2012 Ford Explorer - Solid and comfortable SUV.
The car has performed well since I bought it. Only one somewhat major issue that was caught by a mechanic I've trusted. I was looking for a comfortable car because we take road trips very often and I also wanted something that handled well in bad weather. My previous car was terrible in snow and rain. This car does great in bad weather. I feel confident driving and I like being higher up as well. It makes me feel safe driving this car.
The car has performed well since I bought it. Only one somewhat major issue that was caught by a mechanic I've trusted. I was looking for a comfortable car because we take road trips very often and I also wanted something that handled well in bad weather. My previous car was terrible in snow and rain. This car does great in bad weather. I feel confident driving and I like being higher up as well. It makes me feel safe driving this car.
We moved from DC to Florida in this car with our cat and it was the longest ride ever. The car did great, but we could not have been more stressful dealing with a cat on a 15 hour drive. The car easily pulled a large trailer for 800 miles, but that cat made the whole thing a nightmare.
We moved from DC to Florida in this car with our cat and it was the longest ride ever. The car did great, but we could not have been more stressful dealing with a cat on a 15 hour drive. The car easily pulled a large trailer for 800 miles, but that cat made the whole thing a nightmare.
I really liked how comfortable this car is. It is a relatively basic interior, but very comfortable seats. Also have a third row has been more useful than I expected it to be. It handles really well in bad weather, which was also very important to me. I like the color we got as I thought it was a unique color.
I really liked how comfortable this car is. It is a relatively basic interior, but very comfortable seats. Also have a third row has been more useful than I expected it to be. It handles really well in bad weather, which was also very important to me. I like the color we got as I thought it was a unique color.
Some of the interior wore our a little more quickly than I expected, but not a lot. I wish it had better gas mileage, as we average about 22 miles per gallon. There are also some bad blind spot that I had to get used to. I almost pulled out in front of someone twice because of the blind spot.
Some of the interior wore our a little more quickly than I expected, but not a lot. I wish it had better gas mileage, as we average about 22 miles per gallon. There are also some bad blind spot that I had to get used to. I almost pulled out in front of someone twice because of the blind spot.
2005 Ford Explorer - My own little 4x4 short bus
Overall, it has been a decent vehicle. I've owned it since it had 16,000 miles on it, and it now has over 120,000. Unfortunately, the transmission went out at only 67,000 mi. After just a few clicks on Google, I found out that was a common occurrence in that particular model/year. I was able to get the transmission rebuilt for less that $2,000. Beyond that, there haven't really been any issues. I have had oil changes & regular maintenance at the manufactures suggested mileage, or close to it. It has been on the beach at vehicle access points in several locations in NC. I've been mudding in it at least 3 times a year. We go camping in it, and it hauls everything I've shoved in it, from groceries to dirt, mulch and wood for a campfire. It has been a sturdy beast that is finally beginning... (more)
Overall, it has been a decent vehicle. I've owned it since it had 16,000 miles on it, and it now has over 120,000. Unfortunately, the transmission went out at only 67,000 mi. After just a few clicks on Google, I found out that was a common occurrence in that particular model/year. I was able to get the transmission rebuilt for less that $2,000. Beyond that, there haven't really been any issues. I have had oil changes & regular maintenance at the manufactures suggested mileage, or close to it. It has been on the beach at vehicle access points in several locations in NC. I've been mudding in it at least 3 times a year. We go camping in it, and it hauls everything I've shoved in it, from groceries to dirt, mulch and wood for a campfire. It has been a sturdy beast that is finally beginning to show her age. The plastic pins that hold the molding along the bottom, beneath the doors, have dry rotted and the molding flops around as I'm driving. The driver seat is dry rotting and loosing all its filling onto the carpet. The power seat went out about two years ago. The power door lock/unlock went out (on the drivers side only) about a year ago. Previous to that, the light underneath of the drivers side mirror went out after a drunk driver hit me, it flickered on and off a few times after I had the body work done and the mirror replaced, but it's zapped out for sure now. Though, I'm sure that is not the fault of Ford. I have not had to do any major and barely any minor mechanical work to it beyond the normal tires and brakes. It has been a good girl. She's starting to hesitate on cold mornings when I start her up, but I am almost positive that with a tad bit of tuning and babying, she'll go another 100,000 miles. The engine is still on fleek and she still has desire to break speed limits and climb mud mounds. Excluding the transmission, it's the best vehicle I've ever owned. I've not even bothered lusting for any newer models. I've been completely content since 2006!
Went to NC with my mom, brother & my kids. They all have 4X4s. They talk me into going down the road from where we were staying to a beach access, somewhere near Duck. I don't know exactly where. I'd never even had my 4X4 engaged at this point, as I'd only had the vehicle for about a year & was still scared of hurting it. Long story short, spent the day on the beach, time to leave & they roll ... (more)
Went to NC with my mom, brother & my kids. They all have 4X4s. They talk me into going down the road from where we were staying to a beach access, somewhere near Duck. I don't know exactly where. I'd never even had my 4X4 engaged at this point, as I'd only had the vehicle for about a year & was still scared of hurting it. Long story short, spent the day on the beach, time to leave & they roll out. I had no idea how to drive in sand. I'd managed to get out there with no problem, but I got stuck in the dunes on the way out. I didn't even know how to engage the 4x4 to get out. I called them to ask for help. Neither answered. I called my ex to ask him how to engage it, he pretty much laughed and mocked me. I had to dig out the damn owners manual and read until I figured out how to cut my own 4x4 on, on my own vehicle. Finally got out of there though. That was my 1st off-road type of adventure in my Explorer & I've had it through mud, rivers, sand & up mountains every since!
Fun. Bumpy ride reminds me of horseback riding as a young girl. Tons of space for a mid-size SUV (I have 3rd-row seating). Twin size air mattress fits in the back with two rows of seats down. Long life. Powerful engine. 4x4. Safe. Reliable.
Fun. Bumpy ride reminds me of horseback riding as a young girl. Tons of space for a mid-size SUV (I have 3rd-row seating). Twin size air mattress fits in the back with two rows of seats down. Long life. Powerful engine. 4x4. Safe. Reliable.
Ford rattles (standard Ford feature). Transmission problems are common in this model year. Too low to the ground. Vehicle doesn't take big enough tires. Terrible gas mileage.
Ford rattles (standard Ford feature). Transmission problems are common in this model year. Too low to the ground. Vehicle doesn't take big enough tires. Terrible gas mileage.
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