[rlburns0211]

I traded in a 2000 Explorer on the Pilot, mainly due to reliability issues. I had a lot of electrical failures in the 3 years. CR also agrees.

WE've had Hondas since my '86 CRX, then my present '94 Integra with 175K; only maintenance other than brakes was the cat. converter went bad.. Wife has a '90 Accord with 275K on it. And son and daughter both have Civics, a '95 and a '01.

The Explorer is a truck, very rough riding and noisy compared to the Pilot. Had some nice features, like being able to lock out overdrive, and the trans seemed to shift more smothly. Pilot drives like a car, a definate plus.

Explorer was somewhat bigger behind the second seat. Accesories like the trailer hitch were a lot easier to get; installation about the same degree of difficulty.

Explorer was very good in the snow, and I liked being able to lock in 4WD on the fly, which doesn't seem possible with the Pilot. We'll see next winter.

 

[ramirami]

Explorer was very good in the snow, and I liked being able to lock in 4WD on the fly, which doesn't seem possible with the Pilot. We'll see next winter.

if all yo are looking for is on-road snow driving then the pilot is real good. I drove quite a lot in the snow last winter...no problems.

 

[PILOTinginCO]

Some PILOT Info

The PILOT's 4WD system kicks in automatically - which I guess you can say is better than a "shift on the fly" system.

I have to second "ramirami's" comments about driving in the snow. We had a couple of big snow events in Colorado last winter and the PILOT handled like a champ.

I've also owned Explorers, but didn't have any problems with them. My problem with Ford is how they deal, or don't deal with in my case, loyal customers.

FORD can kiss my a$$ - they'll never get another dime out of me (dammit, I have to stop my rant or I'll have to ask kemosabe to smack me back to my senses).

 

[ramirami]

Re: Some PILOT Info

FORD can kiss my ass - they'll never get another dime out of me (dammit, I have to stop my rant or I'll have to ask kemosabe to smack me back to my senses).

can I do it too....please please...
rami --> :twak: <-- PILOTinginCO

 

[kemosabe]

Re: Some PILOT Info

[ S N I P P E D ]

...(dammit, I have to stop my rant or I'll have to ask kemosabe to smack me back to my senses).

PILOTinginCO ===> <img src="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/kemosabe/smilies/boxing_smiley.gif"> <=== kemosabe
:2: :2: :2:

 

[PILOTinginCO]

For The Record

I don't battle with fellow PILOTeers - that's like beating the snot out of a member of your own team and that's counterproductive.

Feel the love my brothers!!!

 

[glider pilot]

Our Pilot replaced a 97 Explorer that had many problems. One of the most surprising was that the ball joints went before 50,000 miles. According to the mechanic, the design of the suspension geometry was not correct, and there was no provision for lubricating them, as they came "sealed" to reduce maintenance. Of couse, this resulted in premature failure. Yeah, it drove like a truck too. and it was more narrow inside. The only thing I miss is the manual transmission.

 

[RipRocK]

Re: Some PILOT Info

FORD can kiss my a$$ - they'll never get another dime out of me (dammit, I have to stop my rant or I'll have to ask kemosabe to smack me back to my senses).

I know exactly where you're coming from though. I'm still bitter about the dealer I bought my Pilot from, more specifically, their service dept. and its pathetic manager.

May be we can start a support group

 

[Samuel2003]

98 Explorer Eddie Bauer. Lessee...

Bigger tires (w/ full size spare!)
Storage under the rear seats
Rear seats offer more thigh support
More steering wheel controls (also illuminated)
Separate temperature display (separate from trip meter)
Fuel Remaining, Miles Remaining, Fuel Economy, Avg Mileage, etal
Separate compass heading (without needing NAV)
Heated mirrors
Puddle lights (underneath mirrors)
Optional sunroof

that's all I can think of for now...

 

[tledjazz]

Our two finalists were the X-plorer/Mountaineer and the Pilot. Finally we got one of each and sat them side by side in a KFC parking lot and compared them feature of feature. Threr was a lot to like about the Ford. A family friend who works for Ford even got us in on the "A purchase plan". But we chose the Pilot. And haven't regretted it for a moment.

 

[yolk]

Ford recalls over 1M SUVs
Company recalling Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers to fix speed control and seat recliners.

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. said Friday it is recalling more than a million Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer sport/utility vehicles to fix problems with the vehicles' speed control and seat recliners.

Ford (F: up $0.03 to $10.75, Research, Estimates) said the cruise control fix affects 499,988 trucks for 1999 through 2001 model year Ford Explorers, Explorer Sports and Mercury Mountaineers, and 2001 Explorer Sport Tracs, all equipped with 4.0 liter V-6 engines and speed control.

It said some customers had complained that the speed control would not shut off, due to a failing control cable.

The other recall involves about 1.6 million 1998 through 2001 model year Explorers and Mountaineers, and 2001-2002 Explorer Sports and Sport Tracs with high-back seats. Ford said it is possible for a bolt on the driver's seat to fracture, causing the seat to recline unexpectedly.

Ford said no accidents or injuries were attributed to either problem. Both will be repaired free of charge

http://money.cnn.com/2003/08/08/pf/autos/ford.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes

 

[GreenMachine]

Ford recalls over 1M SUVs
It said some customers had complained that the speed control would not shut off, due to a failing control cable.

Yikes!! Sure feel sorry for the unsuspecting owner with this problem.. :13:

 

[rcohen]

Explorer v. Pilot

We had whittled our choice down to a 2003 Explorer or 2003 Pilot. The issue is my wife's height (she's only 4'9") and her comfort and safety while driving the car.

In the Explorer, with the adjustable pedals, she was able to position herself 12" from the steering wheel (so she was far enough from the airbag), be up high to see well and be very comfortable.

We were leary of the Explorer because of reliability. We owned a '97 Explorer and put 114k miles on it and it had a drivetrain problem that nobody could fix. We spoke to mechanics and most agreed that we'd see fewer repairs and longer life from the Pilot, despite 2003 being the first model year.

But we decided on the Explorer since my wife's safety while driving was of paramount importance and clearly worth the cost/hassle of the less reliable car.

After some research at the National Highway Transporation Safety Board, which said you should be 10" or more away from the airbag, my wife went to the Honda dealer and got herself situated in the car, measured the distance from her chest to the steering wheel at 10.5" and that night we bought a Pilot.

 

[jay]

Re: Explorer v. Pilot

We had whittled our choice down to a 2003 Explorer or 2003 Pilot. The issue is my wife's height (she's only 4'9") and her comfort and safety while driving the car.

In the Explorer, with the adjustable pedals, she was able to position herself 12" from the steering wheel (so she was far enough from the airbag), be up high to see well and be very comfortable.

We were leary of the Explorer because of reliability. We owned a '97 Explorer and put 114k miles on it and it had a drivetrain problem that nobody could fix. We spoke to mechanics and most agreed that we'd see fewer repairs and longer life from the Pilot, despite 2003 being the first model year.

But we decided on the Explorer since my wife's safety while driving was of paramount importance and clearly worth the cost/hassle of the less reliable car.

After some research at the National Highway Transporation Safety Board, which said you should be 10" or more away from the airbag, my wife went to the Honda dealer and got herself situated in the car, measured the distance from her chest to the steering wheel at 10.5" and that night we bought a Pilot.

Great story. While I'm comfortable in the Pilot, and back enough from the wheel, I sometimes wish the Pilot had a telescoping steering wheel (or the pedals were farther away) so my reach to the wheel was just a smidge shorter.