what do you think of the 2002 explorer?

[leenjen]

hey fenderguy, do you like the way the 2002 looks?

 

[offroader_69_me]

Re: -

Originally posted by leenjen
whoever said they like it, why not say why you like it.
why is it better than the 2001? or other previous explorers?

I voted that I liked it but not more than the 2001 or any other X for that matter, it is a great vehicle for what it is designed for, it is not meant to be a offroader so it is designed away from it, it is very roomy and would make a great traveler and a good family vehicle which unfortunately is what the X was meant to be,

 

[IAMCDN]

I am one of the few people who voted for "I like it."

I think the design(cosmetically) looks more rugged(other than the plastic bumpers, of course) than the 95-01's. Love the front end. I like the rear hatch and window opening. IRS, why not. Not many hard core offroaders(in Explorers) out there to cater to. For guys like me who go offroad once in a while and need it to get out of the boat docks, go through some snow, etc, I am sure it would be more than capable.

Haven't driven one yet, so this is all based on a walkaround..could change, but it looks good. I would buy one, if they were about $15K less.

 

[J. Kennedy]

Yeah, It is ok, but for $35k they should throw in an extra set of shocks, springs, rotors, and a Focus.

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by J. Kennedy
Yeah, It is ok, but for $35k they should throw in an extra set of shocks, springs, rotors, and a Focus.

then i might consider it until then i'm looking in the direction of chevy and jeep. so far Tahoe looks like the one, but i dont plan on buying new for about a year. i'll still keep my X though

 

[espnfreak]

and a focus, lol thats funny stuff, the focus is a sweet speedy car especially the svt i believe is awesome. if i was going to buy a NEW ford it would be F-150 lightening or XLT or contour svt. mustangs are just way too common, and i want a car that is a little different. i know the X is common too but if i had to do it again i'd buy probably f-150 XLT or lightening, most likely XLT because its got a huge v-8 and its higher and its bigger because it comes with supercab, and lightening is only 4X2 and xlt is 4x4

 

[J. Kennedy]

Just got back from a 2nd dealer...

& now that I've seen it in the light of day, I hate it. It is a minivan.

Hey Leenjen, my brother is on his 2nd Tahoe, he loves them. V8, massive, same gas mileage as new X's (15/20) , same American Quality (cough cough), same money, no contest.

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by jas84
i'd buy probably f-150 XLT or lightening

i like the look of the harley davison edition. all black, with leather and 20" chrome rims. that's a sweet truck. i dont know about the engine or if it's a 4X4, but i like the way it looks.

 

[espnfreak]

i think its a 5.4 v8 but its a lot of cash, i saw one going for like 35k and upwards of 40k. ya there nice, but i'd rather put that cash into performance and go out and buy a lightening and soup it out

 

[BislamJoe]

I don't care for them. They're minivans, but that's the market niche they fill - the upscale minivan. As for independent suspension - it works for the Hummer, but I'm not a fan of IRS. As for the Sport and Sport Trac, I haven't heard one way or the other about the Sport Trac, but I think I read that the Sport is going bye-bye. They're going to make a 2-door version of the Explorer, built on the same base frame with independent suspension all 'round, but they're going to call it the Bronco. I wish I could find that article again, I'll post a link if I find it. I personally think that Ford needs an off-road counterpart for the SVT. Build the vehicles on the original Explorer frame (it's a nice size), maybe offer the 4.0 V6 and the 5.0 V8 as options. Optional live axle front or TTB. They'd probably sell very few though - too expansive for most folks. :smoke:

 

[rockymntnhi]

I like em'

My best friend has a 02' Anniversary V8 W/ DUBS . He's had it a month and loves it . I've been in it several times and would w/o a dought buy one , but not as an offroad vehicle . If the person buying it is using it for an onroad vehicle ( like 99% will) then it would be a great buy . I like the NEW design inside and out . I think Ford did a great job meeting the general publics needs . I'll post pics of Marc's 02' later ... p.s Leenjen , his 3rd. row folds completely flat . I thought they were'nt making Eddie Baur's anymore ( anniversary edition ) ???

 

[YetiX]

I rented a 4x4 XLT for a week and a half last month and overall came away pleased with the new X. For everyone except hardcore off-roaders it's very nice. On the road it handles better than my '96 (until this weekend when I lower it, put on big-ass sway bars and new shocks) and is actually fun to drive (for an SUV).

Off road it did really well too; better than I expected. I had a CJ-7 for a long time so I know how an off-road truck should handle and the X did pretty well. It's got good approach and departure angles and the IRS seems to flex pretty well. I had my wife in the car with me so I didn't really push it, but I still managed to scare the schiznit out of her!!

Andrew B. No offense to other X lovers, but get the Discovery. My best friend has a 2001 Discovery and I wish I had one. It's great on the road (don't ask about the gas mileage though) and off-road it is simply INCREDIBLE. As nice as the new X is, it doesn't compare to the Land Rover.

 

[leenjen]

on the commercial for the 2002, they advertise "lower step in height"
does that mean less ground clearance? it's been a while since i looked over a 2002, so i dont remember how low it was.

i do remember that my wife and i didn't care for the new interior. but i do like the inside of the Mazda Tribute (wish it was larger). Actually i'm seriously considering the Tribute (the size of the cargo area sucks though). a smaller engine with a lot more horsepower and better gas mileage. i really do like my explorer, i just think the Tribute would be a better daily driver.

 

[rockymntnhi]

$ $ $

Yetix , I agree the Discovery is nice , my friend has a 98' I pesonally couldn't afford to drive it daily 13/15 mpg. And would hate to be in his shoes if it ever breaks down . CHA-CHING $$$$$

 

[Dan E.]

Originally posted by leenjen
on the commercial for the 2002, they advertise "lower step in height"
does that mean less ground clearance? it's been a while since i looked over a 2002, so i dont remember how low it was.

i do remember that my wife and i didn't care for the new interior. but i do like the inside of the Mazda Tribute (wish it was larger). Actually i'm seriously considering the Tribute (the size of the cargo area sucks though). a smaller engine with a lot more horsepower and better gas mileage. i really do like my explorer, i just think the Tribute would be a better daily driver.

Has a lower step in height, but ground clearance is higher. Don't know how they did it.

I miss my '97 I love the OLD design,
What I don't miss is the anerexic steering wheel, bumpy ride, and the vibrations on the highway.

 

[leebo]

Due to the IRS they were able to raise the frame height, yet lower the body abit. So rather than hitting your suspension on the large rock, you hit your body.

Off-Road friendly all the way.

ps... I like them

 

[LOGJOCKY]

U KNOW I THINK THE ONLY REASON FORD PUT IRS ON THE NEW EXPLORERS IS BECAUSE OF THE HEAT THEY WERE TAKING WITH THE FIRSTONE TIERS INCIDENT. EVERYONE JUST THOUGH THEY WERE TOP HEAVY AND ROLLED EASY. TO ALL OF THOSE I SAY GO TO HELL!!!!!
I HAVE A 94 XLT AND I CAN CORNER BETTER IN THAT THAN MY DADS FULLSIZE DODGE RAM. FORD MESSED UP.
THE 2002 X IS VERY UGLY AND THOUGH THE 4 WHEEL INDEPENDENT SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA IN REALITY FORDS DESIGN FOR IT IS CRAP. I WILL STILL LOVE THE X BUT WILL NEVER BUY A 2002 OR ANY LATER MODEL UNTIL THEY FIX THE NEW DESIGN OR START OVER COMPLETELY. I AM A FORD FAN AND WILL REMAIN 1 BUT THE NEW X IS NOT A GOOD DESIGN.

 

[LOGJOCKY]

I DONT MEAN TO MISLEAD ANYONE BUT I RATE MY VEHICLES AS ON OFFROAD VEHICLE, AND THE NEW X DOSENT CUT IT OFFROAD.

 

[RTStork]

I think they look like crap but the new rear suspension is supposed to ride better.

 

[jaguara]

It´s better to have 02 than having no Explorer. The FMC has discontinued Explorer importing to my country and they do not indend to import them probably anymore - definitely not the 02 - at least untill the 03 year. And even the closest biger market to my country (Germany) will not be supplied with 02. Seems like the end of a fun. I will be probably forced to switch to another brand! It´s a shame, FMC folks. My Explorer is a 7th Ford I drive