Advice on buying a used 2dr, 5 speed

[explorindad]

Hi,
Not sure which is your generic forum, so I'm posting here.

I used to own a 93 Mazda Navajo, loved that truck.

So I'm now looking to buy my soon to be 16yr old daughter a 2 dr, 5 spd Explorer, 4x4 preferable. I want to get her a manual tranny for several reasons:
-Harder to text/chat on phone while shifting!
-Driving a stick is a great skill to have
-Better mileage
-It's just more fun and you learn how to actually drive a vehicle.

In any case, here's a few links to vehicles I'm looking at, going cheap as it's her first ride. Any input on these vehicles, prices or what to avoid is greatly appreciated. Don't worry, I won't hold anyone liable if I pick a lemon...

'96 Exp for $1150, 2wd, 173k miles
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/1946625314.html

'95 Exp for $1300 OBO, 250k miles however...
http://janesville.craigslist.org/cto/1952519199.html

'98 Exp for $2995 at dealer, 166k miles, 4wd
http://antiochford.kunescountry.com..._Ford_Explorer_Antioch_1FMYU24X7WUA50711.aspx

My Navajo died at 197k and I donated after that.

How long do these puppies actually last? The one with 250k miles is in the right price range but dang, that's a lot of miles already.

Your input is appreciated.

Semper Fi

 

[watt9386]

check for rust on the rockers, fenders, and almost anywhere else. check trans fluid, if it smells burnt its a bad sign. these trucks can go forever if you dont beat the crap out of them and perform regular matinance. that being said, it depends on the previous owner too. IMHO i like the 96 2wd cause if you dont want her getting into trouble, dont let her drive in the snow (my parents didnt think of that hehehe) sorry about the long post, just trying to help

 

[MrQ]

Make sure you get the OHV rather than the SOHC with those miles. The SOHC has a rather expensive timing chain fix around 120k. Pretty sure the 95 and 96 have the OHV with their miles being what they are.

 

[explorindad]

Thanks, ruled out one already

Thanks for the tips guys, most helpful.

I checked out the red 98 and it's a beater, taking a pass on that one.

The green 2wd has me nervous it's a scam, both the guys have heavy Russian accents and told me different things about where the car is, who owns it...

The 250k miler I'll be checking out Sat., claims the miles are mostly "highway miles" but that's what they all say...

How do I know if it's OHV or SOHC? Will the VIN or a label on the motor tell me?

I may consider automatics if I don't find decent manuals. Plus I'm starting to wonder if a stick shift in the hands of a new driver is a recipe for clutch repairs....

I still like the idea of her first car being a stick, almost like a rite of passage into the world of driving.

Semper Fi

 

[MrQ]

Hey, I wish I had a stick in my first car...

The vin number will let you know what engine that vehicle is running. http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/VIN.htm

250k seems an AWFUL lot. I probably would pass, IMHO.

Still, I would stick with the manual tack. Most people swap out for manuals anyway. The autos have their roots in the *EDIT* C6 tranny from the Pinto, albeit with a few good upgrades.

 

[explorindad]

Got the VIN

Hey, I wish I had a stick in my first car...

The vin number will let you know what engine that vehicle is running. http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/VIN.htm

250k seems an AWFUL lot. I probably would pass, IMHO.

Still, I would stick with the manual tack. Most people swap out for manuals anyway. The autos have their roots in the *EDIT* C6 tranny from the Pinto, albeit with a few good upgrades.

Ok, I've got the VIN and it's OHV, not SOHC.
1fmcu24x6Su...

Will be very curious to see condition of a 250k mile vehicle in person. Asking $1300, I'll offer $900 if it's in decent shape, won't pay more than a grand for that many miles though, too risky.

 

[MrQ]

Ok, I've got the VIN and it's OHV, not SOHC.
1fmcu24x6Su...

Will be very curious to see condition of a 250k mile vehicle in person. Asking $1300, I'll offer $900 if it's in decent shape, won't pay more an a grand for that many miles though, too risky.

Figured. These Cologne v6's are diehards. If well maintained you can put upwards of 300k on it. If its lasted til 250k you have got two reasons for that:

A: Its on its last leg and ready to give up the ghost.
B: Its been well maintained

Hope its the latter.

 

[ragajungle]

Whoot Whoot! Wisconsin in the house! Stay away from the 2wd (especially a stick) YIKES can you imagine??

Just sold my 94 Explorer Sport OHV 4.0L A4LD auto 297K on the odo all oem... Cickypoo still has it and drove it to Ohio 2x and uses it to commute from Oak Creek to Pleasant Prairie everyday... 250L could be alot, but it could also be runnin b/c someone took meticulous care of it..

 

[MrQ]

Whoot Whoot! Wisconsin in the house! Stay away from the 2wd (especially a stick) YIKES can you imagine??

Hope thats a joke? These explorers are the most dependable when using sticks. As for it being 2wd, that's up to him. 4wd is a lot of extra maintenance that is not required for person just trying to get back and forth to school. Also the 2wd/manual is the most economical combination. Add the 4x4 and an auto tranny and expect your MPG to take a dump.

 

[ragajungle]

Hope thats a joke? These explorers are the most dependable when using sticks. As for it being 2wd, that's up to him. 4wd is a lot of extra maintenance that is not required for person just trying to get back and forth to school. Also the 2wd/manual is the most economical combination. Add the 4x4 and an auto tranny and expect your MPG to take a dump.

Should've clarified...... In Wisconsin having a rear wheel drive stick (especially for an inexperienced driver) the snow, sleet and freezing rain would be a disaster... I AGREE with you! Totally the 4.0L 5spd in any capacity is an amazingly reliable combo! Just maybe not a good idea for a 16 year old in WI... (hehe I speak from experience... fishtail, wipe-out, ticket, cry, repeat) LOL

 

[explorindad]

Great posts, I'm really liking this site already. Just what I needed, a 4th forum to spend my time on!

Slight clarification, I'm in northern Il, damn near WI, the truck I'm looking at Sat is in WI, near our campground.

I might rethink the 4wd if I find a good 2x4. We do get some serious snow here occasionally.

She'll be using this for school, to and from activities and to pick up her lil sister. I doubt shell even put 100 miles per week, as we live 1 mile from school. Oh I cant WAIT to have her running the errands we now are so busy with!

 

[MrQ]

Just maybe not a good idea for a 16 year old in WI... (hehe I speak from experience... fishtail, wipe-out, ticket, cry, repeat) LOL

Did that this February. Not as much crying as sobbing into my pillow at night. No ticket however.

Now your thinking, how can you wipe out in Houston...lets just say angry kid, slick spot on a 90* turn and a mean magnolia at the end. Wrecked my brand new RA bushings too.

That was when I was still 2wd.

 

[briwayjones]

Make sure you get the OHV rather than the SOHC with those miles. The SOHC has a rather expensive timing chain fix around 120k. Pretty sure the 95 and 96 have the OHV with their miles being what they are.

There were no SOHC engines with the manual Explorers until the 2001 Sports. Pre-2001 they were all OHV with manuals.

 

[briwayjones]

Should've clarified...... In Wisconsin having a rear wheel drive stick (especially for an inexperienced driver) the snow, sleet and freezing rain would be a disaster... I AGREE with you! Totally the 4.0L 5spd in any capacity is an amazingly reliable combo! Just maybe not a good idea for a 16 year old in WI... (hehe I speak from experience... fishtail, wipe-out, ticket, cry, repeat) LOL

Explorers because of their weight distribution do pretty well in 2wd despite being rear wheel drive. Furthermore if you know how to drive a stick it does better in the snow then a automatic because you have total control over how much torque goes to the wheels whereas with an automatic you don't.

 

[explorindad]

Explorers because of their weight distribution do pretty well in 2wd despite being rear wheel drive. Furthermore if you know how to drive a stick it does better in the snow then a automatic because you have total control over how much torque goes to the wheels whereas with an automatic you don't.

I completely agree, which is why I'm not stuck on getting a 4x4.

Test drove a white 98 5 speed this weekend at a dealer in Evansville WI, outside of Madison. Rode really nice but boy, not a lot of pep in these things. Also a good thing for my new driver.

He's asking $3992 which is a bout double of what I want to pay. If he can come down to $2k, I'll take it. Has about 134k miles, very clean interior, no rust that I could see.

Otherwise, the search continues. I also looked online at a couple of Chevy Blazers, hope that's not heresy to mention that here. Still leaning to the Ford though.

 

[1Aauto]

welcome to the site.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yes, that is evil talk.

Just remember, when it's over you may still have found a truck, but then you're stuck with a Blazer. Keep looking, they're out there. Expand your search- if you find anything up near Grand Rapids, MI, I'd be happy to look at them for you and all said- that's not that far away if you're only making the trip once.

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/1941634401.html

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/1927727841.html

 

[briwayjones]

Test drove a white 98 5 speed this weekend at a dealer in Evansville WI, outside of Madison. Rode really nice but boy, not a lot of pep in these things. Also a good thing for my new driver.

He's asking $3992 which is a bout double of what I want to pay. If he can come down to $2k, I'll take it. Has about 134k miles, very clean interior, no rust that I could see.

Wow that's a lot, how many miles were on that thing? It should be more around $2500 or even less depending on how many miles is on it.

 

[explorindad]

A couple more I'm looking at.

Here's a couple more I'm checking on.

The black one is gorgeous but has double the miles of the other but is two years newer...

Black 2001 for $2700
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/1965763146.html

Red 99, 63k miles, $2600
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/1965286324.html

 

[Joe Dirt]

It's 2 year newer, but aside from sheet metal, virtually the same truck. I'd be driving to one of those 2 soon... Those are nice trucks...