Buying Advice

[PAUL100]

Hi Everyone,
Have been looking through the forum with great interest, there is some great humour out there, and good advice it seems. Can I ask for your expert advice, I have wanted an Explorer for a long time and have seen one for sale near to me. It is a 2000 Northface with 45000 miles, 2 owners and full history for £3,500 I have been to see it and it is just like new. I run at the moment a 1999 Range Rover 4.6 petrol which gives me about 19 to the gallon, I live in West Sussex and only do local mileage no city driving. I need a second car and would just love this truck but what sort of fuel consumption could I expect and as for parts when it goes wrong are these trucks off the road waiting for parts from far away. I ask because I can't find anyone that owns one in my area. Hope you can help as I can't sleep thinking about the Explorer.

Many thanks, Paul::scratch:

 

[jays1]

hi paul,
well first off welcom to the site
you are doing well getting 19mpg from the rangie-nice trucks,as for the ex that is a very low mileage one indeed,as for mpg well about what your getting or a bit more if careful maybe about 19-25mpg,i get about 20 on lpg and about 25 on petrol.

as for parts they are widely available from breakers in wales or the states and ebay have lots being broken all the time,so the down time would be a little longer than the rangie.
jay

 

[jays1]

oh and i think you may find a few on here that are in reach of you,for meeting for repairs advice and general tom foolery lol.

 

[kernowman]

Welcome Paul, I see you have got yourself a bad case of Explorer insomnia. I got the same before I got mine. You will never experience anything like an Ex until you get one - I've had many motors in my life, but nothing compares with my Explorer (only one that ever came near it was my Jensen Interceptor - nice large American engine). As already mentioned, spares are no problem, and fuel usage aint that bad. Only problem that seems to arise with them (look at previous threads) is timing chains, but if you've got no rattles, I would not worry too much.
Richard

 

[BIGHVM]

Go for it mate, You cant beat an Explorer Northface for creature comforts, the petrol use is only just better than you are used to, and yes there is a timing chain tensioner issue, but saying that if it drives well and is not rattling then do it- they are remarkable cars, I am on my second now and will keep my Northface as long as I can.
You will find loads of helpful and informed people here who know the car better than Ford UK. So buy with confidence mate!

 

[Velocity4x4]

i must say i too have had lots of cars/trucks and ive never been 100% happy with them untill now i gotto say with out sounding like to much of an anorack i love my explorer and would only sell it to buy another one or a f150.......you wont be disapointed im sure we would all agree

 

[jays1]

got to say yes i agree,and ime a fan of range rovers but bought an ex instead.

 

[rich uk]

If I was to buy over again I would have choosen a lower mileage one but I'm stuck with monster munch now, shes great too! had all timing chains done now looking at gearbox....

 

[BIGHVM]

Thats the word, once you have had one- you wont go back.............................!

 

[SB98UKexplorer]

once you pop you cant stop!

 

[BIGHVM]

Hmmm, I have been told that b4...........................................!

 

[jays1]

i have a set of tyres with that motto
every time i go to go out i have to get the mini compresser out.

 

[PAUL100]

A big Thanks to everyone

Hi to you all.

Many, Many thanks to all of you that replied at the speed of light to my questions. I will keep you all updated and hope to very soon become a new owner!!

Paul

 

[gwar]

Only had my Ex for 5 weeks now and am hooked. Hope you get yours soon

 

[Velocity4x4]

GWAR are you coming to fordfair?

 

[gwar]

Unfortunatly, no, as I told H the other night, I am going to be working in India whille the fair is on, maybe the next one, or some other club meeting :exp:

 

[BIGHVM]

Really!

i have a set of tyres with that motto
every time i go to go out i have to get the mini compresser out.

Not Firestone I hope!

 

[BIGHVM]

Gwar has a fine example, superb bidy work and the engine is great too, bought it with a full history!
Luck, lucky man-Look after her Gareth-Shame you wont be at the fair but have a cracking time and have a curry and beer for me!
Catch up when you return.

 

[gwar]

mmmmmmm curry

 

[BIGHVM]

Mmmmmmmmm dohnuts and beer too!

mmmmmmm curry

Mmmmmmmmm lots of toilet roll in the fridge!