2002 Explorer XLT - Take the plunge?

[ExplorerNoon]

So, with a family of three rapidly growing children (seriously, you feed them and they keep growing!) my commuter/Mr. Mom Honda Civic is no longer fitting the bill. We have been looking at third-row seat SUV options and found what seems to be a pretty decent 2002 Ford Explorer XLT.

My concern is the mileage and life of a 2002. It is the 4.0 Flex engine and it has 136k miles on it ($6,000 asking price) but seems overall in decent shape. I am trying to find out if the timing belt/chain or transmission have had work done, but the dealer most likely has no records on that.

I come to you, oh might Explorer Experts, to ask if you think this SUV has life left in it and what we should look for before purchasing?

Thanks,
Ross

 

[Rick]

2002 was the first year of a major revision to the Explorer platform. It would probably be better to chose a later model if at all possible. Here's a link to our 3rd Gen Explorer forum: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=101

Welcome to the forum.