1998 Ford Explorer

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1998 Ford Explorer

Kelley Blue Book Retail $3,525–$4,200  

Average Rating

4.1 out of 5
Review This Car
Comfort:3.9 out of 5
Performance:3.9 out of 5
Exterior Styling:4.1 out of 5
Interior Design:3.9 out of 5
Value for the Money:4.2 out of 5
Reliability:4.1 out of 5

14 out of 16 people would recommended this car to a friend

Consumer Reviews

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OH NO!

by Xmantis
from Bronx, New York | July 16, 2011

Rating from

(1)
Comfort: 1 out of 5
Performance: 1 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 1 out of 5
Interior Design: 1 out of 5
Value for the Money: 1 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"This vehicle is the total oppostite of what is actually advertised. Don't waste your time unless your interested in buying lemons for lemonade."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Great car, just take care of it

by Eric
from Albuqueruque, NM | March 18, 2011

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"This car is amazing. It is very comfortable, aside from it does ride a bit rough. I have taken my explorer on some rough off roading trips and I was surprised how well it handled. 4WD is absolutely awesome on it. I had a grill guard on the front which made it look real mean. Just make sure you change the timing chains on it, I failed to do so in time and when one of them broke it killed the engine:(. Even though the expense of a new engine is a bit high, I am defiantly considering it because I love this car. It does tend to use a lot of gas, that is probably one of the few downers about it."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Most reliable car i've owned

by Explorer's are the best
from | March 19, 2010

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I've had mine for over 10 years and still haven't ran into any major problems with it and it has over 240k miles."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

Primary use for this car: N/A


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6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Horrendous build quality

by The Dude
from New York | August 5, 2009

Rating from

(2)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Handling: 3 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 2 out of 5
Features: 2 out of 5
Value for the Money: 3 out of 5
Reliability: 2 out of 5

"The Explorer is typical of Ford reliability and build quality of the 90's. The 4R70W transmission will develop a shift flare and the sub par gasket material will disintegrate. The oxygen sensors are likely to fail, along with the catalytic converter. The electrical component quality is horrendous. To date I have repaired the electrical locking system, the passenger side view mirror, removed the faulty radio/CD player and re-soldered the compass/thermometer read out. The springs that operate the door handles were poorly constructed and thus will fail, resulting in a non-operating door and the loss of an entire weekend day repairing it. The interior has the same feel as the Nintendo Entertainment System, gray, plastic and dull. However, the Nintendo will survive twenty years of abuse. The Explorer won't. The Explorer has never mechanically failed to the point of stranding me, and, if you're looking for a vehicle that performs extremely well in the snow, the Explorer is certainly an excellent choice. Simply mount snow tires and 40 percent inclines covered in snow are no problem. The only truly positive and redeeming feature is the bulletproof 5.0 engine, but with today's every rising fuel prices it's incredible inefficiency is more of a burden. Little wonder why the Explorers of the late 90's have topped the vehicles turned in for the Cash for Clunkers trade in program."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Work


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4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Nice Value

by stosh
from AZ | July 26, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Handling (torsion bar/front suspension) could be much better...and fuel economy? There is no economy about it; it guzzles! Otherwise, VERY NICE and VERY RELIABLE; has maintained it's value quite well and required little to no repair work."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Having fun


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1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Great Vehicle!!

by Roadie
from Windsor,Ct | February 19, 2009

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought my Explorer with 105,000 miles.3 1/2 years later with 199,000 miles,I am not given this car up.Aside from recently replacing my alternator,I have not had any issues mechanically.I drive it 60 miles a day and granted gas mileage aint the best,I still love my truck.Explorers Rock!!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

1998 EXPLORER XLT 4X4

by CUCU
from HOLLYWOOD FL | January 19, 2009

Rating from

(3)
Comfort: 1 out of 5
Performance: 2 out of 5
Handling: 2 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 2 out of 5
Interior Design: 2 out of 5
Features: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 3 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"NICE SUV, EVERYTHING ELECRICAL THAT CAN BREAK HAS BROKEN. BUT THE CAR STILL STARTS, AC WENT OUT, TRANNY WENT OUT, DIFF WENT OUT, GOSH ABOUT EVERYTHING WENT OUT BUT IT STILL STARTS LIKE I SAID EARLIER..."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Absolutely Loved It

by Off Roader
from Alaska | September 6, 2008

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought my explorer used with 100K Miles in 2006. I live in Alaska and wanted something I would feel safe in seeing as hitting moose is a common thing around here and I have seen the damage they have done to small cars. The gas mileage wasn't too bad I got about 17 mpg and it ALWAYS started no matter how cold it was out which was a huge plus. I did have some repairs to do about a year after I bought it my ujoints and ball joints needed replaced but it was an in and out trip to the shop and expected of a vehicle with that many miles and never had any problems after that. It has since been wrecked I was hit on the front drivers side by an f350 that lost control on ice going downhill and could not believe I came out without a scratch or bruise or anything. The is the second car accident I have been in in a Ford and I am very impressed that there was little damage and no injuries both times they are definately tough vehicles and I will be buying another!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: N/A


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0 out of 0 found this review helpful

Very reliable car

by moose
from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | June 4, 2008

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 3 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought this vechicle in 2000 and have not had a single mechanical problem with it in the eight years and over 100,000 miles of owning this vehicle."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: N/A


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0 out of 0 found this review helpful

I won't get rid of it

by Jim
from Farley, IA | June 3, 2008

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Great Car. I bought it new and now have 237,700 miles on the odometer. I sill enjoy driving it. The driver seat and the overall layout is comfortable. The best thing about this car has been the reliability. I have never been stranded and have had only a few minor repairs. No drivetrain issues. It is sill fun to drive. Plenty of acceleration and handling is adequate on winding roads. There is plenty of room with the hatch and fold down rear seats for golf clubs, 2X4's and whatever else you may need to haul. Also great in the winter snow and ice. My next car will definitely be a Ford. Since I won't get rid of this one, I will have to park it outside."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: N/A


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0 out of 0 found this review helpful

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