Is it even worth it?

[Blackhawk_Mech]

As somewhat of a wedding gift I was given a 2 door 97 V6 explorer sport. I knew it had previously been in an accident, however didn't think to many things were wrong with it. Since then I have invested about a thousand dollars, mostly in intake and exhaust that was a credit from the system I bought for my S-10, but never got to install.

Here is what my problem is, I have done quite a few simple things to it, but it seems like every time I fix something, something else breaks. I am not very mechanically inclined, however I am learning. What I do not have a great abundance of is time and money. Being married and in the military, I can't afford spending so much fixing a vehicle.

Here is what I have tried to do so far. Took it in to the auto bays last week to give it the best tune up I could in a few hours.

• Oil Change to Mobile 1 Full Synthetic
• Mobile 1 high mileage oil filter
• Replaced fuel filter
• Cleaned MAS, IACV, Throttle Body, battery wires / terminals
• Rotated Tires
• Checked all hoses, fluids and belts.
• Lubed everything, doors, locks etc.
• Sea foamed air intake.
• Replaced PVC valve
• Replaced radiator cap (twice)
• Changed headlights
• Added lucas fuel treatment (third application since august)
• Added lucas P/S fluid

Here is a list of the problems I have still.

• Reverse lights do not come on, have changed bulbs, fuses
• Hazard lights do not work
• Tranny leaks, hard to shift between 1st and 2nd. Grinds in reverse.
• Radiator leaks
• Clutch is bad
• P/S bearings going out
• Tires low on tread / Out of alignment
• Alarm was literally ripped out with random wires cut
• Very high idle, use to be around 700rpms now its at about 1200rpms

Of less concern

• Door locks messed up, only open a 1/3 of the time
• Headlight lenses heavily scratched/corroded. (tried everything, sandpaper and polish)
• Quite a bit of body damage
• Whatever the fuel tank capacity is, I have only got 116 miles out of half a tank driving carefully.
• Almost every screw post/anti-rattle clip is gone from behind the dash panels

My question is it even worth trying to fix these things or should I just cut my losses now?:thumbdwn:?

 

[CrazyAlaskan]

IF you dont have the money to fix it all I would say cut your losses if it was me. I hate to say it but if it was me I would try to fix what I could that would be easy and then put it up for sale and take that money and put it towards another Explorer or what ever you plan on getting. Sounds to me like you have a money pit.... Like I said this is my opinion, if it was me thats what I would do. It sounds to me like there is more problums that its worth unless you plan on making it offroad only then I would hang on to it. But for a highway worthy vehicle...I would cut my losses.

 

[burtonbrd138]

i was in your shoes once and trust me, get rid of it if you dont have the money or the patience. For every little thing that happens adds up to the big problem that is about to come. I ditched my 2000 Explorer and got a trade in for $2000. I bought a Honda CRV instead with 47,000 miles on it and it is a 98. Personally i like to not have to worry about fixing stuff or spending money. Get something that you enjoy owning and not something that angers you so much that you want to throw your car into a quarry.

 

[Blackhawk_Mech]

I love the explorer itself, its a two door manual. Which is what I always wanted, (actually wanted a 2 door Blazer, but not everything can be perfect)
and I really don't mind fixing things, but this is just more then I can handle. Financially or time wise. I'm looking into my other options unfortunally.

 

[CrazyAlaskan]

one thing I can say about the blazers is they can take v8 swaps pretty easy so if you do end up getting one get one with the 4.3L and its not to hard from what i have read to swap a 305 or a 350 into one and if you really like the explorer see if you cant sell the one ya got and look for another.

 

[yellowford]

I would not recommend a blazer at all I always find my self having to fix my grandpa's blazer with how much it brakes down. It seems to only stay running for a month before its back down again.

 

[Blackhawk_Mech]

My 03 S10 was extremely reliable, only problem I ever had in 2 years was I stripped off the drain plug for the oil pan. It also needed an alignment, but thats because I put 20's on it. Really hated letting that thing go, I had $4k in audio/interior and about $8k in paint, tires and other things. Only thing it was missing was a tonue cover and an exhaust, which was sitting in a box in California for a year. Had to sell it because I was getting married and needed to buy a car with enough room for wife and son.

Got a 2007 Hyundai Elentra and gave it to my wife, nice little car, fully loaded for cheap. Only $15k with power everything, and sunroof.

I'm off tomorrow to look around at cars. Unfortunally no good explorers around here for sale, and I am hesitant to buy an SUV again with the fact that gas prices will go back up.

Thanks for the imput, wish things went differently.

 

[CrazyAlaskan]

I would not recommend a blazer at all I always find my self having to fix my grandpa's blazer with how much it brakes down. It seems to only stay running for a month before its back down again.

To be honost Your the only guy I know who has had or known of any one that has had that many problums. Every one I know thats had them has loved them.

 

[Blackhawk_Mech]

Obviously everyone runs into these problems with vehicles, and I think the previous owners have a lot to do with how bad a used vehicle is. I know the previous owners abused my explorer so now I have to pay.

And I forgot a cost, almost $1600 to have it shipped from California to Texas. On top of the modifications I have done.

 

[Blackhawk_Mech]

And after all day at different auto dealerships the explorer is gone. Replaced by a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer O-Z Rally edition. And thankfully last owner did intake and exhaust and some other stuff, and I got $1000 for the X, which is about the cost of the problems so I am happy.

Time for me to say goodbye to the forum for now.