Should I buy an Explorer Sport?

[explorerjosh]

I love the Explorer, as I used to have an 04 Explorer. I now have the chance to acquire another one, a 2016-2017 Sport. The auction sells them for 32-34k with them being worth aroudn 36-38k. Do they have great power? Bad comparison, but my mother has a 2018 Porsche Macan GTS. I'm comparing it to that because that's what she has but I don't expect it to be anything near as good as the Macan. What's the top speed of the Explorer Sport? Is the power band good?

 

[peterk9]

A new 2017 Sport has a starting MSRP of $45,355. Listed HP is 365 @ 5500 rpm, 350 lb-ft of torque @ 3500 rpm using 93 octane fuel. No idea what the top speed is and I don't believe I've seen it posted in this forum either. Also not sure if it restricted in any way.
My Platinum has the same engine and I am very happy with it although I'm not the hard/fast driving type by any means.

Peter

 

[WBM95]

I am also considering an Explorer Sport. I have owned a '91 Bronco, '95 Explorer, '97 Expedition. All were fantastic vehicles! I took on a restoration project of a 1993 BMW 850Ci, which did not go over as anticipated. this left me scrambling for a vehicle (hence the current Vee-Dub!). I have large dogs and need more space than Tiggy offers. However, I would like some performance to go along with it.

Here's the item in question...

2013 Explorer Sport... 172,312 miles! That's the kicker!! Don't know if I should go with something that high, or if the EcoBoost has been proven well enough to carry on another 50-100k. I'm just not one to go spend $50k on a new(er) model, so I've been looking a few years back. This one popped up for $13,800... which is in line with NADA values, but I am a little concerned with going THAT high on the mileage chart.

Thanks in advance for any input!

Cheers!

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum WBM95.
I'd be concerned about the high mileage for another reason. The engine has an internal water pump that can be very costly to repair. Here are a few threads to check out.
Water pump failure leads to dead engine
Water Pump Failed
The Internal Water Pump ?
I'd suggest trying to get service records for that vehicle first to see what all has been done to it.

Peter

 

[WBM95]

Thanks Peterk9! I have not yet been to see the vehicle (trying for tomorrow). It's located at a Porsche dealer. I spoke to the sales manager, and it was traded on a Macan. I'm fairly certain it was well maintained, but will definitely look it over and ask about the pump.

 

[KayGee]

Not sure what top speed is for retail explorer, but top speed on police explorer (NA and EB) is listed as 132 in police testing.

I've driven the macan and cayenne - explorer doesn't even compare to ze germans. Macan is closer to explorer as far as cost, but size is more comparable to escape. Cayenne is closer to explorer in size, but more costly.

If you're buying used, the explorer seems to compare favorably to ze germans for potential problems that are very costly to repair... ;-)

 

[Eric F]

I love the Explorer, as I used to have an 04 Explorer. I now have the chance to acquire another one, a 2016-2017 Sport. The auction sells them for 32-34k with them being worth aroudn 36-38k. Do they have great power? Bad comparison, but my mother has a 2018 Porsche Macan GTS. I'm comparing it to that because that's what she has but I don't expect it to be anything near as good as the Macan. What's the top speed of the Explorer Sport? Is the power band good?

In stock form, the Explorer Sport is comparable to the Macan for HP output (365 vs 360). The Ex is heavier, and probably a bit slower because of it. However, run a tune and do a couple of other easy upgrades on the Ex, and you'll likely leave the Macan in your rear view mirror. It's pretty easy to get the Ex Sport over 400hp.

 

[mshields422]

The top speed from what I've seen is 122 MPH for the 2013 Sport. I don't think it has changed throughout the model years.

EDIT: Car and Driver says it's 123MPH for the 2016 Sport. It's limited though. I've seen tuned ones hit much higher.

2016 Ford Explorer Sport Test – Review – Car and Driver

 

[reserved50]

the Exploder with a tune etc can keep up with the Porch Macaroni or whatever its called, maybe not on an autocross track. What does top speed have to do with anything, does it really matter if one car has a 8.5mph higher or whatever top speed, unless this vehicle is for a cannonball run, please forgive me

 

[KayGee]

In stock form, the Explorer Sport is comparable to the Macan for HP output (365 vs 360). The Ex is heavier, and probably a bit slower because of it. However, run a tune and do a couple of other easy upgrades on the Ex, and you'll likely leave the Macan in your rear view mirror. It's pretty easy to get the Ex Sport over 400hp.

The sport is still a 5,000 lb pig. Macan S with about the same HP weighs closer to 4,000 lbs and is Escape size.

1/4 times
Stock Sport high 14's
Stock Macan S mid-high 13's

If you run a tune on the Sport, you may see low -mid 13's, which should make it comparable to a Macan S in a straight line. But, if you put a tune on the Macan, the Macan should be back to a second or more faster than the Sport.

Have you driven a Macan or Cayenne? It is kind of pointless to try and cross shop an ExSport against a Porsche. It's like comparing a cheap hooker against a high end escort.

 

[Eric F]

The sport is still a 5,000 lb pig. Macan S with about the same HP weighs closer to 4,000 lbs and is Escape size.

1/4 times
Stock Sport high 14's
Stock Macan S mid-high 13's

If you run a tune on the Sport, you may see low -mid 13's, which should make it comparable to a Macan S in a straight line. But, if you put a tune on the Macan, the Macan should be back to a second or more faster than the Sport.

Have you driven a Macan or Cayenne? It is kind of pointless to try and cross shop an ExSport against a Porsche. It's like comparing a cheap hooker against a high end escort.

If you have the money for the high end escort, opting for the cheap hooker is probably a bad choice. When you're limited to a cheap hooker budget, you just gotta work with what you've got available to you. Based on the OP, it sounds a lot like there's a budget constraint.

 

[fast_dave]

Welcome to the Forum WBM95.
I'd be concerned about the high mileage for another reason. The engine has an internal water pump that can be very costly to repair. Here are a few threads to check out.
Water pump failure leads to dead engine
Water Pump Failed
The Internal Water Pump ?
I'd suggest trying to get service records for that vehicle first to see what all has been done to it.Peter

I'd love to have a new Explorer Sport BUT that internal water pump design on the 3.5 ecoboost (used in a non-F150 application) is the MAJOR FLAW in the engine.

FORD won't admit to the design flaw, BUT on the F-150 with the 3.5 eco-boost they corrected the flaw, and they changed over to an external water pump...

Bottom line: Provided you become aware of a leaking water pump BEFORE it grenades your engine (and quite a few cases I've read say no warning whatsoever occurred) , there is no way to replace the water pump in a Explorer Sport but to either take out the whole engine, OR drop the front cradle with the engine attached...

Also, since studying the subject, I've come to notice a pattern with Fleet Managers: when perusing autotrader, craigslist, and ebay - when a Police Department is selling a Explorer Police Interceptor with a 3.5 Ecoboost, they all seem to be right under 99,000 Miles....

That's my .02

 

[KayGee]

If you have the money for the high end escort, opting for the cheap hooker is probably a bad choice. When you're limited to a cheap hooker budget, you just gotta work with what you've got available to you. Based on the OP, it sounds a lot like there's a budget constraint.

I wasn't commenting on the budget constraint. I was merely pointing out the silliness in comparing an exsport to a Porsche. If one has a budget issue, then maybe skip the sport and the extra grand for tunes and just go with a regular ex, no?

 

[brazeagle]

Agreed that there is no comparison between the two, regardless of the price issue, but I will say I got out of a Macan now and a Cayenne a couple of years ago, and just purchased a 2018 Sport...night and day in terms of Explorer being able to drive in beach sand and absolutely no comparison in interior space. I am loving the Explorer Sport....I just found a AIRAID CAI for the 2018, now I need a tune and an axle back and I am sure it will be the best of all.
Porsches are no comparison...but I would never go back to a Cayenne or Macan after my Sport.

 

[Forddealz]

Its is all BS. Macan or Cayenne. If you want to run your truck at the top speed then get a few years old BMW egine, X5. 5.0. With a little tune, GRHAUS, Meisterschaft GTC exaust. This will just

Agreed that there is no comparison between the two, regardless of the price issue, but I will say I got out of a Macan now and a Cayenne a couple of years ago, and just purchased a 2018 Sport...night and day in terms of Explorer being able to drive in beach sand and absolutely no comparison in interior space. I am loving the Explorer Sport....I just found a AIRAID CAI for the 2018, now I need a tune and an axle back and I am sure it will be the best of all.
Porsches are no comparison...but I would never go back to a Cayenne or Macan after my Sport.

There is not too much of a price comparison between XP sport 16 and X5, 5.0. That is the real German rocket. That will blow our your Macans or Cayenne's to pieces. With no mods, or they probably have some crazy mods too but with Meisterschaft GTC exaust. This is from like 2014, but wow if you could get this for a used 2014 X5 2014 plus,

Ford is behind this tech for another 10 years or so, the flaks on the exaust open and close manually. The 5.0 sound is ridiculous, a true 5.0 engine.

 

[kmarnes]

A new 2017 Sport has a starting MSRP of $45,355. Listed HP is 365 @ 5500 rpm, 350 lb-ft of torque @ 3500 rpm using 93 octane fuel. No idea what the top speed is and I don't believe I've seen it posted in this forum either. Also not sure if it restricted in any way.
My Platinum has the same engine and I am very happy with it although I'm not the hard/fast driving type by any means.

Peter

Stock Sport electronically limited to 198km/h or 123mph.

 

[WBM95]

I'd love to have a new Explorer Sport BUT that internal water pump design on the 3.5 ecoboost (used in a non-F150 application) is the MAJOR FLAW in the engine.

FORD won't admit to the design flaw, BUT on the F-150 with the 3.5 eco-boost they corrected the flaw, and they changed over to an external water pump...

Bottom line: Provided you become aware of a leaking water pump BEFORE it grenades your engine (and quite a few cases I've read say no warning whatsoever occurred) , there is no way to replace the water pump in a Explorer Sport but to either take out the whole engine, OR drop the front cradle with the engine attached...

Also, since studying the subject, I've come to notice a pattern with Fleet Managers: when perusing autotrader, craigslist, and ebay - when a Police Department is selling a Explorer Police Interceptor with a 3.5 Ecoboost, they all seem to be right under 99,000 Miles....

That's my .02

UPDATE... Went and looked at/drove this rig yesterday. Again, 172k miles, but it was in fact a clean vehicle. 1-Owner, did not have maintenance records present. Only thing I noticed was a slight bump/thump between 2nd/3rd gear during accelerations. Might have just been me getting on it a little, but I did a number of speed ups and slow downs, and I'm sure I heard/felt it at least 3-4 times. Got me a little worried about tranny.

While priced very well, and kept pretty clean, I just don't think I'm going to plunge into this one!! Appreciate the feedback and help... the search continues!

 

[kmarnes]

Sounds like a really good call. I would not touch a car with that many miles. Granted with it being a 2013 model... must have been a lot of freeway driving.

 

[WBM95]

UPDATED AGAIN...

Ok, perhaps a glutton for punishment. After finding out the service records WERE available all the way back to first oil change at 6,389 miles on 10/24/13. This vehicle was meticulously maintained between 2 different Ford stores here in OKC, so I went and put together a deal on it and have it in my garage on a "borrowed agreement". I have yet to finalize any payment, with the intent to do so tomorrow. Thus, here's how the day went with my "new" Sport...

Picked it up at 1:00pm... Got 1, yes ONE, mile down the road and the check engine light came one. Disheartening, but not a huge surprise given the 172k miles. Called, returned, code read (P0420, Bank 1 Catalyst System Efficiency below threshold). Was informed it could be a number of things (O2 Sensor(s), Plugs, or possibly catalytic replacement). Cleared code, drove 25-30 minutes home with no problem. Car sat in driveway for about 45 minutes until soccer practice. Fired it up, 1-2 miles down the road... Yep, CEL on again! Took to Autozone, same P0420, same laundry list of "potential" problems.

Maintenance history shows no signs of the plugs ever being changed, nor the O2 sensors. Last "major" repair was the transmission was rebuilt at 164k miles on 8/11/17. Every oil change, tire rotation/replacement, battery check, etc... is there in black & white every 4-6k miles.

So... Do I start throwing money at a presumably ongoing situation? If so, what would be the recommendation? O2 Sensors first? Plugs? If it is in fact the Cat, I've read/seen them anywhere from $235 (RockAuto) to $715 (Autozone) and that's before any labor, as I do not have the sufficient tools/space to do it. Or... Having gone this far only to discover this issue, is it now time to finally cut and run from this?

The main reason this was considered is due to the pricing of this rig. It has a NADA Clean Retail of $19,825. Hell, Clean TRADE on it is $14,175. These figures both account a $5,150 deduction for the miles at 172,581. The kicker... Car is priced at $12,100 out the door.

Tough decision, or easy walk away? Thoughts? Thank you in advance!!

 

[reserved50]

walk away if you can, that's a lot of mileage, who knows what else has been hidden