found a 03 explorer xlt black with gray trim is it worth fixing

[3rd gen explorers]

https://www.copart.com/lot/60887534/clean-title-2003-ford-explorer-xlt-in-cicero this is the link to it

 

[J_C]

lol! How can we possibly answer that?

No amount of pictures can equal having and inspecting it.

I'm leaning towards no, not worth it because of the mileage, but if you have a will to own this generation explorer, you could put a new engine and/or transmission in as needed, but this is a generation after the more desirable config many desire for off-road mods since it doesn't have the solid rear axle - yet if you want 50/50, better handling and still some off-road ability, it could still be right for you. What experience do you have refurbishing older SUVS?

I don't really understand what angle you're coming from since I also saw your other post that stated "nice I have a non runner but trying to get it running 04 xlt", so have you aborted this vehicle and already bought something else?

I don't think copart is really a good option to try to find a viable explorer, since they are not uncommon vehicles and usually you can find them locally, even if locally means willing to travel a few hundred miles, for pretty low cost without any "issues" besides future ones expected because of their age and/or mileage.

You asked if it is "worth fixing" when we don't know how much you can DIY to fix... what level of difficulty? It makes a huge difference, how much labor you can put into it vs paying $100/hr or more for a shop to do work. In general, when they get that age, it is more a question of whether to continue owning one to make it cost-effective if you are very good at DIY repairs, but when asking about buying one, it has a lot to do with your resourcefulness to source parts, and learn on the fly to repair them. Usually if someone already has that in their wheelhouse, they don't ask... so my point is that if you ask, you need to mention at least a little about how much you can DIY to handle random hidden faults.

Lastly you are in Michigan, so I would be hyper diligent about determining how much rust it has. Given the other variables, I didn't spend extra time figuring out where the copart vehicle came from. That can go a long way in determining what a good refurb candidate is.

I'm back at square one, that it's not worth bothering because of the mileage, that if you soon need a new engine and transmission anyway, then the vehicle is pretty near junk yard salvage value and you'd be best off seeking one in whatever state of low rust chassis, available in a low rust (US) state.

 

[94Eddie]

I give you a hard "no" on this one just on the the fact it has 261k miles on it.

 

[Stynx]

lol

 

[mountaineer2004]

Are you a comedian? If not, you should be.

 

[Josh P]

I'd bid $30 on it but if someone outbid me, I'd walk away laughing.

 

[3rd gen explorers]

OH I was planning on using parts from my nonrunner to fix this one including a v8 4.6l swap and trans swap

 

[J_C]

OH, well... I'd still want to inspect it before purchase, especially for rust. A lot can go wrong in 21 yrs., especially after it changes hands and winds up at an auction. It's even the little things, that one is filthy inside and looks like it was put away wet (rusty driver's seat leg pic), so needs the entire interior deep cleaned. I'm not knocking people for having a dirty interior after 21 yrs, but if putting that much work into it, I'd want the dirt to be my own.

It's entirely possible that the only thing wrong is the rear end damage, which I'd want to fix if bothering to put major parts in, but there's the rub...

If you want to transfer engine and tranny anyway, wouldn't it save a lot of hassles to start out with one that had a V8? Why redo all that wiring and PCM if you can avoid it?

Is it possible to achieve your goal with that vehicle? Probably. Is it the best option? IDK what else is available in your area or how far you would travel, as I would always want to inspect before purchase.

 

[3rd gen explorers]

OH, well... I'd still want to inspect it before purchase, especially for rust. A lot can go wrong in 21 yrs., especially after it changes hands and winds up at an auction. It's even the little things, that one is filthy inside and looks like it was put away wet (rusty driver's seat leg pic), so needs the entire interior deep cleaned. I'm not knocking people for having a dirty interior after 21 yrs, but if putting that much work into it, I'd want the dirt to be my own.

It's entirely possible that the only thing wrong is the rear end damage, which I'd want to fix if bothering to put major parts in, but there's the rub...

If you want to transfer engine and tranny anyway, wouldn't it save a lot of hassles to start out with one that had a V8? Why redo all that wiring and PCM if you can avoid it?

Is it possible to achieve your goal with that vehicle? Probably. Is it the best option? IDK what else is available in your area or how far you would travel, as I would always want to inspect before purchase.

that is true but the v8 are hard to find close enough to me. also I will change the interior with my own gray interior from my nonrunner