21st Jan 2009, 07:44

I owned a 99 Explorer XLT 2wd. Sold it when I lost my license. Just got license back and am about to buy another Explorer, only maybe 4x4 this time.

My last one I bought with 75,000 miles on it... I got a deal on it because it had two problems when I bought it.. one, there was an ABS light on in the dash; and two, the rear window wiper only "touched" the glass through half its movement. MINOR problems. As it turns out there was a simple connection under the passenger seat that caused the ABS light, dealership found and fixed it for less than $150. The rear wiper I simply bent, I made it work and it did just fine ever since.

At about 100,000 miles the thermostat went bad (the vehicle was idling high, hard to stop when braking, started running hot) this was another simple and cheap fix I did myself and cost less than $10.

HOWEVER, at 130,000 miles the transmission went out. Costly yes, but I've come to realize that's the only REAL PROBLEM I had, and I was 19 when I got the truck and RACED it against the cute little Civics and such (and won) so that transmission went through A LOT of abuse. Not to mention my dad owns a 96 Nissan pickup and his transmission has failed 3 times and it's a stick shift. (not just clutch either, needed total rebuild) and I was looking at maybe 2000-2001 Isuzu Rodeo but WOW! Look at the reviews for that thing on here. So I've decided I WILL get another 99-02 Explorer XLT and I will start saving for when the trans goes out, because the rest of the vehicle is GREAT!

27th Aug 2009, 08:02

I have a 99 Explorer XLT and it has 130,000 miles and is a sweet heart. I am 6'2" and 390lbs, and it's the most comfortable vehicle I have owned, and I have had a @#$% load of them.

27th Aug 2009, 11:27

The original reviewer's car sounds like it was pretty great, if his only complaint was that the AM radio was buzzy. AM radio is buzzy. If you don't want buzzy radio, well, that's why people listen to FM. Unless you can't stand to miss Rush Limbaugh or the 7 Signs of Evil preaching.