Situation: YOUR input wanted. Thanks!

[TomServo9]

Hey guys. I need your help/advice. What would you do in my situation? I'm just lost and have been for the past month!

My poor first gen (1992) has been through hell and back the past few months. It all started the week of x-mas 2003. She got rear ended when PARKED in front of my house TWICE in ONE WEEK! It was totaled. Then the next few months I tried to fight the insurance company because of course they wouldn't pay up what the car was worth. Then I finally gave up and accepted the check and kept the car since they were threatening to not payout at all. A week later my tranny (trusty A4LD) went. It has been SUCH a great truck but ever since the ACCIDENTS it hasn't been the same.

I love my car and sadly if I could have ANY car in the world it would probably be a 1992-1994 Explorer (sorry 1991 haha). Anyways I haven't been able to make a decision on what to do. I have always been planning on keeping it as a project car (plus since the car is still smashed up and without a tranny its really worthless and can't be sold, its worth more emotionally than I could ever get money-wise) but it is getting pretty rusty (which I had started fixing until it got hit.) Other than rust the car is in perfect condition. The paint is flawless and the interior looks new. The engine seems solid and only uses a little oil/coolant (it has 133k on it.) I was originally planning on getting a 2002 3rd gen this fall from my work (where my first gen came from also,) and retiring my first gen into project status. I can get a great deal on it (about 17500) but with gas prices these days its kind of hard to justify. Also I have always had a hard time accepting the poor gas mileage on these things. I mean come on a 1992 and 2002 should NOT get the same gas mileage! So obviously I have been researching my options. An SUV fits me best as I do haul around lots of computer/electronic equipment and head north almost every weekend to our cabin in the woods. I do not have the storage for 2 daily driving cars and also really can't afford insurance on multiple cars either as I am still only 20. After doing some research I am VERY interested in possibly buying a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid (it fits my needs almost perfectly) but my main problem is that they simply aren't available yet and I really can't put off finding a solution much longer. So that puts me back at square one. I could buy a used car but I'm too scared to. I mean there is no guarantee that whatever I buy won't have problems either. At least my Explorer has been in the family since day one. As for new cars I just really don't like what’s CURRENTLY out there other than the Explorer of course and if I buy new I better like what I'm driving since I will obviously be driving it for many years to come. On top of all this if I put off buying a car now it sounds like interest rates are going up. This is really a no-win situation.

I’m really thinking the wisest solution would be to fix it since I want to keep it anyways and just drive it for 6mo/1year then get the Escape. Everyone thinks I'm crazy though. What should I do?

Apologies on the long post, I really appreciate your time and replies!

Marc Wiebusch

 

[Mbrooks420]

If you need relaible, always ready to go transportation, I'd be a little leary of the new hybrid. It is a fairly new vehicle with new technology that probably doesn't have all the bugs worked out of it.

 

[DeRocha]

That is a touch decision since you can only have 1 vehicle. I'm the original owner of '93 xlt and have contemplated getting a second car (Escape) for the past few years. The new ride would be my commuter ride and backup vehicle; and allow me to restore/mod the X on my free time (My avatar shows my progress to date). The fuel savings on the commuter ride would basically pay for the insurance on my Explorer . The way I see it the X is worth not much on a trade, but is priceless to me for its all around abilities. I can fix most things I would kick myself (hard) if I had to trade in my x.. So fo he price of a new engine and tranny I can have a basically new 4x4. The '05 Escape hybrid sounds nice, but its a first production year ride; as such it may be spending some quality time back @ the dealer fixing stuff.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

Why not buy a regular Escape? The money you'd save buying a certified-used Escape would buy a lot of gas for that hybrid, which will probably cost around 25K. Get an '02 or '03 Escape used for around 14k and be happy. The 4 cylinder 2WD Escapes get around 26, I believe, that's pretty dang good.

 

[stubborn1]

If it were me, I would part it out and then have the skeleton towed to the junkyard.

I would be leary of throwing any more cash into a 12-13 year old vehicle. If you fix the tranny, you have no guarantee that something else won't break the next month. You mentioned that you are consuming oil/coolant at a slow rate. Could you have a bad head gasket or cracked head? Unless you do all of your own mechanic work, the repairs could add up quick.

Also, since I haul around my kids, I wouldn't drive around in a vehicle that has been totaled from a safety standpoint.

 

[Con Seann3ry]

Yeah, I don't see a possible situation where you could keep your X you have now without buying another SUV that could tow it for wheeling (so you could take the insurance off the X). You could buy a 2WD diesel pickup and that would get mad gas milage and give you room for all your computer stuff and be able to get to your cabin. Other option I see is buying a cheap honda and driving that while you fix your X/wait for the escape to come out.

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

If it were me, I would part it out and then have the skeleton towed to the junkyard.I would be leary of throwing any more cash into a 12-13 year old vehicle. If you fix the tranny, you have no guarantee that something else won't break the next month.

I agree. Part it out, tell it good bye and get another vehicle and move on. It just isnt worth putting in tons of dollars into a vehicle that has been declared totalled. Take that money and get another one and use some parts off of yours to get it the way you want, then sell the remainder to the junk yard or where they press cars. With that money get a tank of gas and a meal. Good luck.

 

[WDP]

Leave it parked right where it got hit. Collect from the next schmuck's insurance company that hits it. Keep collecting till on it till you can pay for what you want.

WDP

 

[TomServo9]

AWESOME! Keep the input coming! I'll add additional information as it comes up. I am going to answer everyone’s input to see if I can make my situation clearer. I don't mean to sound like I have excuses for everything. Hopefully maybe it will help someone down the road too if they get into a similar situation. Thanks guys!

If you need reliable, always ready to go transportation, I'd be a little leery of the new hybrid. It is a fairly new vehicle with new technology that probably doesn't have all the bugs worked out of it.

Mbrooks420: As long as it has a warranty I would be fine with a few bugs here and there. I would also probably buy an extended warranty. I know the hybrids are supposed to have some sort of special warranty on some of the hybrid parts. It seems almost ANY new car you buy these days has to be brought in 5-10 times before it is just perfect.

That is a touch decision since you can only have 1 vehicle....The fuel savings on the commuter ride would basically pay for the insurance on my Explorer.

DeRocha: I didn't make this clear. I can only have 1 DAILY driver. I can store the X at the cabin and put insurance on it as needed. But the cabin is a 2-hour drive away so it’s not really convenient to be considered an accessible backup daily-driver.

The way I see it the X is worth not much on a trade, but is priceless to me for it’s all around abilities. I can fix most things I would kick myself (hard) if I had to trade in my x.. So for he price of a new engine and tranny I can have a basically new 4x4.

DeRocha: Sounds like we are pretty much on the same page. It just doesn't seem like it’s even worth it to get rid of it.

Why not buy a regular Escape? The money you'd save buying a certified-used Escape would buy a lot of gas for that hybrid, which will probably cost around 25K. Get a '02 or '03 Escape used for around 14k and be happy. The 4 cylinder 2WD Escapes get around 26, I believe, that's pretty dang good.

JayhawkExplorer: I have considered this too, but there are a lot of things I like about the 2005 over previous years. I still don't LOVE the escape. I still think the 3rd gen explorer is where it’s at but I really can't justify the gas consumption. Basically I would be making a "compromise" by getting the Escape. Better gas mileage and less pollution has always been something I have stood for but I really need the capability of the SUV.

If it were me, I would part it out and then have the skeleton towed to the junkyard.

Stubborn1: I just don't have the heart to do that to my baby

I would be leery of throwing any more cash into a 12-13 year old vehicle. If you fix the tranny, you have no guarantee that something else won't break the next month.

Stubborn1: It has always been well maintained by me and other family mechanics and I really believe in preventative maintenance. That’s exactly why I'm just as weary of getting something used like another explorer too because for all I know NOTHING has been maintained on it where at least I have known this car its entire life.

Also, since I haul around my kids, I wouldn't drive around in a vehicle that has been totaled from a safety standpoint.

Stubborn1: My car being totaled is a little deceiving because it was only totaled by about $50. That’s why I fought the insurance company for so long. All that happened is the rear quarter and bumper got bent. There is absolutely no structural damage. It really is a joke that it was totaled. Plus when they figured the value of my car they deducted $700 for a small dent in the passenger rear door! It's still beyond me how they came up with that number when a few years back it was struck by a deer and I had the 2 doors/front fender/and hood replaced for like $1100.

You could buy a 2WD diesel pickup....Other option I see is buying a cheap Honda and driving that while you fix your X/wait for the escape to come out.

Con Seann3ry: Since I'm usually hauling around electronics and server equipment its nice to have an enclosed SUV. Even though you can get water tight toppers and what not its just more of a hassle. Plus its nice to just throw stuff in the back of the Explorer without having to really strap down the stuff like mad like I have to when I use my fathers pickup.

Even if I bought something cheap for in the interim I would still have to spend probably $2000 to get something kind of reliable and at that point it just seems to make more sense just fixing the X cause I know its still pretty solid.

I agree. Part it out, tell it good bye and get another vehicle and move on.

BBQ_HotDogs: With my car rusting the past 2 years I have been constantly looking for something that is in similar shape with what I had and I have found NOTHING in the state/surrounding states. I have found a few around the country that were possibly worth a look but its kind of hard to just look at a car across the country and then determine its not what I want. Plus I have been planning on buying new with in the next year or two for quite a while. So it wouldn't be worth the hassle I feel.

Leave it parked right where it got hit. Collect from the next schmuck's insurance company that hits it. Keep collecting till on it till you can pay for what you want.

WDP: If ONLY I could get the insurance companies to listen to me. I have tried EVERYTHING. It's just not worth bringing anyone to court over. I mean the car just isn’t worth enough.

 

[97BlackX5.0]

i understand your dilemma... but is your "totalled" X just cosmetic damage or actual frame and chassis damage.... if its just cosmetic... get out a sledge do some modding so that the wheels clear the fenders and you can drive it around.... and save up for a new car while you drive round your old one...even if the insurance company totals it you can buy it back from them and get a salvage title..... just make sure its safe thats all.....body damage can be lived with.... ive seen trucks with wooden bumpers (not an explorer) but so what.....anyways hope you get everything worked out and sorry to hear about your accident

edit : i went back and reread your post about the tranny being broke.... is it worth 1000 bucks to fix the tranny and drive it around as is..... till you get a new car....

 

[grlnd57]

just a fool. I have 2 explorers 1 is a 91 with an a4ld that went bad. The 2nd is a 92 with a 5 speed. Both were new when the wife and i got them. They both have over 145,000 miles on them. For what it takes to buy a new ones, our's can be re-done. if i can't do the work,we know folks that can. B.T.W. The auto in my 91 was replaced with a rebuild by ford (36/36 warranty), it is worth the money. As long as the frame is good, lol. cheaper than a new one. i guess i've been lucky

 

[Crazy5711]

Bang out the dents, replace the tranny, and keep driving it. Have you ever thought about doing a Manual tranny swap? In theory you can improve the gas mileage of the Ex with a manual tranny. Or you could seriously reduce, it depends on your driving habits. It might not cost more, especially if you do your own work, and as far as I know, they are more reliable. That is of course if you can drive a stick.