first car

[cmmb1987]

hey everyone, im thinking about getting a 95+ explorer as a first car and i just wanted to get everyones opinion out there, and please be completely honest!

 

[metstalker]

we will need more info engine size, is it a sport or not? how many miles?

 

[cmmb1987]

i will prolly end up getting a 95 4 door xlt, wth a 4.0 engine and looking for the best mileage availble, it will end up being around 65,000

 

[alphabets13]

-the tranny's suck. expect it gone by 90,000.
-blend door problem

 

[dman726749]

i have 108k on my 4.0 tranny and not a single problem if ya take care of them they will take care of you. they are great trucks. but if ya can get a v8 go for it. lots more power and a better tranny

 

[alphabets13]

yes, i'm not saying all the tranny's go by 90,000, just be prepared for it. too many people have had it happen to them, including myself, and it was taken care of from day one.

 

[cmmb1987]

well since it sounds like they are notorious for failing at 90,000 is there nething i can do to help protect the transmission and make it last longer besides for doing all of the normal check ups?

 

[alphabets13]

yes, you can get a shift kit or even better an apten chip.

 

[dman726749]

they are not notorious it just happen some times. just do regular maintaince and dont do anything stupid like pull a 50' boat up a mountain

 

[cmmb1987]

il try and keep the 50' boat thing in mind

 

[cmmb1987]

would all of you recommend a 4dr or a sport?

 

[metstalker]

well my EX is a 94 with 210000 miles on tranny and engine not any major probs just took care of it. engine pings and i put hi octane fuel in it other then that it is just like new

 

[cmmb1987]

that is very impressive

 

[X~FACTOR]

This might help with your tranny concerns just a tad bit.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82944&highlight=tranny+life


4-door or Sport is more of an individual preference but you can not get V-8 with sports though.

 

[cmmb1987]

that looks pretty good for the tranny, thats a little more reassuring, well i guess ill be going for a 4 dr

 

[Redrig]

the explorers do have tranny problems. whether yours will at 90k or 200k its a gamble. you really dont know what the previous owner did with it. if you like it buy it and take good care of it, just like with any vehicle.

 

[cmmb1987]

yeah i guess the only thing u can do is baby it when you have it and pray, i just dont want to get an explorer (my dream car) have it work for a month and then get stuck putting more money into it for repairs then its worth, does well since i am on the subject of prolonging car life, any one else got any ideas

 

[izackary]

if you don't want to worry about an automatic transmission self-destructing, get a 5-speed manual. The only real drawback there is it's only available with the weakest motor. Other than that, I have the 5-speed auto mated to a SOHC V6, and it's performed fine so far, at 103k. It's way due for a flush and filter replacement though. And being in the woods it's nice having a 4-door; I'm 5-11 and can easily fold the rear seats down, and camp in the cargo area. I've found that, stock-for-stock, mine is one of the fastest explorers you can have, thanks to the 5-speed auto and 3.73 Limited-Slip gears. I've yet to race Nick26 though...he has a 5-speed manual, but thinks he's faster than me! we'll see...as if we haven't broken enough laws...

*edit*
I've read one of the best things you can do for your tranny is install an external transmission cooler onto the radiator. Anyone have an opinion on them?