Any opinions?

[IAmThor]

Hello, I am looking into buying this Explorer: http://siouxcity.craigslist.org/cto/3524742044.html and I was wondering if any little red flags pop up for you guys like what all could be wrong with it besides windshield and antenna. It's basically a steal at $900, but I would like your opinions. Thank you

 

[Kevlar7R]

Um, that kinda looks like they hit a person!!!

Given the low price, and lack of any kind of description, I'd say they are trying to get rid of it. Makes me wonder what the story is behind that windshield damage.

 

[IAmThor]

It does look like they hit a person haha Maybe it was an owl? And I'm thinking they just want to get rid of it, too, I was just wondering if any red flags pop up. But thanks for your answer

 

[Kevlar7R]

uh yea.... It being a murder weapon is a big red flag. Lol

 

[IAmThor]

I don't think the guy used it as a murder weapon but I could always ask haha Maybe the dude's wife or girlfriend got pissed at him

 

[koda2000]

Based on the pictures and the fact that it's apparently not AWD, it appears to be a V6. If it's the OHV engine, they're more reliable than the SOHC V6. The OHV engines can have problems with blown head gaskets with high miles and make less HP that the SOHC. The SOHC engines tend to have timing chain related and intake manifold o-ring problems and are much harder to work on. The automatic transmission used on the V6 is on weak side. with 200K, on either of the V6 engines, and the weaker trans I'd want to know what repairs have been done, what maintainence has been performed and I'd want to see receipts for both. This might be a good deal, and the V6's are capable of more than 200K miles, but they can also be a money pit. Oh, and they get pretty ****ty gas mileage (14-15 city, 23-24 highway when everything is working properly). If you test drive it, make sure the engine is ice cold before starting it. A warm engine on one of these is often a sign of the seller hiding timing chain and intake manifold gasket problems.

 

[killer.jensen]

My money is on instead of them hitting a deer, the deer hit them.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

right off the hop, it more then likely will need upper and lower ball joint, e brake cables, and possibly front/rear brakes or both. look and see if the power steering rack is leaking. if its a SOHC, make sure the motor is cold, jump in and start it. if it rattles, walk away. see if the trans is slow to go into any gears, and make sure it will go into reverse, and lastly, make sure it goes into 4 hi, and 4 low

 

[koda2000]

yeah, ball joints and brakes are almost a given, but not that big of a deal if you do the work yourself. other things that will probably need attention, but that aren't a deal killer are sway bar bushings and end links, shocks and maybe a radiator and related cooling system parts. that's where the seller having any receipts comes in handy, but for $900 I'd be suprised if they will have any to show you.

 

[IAmThor]

Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate it

 

[deweyville65]

Just my .02 worth. After owning my 96 for nearly two years, I would stay away from any Explorer, unless you like working and spending money on it

 

[Cranmaro99]

The front bumper is also bent, as well is the front wheel being different than the rear wheel. Also the front fender where the antenna is is bent up, probably got t-boned by a bike?

I bet the car is a mess.

 

[IAmThor]

I Drive my dad's 94 XLT and it's amazing. Barely any repairs needed on it.

I can replace the front fender and I already was planning on taking the antenna off and replacing it with two 10' antennas. One for the stereo and one for a cb radio. They would go as far to the front as possible and go back like the antennas on humvees