Opinions please!

[tcross8361]

So my 97 Explorer is at 180,000 miles. It needs a lot of work and I think I'm just gonna look for something else. I really wanted to get into an F150 but I haven't been able to find anything in my price range that I like yet. I've started to entertain the idea of another Explorer. I've got 2 I'm looking at. 1st one is a 2008 110,000 miles, clean back ground, clean motor, minor body blemishes and clean interior. I test drove it and it rode really nice and no pops, squeaks, or knocks. The 2nd is a 2005 with 99,000 miles. Clean body with no blemishes, and the interior looks clean from what I could see from the outside. I haven't test drove it yet because the place was closed, but I'm going to try to tomorrow. If the 2005 checks out I'm really leaning more towards it because it seems to be in better cosmetic shape and less miles. Plus I like the interior set up better. Both are same price but I'm still going to try to negotiate them down because they are asking more than book value. So what are your thoughts on these model years since they are 2 different generations and different than my 97's generation that I'm use to?

 

[Number4]

I still have my 94. I like it. I won't get a 4th gen because of the way the interior door opening handle looks. It just ain't right. How's that for an opinion. The seats are better in the 08. Both have the same HVAC plastic breaking issues. Not sure about bearings and balljoints. The 08 should be far more expensive than the 05, that's concerning.
What engine? Go with whatever one has the V8.

Edit: can you post picks of both?

 

[tcross8361]

Yeah pics aren't working. I agree about the 2008 door handle. I didn't really like the whole door interior. The 2008 is actually $1000 more. Both are 4.0 V6. The 2008 has some body damage. No rust, a spot where the paint is peeling off the plastic part of the bumper. and some scratches. I wonder if anyone has a carfax account to run the vins for me.

 

[tcross8361]

So, after looking at the dealers web site of the 2008's posting again, there was a AutoCheck icon. After clicking on that, it says "Auction is Announced as Frame Damage" reported on it at about. Very Interesting! This is why I asked for opinions.

EDIT:
The 2005 Carfax is clean.

 

[tubeless]

My 04 had to have timing chains at 118000 miles and now at 121000 miles the front ball joints are about to fall out. The mechanic showed them to me. When I got tires last week the tire shop couldn't do an allignment because of the ball joints. I carried it to a mechanic I trust to do the work.

 

[tcross8361]

Oh boy! That 2005 was a mess. The body and interior were in really good shape. The salesman had to jump start it because the battery was dead. When we popped the hood to jump it, i was looking the motor over. There was literally probably a quart of oil puddled up on top of the motor. When I pointed it out, the salesman says "it's a 9 year old vehicle, the valve covers are gonna leak a little". I told him that my 17 year old Explorers valve covers don't leak. He just laughed. So I said what the hell lets take it for a ride. I put it in reverse and nothing happened. It wouldn't back up. So I had to shift it from park to reverse 3 times before it would back up. I parked it and told the salesman I'd seen enough. LOL

EDIT:
I'm probably going to stick to trying to get into an F150. I figure if I'm going to have crappy gas mileage, I'd better at least have the power to back it up. Ford for life!

 

[BigRondo]

Yeah pics aren't working.

Here are the threads for posting pictures:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=359901

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147920

Here is a thread for embedding YouTube videos in your post:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376981

Good luck and Happy Exploring!!