Thinking About Trading in My Wife's Saturn and getting a new Explorer...help?

[ls1fun]

Okay please give me some scoop on:

Is the 4.0 liter good enough?
What are the must have options?
Hows the cloth interior?
etc...!

Thanks in advance.

 

[ok89]

which 4Liter
the OHV (1991- 2000) or the SOHC(1997-present)

 

[Jason_25]

Both 4.0's are fine engines.

The OHV has a flat torque curve and is extremely reliable.

The SOHC has more HP and is smoother. But it is not as reliable, mechanically speaking.

Some of my must have options would be: 4.10 gears, tranny cooler......

 

[ls1fun]

A new 2002 Explorer which comes with the SOHC 4.0 liter.

Tips please!

 

[MONMIX]

I have always been of the belief that cruise control is absolutly nessicary.
With the right TLC cloth interors are fine.
BTW , one of the dealerships that send their cars to the body shop where I work is Saturn. I am not impressed with them.

 

[ls1fun]

Well her Saturn is an SL2 1993 with over 100,000 miles on it. We looked at the new Saturn Vue, but didn't like it. Too small inside, etc...

How good is the 4.0 liter SOHC? I see someone thought it is not as dependable?

Any overheating problems?
I am in sunny Southern Ca.

 

[Jason_25]

The 4.0 SOHC should not have any immediate problems in the 2002 model year. Most of the problems with that engine are related to the 97-98 model years.

You won't have any overheating problems.

 

[ok89]

the SOHC in a 2002 should be fine
in 97-99 they were still working out the bugs so there were many recalls. Mine is still running strong at 76k

 

[MONMIX]

My 2000 4.0 SHOC it fine thus far but it only has 17500 on it.

 

[ls1fun]

For practically and reliability (gas mileage, etc...) isn't the V6 the better choice over the 4.6liter V8???

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by ls1fun
For practically and reliability (gas mileage, etc...) isn't the V6 the better choice over the 4.6liter V8???

yup... the horepower is roughly around the same and the 6 is like 200 #s lighter too

 

[Alec]

I'd say the V8 will be more reliable than the V6, and there are many more speed parts available for it. The V6 will get better mileage though, but it may not be too much of a difference.

 

[ls1fun]

What about the 5-speed auto tranny.
How good is it?
Reliability?
Comments of anything???
She will be getting an auto tranny, and a 5 speed one sounds like a good idea.
What mileage can the V6 and V8 eck out on the freeway with the 5 speed auto tranny?
Around town taking it easy?

 

[ok89]

Originally posted by ls1fun
What about the 5-speed auto tranny.
How good is it?
Reliability?
Comments of anything???
She will be getting an auto tranny, and a 5 speed one sounds like a good idea.
What mileage can the V6 and V8 eck out on the freeway with the 5 speed auto tranny?
Around town taking it easy?

I have the 5 speed auto. 5R55E is the one I have. Not sure if they changed it for 2002. I like having 5 speeds but mine went out at 75000 miles. Now here is one other thing you need to take into account when you look at that number. I am 18 years old. I've put most of the miles on it since we got it and it had about 40000 miles on it. It doesn't get driven like a race car all the time but I have taken it mudding (its a 2wd) twice. (That couldn't have been good for it) And I do occasionally push it hard. However most of the time I give it enough gas that it goes up to between 3k and 3500 before shifting.
I drive with the windows down and i drive around 80mph (freeways) so my mileage isn't that great. Its ranged from 14 - 18 with me driving. But most of the time its about 14.5

 

[mosinman]

Have 38,000 miles on my 99 SOHC. Love it! One recall performed about 25,000. No other problems. Seems to run smoother and stronger now than when I got it. Get the leather seats if you can. They are firmer and more comfortable - to me at least. Have held up better than any cloth seat I have ever had so far.

 

[ls1fun]

More opinions on the Engine and Transmission please for a 2002 Explorer and whether to get 4x4 or not?

 

[Jason_25]

I recommend the V8 model with the 5-speed tranny. I have heard it is very sweet and smooth. Also, I recommend getting a 2 wheel drive. Certainly you can't offroad the thing. The only reason to get 4x4 with one is if you drive through snow and ice frequently.