Buying advice needed

[tada]

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying a 97 Ford Explorer from a person on Craigslist and would like some buying advice. It is a 2 door 5 speed manual and has 132000 miles. The seller says it "is slow" in first gear, but all other gears shift well. The tires are new. The body looks good from the pictures. The seller is asking $1100 for the vehicle. Are there certain things I should look for? Does the price sound reasonable? Any ideas about the transmission problems? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Tom

 

[jremington59]

Are you sure you didn't mean automatic tranny? If you did, and slow means it's dragging when shifting it's probably on it's way out.

 

[eddie95]

If your anywhere near snow, check the rocker panels for sure! Also, when you turn the ignition to on, be sure to check that the check engine light is lit and then turns off when the vehicle is started. That way you know they arent hiding any problems.

 

[2000StreetRod]

OHV or SOHC V6?

Which engine does it have? The OHV V6 has a tendency to blow head gaskets. The SOHC V6 has problems with camshaft timing chain related failures.

For that price something is probably wrong with it that would cost too much to repair. However, if you do your own work it might be a bargain.

 

[bilzy7]

Ya my sohc has some bad timing chain rattling noises. The noise sometimes never appears for a week, then it'll come back and you can hear it over any noise my truck makes.
I got it for 2200. Guy said new tires and they were, new, and newly 'triple' patched on one tire. That patch i didn't see until a month after when i had to fill tire up with air every 4 hours. Said he paid 70 bucks to get drivers door lock fixed, it opened so easily, now it barely turns when i out key in. It had 115k miles and ran perfect. The fab clutch i believe is stuck so the engine never heats up like it should, that and i believe the thermostat needs replacing. The rear brake line went after 5k miles pissing fluid out.
Plugs wires and coil pack i replaced after buying and everything was from 98 when it was made. Other then that; my truck is awesome!!!