How are the 2002 Explorers?

[SilverBullet]

My wife wants an SUV because we've got a baby on the way, so we're selling her 2004 Mazda6 on craigslist. I got an email from a guy asking if we'd be interested in trading for his 2002 Explorer Limited. We're asking $11k for the Mazda, it's the Sport model and only has 55k miles on it, fully loaded. His is the Limited model, with 73k miles on it, and he's asking $9,200 for the Ex (I found his ad on craigslist).

Would this be a decent trade? How are the '02 Explorers? Any problems or anything to look for?

 

[Joe Dirt]

No. His price is too high for an '02, and they seem to have an inordinate number of problems with the transmissions letting go. I would find a 2003 or newer, built after they worked out some bugs of the 2002/first year of redesign, and the transmissions are better... If you can find one, get a V8- the gas mileage is the same and they're a little more stout and reliable form the people I know that have/have had both.

Good luck with your search!

 

[jad2411]

Ask him for 9.2K AND the ex
an 02 should not be worth that much

 

[SilverBullet]

Ask him for 9.2K AND the ex
an 02 should not be worth that much

LOL ok.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Don't get an 02 period. Very problematic.

 

[Kandii.Babii]

Dont get an 02, especially if you're having a baby... it'll leave you stranded and it sucks.

I've have mine for two months and tranny have stopped pulling 2 times so far, both times had to be towed

last time it did it on halloween night taking my kids trick or treating, and is currently in the shop now and they cant find anything wrong with it... says it's been driving normal...
bullshit...
i should have checked on them before i got mines

 

[Limited02]

Dont get an 02, especially if you're having a baby... it'll leave you stranded and it sucks.

I've have mine for two months and tranny have stopped pulling 2 times so far, both times had to be towed

last time it did it on halloween night taking my kids trick or treating, and is currently in the shop now and they cant find anything wrong with it... says it's been driving normal...
bullshit...
i should have checked on them before i got mines

When you mean "stopped pulling" did it only rev in gear? I had that problem and it was the transfercase. Had it rebuilt and it seems that once year it will slip back to neutral. Push it into 4-low and yay, good for another year

OP-I'd sell you my Ex for 7K.

 

[Kandii.Babii]

yeah exactly what i mean.
last time though the O/D light just kept flashing on and off periodically and then we started shiftin real hard and we jerked real hard backin out a driveway then we parked at the mall, came out put it in Reverse, she backed out about 6-12 inches, jerked and stopped moving.

 

[Curtis]

My wife wants an SUV because we've got a baby on the way, so we're selling her 2004 Mazda6 on craigslist. I got an email from a guy asking if we'd be interested in trading for his 2002 Explorer Limited. We're asking $11k for the Mazda, it's the Sport model and only has 55k miles on it, fully loaded. His is the Limited model, with 73k miles on it, and he's asking $9,200 for the Ex (I found his ad on craigslist).

Would this be a decent trade? How are the '02 Explorers? Any problems or anything to look for?

My dad has an 02
I have an 04

He's had to replace the 4x4 CM - $300
Just had the transmission done - $2500
Rear upper Control Arms / ball joints - $800
Rear end seals - $500

On my 04, none of that.. and I have more miles
I did have the AC/Heat blend door done under warranty - $750 and a front wheel bearing.

 

[xTheRebelx]

I would say dont get the 02. I have a 02 Explorer XLT and it had numerous problems

The explorer has about 80,000 miles on it.
Recently got a rebuilt transmission
New balljoints
New Engine Seal
New driver side window switch


Rear is also going at the moment.

 

[Booyah13]

Oi, I just purchased a 2002 Sport I hope that it does not have as many problems as was described.

 

[rocco123]

I'm srprised nobody mentioned the common problem of broken rear springs, grinding rear ends, and wheel bearings. I have also replaced a right body mount due to being worn down metal to metal, and a steering rack due to leaking. No tranny problems other thanan occasional "slam" when put into gear.

 

[SilverBullet]

Thanks for the heads up guys. Looks like I'll be passing up the '02.

 

[rocco123]

BTW, mine is a black '02 limited. I do love the truck as it has plenty of room & power & just feels right for me when driving, but to tell the truth I did fix quite a few things on it. All work done myself (with some help & guidance from this website).

 

[jad2411]

Mine has over 100k and unless the PO already fixed all of those things, I haven't had any problems with it in the almost 1 and a half years I've owned it.
On the other one we had to replace the tranny $2k and that's it, that one has over 120K miles so not too bad, I think

 

[FordLover]

I guess I should feel lucky then, since my '02 has been paid off for some time now, and I've only had to put a 500 dollar instrument cluster in. Everything else was under warranty and was limited to a rear wheel bearing and a rear head rest. The truck is pushing 8 years old now, so I'm expecting it to be needing repairs.

 

[rhyno]

No real issues with our 02 either at over 100k miles. Luck of the draw i guess.

 

[Rofocowboy84]

What is it with people getting pregnant with their first kid and freaking out and buying a minivan or SUV? My brother, sister, and I grew up riding around in the back seat of a Buick sedan, and we turned out completely normal. Now, I'm not trying to tell you not to buy a Ford, especially an Explorer, but still, your first kid on the way should not be the reason...

 

[ericautopart]

LOL x2. I'd keep the Mazda. It's a good car. If you MUST have an explorer I'd pick up a cheap 2nd gen 5.0. I have an 07 Mercury Milan which is the same as your mazda 6 and I also have a $300 98 explorer xlt 5.0..the explorer turned into my daily driver and now my modded milan sits at home all the time.

 

[jad2411]

What is it with people getting pregnant with their first kid and freaking out and buying a minivan or SUV? My brother, sister, and I grew up riding around in the back seat of a Buick sedan, and we turned out completely normal. Now, I'm not trying to tell you not to buy a Ford, especially an Explorer, but still, your first kid on the way should not be the reason...

LOL

Times are different?
But I can tell you this, it's way more confortable for all of us (my family and me) to use the 3rd gens rather than the sport, my mom's sentra, or my dad's lumina (car).