best model year 1997-2000?

OK, I know everyone will be a bit biased by their own experience, but I would say the 1997 Explorer with the original 4.0 pushrod engine (not the SOHC) is the absolute peak of reliability. That engine has a little less power, but is absolutely bulletproof and delivers close to 20 mpg all the time. This was the 3rd model year for this body style, and problems from the

1995 year, that were just being identified in 1996, had fixes imlemented in 1997. Things like repositioning the intake to be above minor flood waters, adding a "lock up" 4WD option to the Control Trac system, and still keeping all the little things like underhood lights, door-mounted puddle and entry lights, poassenger side 6-way power seatiing, a radio that doesn't lose its display, etc. etc. To be the really the top of the best, find one with the 5-speed manual transmission, the last year that was offered on an XLT model. Mine, ordered before they were even on the lots in 1996, has given me 195,000 absolutely reliable and trouble free miles...by FAR the most reliable vehicle I have owned since my 1st new car in 1970. Flaws? Only the heater blend door problem, which didn't really show up for a couple of more years, just as the series was being replaced. If you'rte lucky, you'll find one where that has been taken care of already, or take advantage of some of the shortcuts people have come up with in later years. Of course, YMMV

=Vic== Bear Gap, PA

I have a 99 SOHC and so far no problems. I would agree if you are going to get a 97 or 98, try to get the pushrod V6 or the V8. The only differences body wise between 97-2000 is that in 98 they started using the different tailgate, plus in 99 I think they started using round foglights instead of square.

Definately get one with either the V8 or PUSHROD OHV V6. I personally would not buy the SOHC, even new. The chain tensioner issue is scary and $$$$$- especially on older ones. I see lots of OHV explorers on ebay with 200K+ miles.

I've had 2000 V8 for about 5 years. After some initial problems (most worked out under warranty), it has been a pretty good car. The mileage is good, not great.

Keep in mind that Consumer Reports does not recommend the 2000 Explorer. But mine has been OK.

I anticipate the Explorers to have less quality and higher maintenance costs over the long term, but given their residual purchase value (plus what I perceive to be biased knocks against the vehicles quality) I think an Explorer is my best bet. Two close friends have late 90s Explorers (one a 1997 XLT w/ 250,000km on it!) with the worse repair being a water pump, a good sign to me. I'm aiming for a 4-door, automatic, 4x4, XLS/XLT/Eddie Bauer.

My question is, I've narrowed my search range down to four years. I know 1997 is a new model year (with the new V6 engine), so I figure a

1998 or 1999 is my best bet since the 'bugs' would be ironed out. Is this a safe bet? What would people recommend based on their experience? is there a 'lemon' model year?

Thanks for your reply. I think I'll be targeting a 99 SOHC V6 as I will not be needing the power of a V8 (including the worse mileage), and in the 3rd year I suspect alot of design faults of the v6 SOHC would have been worked out. My cousin-in-law has a 97 SOHC (the one with

250,000km+) and he's never had a problem, although anecdotes are long about how problematic SOHC was in that model year.

You guys are scaring me. I have a 98 xlt SOHC 6 for about 1.5 years now. So Far so good. I am knocking on wood while I type that. Picked it up for

Hey Beeper, Assuming you're American and its 64,000 miles (not km) you're probably in the clear. If your SOHC 6 hasn't been a problem to this point you probably can run your engine indefinitely. As I mentioned my cousin-in-law has a 97 SOHC V6 -- supposedly the worst year -- and he's got 250,000kms on it with no incident. Remember the inverse bell-curve of engineering faults...the vast majority of failures will happen in the first 10% or the last 10% of service life.

Not trying to scare you, but I bought a '98 XLT with 29k mi on it in '2000 for $18k. It was spotless, and we loved it. Luckily we had a

7yr/100k Ford extended warrenty on it, because before we had 60k on it we had to replace all the ball joints, and suffered a cracked block. It was all covered, but it would have set me back between $2-3k. Since then no problems, but after this I swore off american cars, and just purchased an '05 Honda Accord. 30 mi./gallon, Honda lemons are an oxymoron, the same with Toyota, Nissan and their upscale counterparts.

I used to be a consultant for Sony, and personally designed their defect tracking database systems, I know all about Japanese quality control, they wrote the book on it, and it's the best in the world.

The Honda is giving me 30+ mi/gallon, the Explorer cost me $48 to fill up yesterday, and I'll probably get 16-18 mi/gal on it. No more!!!

Glad you are enjoying your Honda. As I've noted, everyone is subject to their own experiences. We've had 2 German cars and 2 Japanese cars (one a Honda Accord) among other American vehicles from each of the Big 3 US makers. The foreign cars, while having a number of nice attributes, could not compare to the US cars of the last 15 years. The Honda, as an example, rusted badly from our northeast winters and finally failed to pass inspection. That is not a failure mode we've had on anything else, but is a common end for Japanese cars in this area. My son was driving the Honda and replaced it with a small Ford sedan and got more power, more room, and better gas mileage. My '97 Explorer has been by far the most reliable vehicle I have owned in almost 40 years of car ownership, and has routinely delivered 20mpg. Maybe it is was just a fortunate build, but I am quite happy with it.

=Vic= Bear Gap, PA

I still have the Explorer with 135k on it now. It's been great since the 2 major problems. I still really like it. I would like to keep it another 4 yrs if I can.

I also live in the GTA. I have owned a 2000 Sport for over two years. Bought it with about 60K kms. I'm up to about 130K kms now. Other than some strange intermittent shifting behaviour, the vehicle has been 100% reliable. It's pretty crude by contemporary standards but it runs well and goes through anything. If you drive alot, fuel consumption might be a factor in your decision. When I bought the Explorer, I replaced all of the fluids including steering, brakes, tranny, axle and rad. I would recommend this to you as well. Good (brand name) tires will also make a difference in your enjoyment level.

Steve R

Okay, update for everyone... I'm now considering getting a 2002 Explorer XLT. Assuming 20k of usage a year I'll probably try to get a model with ~80k km, assuming it was sold late 2001 so is technically 4 years old. I've got 3 or 4 different models i'm looking at located in various dealerships throughout Mississauga.

Reasons? Well, its a newer model so it will last longer in the visual appeal department. Its a facile reason yes, but its not my only motivation. :) Better interiors in the 2002s from my personal experience. Crash test, rollover, passenger safety is rated higher for the newer models and I have an infant son to worry about. Engine is not much different from the V6 SOHC introduced in 1997 so I'm not too worried about engine problems. I can get an extended parts warranty from a Ford dealership for 3 years for minimal/no cost so that lessens my concerns about mechanical failure.

I've noticed that Explorers newer than 2001/2002 start jumping up $5k/year in value, whereas the depreciation really slows down after 4-5 years, so 2002 is a nice point to jump into a newer model.

Basically my choices right now appear to be 2001 Eddie Bauers/XLTs for about $12-14k, or a 2002 XLT for $14-16k. (all Canadian funds, don't panic Americans!) . I think the few extra thousand for a more recent model is worth it.

Thoughts?