Dora is dead...

[exploration1997]

So It came time to get my truck inspected, so we dropped it off at our good ol mechanic. He forgot we owned it, and thought the truck was for sale and my dad was thiking of buying it, so he listed EVERYTHING that was wrong with it. It needs about $1500 worth of work, which we can't afford. So we're either selling it to him, or the junkyard, which ever will pay more.
I'm so sad. I've become so attached to my Explorer. I mean yes, it was awful on gas and very hard to park, but I was willing to overlook that because it was just so magical. All of my friends loved it, and it was so fun to all pile in and just go somewhere. Oh well, I'd have to get rid of it sooner or later anyway.

So anyways, we're replacing it with a small car. Anyone have any suggestions? 4 banger is preferable, but we'll settle on a V6 if it's good enough on gas. No V8's.

 

[Abbondanza]

First of all is there anything on the list actually stopping the truck from passing inspection? You seem as if you had no reason to bring it to the mechanic other than get it inspected, so why not tell good ole mechanic to pass it for you, and drive her until she gives you a real reason to give up on her.

That's my opinion, and I'm not sure ex drivers on this Explorer site want to start suggesting cars, probably google is your best option for that advice.

 

[bill06447]

Agree with the above. Tires legal? I'm not saying new, but legal for inspection? CEL is off? I think that unless there's serious front end problems or something like that there's no reason why you can't keep on driving the truck.

Bill

 

[deweyville65]

So It came time to get my truck inspected, so we dropped it off at our good ol mechanic. He forgot we owned it, and thought the truck was for sale and my dad was thiking of buying it, so he listed EVERYTHING that was wrong with it. It needs about $1500 worth of work, which we can't afford. So we're either selling it to him, or the junkyard, which ever will pay more.
I'm so sad. I've become so attached to my Explorer. I mean yes, it was awful on gas and very hard to park, but I was willing to overlook that because it was just so magical. All of my friends loved it, and it was so fun to all pile in and just go somewhere. Oh well, I'd have to get rid of it sooner or later anyway.

So anyways, we're replacing it with a small car. Anyone have any suggestions? 4 banger is preferable, but we'll settle on a V6 if it's good enough on gas. No V8's.

May I ask what could be more easy to park than an Explorer? The visibility and turning radius on my 96 is fabulous. To me it is extremely easy to get into Wal Marts antiquated straight in parking spots. But that is just me. surely you have other reasons. And to me the fuel mileage is quite acceptable, even though it has dropped a couple MPG since I installed a new O2 sensor, around 18 MPG locally. But everyone has their own reasons. If you want suggestions, my Moms 01 Focus station wagon get around 28-30 MPG, gets around well, and is the most uncomfortable car I think I have ever driven. But then I am spoiled with my Ex's power seats.

 

[koda2000]

jmho, any POS you can buy to replace your beloved Ex is going to cost you at least $1500 and will most likely come with it's own problems. why not give us a look at the list of stuff your mechanic gave you and let us give you our opinion as to whether it's worth saving.

 

[Abbondanza]

I agree, a 90's Ex is really not for anyone who can't roll-up the sleeves and work on her, unless you have cash to burn, in which case you probably wouldn't be driving her, right? Any car built before 2000 (same price range) will start to need just as much work as an Ex, and IMO, offers much less in seat comfort and cubic space.

 

[pbnj22]

if you sell your ex and get a beater used car (similar price range) your just trading your known problems for a set of unknown problems. selling your headache and buying someone elses headache...

 

[J_C]

It seems what is most important is a list of what is (would) make it fail an inspection. A lot of items may be DIY, and some may be costly for a new part but a used pull from a junkyard might be had cheap and keep it running at least a few more years.

The thing about mechanics is they need to make a living and given the option will list all the possible things they can make money at. That doesn't make them all dishonest but if they think the vehicle is there to have a list made, there may be things that don't necessarily need done right away.

As for small cars, it depends a lot on your needs and budget. For example if I were to get a small car it would have to be a hatchback so I had at least a little more utility. I like the Mazda 3 for being a little sportier handling but they also retain a bit more resale value than some smaller Fords and Chevys and with American car quality having risen in the past couple decades that translates directly into having to settle for an older vehicle... same story as always, a newer economy vehicle vs an older nicer (when new) vehicle.

I agree with other posts that you may be buying someone else's problems, that it's why they're selling a used vehicle but frankly I find Explorers to have a lot of annoying little problems that aren't present on other vehicles, things like constantly wearing out hood struts, door lock springs breaking, exhaust shields rusting out prematurely, and the eventual cost of replacing the timing chains if yours has the SOHC 4L engine. Granted every vehicle has its own weaknesses but some of these seem like design flaws. Explorers no longer have hood struts...

 

[koda2000]

as the OP lives in New Hampshire, rust (body and/or frame) may be the issue. in which case it may not be worth saving.

 

[exploration1997]

First of all is there anything on the list actually stopping the truck from passing inspection? You seem as if you had no reason to bring it to the mechanic other than get it inspected, so why not tell good ole mechanic to pass it for you, and drive her until she gives you a real reason to give up on her.

That's my opinion, and I'm not sure ex drivers on this Explorer site want to start suggesting cars, probably google is your best option for that advice.

Our mechanic told us it will start breaking soon. He's not a crook, either. He's helped my parents keep cars on the road that have had no right staying on the road. He's an honest guy.

 

[exploration1997]

as the OP lives in New Hampshire, rust (body and/or frame) may be the issue. in which case it may not be worth saving.

That's a huge chunk of the issue. The left rocker panel is almost ogne, and there literally is no rocker panel on the right. it needs a new cat, and something else in the exhaust (I forget what). It also needs new tires, and a ball joint. There were some other things too. It totaled to about $1500 worth of work. We're going to try and sell it on Craigslist for like $500.

 

[exploration1997]

May I ask what could be more easy to park than an Explorer? The visibility and turning radius on my 96 is fabulous. To me it is extremely easy to get into Wal Marts antiquated straight in parking spots. But that is just me. surely you have other reasons. And to me the fuel mileage is quite acceptable, even though it has dropped a couple MPG since I installed a new O2 sensor, around 18 MPG locally. But everyone has their own reasons. If you want suggestions, my Moms 01 Focus station wagon get around 28-30 MPG, gets around well, and is the most uncomfortable car I think I have ever driven. But then I am spoiled with my Ex's power seats.

I learned on my parents Corolla, so I kinda got spoiled there.

 

[exploration1997]

Found a good car for a good price

http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/4103177709.html What do you guys think? Me and my dad went to check it out today and it runs fantastic, has only 125,000 miles, and NO rust at all. It seems like a good car.
I'm still very sad about my Explorer, but I guess I have to get over it.

 

[AP9]

http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/4103177709.html What do you guys think? Me and my dad went to check it out today and it runs fantastic, has only 125,000 miles, and NO rust at all. It seems like a good car.
I'm still very sad about my Explorer, but I guess I have to get over it.

My first thought immediately after clicking on the ad:
Why does the title say Sentra when the pictures show an Altima?


edit: To be honest I don't think much of that generation of Altimas.

 

[exploration1997]

My first thought immediately after clicking on the ad:
Why does the title say Sentra when the pictures show an Altima?


edit: To be honest I don't think much of that generation of Altimas.

Yeah, they don't really have much of a personality. I wish my dad would have the work done to my explorer, but he says it's not worth it. I still want a drive-able car, and beggars can't be choosers, so I'll just take what I can get.

 

[e200e]

Sorry you have to get rid of your dora I call mine dora too haha. Hope it just works out and you keep it I love the 2nd gen explorers.

 

[Flash]

If the rocker panels are gone you really don't want to be driving it.

My temporary daily driver is a 1994 Mitsubishi Lancer, I think you would call it a Mirage.
It's turned out to be a good little car that uses hardly any fuel.

 

[bill06447]

If the rocker panels are gone you really don't want to be driving it.

Why do you say that? The Explorer is a full frame vehicle, they don't rely on the rocker panels for structural support. If this was the case, you wouldn't see any Explorers on the road here in the Northeast, since rare is the truck with intact rockers beneath the running boards.

Bill

 

[Flash]

Why do you say that? The Explorer is a full frame vehicle, they don't rely on the rocker panels for structural support. If this was the case, you wouldn't see any Explorers on the road here in the Northeast, since rare is the truck with intact rockers beneath the running boards.

Bill

D'oh.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Did the truck run ok before you brought it in to the shop? If yes, then fixing the mandatory items yourself is probably the best course of action. If anything it will give you a much better resale value. Besides as others have suggested any older used vehicle you buy will be coming with a new set of unknown and potentially expensive repairs needed.

Still don't see the complete list of issues from the mechanic. That much said, the most expensive item you listed is tires. An ok new set will run around $500 if you shop around. More than likely you can get a reasonable used set for half that.

Any quote from a mechanic is going to be primarily labor and parts mark-up. Not knocking the profession, that's just how it works. If you are willing to do the work, the issues listed so far aren't too complex.

Ball joints are cheap, just require elbow grease. There are plenty of good right-ups with pictures on the forum.

Since it was apparently running ok, would only replace a cat if it was setting off a CEL that caused a problem with inspection.

Don't know if fixing the rocker rust is required for inspection. If it is, don't dispair. Rocker rust may seem like a killer, but truthfully bending up some sheet metal is not that difficult. Get a $25 electric grinder from harbor freight with some extra wheels and a pair of safety googles. Cut out the rust then remove the paint for about an inch all around the area on the good metal. A pair of tin snips can cut the new sheet to rough shape. Bend over a straight edge (think cement curb and 2x4 with hammer). Set in place then drill holes about 1-1/2 inches apart along the length of the piece and pop-rivet in place. Little bondo along the edge seals it up and covers the rivets. Wet sand, wipe down with acetone. Then just coat of spray primer followed by few coats of automotive paint, buff and done. Weekend project for well under $100. If you take your time with bondo and sanding/painting, the finished product can look seamless. Even if it's a little rough, it will certainly pass an inspection and look a heck of a lot better than rusted out holes.