Reliablity of 3rd gen Explorers? (02-05) questionable?

[shadowless127]

Not bad for a 160k AMERICAN vehicle, perhaps.

I bought a brand new Honda CR-V for my wife back in 1998. Maintained it normally, it went through brakes, tires, oil, fluids. Sold it 9 years later with 130,000 miles on it. Never had anything on it break. No bearings to replace, no differentials, no transmissions, no leaks, no squeaks, nothing. And...I bought it for $20,000 - 9 years later, sold it for $8,000, with 130,000 miles on it! Try that with a Ford!

So it's taken a bit of getting used to, this continuous-maintenance-things-breaking routine with both of my Explorers - but I do love my truck.

A friend of mine's mom has a 2000 CRV and it's a peice. Lots of electrical issues, and a bunch of transmission issues.

and ask around in the 2nd gen forum; 98-01 Ex/Mounty's are total beasts of machines and are extremely reliable and have good resale value.

And last time I checked the CR-V can't seat 7 and can't tow 7300 lbs .

I've done it many times, in multiple Ford vehicles. You can keep your Honda.