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Thinking about buying a 02-05 Explorer.
- Thread starter baker7598
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unclemeat
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- October 20, 2002
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- 3,051
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- 5
- City, State
- Richmond, VA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 91 sport
I would suggest that newer is better. There was a problem with the rear differentials in the 02 and 03, not sure about 04. I believe the 05 came with the traction control RCS (rollover control system) very desirable. I have an 05 and have had no problems (20,000-miles).
Jamo
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- October 8, 2005
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- 69
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- City, State
- Huntsville, AL
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 XLT
Buy the newest one you can!
I bought my 1 owner (owned previously by a bank) '02 XLT 4x4 in October '05 with 51,000 miles on it (no factory warranty left) and in January '06 things started tearing up.
First the rear wheel bearings went out (they had supposedly already been replaced by the dealer I bought the Explorer from). That was an almost $1000 service.
Then the intermediate band went out in the tranny and it was discovered some other problems existed in the tranny as well. They wanted to charge me $3100, but I got the parts wholesale through my dad and it knocked the price down to $2200.
The rear liftgate panel cracked, and was fixed yesterday for $200. And I only have 65,000 miles on the Explorer right now.
These are ALL common problems with 3rd gen Explorers. $4500 worth of problems in less than a year, and I only paid $15K for the truck. I guess I've paid closer to $20K for it now.
baker7598
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- March 28, 2006
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- City, State
- SC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 07 Sport Trac Limited 4.6
Well sounds like the 02-03 had alot of problems. So the O4-on up is good to go I assume?
Which one is better: the V8 4.6L or the V6 4.0L?
I'm not going to be towing anything bigger than a boat or pop-up camper.
Its mainly going to be used as a weekend family car going thru snow occasionally and maybe some uneven dirt road offroading.
Which one is better: the V8 4.6L or the V6 4.0L?
I'm not going to be towing anything bigger than a boat or pop-up camper.
Its mainly going to be used as a weekend family car going thru snow occasionally and maybe some uneven dirt road offroading.
Jamo
Active Member
- Joined
- October 8, 2005
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- 69
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- City, State
- Huntsville, AL
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 XLT
Get a 2005 with the 4.6 if you can afford it. I LOVE the 4.6 in my '95 Tbird (even though it blew up at 82,000 miles. The new replacement engine is great too). The 4.6 has been said to be "the best engine that Ford has ever made". It's VERY smooth and has plenty of power.
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