1996 Ford Explorer

Phenominal vehicle

By benjamin Q (FL) on Wednesday, May 30, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 162,000

Pros: "Power, transmission, longevity, QUALITY."

Cons: "Gas mileage, in line circuitry, joint seals"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"12yrs many original parts I would have expected to replace years ago. Gas mileage is more like 15-19. Electrical system could have been designed better but over all the functional ability after 12yrs is still like 12yrs ago."

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse

Best SUV Ever!!!

By Shelly (LA) on Monday, April 30, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 348,000

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I must say I have gotten my $'s worth out of this SUV. I have done "some exploring" to say the least. It finally died on me @ appx 348,000 miles and was still fast LOL I have truly enjoyed my Explorer!!!"

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse

Durable, realitively economical SUV

By markja (TX) on Thursday, April 05, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 150,000

Pros: "Durable to a fault"

Cons: "Rough ride"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"I've owned it for 100,000 of the 150,000 miles on the odometer. In that time, I've followed the maintenance schedule and repaired things when they broke. It's a solid and reliable old car. Stupid things have started to break now. For example the cruise control works fine but, the plastic cover crumbled off of it. The front dome lights never worked and I learned why when I tried to replace the bulb - they're mounted directly to the circuit film (not a socket or a circuit board just a heavy film)which tore as soon as I tried to replace the bulb. The speaker covers have decayed and broken. The arm rest cover wore out so I had to re-upholster it. My conclusion is that Ford never designed the vehicle for the very long haul, it was designed to be traded away at 50K. In spite of that it runs very well and delivers a consistent 16 mpg around town; a little better on the highway. The thing just keeps running and running and running. The transmission went but the repair cost was just under the value of the vehicle so we keep driving it. The annual maintenance for oil changes and the like is about $500. I figure this cost would be the same regardless of the vehicle. They all need maintenance. Repairs are getting up to about $1200 per year. I'm using something like $250 per month is gasoline. If I buy a new car, I'll use $125 and pick up a $350 payment. Since that is a $125 negative delta, I'll have to keep driving it for now. A good second vehicle or a kid's car."

11 people out of 12 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse

worst vehicle I have ever owned!

By ljgriff (DE) on Thursday, April 05, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 165,000

Pros: "good price, 4 wheel drive is fun, lots of room"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I bought this truck used for a very good price. I have done nothing but spend money on repair after repair. In a short time I have replaced ; upper"

1 person out of 4 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse