1996 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0 liter
Summary:
Very well built vehicle
Faults:
Light bulbs starting to blow.
General Comments:
I bought this vehicle used last July with 82,000 miles on it. Ironically it replaced our 2007 Chevy Cobalt, which did not meet our needs. If you remember the cash for clunkers program.
So far my wife and I have put 12,000 miles on it. It is very comfortable and doesn't rattle despite being 14 years old. So far it has been very reliable. Uses no oil either. Its AWD system goes great in the snow.
Only issues seem to be bulbs getting weak. I have replaced three so far.
The only thing I don't like about it is the fuel consumption, but I knew that before I bought it. I've seen it as low as 11 mpg and as high as 19 mpg on the interstate at 65 mph with the cruise control on. It averages about 15 mpg. Yet that was what my 1994 2.5 liter 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler got, and the Explorer has twice the power.
Although the vehicle has great power, its outdated Windsor V8 makes less power than most modern V6s.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th April, 2010
10th Jul 2009, 01:54
I used to have one of these that I inherited from my dad before I bought my '87 Pathfinder. It was an awesome rig, those 302s are pretty stout. When I sold it, it had 206k on it and ran like a total champ.
I know how you feel about losing your rig, man. I'm 17 as well and I just lost my baby yesterday in a rear end collision at 50mph when I was at a dead stop, which plowed me into a Prius (which I am so happy about!) I poured my heart into my Pathfinder and got it where I wanted it, had a whole new exhaust system put on 2 days before the accident, and it was taken away in a second.
It protected my well when I should be paralyzed right now, but I'm walking around with a sore neck.
Good luck on your next truck!