Help me decide on which Explorer Limited to buy

[heineken]

I've found 2 Explorers that I'm very interested in buying. Any input would be appreciated.

The first top pic is a 2003 for $13,975. It has only 44,000 miles on it, 1 owner and a clean carfax.
Fully loaded with black leather interior, v8, rear AC, etc. The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that it has an aftermarket grille and clear corners. To me that means "driven like crap".

The second truck is a newer 2005 but with 91,000 miles on it. I plan on negotiating the price down from $12,850 to something a bit more reasonable.

I would prefer the lower mileage one if it wasn't for the fact that the previous owner removed all the emblems and the engine compartment is filthy with mud residue.

The 1st one has a DVD player and I have a feeling it was owned by a soccer mom who drove it normal

What do you think?

 

[93explodersport]

id go with the first one, an 05 with 90k had been run like hell for those miles. those v8's are tough. give it a good once over. looks very nice, and the engine compartment just needs a good bath.

 

[heineken]

Is there any reason to prefer a 2005 over a 2003? Transmission issues etc?

 

[CALDWELL]

go for the 03...

if you want to keep the stock look... finding a grille and corners are easy to get ahold of. the engine simply needs a good steam clean, and your set...


or buy black headlight housings + black corners, and paint the grille black... would look bad ass

the transmission issues were in 02... so 03 + your in good shape...

 

[EasyRhino]

I may be the contrarian here, but the 90K may be a high ratio of highway miles, in which case I would take it over the 03. The asking price for the '03 is way too dear for the age.

 

[JW]

I think I'm leaning towards the 2005 as well. Given the condition of the engine compartment on that 2003, it's probably been driven pretty rough elsewhere. Does the 2003 have the emblems on the hatch? Mine doesn't have them on the doors but does have them on the hatch.

And I'm a little jealous that you found not one, but TWO black Limiteds for sale. The only one I found online that was a decent distance away had already been sold.

 

[heineken]

I think I'm leaning towards the 2005 as well. Given the condition of the engine compartment on that 2003, it's probably been driven pretty rough elsewhere. Does the 2003 have the emblems on the hatch? Mine doesn't have them on the doors but does have them on the hatch.

And I'm a little jealous that you found not one, but TWO black Limiteds for sale. The only one I found online that was a decent distance away had already been sold.

Judging by the fact that it's emblems were "de-badged", the aftermarket grille, clear corners, and the dirty ass engine... I'd say the previous owner was some teenager and didn't really treat it well.

The 90k 2005 might of been owned by a soccer mom... who knows.

As long as I don't buy some repo from the Bronx.

 

[MrQ]

I'd take the '05...hands down.

 

[FloridaState]

I would also go with the first one. And as for the engine compartment, I like it when there's some dirt in there. If I went to buy a used car and it was spotless, it'd almost be TOO clean and leave me wondering if they're trying to hide something. If that makes sense.

And please don't generalize about us teenagers. I take very good care of my vehicles. My Mustang I used to have had aftermarket headlights and taillights, wheels, and a few other things and it was babied to death. My X is pretty stock, but still taken care of (just not washed very often...it's more difficult to wash when you live in a college apartment 6 hours from home).
So just because someone's young doesn't mean they don't take care of their car.

 

[briwayjones]

I think I'd say the '05 since it's newer even though it has more miles. A year of age on a vehicle is roughly equal to 20,000 miles of mileage.

 

[JW]

So my Ranger has about 600,000 miles on it

 

[Robsbrd99]

I like the 05. I say get it, change the plugs and trans filter and you're set!

 

[zerodevil]

the 05, because of the newer cylenderheads on it, it wont be firing spark plugs out of hte engine like the 03 will... and you can do the grill and corners for a few extra bucks if you realy want to. clear corners + silver grills on a black XP spell DOESNT KNOW HOW TO MAKE A GOOD LOOKING TRUCK!! to me btw... black on black = WIN!

 

[heineken]

http://www.potamkinusa.com/vehicle.asp?v=1059441&expandedinventory=no

Wow it's peeeeerfect... too bad it's red. Opinions?

 

[CALDWELL]

Black Limited X's basically = sex lol

the mileage is good, but it really comes down to personal preference, and good maintence when buying a used vehicle...

 

[JW]

I really like that color. I had one just like it I was going to look at if my white one didn't work out.

 

[eeprete]

have a compression and leak down test done on both and then decide. If that pic of the engine bay is of the first one, it's pretty filthy for 40K miles. The 05 looks cleaner, is newer and may have been maintained better.

 

[cjmedina]

Anyone that does not have the SOHC engine!

 

[bookbinder]

05 for sure

i like the 05. the miles don't scare me. compression check if ok buy it. my 02 limited (black) had 155,000 on it when purchased. called the orig. owner wife drove it 100 hwy miles a day to work. he did tell me it had a new trans at 120k. trans shop verified still under warranty. *5500.00 clean truck. rick

 

[2003vstrom]

same here miles on my where all highway miles too I bought it when it had 153,000 miles and looked brand new still, they had replaced the tranny with a brand new ford one at 130,000 miles, and still runs perfect with 165,000 miles and counting I would go with the 05 by the way mines the so called dreaded 02 model, I have no problems