Possible New Owner

[mustangcobra93]

I am thinking about buying a 2010 XLT Explorer from my local dealership. It is a V6, 4WD with the class III/IV towing package, 3.73 gear and SYNC. It looks like the car was bought new from them, serviced by them and then traded back in to them. They are asking $19,900. What would a good "out the door" price to buy this for? Also, I plan to tow my 1990 Jayco pop-up camper with it. The best I can tell it comes in at 3,000 lbs. Would this be a problem for the Explorer towing this with me, the family and our stuff? The only downfall I see of this car is the crappy gas mileage, is there any other problems I need to know about. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Ronin8002]

I am thinking about buying a 2010 XLT Explorer from my local dealership. It is a V6, 4WD with the class III/IV towing package, 3.73 gear and SYNC. It looks like the car was bought new from them, serviced by them and then traded back in to them. They are asking $19,900. What would a good "out the door" price to buy this for? Also, I plan to tow my 1990 Jayco pop-up camper with it. The best I can tell it comes in at 3,000 lbs. Would this be a problem for the Explorer towing this with me, the family and our stuff? The only downfall I see of this car is the crappy gas mileage, is there any other problems I need to know about. Thanks in advance for any advice.

With what you are planning on towing, I would hold out for a 2008-2010 V8 model. Better transmission, better towing performance from what I've seen, and nearly identical fuel economy as the V6.

 

[vipersinu2]

the 6 cylinder is not the best

I would stay away from the v6, junk engine and tranny.

get the v8 it has a 6 speed trans. compared to the v6 5 speed. also the v8 gets about 20 on highway, where the v6 gets about 16,

the v6 is a self destruction engine, timing chains are junk, and can not be replaced with the engine in truck, engine has to come out,

the v8 is a bullet proof engine. the police use a 4.6 2v engine in the crown vics and run those cars all day idling and sell cop cars at 150,000 miles to taxi services and they run that engine to 450,000 plus miles.

 

[TourGuide]

I would stay away from the v6, junk engine and tranny.
I think there are a few people here who would disagree with your blanket statement about the V6 and transmission. I have 136k on my V6 and it is holding together fine.

get the v8 it has a 6 speed trans. compared to the v6 5 speed. also the v8 gets about 20 on highway, where the v6 gets about 16,
I can't comment about the V8 mileage as I have a V6, but driving at 75 down the highway I usually get 21-22. Now fuel economy is condition dependent for everyone so I CAN see sub 20s in the mountains - but then everyone deals with lower figures in those conditions.

 

[vipersinu2]

I own an 03 v6 and engine blew up at 176000 but on other hand I have an 97 that blew up at 103000. At this time I own both an v6 and a v8. No doubt the v8 is the way to go. I have replaced both sohc v6 engines myself. Engine is still solid on the v8.

 

[mustangcobra93]

Thanks for the responses. Looks like I'll hold out for a V8.

 

[bryris]

My 4.0L pulls my 5,000lb 24ft camper with no issue. it won't win a race, but if I am patient and light on the pedal, it does just fine. i promise that 3k lbs is not an issue....not even close. Just get a brake controller.

I am planning to get an F150 soon to pull with more authority and on longer road trips, but within a 100mi radius, Explorer does just fine - just be gentle on the gas.

As far as longevity, from my research, the later sohcs are fine. The roads are full of high mileage explorer sohcs. Mine is about to turn 100k and is still quiet and smooth, powerful (for what it is).

But, if I could do it over again, I'd have gotten a 5.4L Expedition for F150 as a better match for my needs. Problem with the Explorers are they depreciate so quickly. When I do upgrade, Ill probably keep the Explorer, because Ill be lucky to get 4-5k for it on trade.

 

[thebrakeman]

If that 3000 lbs is the loaded camper, then you are fine towing with a V6-tow package Explorer. It's rated around 5500 lbs MAX, which allows you 2500 lbs for people and stuff in the truck. Plenty of capacity, due to the 3.73 axles.

But it's those 3.73 axles that will kill your gas milesage. The guy that gets 21-22mpg on the highway probably has a non-HD tow package truck with 3.55 gearing.

Definitely worth waiting for the V8. The 6-speed trans means it gets to keep teh 3.55 gears, even with the HD towing package. You'll have enough capacity (7000 lbs) in case you want a larger camper, but you'll get same or better gas mileage as that V6-tow package truck.

However, 18mpg is the best I've seen on highway trips (non-towing). Whoever was getting 20mpg with the V8 is doing better than me. I get 8-9mpg when towing, but my camper is loaded to about 5200 lbs.