2001 Ford Explorer Sport Reviews
“Just Ok”
I have had this car for four years now, and although I don't hate it, I don't love it either. This may just be personal preference, but I think that the only cars that should have two doors are cars with only two seats. It is inconvenient for adults to climb into and out of the back seat of this car. Also, the ride is not very smooth at all. You feel every single bump in the road, which I suppose could be expected from an SUV built on a truck chassis.
On a positive note, the car has been very reliable. It now has almost 100k miles, and I have had no major problems. Around 80-85k, I had to replace a sensor that was about $300, and the original battery lasted about as long. Other than that, I've only had to perform normal maintenance.
I think I would purchase another Explorer, just not the Sport.
“Does Anyone Know How To Improve The Suspension And Ride Quality In This Vehicle?”
The vehicle has many positive attributes and gets pretty good gas mileage which is a big plus. But the overall ride quality is akin to riding on a rock going down the road. Everytime I encounter anything on the pavement surface, the vehicle pounds on the road like the suspension had been stolen and sold for scrap metal. Does anyone know how I might be able to make some adjustments to improve comfort and overall ride quality in my Sport?
Bought this 4 wheel drive Explorer Sport used for a winter trip to Colorado, and kept it for two years afterwards. It was formerly an executive vehicle with a rental company, meaning it was not a daily rental, so it looked and ran showroom new when I found it on a Ford dealer's lot. It had the dreaded Firestone tires, which were replaced with brand new Goodyear Wrangler's at the Ford dealer, since it was still under the new car warranty.
This vehicle had the 4.0 litre overhead cam V6, which impressed me, much more so than the 4 litre OHV V6 in my 1993 Explorer. It had enough power to easily maintain speed on hills and long grades and the trip to Colorado was an easy one. The interior was the standard bucket seats which were manually adjustable and reasonably comfortable. The 4 speed automatic transmission was smooth and no problems shifting; the 4 wheel drive easily tackled snow in Colorado, both in high and low ranges, although we really didn't need the low range in any area.
Interior space is good in front; access to the rear is by folding the front seats forward and climbing into the rear, somewhat of a task for older adults or women in skirts or dresses, especially considering this combined with the higher door sills. Once in, rear seat comfort is acceptable, unless you are a tall adult in which case you would lilkely be uncomfortable. We didn't have the nerf bar running boards which I didlike, since I found they get your clothes dirty getting in and out, and, if you go off-roading, tend to get hung up on the oddest things. I did install Ford OEM fog lights and tow hooks though and the fog lights were a blessing in the early morning fog.
There is adequate cargo space with the rear seats folded down, but this is a 2 door, and lacks much of the cargo space of the 4 door. If you need the greater cargo space in cubic feet, the 4 door is the way to go.
The ride in the Sport 2 door is choppier than the 4 door due to the shorter wheelbase. Not uncomfortable, but I would say choppy. The difference, however, between the Firestore and Wrangler tires was night and day. The Wranglers made the vehicle handle as close to a 4 door ride as anything I've driven, while the Firestones made it feel like a bronco at feeding time. Tires can make a world of difference on these vehicles, as can proper inflation, etc.
“I Love It ”
This is the best truck i have ever owned. Good off road abiltys i have had this thing in the middle of corn fields and she does just fine i love it.
