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 Expert
Posts: 1395
  
Location: Missouri | I'm wanting opinions from those who've owned Ford Explorers, specifically those made like between 04-08. Long story short DH and I have a newer small SUV and we're sick of the payments on it. And we want something bigger. We're both tall and having our baby's car seat in the back means someone always has their danged knees in the dash. 
We're wanting to find a vehicle that's used but still reliable that we could just pay cash for after selling our SUV and were really wanting an Explorer. Anyone have experience with the 04-08 models? I want the good bad and the ugly please! TIA! | |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Overall they are pretty good. Ford Explorers in those years (04-08) had one of the best V6 engines for Fords, the 4.0 Liter...definitely pick that one over the V8, not only for gas mileage but for longevity. The weakness of Explorers I would say was their transmissions, but for the most part I think it was contained to 04 or 05's and older, but I am not really sure as I've not had many newer than that. You could usually get around 160,000 out of a transmission, but that is slightly variable (either up or down) depending on the care the vehicle had. I'm not a mechanic, but have seen quite a few of them. The interiors on them are fairly roomy and easy to clean, whether cloth or leather. You could get them with a 3rd row seat if you need the extra room; that area probably wouldn't be as roomy. Overall I like them pretty well.  | |
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Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | mtcanchazer - 2015-05-04 4:16 PM
Overall they are pretty good. Ford Explorers in those years (04-08) had one of the best V6 engines for Fords, the 4.0 Liter...definitely pick that one over the V8, not only for gas mileage but for longevity. The weakness of Explorers I would say was their transmissions, but for the most part I think it was contained to 04 or 05's and older, but I am not really sure as I've not had many newer than that. You could usually get around 160,000 out of a transmission, but that is slightly variable (either up or down) depending on the care the vehicle had. I'm not a mechanic, but have seen quite a few of them. The interiors on them are fairly roomy and easy to clean, whether cloth or leather. You could get them with a 3rd row seat if you need the extra room; that area probably wouldn't be as roomy. Overall I like them pretty well. Â
Thanks, mt!
I'm finding quite a few 06s and 07s I like with around 115k miles on them. When you talk about the transmission issues, I'm guessing we wouldn't have any many issues with those particular years?
I'm glad you mentioned that about the v6. My DH will be dead set on a v8 but if they don't hold up as well, he'll be more inclined to go for the v6. I'm finding both. | |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | MOGirl07 - 2015-05-04 3:20 PM mtcanchazer - 2015-05-04 4:16 PM Overall they are pretty good. Ford Explorers in those years (04-08) had one of the best V6 engines for Fords, the 4.0 Liter...definitely pick that one over the V8, not only for gas mileage but for longevity. The weakness of Explorers I would say was their transmissions, but for the most part I think it was contained to 04 or 05's and older, but I am not really sure as I've not had many newer than that. You could usually get around 160,000 out of a transmission, but that is slightly variable (either up or down) depending on the care the vehicle had. I'm not a mechanic, but have seen quite a few of them. The interiors on them are fairly roomy and easy to clean, whether cloth or leather. You could get them with a 3rd row seat if you need the extra room; that area probably wouldn't be as roomy. Overall I like them pretty well. Thanks, mt! I'm finding quite a few 06s and 07s I like with around 115k miles on them. When you talk about the transmission issues, I'm guessing we wouldn't have any many issues with those particular years? I'm glad you mentioned that about the v6. My DH will be dead set on a v8 but if they don't hold up as well, he'll be more inclined to go for the v6. I'm finding both.
Umm, transmissions usually start clipping once they get over 160,000 miles. We've personally not had any newer than a 2005 that I can remember, so I'm not really sure about the 06s and 07s or newer. 2002 or 2003 were the worst because they made changes to the transmissions and it is hard to find the correct used on for your vehicle should you have to replace it.
The V8s were good motors, don't get me wrong, but the V6s were better. The 4.0 liter V6 was one of the best engines Ford ever made, and I mean that sincerely. They liked it so well in the Explorer and Ranger, that in 2005 they decided to put it in the Mustang, and they kept it until they decided they wanted more horsepower in 2011. | |
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 Regular
Posts: 63
| I had a good experience with mine. It was an 06. My neighbor who bought it still has it. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | mtcanchazer - 2015-05-04 4:26 PM
MOGirl07 - 2015-05-04 3:20 PM mtcanchazer - 2015-05-04 4:16 PM Overall they are pretty good. Ford Explorers in those years (04-08) had one of the best V6 engines for Fords, the 4.0 Liter...definitely pick that one over the V8, not only for gas mileage but for longevity. The weakness of Explorers I would say was their transmissions, but for the most part I think it was contained to 04 or 05's and older, but I am not really sure as I've not had many newer than that. You could usually get around 160,000 out of a transmission, but that is slightly variable (either up or down) depending on the care the vehicle had. I'm not a mechanic, but have seen quite a few of them. The interiors on them are fairly roomy and easy to clean, whether cloth or leather. You could get them with a 3rd row seat if you need the extra room; that area probably wouldn't be as roomy. Overall I like them pretty well. Â Thanks, mt! I'm finding quite a few 06s and 07s I like with around 115k miles on them. When you talk about the transmission issues, I'm guessing we wouldn't have any many issues with those particular years? I'm glad you mentioned that about the v6. My DH will be dead set on a v8 but if they don't hold up as well, he'll be more inclined to go for the v6. I'm finding both.
The V8s were good motors, don't get me wrong, but the V6s were better. The 4.0 liter V6 was one of the best engines Ford ever made, and I mean that sincerely. They liked it so well in the Explorer and Ranger, that in 2005 they decided to put it in the Mustang, and they kept it until they decided they wanted more horsepower in 2011.
Thanks! Definitely something to consider as it's hard to find one with less than 130k miles (06,07 model). But good to know that the v6 is a great engine! It always makes me so nervous buying older used cars, but I'm SO tired of forked over nearly $400 every month on a car payment. Especially when we're squished in the vehicle bc we have long legs :( | |
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Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | Zebra racer - 2015-05-04 4:29 PM
I had a good experience with mine. It was an 06. My neighbor who bought it still has it.
Thanks Zebra racer! Curious to know about how many
Miles you'd think it has now? | |
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Member
Posts: 34
| 08, V8, 125,000 miles and NO major issues, only routine stuff! Bought 7 yr ago from a dealer, it came from a rental company. Love my 08 Explorer! | |
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Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | cwranch - 2015-05-04 5:12 PM
08, V8, 125,000 miles and NO major issues, only routine stuff! Bought 7 yr ago from a dealer, it came from a rental company. Love my 08 Explorer!
Thanks cwranch! :) | |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I have an 05 Explorer with 3rd row seating, the V6 motor and 189K miles. Runs like a champ and I have had only the tiniest maintenance issues on it......like the one blinker/brake light bulb that's not connecting right all the time now. Darn those gravel roads anyway. LOL. But back on topic, Dora is awesome. My grandmother can get in it easily with the oh shoot handle on the passengers side, and my family members who are 6-0 or taller have enough leg room in the front seat. Back seat is a bit iffy, but I hear that's normal when you're tall. I'm 5-6 so don't have that problem LOL. The 2nd & 3rd row seats fold down so you can haul STUFF in it like a truck and honestly I leave the 3rd row seats folded flat most of the time because I haul grain in it more than I haul 5 passengers LOL.
This is the second Explorer I've had - we drove the 1994 one until the motor or transmission went out, then sold it as a mechanic's special and a few months later saw it parked at a nearby wal-mart so the guy got it running again. I think they are great cars and I'd get another one in a heartbeat. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | rodeowithjoker - 2015-05-04 11:24 PM
I have an 05 Explorer with 3rd row seating, the V6 motor and 189K miles. Runs like a champ and I have had only the tiniest maintenance issues on it......like the one blinker/brake light bulb that's not connecting right all the time now. Darn those gravel roads anyway. LOL. But back on topic, Dora is awesome. My grandmother can get in it easily with the oh shoot handle on the passengers side, and my family members who are 6-0 or taller have enough leg room in the front seat. Back seat is a bit iffy, but I hear that's normal when you're tall. I'm 5-6 so don't have that problem LOL. The 2nd & 3rd row seats fold down so you can haul STUFF in it like a truck and honestly I leave the 3rd row seats folded flat most of the time because I haul grain in it more than I haul 5 passengers LOL.
This is the second Explorer I've had - we drove the 1994 one until the motor or transmission went out, then sold it as a mechanic's special and a few months later saw it parked at a nearby wal-mart so the guy got it running again. I think they are great cars and I'd get another one in a heartbeat.
Thank you! DH found an 07 with low miles (75k) that he loves and I like a lot too. Good to know these are roomy! I'm 5'8", so I don't need a ton of room, but DH is 6'2" with long legs too...poor guy needs more space! Lol! Plus the third row seating would be nice if we ever actually had more than two kids (doubt it...lol).
Btw - I laughed out loud at the explorer being named 'Dora!' Lol. Dora the Explorer....clever! Glad I'm not the only one who names their vehicles! We have an 05 Powerstroke in the white/tan two toned paint trim that we've dubbed Maximus. The explorer we found also had the white and tan two toned paint. Told hubs it matches the truck, so it should be named 'Maxine,' if we bought it.Haha. | |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | MOGirl07 - 2015-05-04 11:49 PM rodeowithjoker - 2015-05-04 11:24 PM I have an 05 Explorer with 3rd row seating, the V6 motor and 189K miles. Runs like a champ and I have had only the tiniest maintenance issues on it......like the one blinker/brake light bulb that's not connecting right all the time now. Darn those gravel roads anyway. LOL. But back on topic, Dora is awesome. My grandmother can get in it easily with the oh shoot handle on the passengers side, and my family members who are 6-0 or taller have enough leg room in the front seat. Back seat is a bit iffy, but I hear that's normal when you're tall. I'm 5-6 so don't have that problem LOL. The 2nd & 3rd row seats fold down so you can haul STUFF in it like a truck and honestly I leave the 3rd row seats folded flat most of the time because I haul grain in it more than I haul 5 passengers LOL.
This is the second Explorer I've had - we drove the 1994 one until the motor or transmission went out, then sold it as a mechanic's special and a few months later saw it parked at a nearby wal-mart so the guy got it running again. I think they are great cars and I'd get another one in a heartbeat. Thank you! DH found an 07 with low miles (75k ) that he loves and I like a lot too. Good to know these are roomy! I'm 5'8", so I don't need a ton of room, but DH is 6'2" with long legs too...poor guy needs more space! Lol! Plus the third row seating would be nice if we ever actually had more than two kids (doubt it...lol ). Btw - I laughed out loud at the explorer being named 'Dora!' Lol. Dora the Explorer....clever! Glad I'm not the only one who names their vehicles! We have an 05 Powerstroke in the white/tan two toned paint trim that we've dubbed Maximus. The explorer we found also had the white and tan two toned paint. Told hubs it matches the truck, so it should be named 'Maxine,' if we bought it.Haha.
My youngest brother is 6-5 and he can comfortably drive or be a passenger. I think the Explorer has a lot more room in the backseat than the 2000 Jeep Cherokee that I had before it. That thing was cramped in the back seat even for me.
I named Dora because I'd seen a Reba episode where Van got the car he called Rhonda and everyone who borrowed it had to sign the Rhonda pledge. Brett wanted to borrow it to take friends to the movie and I told him he had to sign THE DORA PLEDGE first. Dora was the first name that popped into my head and it stuck. Apparently I only name cars though... the trucks are Great White Truck, Blackie and Old Blue. LOL.
I do like your Maxine name idea if she matches Maximus. :) | |
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Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | rodeowithjoker - 2015-05-05 8:28 AM
MOGirl07 - 2015-05-04 11:49 PM rodeowithjoker - 2015-05-04 11:24 PM I have an 05 Explorer with 3rd row seating, the V6 motor and 189K miles. Runs like a champ and I have had only the tiniest maintenance issues on it......like the one blinker/brake light bulb that's not connecting right all the time now. Darn those gravel roads anyway. LOL. But back on topic, Dora is awesome. My grandmother can get in it easily with the oh shoot handle on the passengers side, and my family members who are 6-0 or taller have enough leg room in the front seat. Back seat is a bit iffy, but I hear that's normal when you're tall. I'm 5-6 so don't have that problem LOL. The 2nd & 3rd row seats fold down so you can haul STUFF in it like a truck and honestly I leave the 3rd row seats folded flat most of the time because I haul grain in it more than I haul 5 passengers LOL.
This is the second Explorer I've had - we drove the 1994 one until the motor or transmission went out, then sold it as a mechanic's special and a few months later saw it parked at a nearby wal-mart so the guy got it running again. I think they are great cars and I'd get another one in a heartbeat. Thank you! DH found an 07 with low miles (75k ) that he loves and I like a lot too. Good to know these are roomy! I'm 5'8", so I don't need a ton of room, but DH is 6'2" with long legs too...poor guy needs more space! Lol! Plus the third row seating would be nice if we ever actually had more than two kids (doubt it...lol ). Btw - I laughed out loud at the explorer being named 'Dora!' Lol. Dora the Explorer....clever! Glad I'm not the only one who names their vehicles! We have an 05 Powerstroke in the white/tan two toned paint trim that we've dubbed Maximus. The explorer we found also had the white and tan two toned paint. Told hubs it matches the truck, so it should be named 'Maxine,' if we bought it.Haha.
I named Dora because I'd seen a Reba episode where Van got the car he called Rhonda and everyone who borrowed it had to sign the Rhonda pledge. Brett wanted to borrow it to take friends to the movie and I told him he had to sign THE DORA PLEDGE first. Dora was the first name that popped into my head and it stuck. Apparently I only name cars though... the trucks are Great White Truck, Blackie and Old Blue. LOL.
I do like your Maxine name idea if she matches Maximus. :)Â
Haha!!! That's so funny!!! So you didn't name her 'Dora the Explorer' on purpose? It just came to you...that's funny! DH thinks I'm goofy for naming vehicles but he now calls the truck 'Maximus' also so I guess I'm rubbing off on him! | |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | The rear end went out in my 04 with about 130K on it.....it dripped, you could see it, I would recommend having hubby crawl under and look :) I parted with mine had the 3rd row a year ago. Bought a subaru outback. I LOVE it...much better mileage the Explorer made 15 on a good day (yes that's realistic driving some city and some highway mileage every day) It was roomy and you could get a lot in it and it went EVERYWHERE. BUT so does my outback... Ford is known for having some rear seal trouble in the 2000-2006ish range on both their explorers and f150....I would know, I've put a rear end in 2 vehicles so far in that range....the second time the explorer started going out it found a new place to drip. | |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | MOGirl07 - 2015-05-05 8:35 AM rodeowithjoker - 2015-05-05 8:28 AM MOGirl07 - 2015-05-04 11:49 PM rodeowithjoker - 2015-05-04 11:24 PM I have an 05 Explorer with 3rd row seating, the V6 motor and 189K miles. Runs like a champ and I have had only the tiniest maintenance issues on it......like the one blinker/brake light bulb that's not connecting right all the time now. Darn those gravel roads anyway. LOL. But back on topic, Dora is awesome. My grandmother can get in it easily with the oh shoot handle on the passengers side, and my family members who are 6-0 or taller have enough leg room in the front seat. Back seat is a bit iffy, but I hear that's normal when you're tall. I'm 5-6 so don't have that problem LOL. The 2nd & 3rd row seats fold down so you can haul STUFF in it like a truck and honestly I leave the 3rd row seats folded flat most of the time because I haul grain in it more than I haul 5 passengers LOL.
This is the second Explorer I've had - we drove the 1994 one until the motor or transmission went out, then sold it as a mechanic's special and a few months later saw it parked at a nearby wal-mart so the guy got it running again. I think they are great cars and I'd get another one in a heartbeat. Thank you! DH found an 07 with low miles (75k ) that he loves and I like a lot too. Good to know these are roomy! I'm 5'8", so I don't need a ton of room, but DH is 6'2" with long legs too...poor guy needs more space! Lol! Plus the third row seating would be nice if we ever actually had more than two kids (doubt it...lol ). Btw - I laughed out loud at the explorer being named 'Dora!' Lol. Dora the Explorer....clever! Glad I'm not the only one who names their vehicles! We have an 05 Powerstroke in the white/tan two toned paint trim that we've dubbed Maximus. The explorer we found also had the white and tan two toned paint. Told hubs it matches the truck, so it should be named 'Maxine,' if we bought it.Haha.
I named Dora because I'd seen a Reba episode where Van got the car he called Rhonda and everyone who borrowed it had to sign the Rhonda pledge. Brett wanted to borrow it to take friends to the movie and I told him he had to sign THE DORA PLEDGE first. Dora was the first name that popped into my head and it stuck. Apparently I only name cars though... the trucks are Great White Truck, Blackie and Old Blue. LOL.
I do like your Maxine name idea if she matches Maximus. :) Haha!!! That's so funny!!! So you didn't name her 'Dora the Explorer' on purpose? It just came to you...that's funny! DH thinks I'm goofy for naming vehicles but he now calls the truck 'Maximus' also so I guess I'm rubbing off on him!
It really did just pop into my head. My brain is weird like that.
As far as mileage goes, I get about 15 driving short trips to town & back (6 miles & 4.5 of it is gravel roads), and got 18.1 on longer trips last weekend with more highway miles. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | LMS - 2015-05-05 9:54 AM
The rear end went out in my 04 with about 130K on it.....it dripped, you could see it, I would recommend having hubby crawl under and look :) I parted with mine had the 3rd row a year ago.  Bought a subaru outback. I LOVE it...much better mileage the Explorer made 15 on a good day (yes that's realistic driving some city and some highway mileage every day) It was roomy and you could get a lot in it and it went EVERYWHERE. BUT so does my outback... Ford is known for having some rear seal trouble in the 2000-2006ish range on both their explorers and f150....I would know, I've put a rear end in 2 vehicles so far in that range....the second time the explorer started going out it found a new place to drip.
Thanks! We did a little research and narrowed it down to either a 07 or 08...hopefully we wouldn't have rear end/real seal? issues with those but I'll see have DH take a look! Not loving getting less Milage...but....I drive mostly highway miles, we're right off the highway 12 miles from town. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | rodeowithjoker - 2015-05-05 10:02 AM
MOGirl07 - 2015-05-05 8:35 AM rodeowithjoker - 2015-05-05 8:28 AM MOGirl07 - 2015-05-04 11:49 PM rodeowithjoker - 2015-05-04 11:24 PM I have an 05 Explorer with 3rd row seating, the V6 motor and 189K miles. Runs like a champ and I have had only the tiniest maintenance issues on it......like the one blinker/brake light bulb that's not connecting right all the time now. Darn those gravel roads anyway. LOL. But back on topic, Dora is awesome. My grandmother can get in it easily with the oh shoot handle on the passengers side, and my family members who are 6-0 or taller have enough leg room in the front seat. Back seat is a bit iffy, but I hear that's normal when you're tall. I'm 5-6 so don't have that problem LOL. The 2nd & 3rd row seats fold down so you can haul STUFF in it like a truck and honestly I leave the 3rd row seats folded flat most of the time because I haul grain in it more than I haul 5 passengers LOL.
This is the second Explorer I've had - we drove the 1994 one until the motor or transmission went out, then sold it as a mechanic's special and a few months later saw it parked at a nearby wal-mart so the guy got it running again. I think they are great cars and I'd get another one in a heartbeat. Thank you! DH found an 07 with low miles (75k ) that he loves and I like a lot too. Good to know these are roomy! I'm 5'8", so I don't need a ton of room, but DH is 6'2" with long legs too...poor guy needs more space! Lol! Plus the third row seating would be nice if we ever actually had more than two kids (doubt it...lol ). Btw - I laughed out loud at the explorer being named 'Dora!' Lol. Dora the Explorer....clever! Glad I'm not the only one who names their vehicles! We have an 05 Powerstroke in the white/tan two toned paint trim that we've dubbed Maximus. The explorer we found also had the white and tan two toned paint. Told hubs it matches the truck, so it should be named 'Maxine,' if we bought it.Haha.
I named Dora because I'd seen a Reba episode where Van got the car he called Rhonda and everyone who borrowed it had to sign the Rhonda pledge. Brett wanted to borrow it to take friends to the movie and I told him he had to sign THE DORA PLEDGE first. Dora was the first name that popped into my head and it stuck. Apparently I only name cars though... the trucks are Great White Truck, Blackie and Old Blue. LOL.
I do like your Maxine name idea if she matches Maximus. :)Â Haha!!! That's so funny!!! So you didn't name her 'Dora the Explorer' on purpose? It just came to you...that's funny! DH thinks I'm goofy for naming vehicles but he now calls the truck 'Maximus' also so I guess I'm rubbing off on him!
As far as mileage goes, I get about 15 driving short trips to town & back (6 miles & 4.5 of it is gravel roads), and got 18.1 on longer trips last weekend with more highway miles.Â
Hmmm....right now our Murano gets about 21 mpg. I drive mostly on the highway. We're on a grave road right off the highway. It's weird lol! | |
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