Used 1997 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
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Great SUV
encycloman, 06/12/2002
1997 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Very reliable, excellent handling. Like a sports car but a little bigger.
My beloved Green Machine!
Mike, 12/08/2017
1997 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Let me first just start off by saying this is one of the most tough and reliable vehicle you will ever get your hands on.I am the original owner, and it's still rolling on at 248,000 miles as the family car! It does it all, tows a ski boat, hauls ass up to Mt Hood over 20 times a year "never had to chain it up with winter tires", and has even seen numerous off-road trails. Just recently my son rear ended someone at a stop light. Just barely dented the bumper while completely totalling the poor Nissan Versa in front of it. These things are steel bricks not some Mexico aluminum or whatever the hell they make them with now. Yes it gets terrible gas mileage averaging around 12 in the city and 15 in the highway, but that's not really a problem for me when repairs have been absolutely minimal and cheap.They truly don't build fords like they used to and these were made back in the day when SUVs were actually TRUCKS and made in the US of A. If you are considering buying one of these as a first car DO IT! And try to get the 4.0 SOCH with 4x4 for the best reliability and power.
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Best Vehicle I've ever had
Chris, 07/31/2009
1997 Ford Explorer Sport 2dr SUV 4WD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I'm hitting 180,000 miles on my SUV. I haven't had any major problems, a few minor ones but haven't really spent a lot of money on any repairs. It still looks new and still runs great. It turns on a dime in the smallest space possible but it also is not the smoothest ride.
Excellent vehicle for trailer towing et
Dennis Miller, 12/15/2008
1997 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have found this to be an excellent vehicle. Interior is as new. Very limited repairs aside from a couple of brake jobs. Michelin tires put on by Ford for free are still serving me. Tows a 4,000 lb. trailer no problem..in the mountains. AWD has proven to be terrific. Have passed stalled/stuck buses, cars, SUV's many times in the mountains. Everything works! 11 years old.
Rock Hard
explorersaurus, 12/07/2012
1997 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My dad bought me a 1997 Ford explorer about 6 months ago. Pretty much my only gripe with it is the poor fuel economy. Other than that, it's fantastic. I have an XLT with the V8 and AWD. I am yet to have used the AWD in the snow, but the V8 has supple power and (for a truck) smooth power delivery. The driver and passenger seat is comfy. Overall, a great purchase.
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