New Buyer Here, Looking For Advice

[FordGuy101]

Hi Everyone, for the past few months I have been looking for an Explorer in the 1998 to 2005 range. I am on a fixed income and a limited budget so that is making it sort of hard to find a car I am comfortable spending my money on.

I was first thinking about getting the V6 but then I found out that engine has timing chain guide problems that could run me North of $5K to fix so that pretty much ended that idea. I am now considering an Explorer with either the 4.6L or the 5.0L V8 engine and I want to ask about those engines? I know the 5.0L has been around for a while but is it still a good engine or is it junk? Also, how is the 4.6L engine? Is it even worth considering?

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Flashflood]

5.0 imo are bulletproof. Then again I know the ticks and tricks of them. I don't really like the 4.6s all the 4.6s we've had have been nothing but issues.

 

[mountaineer2004]

From the parameters you listed, I'd get a 2005 explorer with the 4.6 engine.

My Mounty has a the 4.6, and it's been flawless, going on 297k soon. Very reliable engine.

Except for changing the guides and tensioners at 175k, nothing but regular oil changes were done.

Realize any old car will cost lots of money in repairs and maintenance. Best of luck.

 

[Stynx]

Any car that age is going to be a crapshoot as far as reliability. You can tell if the motor is ok just by starting it. If you hear timing chain noises you know it's a turd, but you really should be worried about the transmissions. The 5r55 are known to have issues and that will be an expensive repair as well - ask me how I know.

Frame rust is a concern as well depending on where the car spent it's life. When I was looking the first thing I noticed was the frame was in good condition. When I started it, it started easily and ran smoothly and quietly. What I didn't know was the trans would crap out within days.

The budget market is tough.

 

[Jason94sport]

Fords...Either engine sucks & trans is good, or engine is great & trans sucks.......
If your not comfortable with repairs, look elsewhere.
There are exceptions, & yes most Explorers are ok, but when it breaks it breaks.
As someone said body condition is a concern. I had 2 Explorers rust out on the body, clear & paint peeling. But ran fine.
The 04 V8 I have now since January seems ok. Though it developed a few annoyances after I bought it...
Some clunk underneath no one can figure out what it is.
Mem function stopped working.
Rear driver window is stuck up.
Steering wheel column bushing is shot(steering wheels has play in all directions)