I am wanting to purchase a 02-06 Explorer for my wife. She currently drives a 89 Camry that is about on its last legs. I can't complain too much about it as I inherited the car when my Grandmother passed away about two years ago.

What I want to know is are there any major problems/issues w/ this body style of Explorer? I know that they came in either the 4.0 v-6 or the 4.6 v-8. Before I had my 02 F-150 I had a Y2k Explorer and it was a great vehicle except for one thing- IT WAS WAY TOO SMALL!! I stand 6'4 and I had NO legroom!! My wifes best freind's Mom had a 03 that we borrowed one time as my father was using my truck. I felt comfortable and so did my wife-not too big or small of a vehcile.

Any thoughts?

 

buy a navigator, im jk well im guessing that you know those little things MPG is about the same as a large one, so i've heard dont know if its true...
but i would recommend a 06 model being the fact that they got a nice face lift right before ford made them egg shaped 2011model yuck!also performance improved and got the 6 speed auto to save some MPGS
find more info on: http://www.cars.com/ford/explorer/2006/

 

they have tranny issues, lots and lots. they dont have a dipstick so if you got one first things first, change the fluid and valve body. if you keep the fluid clean then its ok but it has a low tolerance for dirty fluid. they have hub issues I think and rear end issues. I love those explorers alot so if i was goin gto get one i would get the 4.6 and that probably dosent have the same tranny as the 4.0 which is a bad one.

 

I've seen lots of complaints about the 5 speed auto for the reasons mentioned. Also the 03-05 have the tailgate panel cracking issue & i've heard about the front hub bearing issues.

The person who approved the dipstick removal from the trans should be flogged with dipsticks from all the people with transmission failures. There's build your own instructions for mustangs, but it shouldn't be necessary.

six speed 06 I'd say & I agree on the 11.