2008 Explore

[Loop_Dad]

Re: 2008 Explore

I agree for the most part. There are many vehicles around that will do the job here. The warnings I think are more for reasons not to by the Explorer due to the fact that the transmissions tend to explode even without towing anything behind you. Adding extra weight just expedites the failure.

I got message loud and clear about Explorer. I do not want to take the chance.

I was looking at Nissan Xterra. Looked nice with relatively lower prices, only to find the problem with the coolant leaking into transmission and destroying the transmission exists not only with Pathfinder also exists in Xterra. It looks like they did not recall this, but just give extended warranty to 80K miles, so if you buy used and pass 80K, you are out of luck. Too bad, otherwise, it looks nice, strong and roomy.

Any Jeep Grand Cherokee (around 2008 model) comments? It is small inside, but there are many available out there and price is reasonable.

 

[bigdee]

Re: 2008 Explore

I got message loud and clear about Explorer. I do not want to take the chance.

I was looking at Nissan Xterra. Looked nice with relatively lower prices, only to find the problem with the coolant leaking into transmission and destroying the transmission exists not only with Pathfinder also exists in Xterra. It looks like they did not recall this, but just give extended warranty to 80K miles, so if you buy used and pass 80K, you are out of luck. Too bad, otherwise, it looks nice, strong and roomy.

Any Jeep Grand Cherokee (around 2008 model) comments? It is small inside, but there are many available out there and price is reasonable.

I love the Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 six cylinder engine but unfortunately they stopped production in 2005. That being said there are plenty of used 2003-2005 4.0 Cherokees. 300k miles and beyond are not unusual for these torque monsters. Just for laughs and giggles check autotrader.com and you will see what I mean.

 

[Loop_Dad]

Re: 2008 Explore

I love the Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 six cylinder engine but unfortunately they stopped production in 2005. That being said there are plenty of used 2003-2005 4.0 Cherokees. 300k miles and beyond are not unusual for these torque monsters. Just for laughs and giggles check autotrader.com and you will see what I mean.

So what is wrong with the ones from 2006?

I used to own 80's Grand Cherokee, BTW.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 2008 Explore

I got message loud and clear about Explorer. I do not want to take the chance.

I was looking at Nissan Xterra. Looked nice with relatively lower prices, only to find the problem with the coolant leaking into transmission and destroying the transmission exists not only with Pathfinder also exists in Xterra. It looks like they did not recall this, but just give extended warranty to 80K miles, so if you buy used and pass 80K, you are out of luck. Too bad, otherwise, it looks nice, strong and roomy.

Any Jeep Grand Cherokee (around 2008 model) comments? It is small inside, but there are many available out there and price is reasonable.

Good luck with the hunt. Only other vehicles I can comment on are the old Jimmy / Blazer and what we currently own which is a 2007 Trailblazer. Put an additional tranny cooler on it as soon as we got it along with an adjustable electronic brake controller. 4.2 litre straight 6 with the 3.73 rear end. Pulls our boat outfit really well and also our 26ft travel trailer a few times a year to the seasonal lot and back...... around 5,200 lb. You sure know that's behind you but it does a great job as long as you don't want to break any speed records. Trailblazer has been great for us but there are all kinds of decent options out there for you. (by the way the gas mileage sucks on the Trailblazer when towing and generally) 17 mpg without towing anything, 13 mpg with the boat on the back and 10 mpg if we are lucky with the travel trailer behind us.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 2008 Explore

Loop, you might consider an Expedition. I just Googled MPG on a V6 Explorer and V6 Cherokee and there's not a whole lot of difference, at least in my experience. I average around 15.5 in mine and it's a fantastic vehicle for a guy with multiple outdoor pursuits and a family. I bought it as a sort of experiment to see if I could do without a pickup (all I'd ever driven to that point) and it's turned out to be the best vehicle I've ever had. I've found it to be roomy, comfy, luxurious and capable. It's had its issues like any vehicle (be happy to tell you about them in detail if you're interested), but I wouldn't take anything for it. The admiral has a Lexus GS, but last summer when we drove to Florida she and the vice admiral informed me we'd be taking the Expy.

 

[bigdee]

Re: 2008 Explore

So what is wrong with the ones from 2006?

I used to own 80's Grand Cherokee, BTW.

I did not say there was anything wrong....I just prefer the 4.0 six. Plenty of torque plus it is a simple,easy to service engine.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 2008 Explore

I did not say there was anything wrong....I just prefer the 4.0 six. Plenty of torque plus it is a simple,easy to service engine.

Those are a great motor. Had one in a 99 Ranger extended cab. Thing was rated for 7500lbs and would actually pull it.

 

[icyveins]

Re: 2008 Explore

Tahoe

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: 2008 Explore

Those are a great motor. Had one in a 99 Ranger extended cab. Thing was rated for 7500lbs and would actually pull it.

how did you get a 4.0 inline 6 cylinder Chrysler motor into a ford ranger???? I "know" it can be done. but that's not a normal everyday thing.. lol are you sure you didn't have the 4.o v-6 (ford engine) not nearly as torqy nor reliable as that old straight 6 from Chrysler that's been around since late 70,s maybe early 80's (few changes since then. just added more sensors and electronics over the years.. its predecessor was the old "slant" 6. which was an inline 6 cylinder that sat in the vehicle at a slant rather than straight up. (sorry to ramble on)

 

[bigdee]

Re: 2008 Explore

how did you get a 4.0 inline 6 cylinder Chrysler motor into a ford ranger???? I "know" it can be done. but that's not a normal everyday thing..

I wondering the same thing. If that ranger could get the traction it would've had enough torque to pull the twin cities together!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 2008 Explore

how did you get a 4.0 inline 6 cylinder Chrysler motor into a ford ranger???? I "know" it can be done. but that's not a normal everyday thing.. lol are you sure you didn't have the 4.o v-6 (ford engine) not nearly as torqy nor reliable as that old straight 6 from Chrysler that's been around since late 70,s maybe early 80's (few changes since then. just added more sensors and electronics over the years.. its predecessor was the old "slant" 6. which was an inline 6 cylinder that sat in the vehicle at a slant rather than straight up. (sorry to ramble on)

LOL - I thought he was still talking about the explorer

 

[jumpjets]

Re: 2008 Explore

I currently tow with a 2002 explorer. It's very similar to the 2008 exploder. The weak transmission is not related to towing. It's a weak servo and it gets worn out from excessive shifting. City traffic will wear out the trans before towing will. It's a common misnomer with the transmission. That being said... I replaced the trans in my exploder for that exact reason at 95k miles. The exploder is a stable tow rig, and it has decent power.

It's super underrated on it's towing ability. I am, however, shopping for something better.

 

[Loop_Dad]

Re: 2008 Explore

I'm going to see a 2008 TrailBlazer tomorrow. Any known problem with those? It didn't come up any, but then again I didn't see the Explorer transmission issue...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 2008 Explore

I'm going to see a 2008 TrailBlazer tomorrow. Any known problem with those? It didn't come up any, but then again I didn't see the Explorer transmission issue...

My father inlaw tows a 2006 Malibu Response LXI behind an Envoy (basically a trailblazer)- around 3800lbs - 4000lbs on trailer. I've driven the setup for a couple miles and that is more than I would personally tow behind one just due to how bad it feels with that kind of weight on it. That being said, he hasn't blown anything up on the trailblazer, it just gets shaken around like a doll.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 2008 Explore

I'm going to see a 2008 TrailBlazer tomorrow. Any known problem with those? It didn't come up any, but then again I didn't see the Explorer transmission issue...

We used them as fleet vehicles and I had three of them myself over about 9 years.

The first years had tail light problems, but it was fixed on a recall. The later ones had gauge problems, on one of mine the gas gauge would read empty after filling it until it got down 1/2 a tank, then it would read normally. Another guy’s did just the opposite.

Consumer Reports doesn't rate them very high, but in our company they were the vehicle of choice, they were quiet, smooth, comfortable, reliable, and towed a trailer fairly well. They didn't get great mileage when towing, but with 4WD they never got stuck. I don’t think any of the fleet TBs had a mechanical problem with the engine or drive train.

If they were still being made it's what I would be driving right now. Not perfect, but worked well for a work/ family/tow vehicle combo. We probably went through about 30 of them, maybe more.

 

[Loop_Dad]

Re: 2008 Explore

OP, have you searched around for any used kia sorrento's? It's in a similar size class to an explorer, and despite it being a kia, the fit and finish is YEARS ahead of the ford. I was in a similar situation as you about 2 years ago, needed something bigger for pulling. Was really set on a chevy trailblazer, until I looked at a kia borrego. No comparison, the kia was far ahead in ride quality, interior, and pulling capability. Also, the one I bought had 10,000 miles on it with factory warranty, it was priced the same as blazers in the 60k-90k mileage range.

I went to see TrailBlazer today driving 100 miles, but it didn't work out. Well, at least the weather was nice and enjoyed the good taco

Anyhow, now I am looking at this one Sorento. It looks like tow rating is lower at 3,500 lbs vs TrailBlaizers 5000+.

smokingcrater, what do you tow with your Sorento? I mean how much your boat and trailer weight? Do you pull up hills?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 2008 Explore

Sorry the Trailblazer did not work out for you.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 2008 Explore

I went to see TrailBlazer today driving 100 miles, but it didn't work out. Well, at least the weather was nice and enjoyed the good taco

Anyhow, now I am looking at this one Sorento. It looks like tow rating is lower at 3,500 lbs vs TrailBlaizers 5000+.

smokingcrater, what do you tow with your Sorento? I mean how much your boat and trailer weight? Do you pull up hills?

My wife had a Sorrento back when they had a frame and a 5K tow rating (2003), towed our 3500lb Bayliner for a couple summers with it. The older sorrentos were RWD and built more like a truck. The newer unibody versions are front wheel drive and as you found out are not rated to tow all that much. Can't say enough about Kia quality and what you get for the money though, we have had 5 of them in our family and they have all been good cars.

 

[Skeetor]

Re: 2008 Explore

I bought my first boat (Nitro 170DC) and did not have a tow vehicle. A friend sold me a V6 Explorer he had and was more than enough. I did tow with the bumper hitch at first and that is ok as long as what your towing is not tongue heavy.
Good luck!

Rudy

 

[briangcc]

Re: 2008 Explore

Not sure what your price point is but my wife's '13 Toyota Highlander is rated to tow 5000 lbs. It's a V6 base with AWD. And I'm sure it'd do it just fine as its only 15 less HP than my was '04 GMC Sierra 1500SLE with 5L V8. Go figure...technology.

Might want to open up your search a bit on other SUV/XUV's. My uncle towed his 18' Sylvan with a Trailblazer for years, he just upgraded to a used Chevy Traverse....the '14 model year is rated to 5200lbs.