The Ford Explorer is the best-selling sport-utility in the United States. Nearly one of every six sport-utilities sold is a Ford Explorer. Despite the fact that it is a good car, the Explorer offers something for just about everyone, from cheaper XLS models to feature-lpacked Eddie Bauer and premium Limited models. This paper will compare two model years "2000 and 2002" of the 4-door Limited Explorer, which is the top of the Explorer line.
             By 2000, nearly everything on the Ford Explorer since its 1991 introduction. It featured a bright front and rear bumper with an integrated rub strip (Matras, 1999). Its compound headlamp array included the
             headlights plus parking lights, turn signals and side marker lights in a single aero-curved assembly set into the bright grille surround. The 2000 Explorer uses an independent short/long arm front suspension with torsion bars and a live axle mounted on two-stage variable-rate leaf springs at the rear. A 4.0-liter pushrod V6 is standard in the XLS and can be upgraded to the 4.0-liter overhead-cam V6 for those wanting more performance. The Limited model comes standard with a 5.0-liter overhead-valve V8 with a 4-speed automatic. The 215-horsepower V8 cranks out 288 foot-pounds of torque. Ford made its trailer towing package standard on all V8-equipped Explorers.
             The inside of the Ford Explorer Limited is roomy with comfortable captain's chairs in the front, covered in premium cloth. The bench seat offers a three-passenger capacity; the rear seat is split so that either half can be folded down for versatility when moving stuff and people at the same time. Big doors enable easy access, with standard running boards. The Explorer Limited 2000 features an automatic shifter mounted on the column with an overdrive-off button located on the end, which can be used when hauling or towing a trailer to prevent automatic transmission hunting in hilly areas. The dash features full instrumentation in a carefu...