Is this a good buy? 93 XLT 2WD 4.0L

[C Gray]

Help....I've done a lot of homework on this one, but you are the experts! Have an opportunity to purchase a 1993 Explorer 2WD, 117,000 miles which concerns me. A/C, PS, PB, PW, PL, tilt, cruise, AM/FM, Cassette, Premium Sound, roof rack, ABS, new tires, just tuned. He is selling it for $3,750. Says the front strut will need be replaced...only 1 scratch on front qtr. panel. This car would be for my 16 year old daughter...I am extremely worried about service/safety. I've checked consumer reports and Kelley Blue Book. I am looking at it Thurs. at about 5:00..again. Trade in from dealer on KBB is $3800..retail lists at $7670. Anything I should look very carefully at besides brakes? I am NOT a car buff. Daughter's first car (sorry, but I drive a Jeep!)....any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Goober]

It doesn't sound like too bad of a deal. The mileage, though they seem high, aren't that bad. I've got a 91 with over 170,000 miles and it still runs great(original tranny and motor-no work done to either). Things I'd get checked out. 1) Transmission(by far the worst complained about item from AL4D owners) 2) Brakes(though they are easily fixed) 3) cooling system-radiator, water pump, heater core and any other reliability item you can think of. Ask for receipts of past work done or warranty items like lifetime replacement pads or anything with a warranty(battery, tires,..etc).

Don't know how your daughter drives, but just make sure she understands that this is a truck and not a sports car. It doesn't take off fast and doesn't slide around turns at Mach I very well. Just let her know to be careful.

Hope this helps.

 

[Maduro]

Just my 2 cents worth, but I probably would not buy an Explorer for my daughter's (or any other new driver's) first vehicle. My daughter started on a '93 Merc Sable and still after her driving 3 years I am hesitant about her using my Explorer. Guess part of it is my fatherly overprotection, but I think the handling characteristics of a large SUV are best left to experienced drivers. For what it's worth........

 

[RD1991XLT]

I agree with Maduro. New teenage drivers tend push theirs and their vehicles limits when they are out of the parent's sight. That could be dangerous in an suv. It may not be as cool, but you, and your daughter, would be better off with a sedan or coupe with a high safety rating.

 

[FitzMatt]

I'm 17 and I Love My Explorer!! It's an awesome truck! I used to have a '90 Mustang GT 5.0, didn't last long. I am grateful that my Explorer is so slow sometimes, because I know if I sitll had that Mustang I wouldn't be able to help myself. Those guys are right about teenagers pushing the limits of their cars, but I think girls are a bit more safe. I feel totally safe in my Explorer. You should also check if that one has a roll-bar...a good option. IMO, it sounds like a great deal. I would get it fully checked out by a mechanic, if he gives the ok, I would go for it.

P.S. Those Explorers have HUGE backseats!! Naa, just givin you a hard time!

Let us know what you decide to do.

MATT

 

[914x4sport]

I agree that explorers are not really the best thing for a new drivers...I'm sure I can say I am by NO MEANS the most experienced driver on this message board,but I do have ALOT of miles under my belt for my age and even just in everyday driving my X can get away from me...Just a thought.Depends on how confident you are that your daughter wont go crazy with it when her freinds hop in for a ride...My suggestion:Its a good price..buy it for yourself and give the girl that J**p. Or maybe a small car,perhaps a plymouth horizon?(my first car,hee hee) She'll hate you for it,but she'll never roll it...

 

[FitzMatt]

Are Explorers known to have problems with rolling over? Or is it just because its an SUV? I have never had the slightest feeling I was gonna roll over. Wouldn't you have to be going pretty fast for that to happen?

I would call the Explorer a safe car. I feel totally safe in mine, especially if its an accident with another car, because its so beefy and strong!!

C Gray, I don't think your daughter would drive crazy enough to the point where you would have to worry about her rolling it. If you think she would, don't buy the truck. But I don't think your daughter rolling it is very likely. With that said, the Explorers are tough, slow, and good protectors in an accident. The insurance is also very low.

But what does your daughter think? Does she want it? What is her reasoning behind getting a car: go to school, look cool, cruise?

MATT

 

[FitzMatt]

Here is another rather strong opinion on the Explorer for your daughter, scroll down to the bottom of the page...

http://www.4x4central.com/faq.htm#91-94

MATT

 

[Flounder]

With teenagers, it is a case by case basis on driving ability and responsibility. My 1996 XLT was my first car, I even took my driver's test in it when it was still my dad's. The instructor giving the test thought I was nuts, but I proved him wrong quickly. (Had no points deducted whatsoever!)

I'm 18 now, never had an accident, no traffic violations. Well, one red light running when I was 16 but I never got a ticket for it... which I am still thankful for. Anyways, if I were you, I'd first get the car and have her ride shotgun for a month or so. As with anything, it's best to see how to drive it before one does. Then after that, go with her for the next month or so (whenever possible) to see how she handles it. Make sure she knows what she is doing.

Also, it doesn't hurt for her to take driver's education, especially one where the company allows the driver to use his/her own car. Although these are somewhat rare, it's good for her to become comfortable in her vehicle.

I wish all the best for you and your daughter. And we'll have to work on that Jeep thing of yours...

 

[914x4sport]

just as a correction to fitzmatt..the reason an Explorer wants to roll is its high center of gravity.. No an explorer wont just roll over on its side casually driving around a turn...Atleast it shouldnt...But at highway speeds the pull from the top of the vehicle can be FAR stronger than the stability of the tires holding you to the road. Lets say you swerve to the left to avoid a car and then you want to turn right...well your wheels may be turning right,but the roof of your car is still going 65mph towards the left..then right then left then your rolling...and theres not a whole lots you can do about it...Actually this can even happen at lower speeds...Thats why high performance cars are lowered,hugging the ground,wide..low center of gravity..You can rip em left and right at a number of speeds and not worry about flipping them...As far as hitting someone head on or geting hit from behind,yeah they are pretty safe. But if you dont ever feel like it want to flip take it about 35mph,rip it right then rip it left..see if it doesnt feel a little tippy...I know from experience with other new young female drivers(sisters,freinds) that that is standard proceedure to avoid potential collision(i.e. dog,cat,etc) Of course I may be stereotyping,Im just speaking from personal experience,just my opinion,I would never tell anyone what to do because I was advised against buying my X and I love it and have never been in an accident,But if it was my daughter she'd be drivng a taurus wagon or something hee hee P.S Ask Diff Whack Daddy about rollovers....Oh yeah I also agree with Adam, I rode along with a freind numerous times in his X before I decided that I really wanted one.