Planning to buy 2003 XLT

[Claus]

Hi there!

I'm planning to buy a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT and wanted to get a few oppinions from you, the experts(see bottom).

Usage:
I'm mainly considering getting an SUV because of a sailboat that I would like to pull occasionally on long distance trip. So far I have been using our '96 Taurus but we are pushing its limit with the boat. So the towing will happen about a couple times a year for long distance (> 200 miles) and hopefully every other weekend for short distances (30 miles).

Otherwise it has to haul my fat ass to work every day (about 5 miles) and will have to drop off and pickup the kid from daycare.

Requirements:

• 2003 - because in that year the 2nd row middle seat got a head rest and 3 point seat belts.
• 3rd row - so we can haul kids and friends around. Yeah, we where considering a van also but the Explorer got the bid due to the towing capacity.

Question:

• V6 or V8 - Apparently the gas milage difference between them is 1 mile per gallon or about 40 miles per tank. Do I really need a V8 for towing or would the V6 be plenty? BTW the boat + trailer weights about 1200 pounds but I would like to load the Explorer full with people and luggage as well.
• AWD or 4x4 - I know that AWD does not have 4Hi and 4LO but I'm not totally sure if I would miss not having that.

Did I forget anything else? And if you have a 2003 for sale somewhere in Iowa let me know.

Regards,
Claus

 

[dman726749]

get the v8 the drivetrain is MUCH more reliable than the v6in my opponion. i would also go for the true 4x4 and not the awd for the hi low function. you will be happy with your new truck. my mom has an 02 mounty and she loves it. good luck and make sure to get some pics up once you make the purchase!

oh yea, Welcome

 

[srcoptdc]

I agree with dman regarding getting the 4.6 V8. better engine and transmission, and the gas mileage really isn't that much worse than the V6. Also, boaters all eventually want to "move up" to a bigger boat- it's inherent in being a boat owner. So when you do, you'll be happy you got the extra power.

I have an '02 XLT with the V8 and 4x4, and so far I love it. I tow an 18' powerboat and towing, even up the mountains, is no problem. the low 4x4 is nice if you're pulling the boat up from a steep or slippery launch ramp. It's not a serious offroader in my opinion, but it handles well, is safe (might want to spend a bit more for the side curtain airbags), comfortable, looks good (imo) and does everything i need it to do.

welcome to the site!

 

[Crankcase]

Welcome to the site!

 

[Claus]

Got one

Thanks for the warm welcome and your opinions. We just bought an 2003 Eddie Bauer, AWD and the V8 engine.

It has the overhead DVD player but I didn't get the remote nor the two head phones. Does anybody know if there are original or aftermarket head phones and remote controls that work with that player and can be purchased? The system can be seen at http://www.autovisiononline.com .

Also if somebody has the manual for the DVD unit I would be interested if it has any interesting information.

Thanks,
Claus

 

[Brian97V8]

Re: Got one

Originally posted by Claus
It has the overhead DVD player but I didn't get the remote nor the two head phones. http://www.autovisiononline.com .

Did you contact the company to see if they might have it online or be able to send you a new one?

 

[Claus]

I have played a little with the DVD entertainment system. First of all good news! I got my infrared headphone that I use at work and it works with the DVD system in the Explorer. I think pretty much any infrared headphone set will work.

The set I have at work is quite good. The sound quality is excellent and it's very comfortable thanks to the good shell design and the tensioning strap on the top. The ear shells also block external sounds somewhat. It's the Unwired wireless stereo headphone 6000IR (link to headphone). Even if you are interested for wireless headphones for your home or elsewhere I would recommend this set.

Back to the DVD player. The DVD player plays also music CDs. Why is that interesting? Cause the wireless IR headphones only work with the DVD audio and the Aux input. So while you are listening to CDs, the radio or just have it quiet others can listen to the DVD, CD or Aux-in through the DVD player.

The main controls are on the player such as volume up-down, prev/next track or title, play, pause, stop, eject, audio source, and power. I think the remote control must have additional controls. For example when you insert a DVD with menus the controls in the front of the player don't allow you to cycle through the menu.

As usual I'm special and weird and was interested if the DVD player could play PAL DVDs. PAL is a video standard used in Europe. Here in the US the video standard is NTSC. Unfortunately the player does not support PAL DVDs. The result of that is that the DVD is played in black and white and some picture distortion. The DVD didn't had a region code thus I haven't tested if the DVD player checks the region code. OK, that's probably more info than anyone wanted to have.

Tomorrow I'll check with Ford and Audiovision if they have a manual and remote control. If it's not to expensive I might actually buy it.

 

[Con Seann3ry]

Lol, did you buy an explorer or an entertainment system that happened to come with an explorer?

(interesting stuff about the PAL and NTSC though...i've always been confused by that)

 

[Claus]

Originally posted by Con Seann3ry
Lol, did you buy an explorer or an entertainment system that happened to come with an explorer?

Both. Actually I didn't care about the entertainment system so I never did any research on it. Because of that I'm playing and trying to figure out stuff. Not to mention that I don't have a manual for it.

BTW I forgot to mention that the whole entertainment system case on the roof shakes on bumpy road. Reminds me kind of like the airplanes while in turbulences and the plastic panels of the cabin are shaking and moving along with the overhead monitors.

I also spend time programming the seats, compass, resetting the oil change reminder, programming the HomeLink garage door opener, reading the manual, and cruising around including deep snow.

The bad thing of the purchase besides the price (it's always to much money) is that I noticed a huge scratch on the passenger side from the head light all the way to the 2nd door. It scratched down to the 2nd (white) paint layer. It's quite visible with the dark green paint. It must have gotten the scratch while we signed the papers and the dealer was washing the car to get rid of the winter dirt from our test drive. Both I and my wife remember looking at the car and never saw any scratches. Unfortunately I didn't see the passenger side when I left the lot after everything was done. I'll call the sales person tomorrow and mention that to him but most likely I'm screwed since it's Sold-As-Is and I don't have any proof of when it happened or who it did. Oh, well. At least I don't have to worry about getting the first scratch.

Tomorrow ... ahm ... today I'll check out ball mounts so that I can pull my trailer. The old one from my Ford Taurus doesn't work. The hitch receiver of the Explorer is way higher.

 

[hydroxy]

You're new to the site, so I'll cut you some slack... but PICTURES!!!!! come on now... you got this brand spanking new (2003 is new for me) explorer, and can't pay $10 to get some film developed? =P

If you can, get pics of the DVD system, I'm really curious to see what it looks like.

 

[Claus]

Thanks for giving me some slack. I'll post some pictures soon and I can put in a couple of the DVD system. Till then you can checkout these two at these from cardomain. My setup is more like the first one since I have a moonroof as well.

with moonroof
with auxiliary air

 

[Claus]

DVD Entertainment Assessories

In case anybody cares you can buy the remote for the DVD Entertainment System directly from AudioVision (1-877-848-6434) for $9.95 plus $5 shipping. I guess they don't chare anything for the manual. I ordered both. You also can order the headphones for $24 each but I opted to buy the 6000IR headphones from UnWired (1-631-293-6900). I got two replacement headphones (only the IR-headphone without the sending base) for $49 inclusive shipping.

For the batteries I got a compact car battery charger for $16.59 plus shipping and a few AAA batteries which are needed for the headphones.

 

[Claus]

Me and my little one testing the 6000IR headphones

 

[bettord]

2003 XLT

I bought a 2003 XLT with V8, third seat and tow pkg.
At 3800 miles the AT had a problem. Was the tourque converter. Fixed under warranty after 12 days in shop.
Be aware that the AT does not have a dip stick. You need a mechanic to check the AT fluid.
Also at 9500 miles my SUV started to whine at rear differential. Ford says there is no fix as yet. Locat dealer says they have 5 other customers with same problem.

Think about other SUVs. Jeep gives you much longer warranty. Have had three Jeeps with minor repairs only. Compare and then choose. My next SUV/car will not be a Ford. Good luck!