

 

[dannyb420]

$17k seems a bit high for the year and mileage to me, but if it has everything you want then go for it. I bought mine for $21k, it was 6 months old and had 11k miles on it. it has all the options you stated above except leather and roof but it has a V6. The dealership actually had mercurys cheaper then the explorers. I would definetly go with the extended warrenty, many things start to wear down and need replaced around 60k miles or so. Like I said though, if it has all of the options you want including color, then go for it. The explorer I had prior this had the V8 and was all wheel drive. I loved it but also felt it in the pocketbook with gas prices which is why I swicthed to a V6. I use my V6 for towing (light boats and sea doos) It does OK. I know it can be hard to find mountys that are not AWD and without a V8. If you have time spend a day shopping around.

 

[vaaccess]

$17k seems a bit high for the year and mileage to me, but if it has everything you want then go for it. I bought mine for $21k, it was 6 months old and had 11k miles on it. it has all the options you stated above except leather and roof but it has a V6. The dealership actually had mercurys cheaper then the explorers. I would definetly go with the extended warrenty, many things start to wear down and need replaced around 60k miles or so. Like I said though, if it has all of the options you want including color, then go for it. The explorer I had prior this had the V8 and was all wheel drive. I loved it but also felt it in the pocketbook with gas prices which is why I swicthed to a V6. I use my V6 for towing (light boats and sea doos) It does OK. I know it can be hard to find mountys that are not AWD and without a V8. If you have time spend a day shopping around.

The V8 adds about $250 to the price, according to Edmunds, I think. The extra gas would amount to at most $400/year, I believe...I'm not sure it would make sense to go to the V6. And, if I have the V8 I think I'd need the AWD if I ever drive on wet/ice/snow, right? Not sure how good the traction control is for the RWD models.

I actually found someone selling a 2004 fully loaded Mountaineer for a great price, but almost too good to be true. WE'll see.

Thanks for the feedback.

Mike

 

[dannyb420]

Thats exactly what I thought when I saw the mountys for cheaper then the explorers. I am not sure why. For me its almost seemed like a stupid decision not to buy the mounty over the explorer because of all of the options it comes with, but to me I really did not like the front fascia and all of the cladding that comes on it. But if a V8 is truly what you want, do not go with the V6 because you will be mad at yourself. When you are spending the money to invest in a car/truck, get what you want so you will be happy with it. Good luck, and remember, all of your questions can be answered in the forum, most all of them, there is a great group of members with many years of experience, many of whom started the same way as you, by asking about the SUV before buying it.

 

[BOSS429]

i have a 03 xlt rwd with 3rd row, love it bought it at carmax for 15000 with 25000 miles has 4.0 more than enough power can smoke tires from a start
only thing i dont like is mpg but its a suv go ford

 

[vaaccess]

Well, the 2004 Premier Mountaineer w/36K miles was sold before I could get my hands on it. It had leather, DVD, rear sensor, sunroof, blah, blah, blah...For $15K. The guy just wanted to sell it quick. Single owner (car faxed confirmed) and the thing looked to be well maintained, non-smoker, etc. *sighs*

oh well...If I were to consider an Explorer, which model would I want to consider/avoid for the features I want?

 

[Paul2241]

Stick with the mountaineer, you're going to find the options you want for a way better price with the mercury. I just bought my 03 that has leather, dual climate control, moonroof, homelink, power heated memory seats, it had the 6 disc with the sub, but I put an indash DVD in there, towing package, basically everything but rear air and rear DVD, with 40,000 mi on it for 13,700.
The mountaineer feels so much nicer to me. I work at a ford dealership, and I drive identically equipped X's at work all day, but the mounty feels so much better. now I'm almost 100% sure the only differences are cosmetics, but mine feels higher up, and it feels to handle a little better, but it could all be in my head, if anyone has any insight to the differences let me kno. But after all I just said, you should really find a nicely equipped mounty luxury or premier.

 

[vaaccess]

Stick with the mountaineer, you're going to find the options you want for a way better price with the mercury. I just bought my 03 that has leather, dual climate control, moonroof, homelink, power heated memory seats, it had the 6 disc with the sub, but I put an indash DVD in there, towing package, basically everything but rear air and rear DVD, with 40,000 mi on it for 13,700.
The mountaineer feels so much nicer to me. I work at a ford dealership, and I drive identically equipped X's at work all day, but the mounty feels so much better. now I'm almost 100% sure the only differences are cosmetics, but mine feels higher up, and it feels to handle a little better, but it could all be in my head, if anyone has any insight to the differences let me kno. But after all I just said, you should really find a nicely equipped mounty luxury or premier.

I did a lot of price hunting last night and indeed the Mountaineer is the way to go. I actually just found a 2003 w/36K miles that is fully loaded (V8, AWD, Tow, DVD, rear sensor, rear vents, leather, seat heaters, audiophile, etc) that is at a dealership. One owner. Dealership is listing it at $16K. We'll see how low I can get them to go. How did you get it for $13,700 (or was that the V6 RWD?) This one is remote to me so I'd have to fly in and drive it back, but it'd be worth it to get the one I want. Just gotta be careful and do the due dilligence of having it independently inspected at another dealership...

I drove a 2003 X and a 2003 Mountaineer. The X had the V6 4x4 and the Mountaineer had the V8 AWD. The X didn't seem to handle as well. Don't know about the seat height (you do know there's a height adjustment, right? ), but there was definitely something better feeling about the Mountaineer.

 

[Paul2241]

Yeah I know about the height adjustment. mine is a V8 AWD. I got it for $500 over what they took it in on trade for since I'm an employee of the dealership. If you can get them to about 14,200 OTD before you get there, I'd jump on it. If they don't want to work with you on the phone then be prepared to pay the $16k they are asking for it now.

 

[vaaccess]

Yeah I know about the height adjustment. mine is a V8 AWD. I got it for $500 over what they took it in on trade for since I'm an employee of the dealership. If you can get them to about 14,200 OTD before you get there, I'd jump on it. If they don't want to work with you on the phone then be prepared to pay the $16k they are asking for it now.

Good to know...I independently offered them $14.5K OTD before seeing your post. So, we'll see. I'm sure they'll counter, guess I should have started lower.

 

[asimp]

I have an 04 Limited, fully loaded. Everything you can get on it. V8 and AWD. I love my X. Handles great and drives great. Very happy with my purchase. I personally don't like the looks of the Mounty, that's why I went with the X instead

 

[Thelt]

I bought mine almost a year ago and it is a 2002 Explorer Limited and had about 86k miles on it. I paid about $11,000 for it. It has all the bells and whistles ie heated leather seats, third row, tow package, sunroof etc. The only thing it is missing is the V8. I have found the V6 to be more than adequate for me though. I am pretty happy with it. I think I am going to have to spend some money on the rear end before long but given its age and mileage that is not too bad. I am about to hit 100k now. According to the computer it gets about 17.5 mpg in mostly city driving. That is not too bad.

 

[vaaccess]

Well, I bought one. Flying to pick it up this weekend. I can still back out once I see it, but i doubt that'll happen.

2003 Mountaineer Premiere V8 AWD w/39K miles (48K Manufacturers extended warranty included)

Side Airbags (Does that mean 2nd row, too???)
Non-Smoker Vehicle
Leather w/heat/memory
Rear Backup Sensor
DVD System
Tow Package
Sunroof
17" Alloy Wheels
And lots of other stuff since it's a Premiere...

$14,900 out the door

I'll be buying an extended warranty, probably from Warranty Direct to take it to 2011/100K miles, which will run me around $2500 if I include the emissions coverage...But, that should protect me from most any repair...

It currently has the factory BFG tires, but I plan on getting the Michelin LTX M/S tires since everyone says they kick ass.

Thanks for everyone's comments/thoughts.

 

[Paul2241]

That's a hell of a deal man, almost as good as the deal I got. Is that the same one you were talking about in your previous post? Congrats my friend, that's about as good as you could've possibly gotten by not working for them. Impressive. post pics

 

[vaaccess]

That's a hell of a deal man, almost as good as the deal I got. Is that the same one you were talking about in your previous post? Congrats my friend, that's about as good as you could've possibly gotten by not working for them. Impressive. post pics

Yep, the one from the dealership. I think I was actually dealing with the owner of the dealership, to be honest. I'll find out tomorrow when he picks me up at the airport. Maybe he's the son of the owner? Dunno.

Will definitely post pics.

 

[vaaccess]

Got the car without issue. It is really nice, I'm very happy about it! I averaged 18.2MPG on the way home... I'm going to read other posts, but would be curious to know what grade of fuel I should use and what options I could add to help improve the fuel economy. (K&N air filter, etc...)

Also, the cigarette lighter doesn't work (was going to use it for an accessory), but the accessory jack farther back does work. Strange.

Also, the plastic flap over the mirror is broken on one side.

Also might look at changing out the accents (wood grain/metallic-esque stuff) that are on the inside...The "wood" stuff is a little worn in places, etc.

I took some quick shots tonight:

 

[Paul2241]

nice truck man you got that 18.2mpg because of the extra downforce you get from that wing. ha j/k yeah is it the drivers side visor that's cracked where the mirror is? Mine is also, and so were 2 other explorers/mountys with gray interior that I was going to trade mine with at the dealer. Must be one of those things like the back glass panel or something.