The most Reliable.............

[oldskool95max]

Howdy Folks. Now i know all of you guys are going to be largely partial to Explorers, but, I am curious to know what your honest opinion of this is. What is the most reliable SUV on the market from 1995-1999. I mean there is the whole run of the gauntlet, ex., passport, 4 runner, highlander,jimmy, xterra, crv, pathfinder, etc.

I am curious to know which of these is the most reliable, all around, especially under that precious hood! Thanks fellas , of course the coolest one is the EX.:redexp:

 

[VairKing]

Probably the 4Runner or any of the other 'Yota SUVs. Of course it all depends on how the vehicle is treated, I mean a 4Runner that is beaten to hell all the time is not going to last as long as an X that has been babied all its life.....

 

[Jason_25]

Later model 2 wheel drive V8 explorers are darn near as reliable as 4 runners.

But yes, I would have to say the 4 runner too.

 

[DonM]

4 Runner by far!

Those trucks are very solid, I was shocked when I had my first test drive in one. I was very impressed.

My next SUV will be a 4runner, Im not so happy with Ford and the Explorers.

Well, Ive heard the 02-03 X's are pretty nice, they look solid as well. But it's way to early to tell, how they will hold up?

 

[Alec]

I also have friends with 4Runners that were properly maintained and they crapped out. Guess it's the luck of the draw as with any vehicle.

At least with the Explorer you have the help of this site to keep it up

If you find a V8 2WD Explorer in good shape it will probably last you a long time.

 

[DonM]

V82wd Explorer in what year????

Why are the V82wd X's special? What makes them last longer then say a V6 4x4? I dont understand!

 

[section525]

The trannies are 8x better. The motor is 30 years in the making. And theres no xcase to screw up. And 4Runners can only gaze up at the top mountain where these Explorers stand in comparison.

 

[oldskool95max]

Thanks guys. However, the prices on those vehicles are pathetic. I did a search at cars.com for vehicles within 30miles from me and there was a 1996 for $10K. That is HORRIBLE, in my poor college mind .

You guys have any other ideas or suggestions for affordable and RELIABLE SUV's? Minus the 4 Runner?
I love the Explorer so much but i do not know if i wanna spend $8K On a mid to late 90's Explorer and be spending a lot of time repairing it!!! Especially because i won't be off roading and i'm just looking for a vehicle that is extremely safe and reliable...YIKES! Any advice and elaborate answers are appreciated in advance!

 

[james t]

Originally posted by DonM
V82wd Explorer in what year????

Why are the V82wd X's special? What makes them last longer then say a V6 4x4? I dont understand!

it has one of the most reliable factory V8's ever made. and im saying this as a known Chevy guy.
5 liters are well known for withstanding ungodly amounts of abuse in stock form. there are many out there with 200k+ miles that still run strong. ive got 105k on mine, have sprayed it with nitrous, and it still doesnt use a single drop of oil. the stock bottom end of the motor will handle way more power than you could imagine.

the V8 explo tranny is considerably stronger than other versions offered in the V6's. there are only 2-3 members here that i can think of that have had problems out of theirs. also, the 8.8 rearend is quite strong for its size.

on a side note, when properly maintained, 4runners can be quite reliable also. i dont have any experience with the rest of the vehicles you listed. what Alec said was for the most part true, its pretty much the luck of the draw with any vehicle. you can better your chances, though.

 

[james t]

i see 5 liter explorers in the 96-98 era go for $4200-$7000 all the time. you should have no trouble finding one in decent shape under $6k. as far as price goes, explorer's are some of the cheapest used sport utes available right now. just make sure you get the V8.

if you found a 96 explorer with $10k on the sticker, it better come with its own garage.

 

[oldskool95max]

CAn you give me a qausi-itinerary list of why you prefer the V8 over the V6 SOHC? Personally i think SUV's suck enough gas, remember money is an issue with me . So to me i figured the V6 SOHC would be the best bang for the buck? But you are the man so

 

[Alec]

97 and 98 SOHCs aren't nearly as reliable as the 5.0 due to the ages of the designs. The 4.0 SOHC came out in 97 with numerous problems. As stated above, the 302 is a tried and true workhorse motor that will keep on going. Also, the 4R70W tranny that comes with the V8 is much better than the 5R55E that comes with the SOHC.

If you properly maintain and drive a 5.0, it can get the same or better mileage than the SOHC.

 

[xfreak]

I gotta agree with Alec, I'm still amazed that i get 15-16 mpg out of mine, thats with 103000 on it. I've got a 99 V8 that runs great. IMHO, I dont think that explorers are that expensive and if you get a good one it will be well worth the money.

 

[oldskool95max]

Good call guys. I like your answers. I am taking a break from automobile researching because im going nuts. Between deciding from safety and reliability between cars and SUV's IM GOING NUCKING FUTS!! HaHa, if i only had 20K to spend not 8K LOL.

Man pictures of Explorers that rolled over are SCARY. Someone said on this board that seatbelts will help, unfortunately the pictures prove otherwise. The roof collapses like a pancake!!! You'd have a better chance flying out the window.

I'm just afraid if I go buy an accord, a camry, or a maxima, some schmuck in an SUV or P/U truck will slam my driver/passenger door and kill me! YIKES

TOO MANY VARIABLES GOING INTO PURCHASING A VEHICLE! :redexp:

 

[Alec]

Most Explorers don't cave in like that when rolled moderately. However, any vehicle rolling over at 70 mph will likely have a roof cave-in unless it has a full cage.

Solution to that problem all-together: don't roll it!

I most other situations you'll be very well off in an Explorer.

 

[xfreak]

A little nervous about crashing are we? I still belive Im more safe in my explorer than in a car. Roll over is a concern, so just dont corner the truck at 75. Also have you driven an explorer yet? If so, what did you think?

 

[rkj082000]

IMHO, as far as reliability goes, your buying used, so I wouldn't focus so much on brand as I would to how well the car/SUV was maintained. Check to see if the owner kept all of the maint. records, run a car-fax on vehicles you are interested in, have an independant mechanic take a look, etc... There is a huge inventory of used cars out there, you should be able to get something for 8k that will meet your expectations.