My Fords that out live anything else I try to buy.

[Jim Anderson]

Greetings to all, I never thought about there being an Explorer Forum, but I'm glad I found it. I had such a bad experience with a Dodge Ram 1500 that I will never own another Chrysler Product, and somehow my old Fords just sat and watched other newer, supposedly better cars come and go. After many hours in different shops, and thousands of dollars down the drain about 2 years ago, my 2006 Ram 1500 began overheating again, only this time it got traded off for a 97 Crown Vic and a hand full of cash. So I don't mind buying a few parts here and there for maintenance, but only for the old Fords...97 Explorer, 97 Crown Vic, 94 F150, and even my cherished family member of 37 years, a 78 F150. I may keep various auto part stores and Rock Auto in business, but so far it's been worth it. In the interest of full disclosure I do actually own 1 GM product---another antique and old pal of mine of some 28 years now, a 1971 Buick Riviera (Boattail) which I have actually had longer than my wife--much to her chagrin.

 

[Ki4npz]

My experience is very similar to yours. I had a 98 Durango and an 03 Ram. Both were such huge pieces of crap! Told my self "no more Chrysler products." I can imagine its only worse since the Fiat merger. I had a1997 F150 that had 180k trouble-free miles when I sold it. A 1996 Town Car and my wife has a 2003 Grand Marquis. Never had any major problems with any of them. Just a failed intake manifold on the Town Car (older plastic design), and a failed ignition coil on the grand marquis. Oh and a bad IAC motor on the F150. I'm hoping that my recently purchased 2011 Explorer will have similar longevity and reliability that my other Fords had.

 

[Ki4npz]

My experience is very similar to yours. I had a 98 Durango and an 03 Ram. Both were such huge pieces of crap! Told my self "no more Chrysler products." I can imagine its only worse since the Fiat merger. I had a1997 F150 that had 180k trouble-free miles when I sold it. A 1996 Town Car and my wife has a 2003 Grand Marquis. Never had any major problems with any of them. Just a failed intake manifold on the Town Car (older plastic design), and a failed ignition coil on the grand marquis. Oh and a bad IAC motor on the F150. I'm hoping that my recently purchased 2011 Explorer will have similar longevity and reliability that my other Fords had.

oh and i also have a GM product: 2014 Camaro

 

[Mike65]

Welcome Jim. I just gave up on other brand vehicles as we have a 08 Escape 4x4, 00 Ranger 4x4, 99 Explorer sport 4x4, & a (project) 69 Mustang.