Looking at 2 Explorers Need opinions

[Skydmark1]

Hi Everyone,

I just spent the morning at a used car dealer, I've been hunting for a decent used 2nd Gen Explorer Sport. I drove a 99 that I liked with 91k miles on it, had a few minor problems with it like the Power seat doesn't seem to adjust more than a few inches in either direction. While trying to talk them down (they were asking almost $8k ) I think I may have stumbled upon a great deal.

They offered me TWO explorers for $5500 plus a $2000 trade in on my 93 Toyota pickup, basicly $7500. The other one is a 1998 with 120k miles and needs a little TLC, mostly some minor body work in the form of rust.

The 99 is pretty nice, power sunroof ect. ect. Doesn't seem to have the shift surge problem yet and the engine is smooth and quiet even upon starting in 10 degree weather. It has the 4.0 SOHC motor and Auto tranny. The axle code is 42 which I think is open diff with 4.10's. I want to run 30" or 31" tires so I think that gearing should work well for me.

The 98 that needs some body work and other minor things has the 4.0 OHV, and same rear axle. I didn't get to drive it yet because it was out of gas and I was out of time so I have to go back tomorrow.

First off does this sound like a good deal or what?

Secondly, I'm just looking for advice and opinions on the situation before I let my lust for the 99 get the best of me.

Here are the VIN's for anyone interested

Blue 1999 - 1FMZU24E3XUC53227
Red 1998 - 1FMYU24X4WUA27760

Thanks in advance

 

[briwayjones]

If they are both in decent shape sounds like a great deal to me.

 

[Skydmark1]

Ya Like I say the red 98 needs a little TLC but it runs and drives down the road...just the body is a starting to get a some surface rust.

 

[chrisis]

they seem to be a good deal. did you check any 5.0 v8? they seem to be much more reliable with a better engine-tranny combo than v6.

if you get a v6 then:

the 1999 it has the sohc motor(more torgue/hp than ohv), but check if the timming chain recall has been done.

the 1998 it has the ohv(less torgue/hp than sohc), but more reliable.

i would either say check fluids and see if everything seems ok and also check for any rattle noises and transmission shifts.

if you will tow anything i would suggest buying a 5.0 v8 (more torgue/hp than sohc/ohv motors) and proved to be the most reliable choice.

good luck and let as know how everything goes.

 

[chrisis]

42 - 4.10 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer).

thats good because you put less stress to the drivertrain with 4.10, but in the highway the engine is going to turn in higher rpm and is going to use more gas.

 

[Skydmark1]

Ya I don't do very much Driving over 55 mph so that gearing should be fine for me. As for the Tranny in the 99 it shifted very well I was almost surprised. How can I check to see if the recall has been performed, do I need to call a dealer and give them the VIN?

 

[alwaysready]

id prob buy the 99
1. its a year newer which makes it worth moredpending on the mileage. that and everything is a year newer.
2. Body work requires a professional i dont like cars that need bodywork.
i would rather fix mechanical things like a seat myself then let the body shop repaint panels that might not match up good or they do a halfA$$ job in general
3. SOHC is more efffiecent i believe and more TQ HP

 

[Skydmark1]

id prob buy the 99
1. its a year newer which makes it worth moredpending on the mileage. that and everything is a year newer.
2. Body work requires a professional i dont like cars that need bodywork.
i would rather fix mechanical things like a seat myself then let the body shop repaint panels that might not match up good or they do a halfA$$ job in general
3. SOHC is more efffiecent i believe and more TQ HP

I think you missed the point of my post.....the deal I've been offered is for both vehicles. Also I'm capable of doing body work I just don't like it much...lol

But ya the SOHC definelty has more zip to it, I like it. I'm going in tomorrow to see if they can get me financed for the $5500

 

[alwaysready]

yes i missed it i thought it was one or the other
so 7500 for both. Good deal, that sucks for me though
that means my 95 x with 170,000 is worth absolutely nothing
One more reason to mod it i guess not worth selling

 

[reserved50]

both sound high in price and the one with rust especially on the rockers( if so) is a rust bucket

 

[Skydmark1]

Both sound high in price? It works out to me getting the 2nd one for $800. I dunno maybe the prices are different where you are. I did check the books on this and the pricing seems fair, so I think I decided to take the next step

 

[cgriffin_5139]

They offered me TWO explorers for $5500 plus a $2000 trade in on my 93 Toyota pickup, basicly $7500.

I'm confused they offered you two explorers for $5500 plus a $2000 trade in on your 93 Toyota pickup. How do you come up with $7500, if you get $2000 for the Toyota? Wouldn’t that be $3500?

 

[Skydmark1]

No I guess I worded it wrong, It's $5500 after my $2000 trade in. THe price for the 99 still sounds a little steep to me, the average NADA retail is $6800 and they don't want to budge much from that point, I'm trying to get them down to $6000 even.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

oh ok , where are you at in NH MY wife went to UNH.

 

[Skydmark1]

I'm further up north in Littleton NH just above Franconia Notch

 

[Skydmark1]

I did it, I'm now the proud owner of 2 Ford Explorer Sports. The 98 they sold to me as is no inspection. So it's in my yard with no plate or anything. The 99 they are putting a sticker on, but they have to put on new pads and rotors for it to pass, so that's cool actually because I new it would need some brake work. I'm pumped can't wait to go for a spin.

 

[briwayjones]

Sweet. Great deal. Congrats.

 

[reserved50]

oops, two explorers or that price, yea thats cheap then, so much for posting at night. Wheres the rust starting to form

 

[ñòóKýçrÕôK]

I did it, I'm now the proud owner of 2 Ford Explorer Sports. The 98 they sold to me as is no inspection. So it's in my yard with no plate or anything. The 99 they are putting a sticker on, but they have to put on new pads and rotors for it to pass, so that's cool actually because I new it would need some brake work. I'm pumped can't wait to go for a spin.

Well my advice WOULD'VE been, think rationally. Why would they offer 2 vehicles at $5500 + my Toyota = $7500. Then ask them "why?". The engines, if both running are worth their weight in gold from what I've read on Ford Explorers (figuratively speaking of course).The drive train on both seperately are worth a small fortune. Why would that not be a factor for them? Why sell the 98 as is, unchecked? Ask why on that too. And never buy a car alone. Take a knowledgable friend with you to be a voice of reason and stability. From what I've read it would appear you got a good deal but to me it feels suspicious. Hope it goes to the good in your favor.

 

[Skydmark1]

Ya I took a few days to come to a conclusion and I looked each one over real good. The 1999 seems to be in good shape overall, couple of little problems but nothing major. The red one they took in on a trade and I know for a fact they didn't give the guy much for it. There's some surface rust forming around the fender flares and the flare on the pass. rear is busted. ABS light is on, the gas guage doesn't work, and it has some sort of vibration while sitting at idle (maybe a tranny mount) ALso the Drivers power seat doesn't work, so yes the 1998 does have some problems and I realized that, but for the money I drove it down the road and it ran pretty decent and even the tranny seemed to be fine with no shift surges. I'm pretty happy overall, hopefully I'll stay that way after a while.