The Ford Exploer Sport - 2DR
Written: Jan 03 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Reliability: |
 |
|
| Seat Comfort: |
 |
|
| Build Quality |
|
|
| Handling And Control: |
 |
|
|
Pros: Reliable so far, sits up high like most SUVs
Cons: Not too big nor too small, priced fairly.
|
|
|
| relane's Full Review: 2001 Ford Explorer Sport |
Pros: Looks nice when it's clean. Reliable so far. Sits up high like most SUVs. It's not too big nor too small. Priced fairly.
Cons: Poor gas mileage (18 MPG around town - 20 MPG highway). The biggest single negative feature is the child restraints or lack of adequate restraints in the rear seats. Child seats tip going around corners. I have advised Ford of this problem and they have not seen fit to warn potential buyers.
I purchased this vehicle because it looked nice and I've never owned an SUV. I haven't seen many Ford Explorer Sports on the road so far, probably because of the Firestone tire recall that was all over the news some weeks ago. I'm told that Firestone tires on this vehicle are not affected by the recall because they are 16 inch tires.
EXTERIOR: 8
I purchased a black SUV and it looks beautiful when clean and shiny. Unfortunately most black vehicles need a considerable amount of care. The design is just right for my taste, it's not too large (like some SUVs) but it does take some getting use to judging distances when parking. The middle windows have a slight tint and the rear windows have a darker tint. The rear window is dark enough so I don't have to change my inside rear-view mirror at night.
INTERIOR: 6
I give the interior a 6 primarily because of the potentially dangerous child car-seat restraints are none existent. My two and three year-old grandchildren were tipping back and forth going slow around turns. The rear seating is for two people, only. Seatbelts exist only for two people and no more. If I'd noticed this when I was considering the purchase; I would not have bought the vehicle.
The interior color is grey with a synthetic leather which appears to wear on the drivers side very fast for only six months of use.
ENGINE: 8
The V6 appears to have adequate power. As mentioned earlier, my only difficulty comes with the poor fuel economy. Sorry, but there's no good excuse for poor gas mileage this day and age.
RIDE: 6
The Ford Explorer Sport is a truck of sorts and rides like one. Obvioulsy not as smooth as a passenger car but I would have no problem taking this vehicle off-road before I'd take other passenger car. You will feel most small pot holes and cracks in the road.
HANDLING: 7
Highway driving concerns me the most. I'm very careful not to make any sudden steering control turns because I feel this vehicle will turn-over like many SUVs have to date. This is probably do to the higher than normal center of gravity. The 4 wheel drive worked well during a recent snow storm. The brakes are beginning to grab and make noises already.
RELIABILITY: 9
So far this SUV has been reliable, probably because I paid a considerably fee for extra protection at the dealership. Like anything else, I'll get very concerned when the extended warranty expires. Car are very expensive to repair.
VALUE: 6
Considering the price, it's a fair value, not great, just fair.
EXTRA FEATURES: 7
I purchased a model with a 6-CD Pioneer Changer in the dash. The CD works great.
THE VERDICT: I would not consider another Ford Explorer SPORT for my next purchase. There has to be much better products out there for a better price.
AVERAGE SCORE: 7.125 out of 10
Comfort: Ok except on bumpy roads
Quality: Little noise, but not too bad
Roominess: Adequate
Handling & Control: Good
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
Model and options: Satisfactory
Recommend to friends or family? NO
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 25,096
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
Model and Options: Ford Explorer SPORT (SUV)
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
relane
|
|
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 1 member
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.