Thinking about trading up, your vote counts.

[kfkodiak]

This might be a bit long, but I could really use some input.
I'm going back to school, and want to keep my repair bills to a minimum.

Here is what I currently have:
'98 XLT 4x4, 4.0 OHV, 112K miles. Starts the first time every time, and consistently gets 19.5 mpg on the highway, about 16-17 city. Had the truck for 2 years, and it's been nearly 100% reliable. I have put on about 23K in that time, and the OHV (aside from being loud) has been powerful enough most of the time.

Here is what I'm looking at:
'98-'01 AWD V8 Eddie Bauer / Limited, no more than 80K mi.

Here are my deciding factors:

- How much more reliable is the 4r70w, and the AWD transfer case? Can I reasonably expect 200k out of this driveline? I don't tow, and don't plan on wheeling on more than rough dirt roads. Properly maintained, could the 5r55e be as good under this use?

- Also, how much worse is the fuel economy? I'm mostly concerned about the life of the 5r55e and the control-trac hardware, but i don't want to lose more than about 2mpg.

- Is the rear load-leveling system generally reliable, or is it more trouble than it's worth? I see ford has abandoned this option for the current generation.


All things considered, should I keep my current rig, or is it time to upgrade?

I'll take all comments, thanks in advance.

 

[Mbrooks420]

My v8 gets a consistant 15-17 of mixed highway city. I would place my bottom dollar on the 5.0, 4r70w, and bw4404, outlasting a SOHC, 5r55e, and bw4405, by quite a bit. I don't know about the air ride, as I have never had it.

 

[spta97]

My 2000 5.0 AWD consistantly gets 10-13 MPG (the latter only on highway). It has been a good truck, but has had it's problems. People say the load-leveling suspension is more trouble than it's worth. Considering you are looking at one with 80k you will most likely have to have it replaced.

I think the bigger question is will your repair bills on the current truck really be more expensive than a new one? Also, insurance might be higher on a newer truck especially because you are a student.

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

I would say it is a good choice if you can afford to take the hit on money that they will say your truck is not worth a dime and there's is worth it's weight in gold. Make sure to get the exact truck you want, like color and all options and exact interior you want. The vehicle you will want is out there and will be reasonably priced right now but you will have to take your time and find it. Like if you want a white truck, say an 2000 with less than 50K mileage. Good mileage is about 12k a year. And don't be afraid to check the body for previous damage. It's all ways worth the change when you start getting high mileage. Sooner or later, they all start breaking down, even the great ones.

When I think back, I don't think I have ever kept a vehicle over 100K in miles. I always get rid of it before then.

Good luck on your hunt. I would do the trade if it is for no other reason than to upgrade the engine.

 

[alphabets13]

my advice would be "if it's not broke don't fix it". your X sounds like it's doing fine as is, so i would keep it until you were done with school. school is expensive enough without a car payment on top of it.

 

[00XLS]

I'd say keep your current rig, it seems like your trading up for a V8 with a few less miles on it and AWD not to meantion less mpg. Unless you find a steal of a deal on something like what you want I'd leave well enough alone.

 

[stubborn1]

I would pass on it. You aren't upgrading that much anyway. Since you are in college, I would save my money for beer, pizza, and chicks with low self esteem.

 

[the_tool_man]

Hi kfkodiak:

"The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know" - Author unknown.

Why trade the vehicle you know inside and out, know has a history of reliability, and already have for one that will cost more to purchase, insure, pay taxes on, put gas in, and has unknown history?

I purchased a '93 XLT new in '93. Was the most reliable vehicle I ever owned. In '01 my wife insisted on getting a new one (EB V8), which we did. Had lots of little things go wrong over the next year. Wife moved out in '02, but I understand she has had more trouble with '01 since. Neighbor bought '93 from me in '01, and still drives it every day. I tried to buy it back from him shortly after wife left, but he wouldn't sell.

If you like what you have, and it's reliable, take care of it (talking about the Explorer here, but it applies to wives also).

Regards,
John.

 

[Bill Kemp]

My 96 ohv got totaled and I now have a 98 5.0. Gas prices make me wish I had gotten a SOHC. 10-14 mpg. depending..in town no better than 10.
I'd say keep what you got......

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

"The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know" - Author unknown.

I love that quote, thats great oh so true, kinda reminds me of some females I know, I say keep it, the one you got!

 

[spta97]

.... Since you are in college, I would save my money for beer, pizza, and chicks with low self esteem.

HA HA HA HA...they make the world go round don't they

 

[kfkodiak]

Thanks for the suggestions! I went and test drove a maroon '99 EB today. The V8 was great, but not enough to take a hit on my trade. I drove mine again later on, and I've decided to keep it for the immediate future. It's still in really good shape, and the only actual failures have been the front swaybar bracket bolts breaking, and a flush tee in the heater lines that leaked. I'll just cant see giving up a truck that has been that solid. I might add a few things to fix it up a bit, but otherwise I'll save my money for more important things like "beer, pizza, and chicks with low self esteem."

 

[Mbrooks420]

Just wait until the trans starts to go, then trade it off. Thats what I did with my last one. Just don't push it. By the time I traded it, I had drove it to so many dealers i didn't think it was going to make it to the next. 4500rpms, in 4th going 30 couldn't have been good for it

 

[kfkodiak]

This just won't go away.

How do those of you with Mountaineers like them? I just came across an '01 with less than 40k for a decent price, and it got me thinking again.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I love it. It doesn't carry the bad stigma of the Explorer, has a higher resale, and you don't get blacklisted by anyone. Sears and Sams wouldn't put light truck tires, or larger tires on my Explorer. They had no problem doing it with the Mounty. And you could rent a U haul, if thats all your town has. We ave other rental places, so I'd rather give them my business, but not everybody has that choice. I like the projection headlights better on the Mounty, and they don't turn yellow as they get old.

 

[X~FACTOR]

Well, according to the "polls" here, V8 gets the same mpg as the V6... supposedly.



In any case, most V8 owners think its well worth it. Me, personally, would trade up for a V8 in a heartbeat.