Looking for advice on purchase

[dhewie]

My wife currently drives a 2000 Mountaineer (5.0). We are in the market for another vehicle and among our short list so far are a '07-09' Explorer/Mountaineer. I did some looking on the forums and didn't really come across much, but I'm wondering if there are any issues to be aware of on these newer vehicles? Any big ticket items that tend to go bad, or other sure fire repairs (other than normal wear and tear) that would be in the future? I'm also under the impression that there may be little, if any, difference in mpg with a V6 vs a V8?

 

[L8 APEX]

If you tow anything heavy get the v8. The most I like to tow with the v6 is a riding mower on a 5x10. Other than that wife loves her 09 XLT v6 leather 4wd. It gets 13 city 19 hwy. Same as a v8 since the 4wd gear is always turning. It was cheaper for us to buy new with rebates and APR. It was loaded but v6 35k sticker and 26k buy it price. She really wanted the leather and heated seats, rear air and 3rd row, Sync, tow pkg.

 

[Mike02z]

The mileage on the V6 and V8 4x4 is the supposed to be the same for the 2010 model year according to the sticker. My mother bought a 2010 EB V8 and I bought a 2010 Limited V6 and I have put over 2000 miles on each vehicle and I drive each about the same. From my expereince the V8 does not get the same mileage as the V6. So far over 2500 miles I'm averaging 17.9 with my V6. We just returned from a family vacation and I drove my Mother's V8 and averaged 15.1 mpg over 2200 miles. All my normal driving is 90% highway and 10% city. On the recently completed trip it was about 90% highway and 10% city as well. I guess part of the difference may be that I typically drive my car alone and on this trip there were 3 adults and 1 child adding about 350 additional lbs. I would not think that an additional 350 lbs should decrease mileage almost 3 mpg but who knows.

Honestly, the V8 seems to pull better from 30-60 mph but I find my V6 pulls better off the line. The difference is probably that my V6 has a 3.73 gear ratio and my mother's is whatever the stock ratio is. Her V8 certainly sounds a lot better. Both suv's are similarly equiped. I have the power third row and my mother's does not but other than that, the gear ratio and some cosmetic differences betwen the Limited and the EB everything else is the same.

I would have prefered the V8 but at the time I could not find one equiped the way I wanted it. I don't tow and neither does my mother. I agree that if you tow anything substantial you should go for a V8 but they are not that easy to find where I live. My only concern with the V8 is the stupid spark plug design. I dealt with those in my 08 Mustang GT and what a PITA they are! We are both very happy with our vehicles so far.

Good luck with your search!

 

[paulyjsob]

For the most part, the 2006-2010 explorer/mountaineer seem to be pretty reliable. I did lots of research before buying my 07 mountaineer and they don't seem to have any major problems. Good luck!