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Ford Explorer Owners, Please Read

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Rocketman95, Aug 8, 2002.

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  1. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

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    I got a letter from the dealership I'm leasing my car from saying I could turn it in early if I bought another Ford car. I'd get a $1500 rebate as well as not having to pay any money for mileage. I'm still 8 months away from turning the truck in, and I'm already at the mileage limit, so this could save me close to $1500 as well, not to mention more "wear and tear" and the truck's value going down while the total payoff still being pretty high.

    So, test drove the Explorer Sport (can't afford the 4-door), the F-150, and a sweet loaded Ranger. Fell in love with the first one. Unfortunately, the payments are about $50 more a month than I wanted to pay. I can afford the extra $50, and I'm leaning towards thinking that turning in my Ranger now will end up saving me money in the long run due to the mileage concerns and the owed v. worth factor when the lease is up.

    My questions are for owners of Explorers. Have you had many problems with them? Do you get tired of them? How did they affect your insurance? Any other advice/info would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 Rocketman95, Aug 8, 2002
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2002
  2. Cohen

    Cohen Member

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    Hey RM95,

    My wife is on her second Explorer. They're decent vehicles. I understand the suspension is much better now, which would be my only complaint on the drive (the people in the back seat would bang their heads on the windows when you would drive over a speed bump at an angle...I learned that with my father-in-law in the back seat ) .

    We really liked the extended warranty option on the first one. For some reason, we were not given that option on her second, so we are now paying for it. Spent about $1500 in two visits to the service department this year (vehicle's a '98). They wanted $2000, but were able to drop the cost when my wife got a little irritated.

    The expenses started within a couple months after her last payment. Go figure.

    BTW, A/C is out again. We probably won't buy another because of the repairs, but that could be just our experience.

    Good luck.
     
    #2 Cohen, Aug 8, 2002
  3. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

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    Thanks. The payments include a 5yr/75,000mile warranty, so I hope that might cover anything. Plus, it seems that I'll be paying enough that if I wanted to trade it in in three years or so, I could pretty easily.
     
    #3 Rocketman95, Aug 9, 2002
  4. Cohen

    Cohen Member

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    Thats sounds like a pretty decent warranty. BTW, I haven't kept up, are you moving/moved? If not, Maxwell Ford on IH35 has been expensive on repairs (as most dealers are), but they seemed really honest. They actually turned away work when we really didn't need it, and were aggressive about getting items covered under warranty.

    I haven't driven the Sport...nice?
     
    #4 Cohen, Aug 9, 2002
  5. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

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    Yeah, the Sport's really nice. It's about halfway between the 4-door and the Ranger in how smooth it runs, and the interior is extremely comfortable for me.

    I'm doing it all at Covert, where I got my Ranger. They're really great, non-pressure, and they seem to have good deals. I think I can get them down $30-$40/mo, and if I can, I'm going to do it.

    Browsing through the Dallas paper this morning found a couple of really good deals, and since I'm driving up there to look at apartments/houses, I may just wait. But damn, I was looking forward to driving up there in a nice ride. :)
     
    #5 Rocketman95, Aug 9, 2002
  6. MadMax

    MadMax Member

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    you can't buy an SUV, you liberal freak!! :D what would Al Gore say??? ;)

    (please note the hopefully obvious joking nature of my post!)
     
    #6 MadMax, Aug 9, 2002
  7. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

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    :D

    Well, after the 2000 election, I've become jaded. I'm hoping to send some people over to Covert and just steal the Explorer for me, ala Bush stealing Florida. ;)

    Anyone else have comments? The MSRP on the truck is $24,030. I'm getting it for $23,310 (including a reduction on the MSRP, a $1500 loyalty rebate, and my remaining lease payments of $2,310) with a 0.9% APR. The monthly payment on a 60 month buy is $457.
     
    #7 Rocketman95, Aug 9, 2002
  8. Baqui99

    Baqui99 Member

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    RM95, the Explorer Sport is just too small for $23K. Right now Jeep is offering a $3000 cash back or 0% financing on all new Grand Cherokee purchases. That means you could walkout with a new JGC for about $24K. IMO, its alot bigger and better than the Explorer Sport.

    Personally I drive a 98 Ranger 4x4, and I love it. It's fun to drive, and I haven't spent a dime on repairs other than the dealer prescribed service at 30K miles.

    But I'll be using my signing bonus to purchase a new Tahoe or EB Expedition next year.
     
    #8 Baqui99, Aug 9, 2002
  9. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

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    I also have to look at the fact that my truck isn't worth what is still owed on it, and this way, I can go ahead and get out of it without going over the mileage as well.

    I'm seeing some good deals in Dallas, hopefully I'll be driving back from there in a new Explorer this weekend.
     
    #9 Rocketman95, Aug 9, 2002
  10. Buck Turgidson

    Buck Turgidson Member

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    My gf bought a 02 Explorer (4-door) about 6 months ago & she absolutely loves it. It had been part of the dealer's rental fleet, but only had about 6000 miles, and it was about 6K cheaper than a new one. Still under factory warranty & she's had nothing but good things to say about it. They've allegedly fixed most, if not all, of the problems (A/C, transmission, etc...) associated with the older models.
     
    #10 Buck Turgidson, Aug 9, 2002
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