Faults:

Nothing major - the usual wear-and tear items you'd expect with a higher mileage vehicle (stuff wears out folks!) Mostly I do all my own work - but I had to have the local garage do some stuff that requires a lift - such as replace the gas tank due to rust (around 200K miles), shocks (including the rear "shimmy" shock), front upper control arms, and front lower ball joints, and the clutch has been replaced a couple times (again, there's 285,000 miles on her!)

I do all the other stuff: oil changes, rear differential service, brakes, body work, etc. Most of the stuff is pretty straight forward, and if you have tools and can do the work - this is a great reliable vehicle that's easy to work on.

Transmission is the Mazda 5 speed manual that was offered as an option. And other than the 3rd gear syncro gear not being operational after ~180 K miles, (3rd gear works, you just need to match the engine speed to the transmission speed to slide it into gear) - the transmission is the original and works great.

General Comments:

The last year for the optional 5 speed Mazda manual transmission (Wahhhh!) - and matched to the 4.0L V6 motor, this truck is bullet-proof. If Ford continued to offer the Explorer with a manual transmission - I'd have bought another one, and another one, etc.

Gas mileage isn't horrendous - ~22 MPG around town, and ~25-28 MPG on the highway - and the user controlled 4WD option is a MUST for the New England winters and for recreational off-road use.

The truck also pulls a 1.5 ton homemade utility trailer with no issues - and that really extends the capability of the truck without requiring a bigger vehicle all the time.

Faults:

A transmission noise started at 80,000 miles; still there at 180,000 miles. Shifts smooth, no other transmission problems.

New shocks at 170,000, new fuel pump at 175,000. Last tune up at 80,000.

95,000 miles on BF. Goodrich, Commercial grade tires, mostly highway miles, 17 mpg at 70 mph, 20 mpg at 60. Runs straight. Throttle sticks after using speed control.

Had to rebuild driver's seat twice, high miles & 260 lbs. Cloth interior like new. Center arm rest needs reupholstering.

I normally get over 200,000 miles on my cars.

Radio lights out at 30,000 miles. I like not having a clock; less stress in traffic.

California car.

Faults:

Replaced Rear-end Bearings at 80,000.

New Shocks at 85,000.

Fixed Radio Display for $60.

New plugs, fuel filter, and gaskets at 95,000.

General Comments:

This is my 2nd explorer and I love this vehicle. Is very comfortable for a big guy, which is customary for these explorers. Very reliable engine. The SOHC gives the regular V6 a good amount of get up and go, as well as improved gas mileage over the regular V6. All and all I love the Eddie Bauer trim with all of the additional options such as the climate control, power moonroof, rear A/C, power everything, and radio controls on the steering wheel.

Faults:

This has been a good, reliable vehicle for me. A lot of both highway (Interstate) and city miles. Very dependable and comfortable (low mark on comfort has to do with driving very long distance and position of legs in doing so...)

Pros - strong engine and overall dependability.

Cons - expect transmission to go at approx 150,000. (So far engine still strong). O2 sensors are also a problem and the SOHC develops some vacuum leaks (plastic valve cover gasket, etc.) Radio also may need replaced (but not too expensive if you have a non-dealer specialist).

Despite this - mine has worked well!