Please help: Buying 2003 or 2004 Explorer XLT and have questions...

[Bughracing]

Right now I am looking at buying a 2003 or 2004 4.6l XLT around August or September. I have two main complaints about the Explorers and was hoping some one could help me with. Do all of the Explorers come with the ugly chrome looking plastic thing around the radio gauges and the ugly chrome on the door panels? Ever X at the dealership here has that on it. The other question is do they all come with the 3rd row seats or is that an option. We would NEVER use them and very rarely ever use the normal back seat... but we do haul a lot of stuff and it doesn't look like 3rd row seats even sit flush like they should. Any ideas?

Thanks!
Jon

 

[Texplorer]

I have seen 3rd Gen Explorers with a black radio bezel. Not all of them have chrome, in matter of fact I have never seen one with chrome. Was it an aluminum look?? The 3rd row seat is an option and it not standard. But it does fold down flat if you wanted to use the space for cargo.

 

[Bughracing]

I guess it was more of a silver carbon fiber look, but I'm not too much into flashy things if you know what I mean. I know I have seen them with the black radio panel, but none of the ones on the lot had the black ones so I figured they had stopped making them. When we went for a test drive the sales person told us that the 3rd row seating was standard and not an option and it didn't look like it really sat flush when it was all the way down. I tried looking at the Ford website, but there was no useful information there so I need your help! Do you think that carbon fiber junk is an option? Are you 100% sure the 3rd row seating is an option?

Thanks!
Jon

Jon

 

[Texplorer]

I know that you can get an Explorer without the 3rd row seat. I have seen XLS's without them so I am sure you can get an XLT without it if you ask. I am positive you can get a black radio bezel in an XLT.

Edit: I just looked on the Ford website and it does say that the 3rd row seat is optional. And here is a pick with the black radio bezel in a XLT.

 

[Robb]

The 3rd row seat is an option.

 

[funnyperson1]

my dad has an 02 Limited with 3rd row seats and it was an option at the time we went to the dealer a couple months ago for both XLTs and Limiteds.

 

[90SVO]

I have an 03 Eddie Bauer. It has the wood grain look around the stereo and on the doors rather than black or metallic. I believe the 3rd row seat is an option. We have it. It folds down completely into the floor and there is a piece of carpet that slides over the back of it. If the dealer folded the one you saw down, and it was still sticking up, there was a problem. If someone can tell me how to post a pic, I will so that you can see what it looks like with the seat down properly.

 

[Bughracing]

Great! Thanks guys! I guess I will go to a different dealership since they obviously didn't know what they were talking about where I went.

Thanks again!
Jon

 

[IAmTodd]

Get the 4.6!!!

XLTs have the option of the 3rd row(ours doesn't)
And we have the black trim. If you need any pics let me know!

 

[Hokie]

Originally posted by IAmTodd
Get the 4.6!!!

I second that! Dad's 02 had the 4.6 and it was a great rig. Had some rediculous tow rating and could pull our little trailer with 2 tons of dirt like it was absolutely nothing.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

Yeah you are definately going to want the 4.6 motor. Lots of power. And the 3rd row seat is a $670 option on all models except XLS and XLS Sport. Good luck with your search!

 

[Bughracing]

Thanks guys! As I said in the first post I am definitely getting a 4.6. I have a 2001 Mountaineer right now with the V6 and it is kind of puny. I had a 97 and a 98 XLT with the 5.0l and they felt a lot faster. I have a 2000 Mustang GT right now so I am used to working on the 4.6. I am going to check out another dealership tomorrow... hopefully... and hope they know what they are talking about.

Thanks!
Jon

 

[beast]

Yep my dad has an 02' Edie Bauer with wood grain around the radio and the door panels. It looks nice. He does have the 3rd row seat and it folds down flush with the floor.

 

[IAmTodd]

The XLTs with the sport package might be the ones with the chrome trim. They're the ones with the 17 inch wheels if I'm not mistaken

 

[DaHeinah]

Kinda off topic, but damn that new interior looks great! I still don't know why some people think it's ugly or cheap. I love it.
Greg

 

[Bughracing]

Originally posted by DaHeinah
Kinda off topic, but damn that new interior looks great! I still don't know why some people think it's ugly or cheap. I love it.
Greg

I think the interior is the nicest of any of the Explorers I've ever owned, I just don't like the flashy chrome/carbon fiber look. I think i just looks extremely out of place and pretty tacky, but that's just my personal opinion. I am looking for more luxury than flashy if you know what I mean.

Jon

 

[DaHeinah]

I don't mind the chrome bezel look, but I would agree that the more luxurious the better! Like 90SVO said, the EBs have the wood grain bezels, I think that in conjunction with the new beautiful leather seats makes for a pretty comfy ride...definitely beats my 92 interior

 

[zavetsky]

Just curious, as one who is also consdiering trading in my 94 for a new SUV....

Did you consider the Chevy Trailblaxer or Tahoe?? The 4.8 v8 the chevy has has like 40 more HP than the Explorer....

Plus, I am not sure about the lower ground clearance of the new explorers....

Thoughts??

DZ

Originally posted by Bughracing
Thanks guys! As I said in the first post I am definitely getting a 4.6. I have a 2001 Mountaineer right now with the V6 and it is kind of puny. I had a 97 and a 98 XLT with the 5.0l and they felt a lot faster. I have a 2000 Mustang GT right now so I am used to working on the 4.6. I am going to check out another dealership tomorrow... hopefully... and hope they know what they are talking about.

Thanks!
Jon

 

[Bughracing]

Originally posted by zavetsky
Just curious, as one who is also consdiering trading in my 94 for a new SUV....

Did you consider the Chevy Trailblaxer or Tahoe?? The 4.8 v8 the chevy has has like 40 more HP than the Explorer....

Plus, I am not sure about the lower ground clearance of the new explorers....

Thoughts??

DZ

Quite honestly I wouldn't consider buying a trailblazer or tahoe if my life depended on it. I am a die hard Ford guy and I personally don't like the looks of either of those vehicles. I have ridden in a tahoe and didn't care for the seat comfort... or lack there of... so I am sticking with an Explorer.

Thanks!
Jon

 

[fordkrazy]

Bughracing.....just to let you know....i live in OK and in texas and ok the 3rd row seat is standard in dealer stock....you can get it with out it but you will have to order one.

oh yea and the 675 or whatever it costs is deducted in TX and OK.