Is this car worth 4 grand?

[JDraper]

If it's a V-8, it's AWD. If not, then this dealer is really clueless and he has a 6 cylinder 4WD vehicle there.

 

[soon2bsick]

you can clearly see the 4wd knob on the dash, if it was AWD it would just have a plastic piece there

 

[jremington59]

Where I live the dealer would buy that vehicle at auction for about 2100.

If I were you I'd go see him and show him 3100 in cash and tell him if he wants to sell it that's your offer. I bet he takes it. I really wish you'd ask them who's warrantying that vehicle for another 5 years. That's a good one.

 

[JDraper]

you can clearly see the 4wd knob on the dash, if it was AWD it would just have a plastic piece there

Looks like V8 badges on the fenders though....Would be nice to see an under hood shot.....lightningrodbob, have you looked under the hood on the vehicle?

 

[lightningrodbob]

Looks like V8 badges on the fenders though....Would be nice to see an under hood shot.....lightningrodbob, have you looked under the hood on the vehicle?

No I didn't yet, when I went to test drive it I was gonna take it to a mechanic but I ended up not having as much time as I wanted. I think i'm gonna go look at it again next week, take it to a mechanic and test-drive it some more. Should I snap some shots under the hood? Any other areas I should snap shots of?

 

[Lacky01]

Also something to consider when evaluating the knowledgability and or honesty of that dealer on the first ex listed. It looks to be a 4x4 and NOT an AWD. If that dealer is just throwing options at it willy nilly, it says to me he doesnt know squat about it and just looking to move it with any BS he can come up with.

V8's are AWD

I say talk the dealer down to $2500. in this economy they have to keep inventory moving, and the worst that could happen is he says no and you're still looking for a truck you can afford.

 

[storlied]

So it's an EB, but has a 4x4 switch and v8 emblems. How odd..... How was the acceleration in it? Did you have to press on the gas a lil bit for it to pick up and go or was it pretty peppy with even just a lil bit of throttle? That's something I've noticed between the 5.0L V8 and the 4.0L V6. The V8 is a lot more peppier. Either way.. find out what that thing is.. and the front end on any explorer is always gonna be an issue. If it's indeed a v8.. you have more room to work with vs the v6 as far as the tranny and engine go.

 

[lightningrodbob]

So it's an EB, but has a 4x4 switch and v8 emblems. How odd..... How was the acceleration in it? Did you have to press on the gas a lil bit for it to pick up and go or was it pretty peppy with even just a lil bit of throttle? That's something I've noticed between the 5.0L V8 and the 4.0L V6. The V8 is a lot more peppier. Either way.. find out what that thing is.. and the front end on any explorer is always gonna be an issue. If it's indeed a v8.. you have more room to work with vs the v6 as far as the tranny and engine go.

I had to press on the gas a little bit, it was a lot like my suburban. The gas wasn't very sensitive. Still drove well though

 

[BBQ Bandit]

Future expenses...

Bought my 97 5.0 AWD (115,000 miles) last October, 2008 for $2250. Thought I bought a decent price for condition. It's been quite a year just in maintenance costs.

In the last 12 months... replaced or installed:

Battery, upper radiator hose, tires, serpentine belt/tensioner/idler, rear brake line - steel, rear brake pads/rotors, front brake pads/calipers/hoses, rear shackles, emergency brake, DPFE, rubber hoses, and two O2 sensors.

Upgraded parts on: Class IV hitch, brake controller, Equal-i-zer hitch, running boards, and euro headlights,

Over $1,800 just in parts... glad I was able to do 90% of the work.

There will be preventive maintenance and significant wear and tear at this possible sale... age and mileage.... (165,000)

 

[71cutty455]

I think it's possible the radio bezel was replaced with an incorrect bezel with a 4x4 switch due to a break-in, the original bezel was probably damaged when they stole or tried to steal the radio....

If you can get it for closer to $2500 then it may be an OK deal, not a steal by any means. If you can do that and are able to work on it yourself when something breaks then I say go for it.

 

[lightningrodbob]

Bought my 97 5.0 AWD (115,000 miles) last October, 2008 for $2250. Thought I bought a decent price for condition. It's been quite a year just in maintenance costs.

In the last 12 months... replaced or installed:

Battery, upper radiator hose, tires, serpentine belt/tensioner/idler, rear brake line - steel, rear brake pads/rotors, front brake pads/calipers/hoses, rear shackles, emergency brake, DPFE, rubber hoses, and two O2 sensors.

Upgraded parts on: Class IV hitch, brake controller, Equal-i-zer hitch, running boards, and euro headlights,

Over $1,800 just in parts... glad I was able to do 90% of the work.

There will be preventive maintenance and significant wear and tear at this possible sale... age and mileage.... (165,000)

Wow man thats a lot of repairs. I've only owned 2 cars in my life (I'm 22), both were bought used with high mileage, and neither of them gave me very many problems. I drove a 95 jeep grand cherokee with 150k miles for a few years until it got totaled, then I got a 95 suburban with about 170k miles on it and the only thing i've had to replace were the tires, and a couple blown fuses. Thats not including damages which were incurred by me by driving it into a post, but thats neither here nor there haha. The suburban recently got drilled by somebody running a red light which is why i'm shopping for a car in the first place. Like i said in a previous post, I don't have a lot of money and i'm not looking for any car payments right now, whatever I get I want to just buy it outright. I've got 3,500 cash right now and this car is about the best thing i've seen so far.

Do explorer's have a lot of problems with parts going bad? I've never owned one but I've always loved the way they looked, thats why I'm so drawn to this car. Cosmetically its in beautiful shape inside and out, thats why I'm just hoping that the mechanics of it are good enough to buy it.

 

[lightningrodbob]

Cutty I just looked at your car, that thing is gorgeous. Where can I find those gauges you have? Could those be put in a 98 explorer? haha

 

[storlied]

You might have it with the bezel Cutty. But .. can someone take a look at those emblems again............................... one looks like the standard V8... and the other one looks like the older style emblem... I could be mistaken though..

 

[X6StringerX]

Actually, I think the interior pictures that are posted in that ad are from a totally different Explorer. You mentioned earlier that the interior is actually tan and not gray. The interior in those pictures is clearly gray. If you look at the shot from the back with the hatch up, the trim on top of the back bumper is also clearly gray, which conflicts with the exterior shots that show gold/tan trim. The fact that there is a 4x4 switch on the radio bezel further reinforces my belief that the interior pictures are of a totally different vehicle. NO 2nd Gen V8 Explorers or Mountaineers came from the factory with selectable 4x4. They were all either 2WD or AWD.

As far as my opinion as to whether or not you should buy it goes, I would urge you to pass on it. There are far more fish in the sea. My last (and current) 5.0/AWD Explorer is a 2001, which I purchased with 127k miles back in October from a dealer for $2,477. The Explorer I had before that was a 1998 5.0/AWD with 76k miles and I snagged it from a dealer for $3200. As winter is already here, you can expect to pay a little more than what these vehicles normally go for during the rest of the year, but I assure you, if you pay anywhere close to KBB value, you'll kick yourself later when you find some real deals.

EDIT:

After checking out the pictures again, I'm kind of stumped. If you look at it again, make sure you pop the hood and see if it is truly a 5.0 Explorer or if someone has just slapped the badges on it. Also check to see if it really does have the switch on the dash or if these pictures are misrepresentations. The reason I'm stumped is because if you look at the interior shots, you can see through the front windshield that there is a pearl white Escalade/Avalanche parked in front of the Explorer. The exterior shots show the same vehicle in the same location, but the color of the trim on the rear bumper is drastically different in the interior shots versus the exterior shots. Bait and switch? LOL.

 

[storlied]

I have those Gauges also Bob. They are pretty easy to install.. we have a guide on here. Search ebay for them.. there's different styles. Mine are exactly like his except uh... the km/h numbers are in red and I'm using LED's for my needles which give off a brighter look to the whole setup.. Cutty, I highly suggest 5-SMD LED 194's for your gauges... you'll love em.. they will no longer look so yellow... the needles and miles... pure white, and bright.. the way they act with the needles.. it puts a nice glow around the needle base... looks badass when the face's aren't on.


I agree wih x6, there's too much fishy about this Explorer. There's a LOT more out there.

 

[storlied]

Since you're an Explorer fan Bob, check my lights out:

Very nice improvement over stock. Even if you don't get this truck.. don't give up on the idea of getting an Explorer..

 

[lightningrodbob]

Actually, I think the interior pictures that are posted in that ad are from a totally different Explorer. You mentioned earlier that the interior is actually tan and not gray. The interior in those pictures is clearly gray. If you look at the shot from the back with the hatch up, the trim on top of the back bumper is also clearly gray, which conflicts with the exterior shots that show gold/tan trim. The fact that there is a 4x4 switch on the radio bezel further reinforces my belief that the interior pictures are of a totally different vehicle. NO 2nd Gen V8 Explorers or Mountaineers came from the factory with selectable 4x4. They were all either 2WD or AWD.

As far as my opinion as to whether or not you should buy it goes, I would urge you to pass on it. There are far more fish in the sea. My last (and current) 5.0/AWD Explorer is a 2001, which I purchased with 127k miles back in October from a dealer for $2,477. The Explorer I had before that was a 1998 5.0/AWD with 76k miles and I snagged it from a dealer for $3200. As winter is already here, you can expect to pay a little more than what these vehicles normally go for during the rest of the year, but I assure you, if you pay anywhere close to KBB value, you'll kick yourself later when you find some real deals.

EDIT:

After checking out the pictures again, I'm kind of stumped. If you look at it again, make sure you pop the hood and see if it is truly a 5.0 Explorer or if someone has just slapped the badges on it. Also check to see if it really does have the switch on the dash or if these pictures are misrepresentations. The reason I'm stumped is because if you look at the interior shots, you can see through the front windshield that there is a pearl white Escalade/Avalanche parked in front of the Explorer. The exterior shots show the same vehicle in the same location, but the color of the trim on the rear bumper is drastically different in the interior shots versus the exterior shots. Bait and switch? LOL.

You could be right about the pictures, but I think it could just be the fact that the pictures were taken at night with a flash or something, because the interior looks identical to the one I was in when I testdrove. It had the same box of wires hanging out of the console like in the very bottom picture. Everything about it looked the same in person except for the color of the interior, I think it might just be the camera playing tricks. Who knows. I'll take some pictures when I go look at it again on monday.

 

[lightningrodbob]

storlied those lights are sexy, I don't think I would get the lamps on the grill but definitely the headlights. Very nice

 

[lightningrodbob]

this one is gorgeous

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/ctd/1523092072.html

too bad I live 500 miles away. I bet I could talk that down significantly

 

[eXcali]

I think it's possible the radio bezel was replaced with an incorrect bezel with a 4x4 switch due to a break-in, the original bezel was probably damaged when they stole or tried to steal the radio....

If you can get it for closer to $2500 then it may be an OK deal, not a steal by any means. If you can do that and are able to work on it yourself when something breaks then I say go for it.

It's also possible that the front fenders have been swapped out. There is already evidence of 2 collisions reported to the Insurance company from the Carfax report.

On the next drive check under the hood, the 5.0 has a big 5.0L in 4 inches tall right smack dab middle on the engine. Also check the 4x4 switch inside, if it functions and there is a 5.0 under the hood, RUN don't walk away from this vehicle.

While it would be nice to come across a 5.0 with a 4x4 electric switch, there has been MAJOR modifications to this vehicle that a Dealer would have no part in. That kind of mod will take the vehicle down to nearly scrap metal resale value.

Give that Mounty a look that I posted, Mounties are the same vehicle as the Explorer, but with more bells and whistles from the start. I'd take a decked out Mounty any day over an EB.