Opinions Please

[TsaktuO]

I've been "trolling" this site for a while, and am finally ready to purchase an Explorer. My two ooptions are a 99 chestnut EB or an 01 black Sport. SOHC for both. They are similarly priced. I'm young with no family, and like the apperance of the sport, but would'nt mind the convenience of 4 doors. Anybody gone one way and have regrets? Also while looking at the EB i changed the 4x4 setting from auto to high, then to low, while sitting in the lot. The dash indicator showed the change to high, but when switched to low, the display did not light. It seemed as though I "felt" the change to low, but has anyone run into a similar problem? Thanks in advance for you input.

 

[mrboyle]

I can' thelp you on the decision, but I can on the t-case question. The t-csae will not go into low range unless the vehicle is in neutral (automatic) or the clutch is engaged (manual). I can also tell you that no matter which way you go any questions you have someone here will have the answer.

 

[Robb]

I also am young with no family and have a '95 EB. As far as convenience of 4 doors, I don't use the back doors at all. If I have something small, it goes in the passenger seat. If I have something big, or someone is in passenger seat, it goes in the back door (or glass). I also agree the Sport is better looking, and therefore my first choice, but does the Sport have all the op's the EB has? Also, you never know when the family may come and preparing, with 4 doors, may come in handy in the future.

 

[TsaktuO]

Thanks for the tranny answer! As far as options the sport has leather and moonroof, my only two "must haves", like the EB. I honestly don't plan on doing any serious off-roading, and from what i've read the 01 has a more road compliant suspension, but the rear seating has has just enough leg room to to make a "no-legged" man feel comfortable in both models. Myself and roomates all have 2 seaters (2 conv mustangs, and 1 ***** del sol) and so i'd be haulin everyone when we go out so the 4 door is appealing in that respect. Anyways thanks for the responses.

 

[tbomb]

well, i have a 98 sport and i also thought about getting a 4 door when i got it, but im glad i didnt. i have no need for a 4 door. im a college student and my roommates all have mustangs and fast cars, so when we go somewhere i drive, and its no problem fitting 4 22-23 year olds in my truck.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Welcome to the site!

I'd get the Eddie Bauer. I have a '96 and it's awesome! And here's the thing...I'm only 19. If there's another opportunity for me to get an Explorer, I'll get an Eddie Bauer because it has that elegant look. It's very nice!!!!

About the transfer case, in order to go to 4WD Low, you need to shift the tranny to neutral while holding on the brakes. It usually takes a couple of seconds to engage. Good luck!

 

[NaplesBill]

Originally posted by TsaktuO
Thanks for the tranny answer! As far as options the sport has leather and moonroof, my only two "must haves", like the EB. I honestly don't plan on doing any serious off-roading, and from what i've read the 01 has a more road compliant suspension, but the rear seating has has just enough leg room to to make a "no-legged" man feel comfortable in both models. Myself and roomates all have 2 seaters (2 conv mustangs, and 1 ***** del sol) and so i'd be haulin everyone when we go out so the 4 door is appealing in that respect. Anyways thanks for the responses.

That is exactly why I don't have a 4-door. I don't want to be a taxi. Also, as previously stated, nothing ever gets put in the back seat. I bought an '01 Sport because of the finance rate and thought I would wish I had bought a 4-door. I don't! Sometimes I wish I had bought a Sport Trac though!

 

[Okrazie1]

I bought a Sport because I like the looks of the 2 door model. I haul around a truckload of people from time to time and don't get too many complaints about the back seat area. One advantage of the 2 door is it's easier to maneuver around in parking lots and to make U-turns due to the shorter wheelbase. The shorter wheelbase contributes to a rougher ride, however. Another thing about the Sport is not as many soccer moms drive the 2 door.

 

[towdriverb]

96 sport xlt

Have a 96 explorer sport xlt white 4x4 loaded
10000 or bro if interested
located in Gloucester mass

 

[yob_yeknom]

I'm like you, like the look of a Sport, but the convenience of a 4-door. I recently did a lot of test driving of both models. My conclusion was easily go for the 4-door. I am young with no family, but in the end convenience is always better than appearance. There will be a million times you'd kick yourself wishing you had the extra room and ease of 4 doors, but not too often will you care about the look. Plus, you will have a family one day...

 

[TsaktuO]

Thanks for the responses....I'm the proud owner of a '99 Eddie Bauer.

 

[unabonked]

I LOVE MY SPORT! Its a great hauler with great looks while still disgusing itself as taxi-unfriendly. I'm in school, i'm a guy. That means somthing fast and light. Since it is an X, i'll have to settle for "not quite as heavy" and "not quite as slouchy". its no tortise, though.

The sport is an incredibly rugged lil ute. It has the footprint of an escort, but the strenth of a tank. Hell I even drove my old one down a flight of stone steps. Unless you get a lemon, I garentee you years of dependable service.

One idea though, If you are looking to modify it, you might want to get a 99 sport. the older body style has a lot more aftermarket parts available for both street and offroad mods. this is changing though, although it will be rather limited due to its deparure from the common sheet metal from the 4 door.

 

[NaplesBill]

Don't forget, the '01 Sports have common sheetmetal with the Sport Trac. Aftermarket parts should show up for at least the Sport Trac. The only thing about the Sport is the taillights are unique.

Also, I remember reading a comment from Ford that serious offroaders still have the Sport. This was a comment in response to the '02 four door suspension changes. I wish I could remember where I read that!

 

[espnfreak]

I wish I would have gotten a 2dr 98 sohc instead of a 4dr 96 ohv. I woulda had a lot more power, and I never haul any people around hardly.

 

[xlt-sport]

TsaktuO

congrats!

what color is that new ride? how is it equipted? how many miles?

where in columbus do you live? i have a brother in delaware?

peter

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Originally posted by TsaktuO
Thanks for the responses....I'm the proud owner of a '99 Eddie Bauer.

I want pics!!!!!

 

[DocVijay]

Good choice.

I have a Sport but there are many times that I wish I had gotten a 4-door. There are also many times I wish I had gotten a 4-wd.

 

[TsaktuO]

Thanks guys. The EB is chestnut/tan with tan leather and moonroof of course. 42,800 miles on the SOHC. Very clean. Very straight. Very happy =) Mach stereo, with steering wheel controls, although the cartridge is missing from the changer. Needs floor mats, but the Ford swap is comming to columbus this weekend, so i should be ok there. No pics yet, as I want to re-detail it before I share. One question i did have for you guys is about the stereo. I've never kept a factory head unit but i want to draw less attention to the rear (amps and subs). Anybody using a line-level converter, and if so , how does it sound. I'm much more interested in sound quality rather than quantity. Thanks again.

 

[NaplesBill]

Just a little fyi,

Most Ford cd changers use Clarion cartridges.

 

[drwambo]

I've got a 96 EB, and I love it. Have you listened to the factory stereo? It will blow you out of the truck! You can spend a lot of money on a stereo, but I think you'll find that the "premium" stereo in the EB more than adequate. I love mine and wouldn't think of changing it. It's built in sub and multiple JBL speakers do just fine. Just my .02$ worth, but spend your money on a catback, chip, or KKM/K&N conversion. You'll be happy with the horsepower gains.