1997 Ford Explorer 4WD

1997 Ford Explorer 4WD

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    Highest Rated Review by the Community

  • The Perfect Vehicle

    Dec 12 '99
    Pros: maneuverability, looks, space
    Cons: pricing is a bit too high

    Summary: Boy, how I hated Fords! At the time I was buying my Thunderbird, I thought it would be the perfect vehicle. I was dead wrong. There was more wrong with this car than right and Ford couldn't seem to find and fix all the problems that existed with this ... read more

  • Great vehicle, but not for me.

    Dec 04 '11
    Pros: Reliable vehicle
    Powerful SOHC engine
    Comfortable
    Good for carrying friends
    Cons: minor problems (accessories)
    Feels unsafe when taking turns
    Mileage
    Not a vehicle for a college student...

    Summary: I got this vehicle by my dad (luckily). He asked me if I wanted a car instead of an SUV, but I was just fine having a vehicle to drive (as I didn't care back then). I regret that moment and wish I could take it back. Anyways, to the details.The ... read more

  • 97 Ford Explorer Sport (AKA: Exploder)

    Apr 30 '08
    Pros: Trim Package, Moon Roof, Stereo, Dependability
    Cons: Rust Factor, Gas Mileage

    Summary: I have owned a '97 Explorer Sport for about 2 years now. When I first bought it the dealership needed to replace the Link Rods, which they did at no cost to me, I later found out that it was a $30.00 fix, and took all of about 20 minutes. Since that ... read more

  • The tiny SUV that could..., and could, and could AND COULD!

    Oct 17 '06
    Pros: Supreme engine and drive train and well to much to list.
    Cons: The only thing that I could find was that the driver-side seatback level broke off.

    Summary: I bought my '97 Ford Explorer XLT from a dealer a few years ago. I have been nothing but impressed with the quality and drivability of this little SUV. I have driven most everything on the market for prolonged periods of time and have found this ... read more

  • And then there were 5...or, THANK GOODNESS we got rid of that minivan!

    Jun 21 '02
    Pros: Roomy, stylish, great A/C
    Cons: Road noise, poor gas mileage

    Summary: In 1995 I met my husband. In 1996 we had twins. In 1998 we bought...a minivan. Ack, what were we thinking!!! But before I go on and on about the dehumanizing effects of driving around in that giant green 7-passenger egg, let me just say how relieved ... read more

  • Explorer Sport 2dr 4X4 black/silver

    May 28 '02
    Pros: roomy; ground clearance; elevated driver position; storage
    Cons: ride quality awful; gas mileage; some quality problems; pushrod V6 is wimpy

    Summary: I bought this vehicle about 3000 miles ago with 66,000 miles on it. I bought it for hauling stuff (and people), towing, and occasional off-roading. My daily commute is a '94 Eclipse which does that job perfectly. So far on the vehicle, the ... read more

  • Eddie Bauer is mediocre

    Nov 20 '01
    Pros: Styling,powerful,comfortable
    Cons: unreliable transmission,unreliable climate control,too many recalls

    Summary: I had bought a '97 Eddie Bauer FULLY Loaded as a 2nd owner with about 28000 miles and clean title/carfax. It was comfortable but had immediete problems with the climate control, sunroof motor, oxygen sensor, fuel injectors and finally the transmission ... read more

  • Not worth the $28,000

    Jun 02 '01
    Pros: Very powerful, nice looking vehicle, comfortable front seats
    Cons: Horrible build quality, too many trips to the service bay

    Summary: I bought this car new in 1997 to replace my Nissan 240SX. I was looking for a vehicle that was both sporty, yet very roomy and capable enough to handle the winter's snow and ice. The ability to be a cargo hauler was required. The initial test drive, ... read more

  • not so great

    Dec 24 '00
    Pros: none
    Cons: terrible in every way

    Summary: I recently was in the market for a used \SUV. I went to the Ford dealer, to see what was in their used car stock. The salesman told me they had just received a 97 explorer on a trade, and he thought the car was in excellent shape. I took his word for ... read more

  • Excellent Off Road Vehicle

    Dec 07 '00
    Pros: Excellent Off and On Roader
    Cons: Gas Mileage?

    Summary: When I was shopping for a newer vehicle I wanted something that would get me back and forth to work, and something that was fun to drive on weekends. I think I got both. So far, I have taken my 97 Explorer Sport four wheeling in places most people ... read more

  • Not what Ford Promised

    Dec 01 '00
    Pros: Nice ride
    Cons: Alot of problems

    Summary: I was looking for the best sport utility on the market, and Ford said they had the best, so I went to go look at it. I was pretty impressed for what I saw. When I sat down with the salesperson I couldn't believe all the options the Explorer had. I told ... read more

  • Ford Explorer XLT ranks okay

    Nov 22 '00
    Pros: Lots of storage, comfy seating, and reasonably priced
    Cons: Rides a little rough, but tolerable

    Summary: We bought our Ford Explorer XLT after we found out we were expecting our second child. During the selection process, we discovered the Explorer to be a roomier, more reasonably priced SUV than some of the major competition. With two small ... read more

  • Not Worth It!

    Oct 26 '00
    Pros: leather seats, CD changer, rear vents
    Cons: pedal sticks, engine makes throttling noise, poor paint job

    Summary: I purchased this vehicle as a transitional move. I was a single student and moved up to being married to a 6' tall man and we have a three year old. My previous vehicle was a Geo Prizm, so we chose the Ford Explorer for more space. Well we have been ... read more

  • Excellent buy

    Oct 04 '00
    Pros: all around goodness
    Cons: some have bad tires

    Summary: My parents just purchased this fine piece of machinery and I have the opportunity to drive this vehicle from time to time and it is flat out amazing. The four wheel drive is excellent for off road use. The inside cargo space is very large, ... read more

  • Best quality for the money!

    Oct 03 '00
    Pros: good quality manufacturing
    Cons: tire recall

    Summary: I purchased my 1997 Explorer new and have not had any problems so far. I have 40,000 miles on it. I used to have a Bronco 2, but the quality of the Explorer far exceeds it. The gas guage had a recall about 2 years ago, but that was fixed without a ... read more

  • Never Again

    Sep 01 '00
    Pros: peppy, nice looking, good stereo system
    Cons: gas pig, many mechanical problems, 2 Doors, 4 wheel drive feature is lame

    Summary: We leased this vehicle for 2 years. We began our lease in late 1997 just before our first son was born, thinking that it would be a great vehicle for kids, groceries, travel and all that. First off it was an absolute pig on gas. Put your ... read more

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