2004 Ford Explorer 2WD

Pros: Great reliability, roominess, power. Good value for the money.
Cons: Fuel economy not the best. Environmentalists will likely crucify you...

I have owned everything from a 1979 Ford Mustang to a 1991 Honda Accord (drove it across the Middle East..., great car) but my last three vehicles have been Fords, and now my wife has the fourth, a 2004 2wd 4.0 liter Ford Explorer. Why did we make the ...

Pros: Bulletproof vehicle with good manners on a truck frame. Great FORD reliability.
Cons: Need lower ratio axle-seat belt retractors-tilt wheel design

Well, I have owned 2 SUV's. A 2000 Explorer 4.0L V6 2WD and now a 2004 4.0 V6 2WD. Overall comfort with the 2004 is spectacular, quiet, tight turning range, wider, longer and definately more driver friendly ...but...don't get the 3:55 axle! The 2000 had a 3:73 axle and it was very quick. The 2004 with the higher axle ratio is disappointing, even at highway speeds. Haven't realized the benefits of the higher ratio on gas but would rather have the lower gear.
Ford does a beautiful job of building a vehicle that can handle whatever you throw at it and still behaves like a family car. The only other complaints are that the seat belt retractors don't always retract properly (same as the 2000) and FORD has gone to the "euro-style" tilt wheel like Mercedes and many others where the whole column tilts-bad design! Tall guys with long legs hit their knees.
My last Explorer had 147,000 trouble-free miles before I sold it. Many of those miles were put on towing a Bass boat at 70 mph...never missed a beat ....

Pros: 3 LATCH positions, moveable middle seat, incl hitch, fold flat 3rd row
Cons: Cannot get w/ bench front seat, mirrors don't fold out for towing like dodge.

Great Truck very pleased for family use

As compared to the GM competitors:
1) 3 LATCH positions versus 2 w/ GM in outside seats - how do you get to 3rd row?
2) moveable middle seat to scoot the little ones closer for help with bottle, etc.
3) incl trailer hitch
4) fold flat 3rd row seats - no moving in and out
5) Little internal mirror to keep eye on passengers

Quality seems good to excellant so far, no problems.