I can get this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6012&item=2483583351&rd=1 for $1600. I currently have a Geo Storm which does not pass PA state inspection, so I need a new car at any rate, and I think that this one would fit the bill - should be able to handle snow and such as well as being capable of hauling most of my crap to and from college. Almost everything I've read online about them is relatively positive, and I think I'm going to get it, but I'm just looking for either a little more assurance or a good reason not to buy it. Thanks.
Can't stand Fords to begin with, but a 11 year old Exploder with 105k on the odometer seems scary. Sorry, can't help ya.
That would be the lowest miles on any car my family has. My Storm's just over 150,000 and my parents' Camry has 170K or so. This one would be the baby of the driveway.
I just checked KBB.com and the going price for that vehicle appears to be around $1745 (for private party transactions). I put "Fair" as the condition. In "Good" condition the price is around $2100.
Yes, but the modifier "Ford Explorer" is what scares me. A Toyota, Nissan, or Honda with 105k can be safe... but...
Ooh, thanks for checking KBB. At least, it seems, I'd be paying a competitive price for my scrap heap... I guess the other thing to consider is that I'd have to get an in-state inspection on it. We generally do our own repairs, but the garage where we get our inspections done has quite competent and fairly nice fellows running it and I think/hope they'd be able to point out most potential trouble spots before they rear their ugly head gaskets.
Dr of Dunk, I must disagree with your assessment of Fords. At least from my personal experience, my Ford F-150 has been an absolute beast of a truck and has had virtually nothing go wrong with it for its 95,000 miles. Only trouble was with the exhaust gas recovery value, which isn't that big of a deal. My parents have a ford explorer and it has been absolutely trouble free. I don't understand people thinking that American suvs aren't quality vehicles. I've noticed recent immigrants and their kids have this preconceived notion in their head that if a car/truck is American, then it must be junk. That has not been my experience at all.
I had an Explorer almost just like that. Mine was a '92, though, and wasn't 4x4 (and, for that matter, was an automatic). Didn't have any problems at all with it, but I only had it for about 18 months (and put roughly 40K miles on it in that time). I've had seven Fords and never had a significant problem with any of them (I had an oil leak on my F150 at about 60K miles, but it cost about $150 to fix and was apparently caused by road debris). My step-father put nearly 300K miles on his Mercury Topaz before selling it to buy a Ford Ranger.
Zac, Im with DoD on this. And I use to work for Ford.... but a 93 Ford Explorer (strike 1), with 100K on it (strike 2) with a manual transmission (strike 3) .................... The early Ford Explorers were just riddled with problem as they got older. While there are some exceptions to the rule, and the price on that one is cheap, its still a huge gamble.
had a '93 explorer. it started falling apart at 100k miles and then fell apart rapidly after 160k. raidator blew up, door handles broke off, sunroof broke and leaked horribly, all power windows stopped working, AC went out, drivers door stopped lining up and couldnt be closed, etc...etc....etc... it always had routine matinence and was well taken care of. to fix all of that stuff i would have paid 6 times the value of the vehicle. DONT DO IT!
oh, forgot to mention the brakes went out. the mechanic said he hadnt see anything like it. the pad and shoe were just completely gone! it wasnt normal brake wear. it had had brake service just 2 years before that happened.
Pickup trucks are another story. I know Ford makes some trucks that seem to last forever. As usual, YMMV (your mileage may vary) with any purchase of any brand. I just have a stigma against anything Ford.
Recalls on that Exploder (I count about 9) : ------------------------------------------- Make : FORD Model : EXPLORER Year : 1993 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 01X001000 Recall Date : MAY 22, 2001 Component: TIRES:TREAD/BELT Potential Number Of Units Affected : 13000000 Summary: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED. Consequence: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE. Notes: N/A Make : FORD Model : EXPLORER Year : 1993 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 00T005000 Recall Date : AUG 16, 2000 Component: TIRES:TREAD/BELT Potential Number Of Units Affected : 14400000 Summary: TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD. Consequence: IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE. Notes: N/A Make : FORD Model : EXPLORER Year : 1993 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 96V024001 Recall Date : FEB 01, 1996 Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICOWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC Potential Number Of Units Affected : 108000 Summary: THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION. Consequence: IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; POWER ASSIST; PRIMARY; BOOSTER. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNTIES OF LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, SAN BERNADINO, SAN DIEGO, RIVERSIDE, VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, IMPERIAL, AND KERN. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393. Make : FORD Model : EXPLORER Year : 1993 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 94V169001 Recall Date : AUG 30, 1994 Component: PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL Potential Number Of Units Affected : 835791 Summary: THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET. Consequence: WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR. Remedy: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. Notes: SYSTEM: EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE; MECHANICAL. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTIPURPOSE VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLETIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, PLEASE CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393. Make : FORD Model : EXPLORER Year : 1993 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 97V235001 Recall Date : DEC 18, 1997 Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS Potential Number Of Units Affected : 185000 Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN SEPARATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DUE TO INCORRECT HINGE ENGAGEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SUNROOF INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS PANEL. Consequence: UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET WHICH THOROUGHLY OUTLINES, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, THE PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE REMOVAL, STORAGE, AND REINSTALLATION OF THE SUNROOF'S GLASS PANEL. A WARNING LABEL FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUNROOF'S LATCH KNOB WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THE OWNERS. Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 2, 1998. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET AND WARNING LABEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393. Make : FORD Model : EXPLORER Year : 1993 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 95V164001 Recall Date : AUG 22, 1995 Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE Potential Number Of Units Affected : 364784 Summary: THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE. THE BRACKET WELDS CAN FRACTURE. Consequence: WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDERBALL STUD TO DISENGAGE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. Notes: SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393. Make : FORD Model : EXPLORER Year : 1993 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 95I007000 Recall Date : JAN 19, 1996 Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE Potential Number Of Units Affected : 1029380 Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDERS WHICH COULD PULL AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE. Consequence: IF A BRACKET AND GAS ASSIST CYLINDER WERE TO DETACH COMPLETELY FROM THE LIFTGATE AND NO LONGER BEAR AGAINST THE LIFTGATE AS INTENDED, THE REMAINING ASSIST CYLINDER WOULD NOT HOLD THE LIFTGATE IN AN OPEN POSITION. PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR. Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS. Notes: FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITHOUT CHARGE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. Make : FORD Model : EXPLORER Year : 1993 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 97V083000 Recall Date : APR 04, 1997 Component: VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES Potential Number Of Units Affected : 610000 Summary: A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION CAN OCCUR IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF A SEPARATED PART OF THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY BRIDGING THE SWITCH POSITIVE BATTERY PAD AND ADJACENT CHASSIS GROUND PAD. Consequence: THE CURRENT CAN OVERHEAT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND OTHER PLASTIC AND ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN SMOKE OR FIRE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY. Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MAY 19, 1997. NOTES: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393. Make : FORD Model : EXPLORER Year : 1993 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 99V310001 Recall Date : NOV 02, 1999 Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE Potential Number Of Units Affected : 470582 Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE. Consequence: WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT. Notes: FORD RECALL NO. 99S34. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
LOL! I was reading your posts and laughing my butt off. I was picturing you driving as all those things happened.
haha. yeah the radiator and brakes happened about 1 month apart from each other. the radiator blew up while taking my gf's friend to the airport to fly back to alaska! luckily a friend lent me his car while mine sat in a gas station parking lot. talk about bad timing. i think the car had it out for me.
My suggestion is to check it for corrosion. Domestic trucks that old didn't have great corrosion protection, so winter salt on the roads chews them up, hence they are held together by Bondo and duct tape. Buyers up there are not afraid of miles so much as they are corrosion. Also, PA is not like Texas where people put a lot of miles on their vehicles. So the mileage for the region is too high. Be careful.
