Why did you buy your truck?

[Mike65]

After having 2 full size PU's I wanted a smaller PU & being a Ford guy the choice was obvious a Ranger. My wife has had a 85 Bronco II, then a 94 Sport, & I liked driving them so in 96 I bought a new Ranger 4X4 to help with the winters here in NJ, so then I just stuck with Rangers. I am on my 3rd Ranger.

 

[beach]

Got mine as a gift 15yrs ago, and still have it (2000 V8 Mountaineer rwd). It's the only vehicle I've kept all these years. Started fixing her up recently and going to do a lift and tires etc. Just going to keep it around, I mean it's not worth much anyway, still runs good, and has some sentimental value to it for me.

 

[Flash]

I needed a pretty big car as I am tall and fairly broad.
And I wanted a 4wd for fishing on he beach. I didn't want to spend too much because beach vehicles don't usually last very long but the Explorer has been ok.

The Explorer isn't popular as a 4wd here in Australia so the price is lower than something like a Landcruiser.
They only come in auto with (IMO) the better engine and it has 'enough' power.
It didn't have to be a great 4wd because it was going to be used most of the time on the road and off road was going to be rough trail and beach, nothing too demanding.

 

[turboranger91]

I always liked the boxy ford trucks. Back then, I still had the Ranger, but it was down for repair. A friend of mine had recently bought a 93 XLT 4x4 with the intention of using it as a toy... Then he found out that his wife was pregnant and wanted something newer and more reliable. I had previously mentioned that if he ever decided to sell it, that I would take it. I picked it up for $1000,and the rest is history. I just love these damn things. I'm now on my 3rd first gen.

 

[elevatorguy925]

Originally had been looking for a 4x4 extended pickup F150 to use as a second winter/haul vehicle. The price of used trucks in poor condition was a bit too high. I found my 1998 v8 awd with 53k miles for a good price in need of some repairs.
Now after a bit of work, I have a good winter ride that should last a while.
Now if I could only sell the YJ jeep...

 

[Todd82TA]

just like the title says... me ?

got it sight unseen ... paid 5 k many years ago ... my brother worked at a dealer at the time

My daughter was born, and I freaked out. We had two convertibles, a Pontiac Solstice:

...and my wife's Volkswagen Beetle:

We had a bunch of other cars, none of them particularly valuable, but fun cars, like my Pontiac Fiero, Porsche 944, 73 VW Bus, 73 Oldsmobile Cutlass, and my 81 TransAm... probably worth 10 grand combined, haha.

I freaked out because I wanted to make sure I was being financially responsible, and had something that was reasonable for a family. So I sold off almost all my cars, sold the Cutlass, the TransAm, and the Porsche. We sold the VW Beetle and bought a 1 year old Jeep Patriot for my wife. I kept the Fiero and the VW Bus, but put them in storage near my parents in Ocala.

I then searched high and low for a good low mileage Ford Explorer Sport. I didn't want one of the newer ones, (not that I don't like them), but really liked the style and feel of the older Explorers, but didn't want a 4-door. I found a 2002 Sport (not 4x4 unfortunately) in Tampa with only 32k miles. I drove to Tampa with my Pontiac Solstice, traded it in, and bought my Explorer in 2009 with some of the balance that I got back from my Solstice.

I've had the Explorer since 2009, and absolutely love it. I've got an emotional attachment to my Fiero, but the Explorer has probably been... hands-down, the best car I've owned... and we've had plenty of newer or cool cars over the years. Quite honestly, it really is built pretty well... the fact that I'm getting a sporty "cab" on a truck chassis... it's just been great. Lately, I've been doing a lot of home improvements, and the Explorer has been awesome. I have brought home several slab and pre-hung doors, and they fit right in the back, plus lots of fencing boards, 2x4s... even full sheets of drywall.

I realize the car is old, and it doesn't "impress..." but who cares, I love this thing. If I can keep it running, I'm going to. I'll probably swap the engine too when / if I need to.

 

[keith_h]

The S10 Blazer my wife drove was just having too many problems so we replaced it with a new 2001 Explorer. Still have it today and use it as our tow vehicle for camping. It's been one of the better vehicles we've owned over the years and has held up well.

I also have a 2001 Mazda B3000 that was bought to replace my 87 Tercel wagon commuter car that was totaled. I found it to be a good size for commuting and hauling the typical home/yard improvement items. Still have and drive it to this day.

I will say that we are looking at replacing both with an F150 in the next year or two. The vehicles will likely end up with our grown children as both are in great shape mechanically and the Explorer being in very good condition body wise.

 

[shadowless127]

Always had a fascination with Explorers since my uncle had his 93 XLT, then a few years later my other aunt and uncle leased a 96 Eddie Bauer and that sealed the deal.

When it came time to buy my first car I originally had my eyes on a 2000 Limited 5.0 fully loaded in pearl white with 75K miles, but it was a year too old to get an auto loan for, so stupidly I wound up buying a 2003 Mountaineer AWD V8 with 58K miles for 12K.

Got into an accident with that and it was totalled, so I picked up a 98 Mountaineer AWD V8 with 150K for $1000 because the seller STUPIDLY told me that if he didn't sell the truck in the next few days he was gonna junk it. All it needed was a new hub and new cv joint.

Sold that a year later for a profit because I was hit hard by the economic downturn and needed the money. Picked up an absolute hunk of **** 97 Mountaineer. That thing was a piece.

After 7 months I started searching around for new vehicles and came across an 02 Expedition EB in the color I wanted with every option except a sunroof, but it was just out of my price range. Than one day completely on accident I stumbled across an ad on CL from a dealer literally 3 minutes away from my house that had a 2001 EB in spruce green with the v8, htd seats, and a sunroof. Went down, test drove it, and bought it on the spot (price was about $1000 under book). As we were filling out the paperwork some other guy came in with cash and wanted to buy it but thankfully he was about 5 minutes too late.

Unfortunately I do not think my next vehicle will be an Explorer or Mountaineer. I'm kind of getting bored with them.

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

i bought my truck because...

ive had 3 explorers so far.

#1 : 1992 explorer XLT 4 door: got it on craigslist pretty cheap. I bought it because it was all I could afford at the time. didn't know anything about the truck other than the firestone tire exploding and it rolling over and crashing scandal. the previous owner said he owned it for many years and had both the engine and trans rebuilt under his ownership, it was cheap because it wasn't in the best shape cosmetically. never had a problem out of it, mechanically. when the brakes started screeching, I took it in to a local mechanic shop. I got it back two weeks later- along with a $500 bill charged for new rotors, pads, and a couple new brake lines. two days later the brakes completely failed and nearly caused a major accident on the highway. it had no trouble stopping before it went into that shop. im pretty sure that mechanic sabotaged the brakes so he could try to gouge me for another $500. but that's beside the point.

so the brakes failed and it got parked. but I left the sunroof open and forgot about it and it got rained in on a few times. so now the interior is like a petri dish... all types of mold and mildew in there. it was loaded with new parts, and tires. so it was not going to the scrap yard.

besides that- I came to appreciate the ride of the truck and its usefulness. so I got another like it one so that the 92 would come in handy for spare parts. it is still in the yard today.

#2 : 1993 explorer XLT 4 door, rare Anaheim edition. a 1 owner vehicle with service records and all. it ran and drove when I got it. I used parts off the '92 to fix it up even more, in the cosmetic department- and used little parts here and there to make it more functional. no sooner it was in almost perfect condition it was stolen.

#3 : 1993 explorer XLT 4X4, 4 door. I just bought this truck a few days ago. I haven't even drove it but maybe 100 miles, to get it to the house. ive never owned a 4X4 before, let alone took a ride in one. I don't know much about it... it was another coin flip. but I wanted it (and overpaid for it) because I have a truck full of good parts that will work on it, and its in SUPER fabulous condition... nearly flawless! needless to say I am attached to the 1st generation exploder... it really grew on me

this truck has a few minor kinks to work out... ABS light is on and the 4X4 drive don't seem to work. but threads on here will be super useful in resolving these issues. other than that it needs window motors but I already know how to do that myself- did it on my other '93. thanks to this site and its users- ive already learned so much more about the explorer- and im confident I will be able to keep it in service for many years to come (if this one don't get stolen too)

 

[supermidget]

Around june last year I scrapped my beatup 95 caddy when the transmission gave out coming home on a Friday, found my explorer for $1,300 on Craigslist on Saturday.

 

[Dirtykurty]

Tried for months to sell my 2000 contour svt, which was a fun and awesome car, it wasn't my style. Since selling my van, I haven't been able to get my buggy out for some ride time. I finally got a hit for straight trade. He wanted something fast, I wanted a truck to camp in haul my buggy and still take out for some fun in the dirt. So, granted interior needs completely redone to include stereo, doors, hood latch, lights adjusting etc. It runs like a top amd everythimg works in it! I literally got it yesterday (19 oct 15).so as I start driving it, figure out its perks, I'll fix her up as I go. Soon as I figure how to add pictures, you will be inclduded.

 

[Koldham]

was looking for a FSB, settled on an explorer. there kinda the same....

 

[Lonnie-S]

I needed a used 4x4 for snow and back country driving after we bought a second home in the Southern California mountains very close to the inland deserts. I did a lot of research on various makes including some of the obvious ones like Jeep, Toyota, Nissan, Chevy, etc. I then found this website and started asking questions of long-term owners and also found the thread where 2nd Gen folks talk about the miles they're getting from their vehicles.

That, the ability of Explorers off-road, and all the how-to articles here, convinced me I should consider an Explorer and it should be a 2nd Gen vehicle as cost was a consideration. I started looking at them and driving them and was amazed at what a great value they were and that most were better equipped than other brands, but often at half the price. I found a nice, 1-owner XLT with 160K on it and bought it.

It's now got 170K on it and me and my sheep dog just did the Red Hill Truck Trail in mud, snow and ice in my bone stock '97 with no problems at all. I'm very happy with the vehicle. I'd love to find a really cherry, luxed-out 2011 Mercury Mountaineer for mama, but she likes her current vehicle too much, so no-go. Drats!

I think these vehicles are definitely underrated and too often mis-categorized as a "Soccer Mom" car, but they are definitely very capable.

 

[Flash]

Why did I buy an Explorer or why did I buy that particular Explorer?

I decided on buying an Explorer because you get a lot for your money out of an Explorer here.
For some reason they don't have a good reputation for off road, seen more or less as a softroader. Having owned one for several years now I don't see why that is except maybe because almost all them are autos.
The most off roading I planned to do was sand so auto isn't an issue at all.
I think I'd prefer manual for rock climbing though.

I also knew realistically that it would spend most of it's time on the road and it's a good road car.
It also drives fine on sand straight off the road with Dunlop AT1 and AT2 without even lowering tyre pressure and changing into 4wd.

Why did I buy that particular Explorer? My current X is a purple Limited with an aluminium bullbar, I bought it for $750 with a trans issue.
The trans had hole in it near the reverse clutches.

I had a trans from an XLT so in it went.

 

[Flash]

I think these vehicles are definitely underrated and too often mis-categorized as a "Soccer Mom" car, but they are definitely very capable.

Nowhere near enough cup holders for a soccer mom car.

 

[DurocShark]

In 2004 we moved from SoCal to Denver. After living through two winters with a VW Bus and 84 244GL Volvo with a disintegrating wiring harness, I traded the Volvo for a 99 XLS just to give the wife a 4wd vehicle for the snow. I was never a Ford guy, and the only reason I ended up with a Ford was the test drive.

I had driven a similar year Blazer and the Explorer was so much more stable and comfortable. And I knew the wife would love the combo CD/Cassette player (we still have tons of tapes from the 80's...)

We sold it a few years ago to move back to SoCal. So for Christmas this year I went on a hunt for another to give the wife. I ended up with a 2000 XLS with 166k. I paid way too much for it from a used car dealer, and then had to put another $1800 into repairs (still needs tires and shocks, but that'll have to wait), but it was the ONLY green one I could find for sale. Wife's favorite color, she even had me paint her file cabinets that color.

 

[jrme]

Bought mine because i had bronco IIs, rangers and f 150s in the past. When i broke my second vertebrae in a car accident (wrote off my ford windstar) my when buddy who had just bought a explorer found us one we bought it, i had thought about getting one, but just never got around to buying one, loved the look of them when they came out in the 90s, and the second gens looked even nicer. so here we our few years later, had a 2000 4wd Eddie B and now a lowered sport 2wd 5 speed manual, my son has a 93 project truck and a 99 sport 2wd auto coming in the next week or so lol, so ya a family that explorers together stays together... lmao

 

[CBR1000RR]

Moved from California to a place where 'Old Love' (an 85 LTD with 2-wheel rear drive) got me in winter trouble, more than once. So in early 2000 I found an 'almost new' 1998 Explore Limited with 5.0L, AWD, and virtually every option that was available that year. Paid too much, but it served me well. The first 10 years and 100,000 miles in my possession were so trouble free that I was getting bored. Then, slowly but surely 'New Love' started showing her age: failed air shocks, leaky timing cover, dead CC, squeaking body mounts, and a faint but annoying whine from the rear differential (yet to be taken care of). Got two more vehicles since then, both more comfortable, fuel efficient, etc., etc., but there is nothing like the versatility and towing capacity of the Explorer.

By the way, that 85 LTD served me till 2010, when it was donated to charity; not because there was anything seriously wrong with it, but because I ran out of room. Somebody is probably still happily driving it. Who said that Fords are not reliable?

The people who say FORDS aren't reliable are the same people you see later on in life driving a new Taurus or F150 or Focus. And they complain about how the GM they use to have was junk.... This has been by experience in my 24yrs of driving fords

 

[rusty 91]

Because it was 500 bucks and running rough i bought it to flip but ended up likeing it so i kept it

 

[rusty 91]

was looking for a FSB, settled on an explorer. there kinda the same....

Not even close to the same. I had 91 fsb that rusted out so i got rid of it. I used to play in the drive around in the fields and never got stuck. I dont do that with my explorer i feel its alot less capable. But like some one said how often do u go off road