Thoughts on later model X's...

[00XLS]

I'm throwing around the idea of a new explorer. Upwards of 04, prob 05. I'm wondering what years had what problems and with what? I see there was a redesign for 06. Wondering what strenghts/weakness to look out for. I'm very heavily lean towards the V8.

 

[GregV8]

What most people will tell you is to go for a V8.
It doesn't cost much more, fuel economy is about the same as a V6.
You get more power, more torque, more sound....

I really like the styling of the latest (4th gen) models.

 

[unclemeat]

The 2005 has a roll over stability traction control system.

 

[00XLS]

I'm pretty much sold on the V8, we have them in our PI's at work, good engine. I'm wondering about rear ends, ect. I've been finding 06 in my range

 

[High_Order1]

welll

I had about two pages to say, and I hit one wrong button and lost it ALL.

My 2005 XLT may be an anomaly, but

Cons - paint is flaking off around my AM/FM antenna. I have no gas mileage.
The EGR sensor in some vehicles fill with condensation and kill the sensor
Off. The wheel bearings are weak. Have I mentioned poor gas mileage? There
is no dipstick for the automatic transmission. UHaul won't rent you a
trailer. There is zero tint on the front two doors. It is hard to see when
backing up. If you park on a hill and don't use the parking brake, the trans
gets hung up pretty easy.

My biggest peeve(besides having the MPG of a fire truck) is what Ford terms
a "tip in issue". This is a throttle by wire gas pedal - no direct connection
between you pushing the pedal and the throttle opening. What this translates
to is: you roll off the pedal to make a turn, or california stop at a traffic
signal. When you roll back on there is a couple of degrees with no input. Then,
suddenly the vehicle surges. Another analogy is a flat spot in a throttle. You
press and press with no change. Then the engine revs to match the normal RPM for
that angle of the pedal. It causes a hammer effect on the trans, and eventually
I think it will fail because of that. Ford has no real fix for it. Some get a flash,
most places feign ignorance.


Others - I have heard the rotors are as bad as the Tahoes. Some have had
issues with the rear axle. Some have had coil spring problems. People new
to 4x4's worry about the clunks they hear.The only bulletins I have found
concern some advanced trim level lights that don't meet Federal Spec.


There are few aftermarket parts (bumpers, lift kits) for this body style.
What is available is more expensive than other body styles. Sometimes its'
hard just finding regular replacement parts.

Pros - plenty of room up front. Very little cabin noise. Nowhere near
the body roll I was expecting in the corners. Lots of room in the engine
compartment. (V6) plenty of pep for me and 800 pounds of crap in the back.
This version rides higher than the previous ones, and I like the added view.
Insurance isn't too bad. 4wd works pretty well. The anti spin technology is
a bit buggy to me, but I think it and the roll control helps. Brakes are a
little soft, but very acceptable. I like how it looks. Seats are comfortable.
Lots of room to hang things if that is an issue for you.

Oh - something else that might help you, or you may already know it. XLS is
the base trim (no frills). Then comes the XLT. Then the Eddie Bauer, then the
Limited, I think.

That's all I can remember.... lol I recommend buying one, but be advised it will
cost more to maintain than a lower-tiered vehicle.

-Shawn

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

Gas mileage should be a non-issue with any SUV. If you buy one expecting more than mid-teens, you're buying it for the wrong reason.
What's "bad" in your book? Mine has been getting 12-15 on E85 fuel, and 15-17 on gasoline the few times I've actually used gasoline in it. That's all they get. Maybe on a hot summer day going down hill with the wind to your back, you'd be able to squeeze 20 out of it, but those times will be few and far between.

The stupid drive-by-wire throttle has its quirks, but I've gotten used to it. The bizarre shifting of the transmission is also something of an acquired taste...It feels like the engine stalls as it shifts the next gear. Most newer Fords do this, and though I think it's dumb, it will help the tranny last longer in theory since no torque is being applied to the clutches till the gearchange is complete.
No tranny dipstick is a bit stupid too, but not the end of the world if you know how to check it correctly.

I have very few gripes about mine, and the ones that I do have aren't gripes as much as they are adjusting to a different manufacturer's way of doing things. I've owned Jeeps and Chrysler products for the last 10+ years, so newer Fords have taken some adaptation just because I'm not used to them.

U-Haul won't rent you a trailer...This is just beyond stupid. I needed to rent a car dolly for this weekend, and I called my local U-Haul just to confirm the rumour on this, and yes it's true. All Ford Explorers are banned from U-Haul. But...If I owned a Mercury Mountaineer or Lincoln Aviator, they'd gladly let me pull one. Figure out that flawed logic! Fortunately for me, another dealer friend of mine is going to let me borrow his dolly, so not only did U-Haul lose my business, I'm not being charged anything to borrow this one.

The '06+ are very nice. It's an excellent evolution of the Gen III. They freshened the things that needed to be updated, without making it look too drastically different. I like the console mounted shifter as opposed to the archaic column mounted version we're all accustomed to. All my Jeeps had the shifter on the floor, and once in a while, a brain fart has me reaching down to grab that imaginary shifter still.

 

[00XLS]

Thanks for the imput guys, keep it coming, Mileage really isn't an issue. my 4.0 right now its getting similar number, prob bc of the way i drive it, i'm not light with the loud pedeal so. However I don't want to get into something that I'm going to constantly dumping money into, I mean who would. The X I have now wasn't like that nor do I want my next one to be.

 

[Donner]

03, but here's my take, visual, not mechanical

There is nothing better when you leave home than looking at your vehicle in the morning! When you jump inside, the thing is always comfortable, the heat and air work perfectly... If you do any mods, they will be mostly cosmetic, so if you plan on doing anything to your vehicle, aftermarket parts are not always easy to come by. Typically, universal fit parts do not include the 3rd gen... They are easy to maintain, and just a lot of fun to own... The aftermarket parts will change the personality of your vehicle so much, you'll wonder why you didn't do these things sooner.

If I needed to buy another, I wouldn't hesitate. The only thing i wish they had done was add dual power seats instead of just drivers side. The steering wheel is a bit slim... (Get a leather interior

 

[00XLS]

I thinking of going all out on this one, I've found some nice Eddies in the lower $20's low miles too. I'd love leather but if I find it I find it. Power everything is a must tho.

 

[Donner]

Alright! Any specific year?

With EB, I think everything is power... are you going to leave it stock? Good luck shopping!

 

[jsbaker]

I had an 02 XLS that was lost in a very bad wreck earlier this year. I replaced it with an expedition I hated and only kept for a few months. I currrently have an 05 XLT 4X4 with 73,000 on it and I can agree with what others have said about the throttle by wire and odd shifting of the tranny. You get used to the throttle by wire after a while but it can definately be annoying when letting off the gas to make a slow turn. Mine has a slight noise from the rear end but not enough for me to be worried about it yet.

It used to be a Hertz rental and the only problem I have had with it since I got it in in August was a battery and currently the blend door issue where it will not change from the dash vents to defrost. I sprung for the $3K extended warranty knowing it would probably get used a time or two before it runs out.

My 02 was the V6 as is my current 05, the 4.6 V8 is the only thing I miss about the expedition.

If I could have found one in my price range I would have rather gone for an 06 but I would buy another 05 if I had to replace this one anytime soon.

 

[jrford]

My '04 is the best 4x4 I have owned for the type of driving I do. Its used 75% of Daily Driver Comute, Tows about 20% of the time, 5% two-tracks and light off roading. It also one of the safest 4x4 i have owned. No real problems to report; trottle response is great on mine. At 36k miles.

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

Well, yesterday was the first real towing experience with mine. I will say it performed flawlessly. Had to tow a '96 Bonneville on a car dolly back from the northern 'burbs of Chicago, and it pulled it just fine. Had to cancel the OD a few times, but on level ground, I could actually use it.

MPG wasn't too bad either. Got 14.3 on the way down empty using E85, and 14.1 loaded on the way back using 87 octane regular unleaded.

 

[briwayjones]

There is no dipstick for the automatic transmission.

Nearly all new vehicles don't have a transmission dipstick. Wasn't there a TSB for the poor response on the Throttle by wire and they would reflash the computer for you and make it more responsive?

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

Wasn't there a TSB for the poor response on the Throttle by wire and they would reflash the computer for you and make it more responsive?

Yes there was. When I get a few extra minutes, I'll see if I can get that TSB number.

 

[00XLS]

Well I understand that I can't do a TT/shackle lift to this one but I really don't get off road all that often. I need something that is going to get me to work and what not. Any tips when I'm buying

 

[gbb]

Any tips when I'm buying?

If you buy new, there are some VERY good deals out there. I drove out a 2008 V8 Limited Sport Trac 2WD for $29,800 and it is loaded. I am very happy with it.

Maybe it is my driving style or something, but I average 19 mpg on the car's mileage computer so far.

 

[goatman]

I brought home an 05' XLT 4x4 V8 on Saturday. I found it on Cars.com. If your looking, I'd check the online listings. There are alot of rides at really goods prices. With 60k miles and a clean CarFax, and under $10,000, I couldn't resist. So far, the power is out of sight, the comfort is unbelievable. Already getting used to the throttle and tranny. I can't even complain about the fuel mileage (I agree that if you worry about it, you need something else), I'm out in the country (little city driving), but I'm at 19 mpg by the computer.

As of now... V8 rules...

 

[00XLS]

I've been keeping my eye on the online listings and such. $29K is a bit higher than what I wanted to go with. I'm sure I can adapt to the throttle by wire system so long as that bump at a stop goes away. I test drove an 06 limited and it didn't it at a stop light. Of course the salesperson thought it was normal, I proceeded to enlighten her thanks to knowledge of this place

 

[briwayjones]

I've been keeping my eye on the online listings and such. $29K is a bit higher than what I wanted to go with. I'm sure I can adapt to the throttle by wire system so long as that bump at a stop goes away. I test drove an 06 limited and it didn't it at a stop light. Of course the salesperson thought it was normal, I proceeded to enlighten her thanks to knowledge of this place

Don't forget the computer can be updated to make the throttle more responsive.