Buying a 1997 Ford Explorer

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sam - 09 Nov 2004 16:22 GMT

Hi all,

I wanted to get your advice before buying a 183k miles 1997 Ford
Explorer(Eddie Bauer). Can you suggest if this is a good idea? The
truck is in a fair condition. What is a good guess on how long i can
make it run without a major repair.
Thanks a bunch for you advice.

Sumanth Meka

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Big Bill - 10 Nov 2004 04:45 GMT

>Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
>Sumanth Meka

When you get down to individual examples, all bets are off.
We can make broad sugestions based on the model in question, but as
for the *one* you're looking at, no dice.
The standard rules apply: do your homework, and take it to a mechanic
you trust.
What is "fair condition"?

Bill Funk
Change "g" to "a"

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Richard Ray - 17 Nov 2004 22:57 GMT

I agree with Big Bill. But with these caveats. This truck has been USED!
Over 20,000 miles a year. Ask for maintenance records if you can get
them. Get a mechanic to give it a stem to stern check up. If the seller
gripes, walk away. There are a LOT of Explorers looking for good homes,
with all of this phony litigation from U-Haul, etc. If you can get a
CARFAX, pay for the monthly subscription and look it up.

EB Explorers are great. I had one until the insurance totalled it out
(it was still drivable) I still have an Explorer for my boat puller. I
hope your proposed purchase turns out well.

Regards,

Richard

>>Hi all,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Bill Funk
> Change "g" to "a"

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Lady Chatterly - 12 Nov 2004 16:54 GMT

>Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>make it run without a major repair.
>Thanks a bunch for you advice.

Not necessarily.

>Sumanth Meka

That's fascinating.

--
Lady Chatterly

"Bartlo listed a bot, but not finely woven, hand-crafted socks? I'd be
insulted if I were you." -- Dan Baldwin

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Ken - 13 Nov 2004 01:53 GMT

Sam..if it were me, I'd stay far far away from an old explorer like that
one. TOO many miles on it. The Heater/AC plastic blend door assembly is due
to fail soon. The transmissions are garbage in them, not really any good
past 150,000 miles. (some ARE don't get me wrong, but you don't know ALL the
service history of that vehicle.)

I own a 2004 explorer, only because I wanted warranty, and (hopefully) no
major repair bills for 3 years. I personally would stay clear of a used one
though.

Ken

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Chief_Wiggum - 15 Nov 2004 03:52 GMT

Well, personally the ONLY reason I would consider an Explorer with that many
miles would be if it were D I R T cheap, and / or if I personally knew it's
history (and it was clean).

Other than that, there are just too many Explorer's around that age for
sale, and since they are so plentiful, they are inexpensive. You should
easily be able to find an excellent condition 96/97 with reasonable miles
for not much money.

As far as the one you are considering goes, it's impossible to say over the
internet if it's worth considering or not. Maybe it had a trans or engine
rebuild already... maybe not. Maybe it was meticulously maintained. but
maybe it wasn't!

Explorers can and do run well over 200k, so it's not out of the question
that you could buy that one and drive it for a while, but it's a crap-shoot
at best!

I don't know what they are asking, but for reference, I just sold one of my
96's last month.

96 XLT AWD, Leather seats, V8, 84k, rear air, CD changer, relatively new
Michelins... I sold it to a private party for $5,300.00

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Sumanth Meka

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mikepier@optonline.net - 02 Dec 2004 12:24 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Sumanth Meka

183K miles on a 8 year old car sounds like a lot. I would stay away,
especially if it has the SOHC V6 engine, as this was the first year it
was introduced and there were a lot of issues with them.

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