possible new Exploder owner?

[911]

Hi, my name is Dawson, I live in BFE South Dakota, and I have two cars. a 1987 Acura Legend 5spd sedan, and a 1997 Chevy Cavalier Z24. My mom has a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix, and is thinking of trading it in on a '00 XLS. I joined in hopes of finding some info about them. She has wanted one for a long time, and is finally in the position where she can get one. I have posted pics below of the one she wants, its sitting at a dealer about two blocks from my house.


'00 XLS A/C, CC, keyless entry, 4x4, ABS, CD, 96k miles.


here are the pics. The stealership was closed when I got there, so I was not able to get any good pics of the interior. I'm going in the morning when they open, to check it all out.

(thats my Legend in the background)

 

[jlsparky7]

Welcome.

Do some research on the timing chain tensioner problems with that engine. It might be worth it for her to look into the V8. Not to burst your bubble but there are better deals out there. Check out www.craigslist.com or www.ebay.com. Usually its worth while to travel if you know your getting a good deal.

Some people have had good luck and not had the timing chain problems but others have had some serious headaches over it.

If you do get this vehicle I would try and talk the dealership into a specific warranty on the timing chain and tensioners incase she does have problems.

Hope this helps. Other than that its a nice lookin ride.

 

[911]

there is no warranty on it. it has a thing in the window that says so... she just saw this one, and fell in love with the color. but we may look for another one though. is there a specific mileage that it goes out or something? and if its that big of a problem, is there a recall on it? i will do some looking into it, thanks!

 

[jlsparky7]

Some people have lemoned there explorers because of it.

It happens anywhere from 80,000 miles on up.

You can buy any explorer and have it painted that color.

 

[911]

lol yes, could. by why buy a car that needs to be worked on? lol

im still looking into it, but can it just be fixed, before something goes wrong?

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome and that is a nice x

 

[jlsparky7]

lol yes, could. by why buy a car that needs to be worked on? lol

im still looking into it, but can it just be fixed, before something goes wrong?

Any used car should have work done on it as soon as its purchased.

It can be fixed but it is very expensive to pay someone to do it and very time consuming if you do it yourself.

 

[bcboy4ca]

The VIN # has the X in the 8th so it should have the 4.0 OHV so it shouldn't have any timing chain tensioner issues.

 

[jlsparky7]

The VIN # has the X in the 8th so it should have the 4.0 OHV so it shouldn't have any timing chain tensioner issues.

Sweet, lucky mom

 

[911]

oh snap, so we got lucky? LOL yeah she has been looking for one for a few years. she only got the GP because her old '97 Cutlass Supreme got a BHG and she really needed a car. we couldnt find any decent Explorers at the time, so she got that..

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Have an independent mechanic check it out before you purchase it. Don't let the dealership's mechanic check it out first since they just want to make a sale.

 

[911]

well i am an independent mechanic LOL i went today to look it over throughly.. super clean, in and out, only found three imperfections with the body. a dent in the 1/4, and two holes in the hatch, looks like there was a license plate there or something? got in, very nice, everything worked great. but when i started it, it didnt start on the first try, started on the second try, but was rough for a few seconds. pushed the gas, revved up a bit, and was nice an smooth. turned on the a/c, got cold nice and quick, and blew good.


here is the dent and holes

and the interior

motor.

but then...............
































its blown :/ it was 92º when i took this pic, so its not that its cold out! haha

so we are going to pass on it. no point in buying a car that needs to be fixed. ya know?