time to get rid of the explorer?

[ssm5114]

alright so the explorer started making this wierd noise...and i searched it and it sounds like the timing chain issue......it has 309,000 miles on it. the cat is clogged, all ball joints, tie rods, sway bar links, bushings etc are shot. shocks/struts are shot....whole exhaust system needs an overhaul....completely rotted out...tranny slips a LITTLE bit but not bad at all......should i just give up on it? it seems like its gonna need a lot of money put into it to make it reliable again.....and with those miles im not sure i want to do that......any suggestions?

 

[sport97]

309,000 on an 03, impressive. Thats alot of miles for only being an 03, and its the highest mileage ive seen for a 2nd or 3rd gen. I'd say you got your moneys worth.
Selling it as it is you will get very little due to mileage and the issues. Being that you must drive alot of miles you may want to look into another 3rd gen.
If you are getting another 3rd gen you could part it out and keep some spare parts for your new one, unless you can get enough to warrant selling it as it is for money down on another car

 

[alexk]

Unfortunatly I dont think you will get more than $100 trading it in but in all honestly with those kind of miles I would think maybe its time to part. Maybe a low mileage 05 or maybe a brand new 10?

 

[zerodevil]

the 4th gens are a mile ahead of the 3rd gens, my dads 07 blows me away, a much more well made machine. I say if you have the cash to drop on a new explorer, do it!

 

[ssm5114]

i dont have the money for a NEW one, but i am definately thinking about the 4th gens tho.....but i dont know...ive been thinking about getting something either bigger like an expedition or a tahoe...or like and f150 or something...i am trying to do my "homework" first before i make any decisions tho....but i think ive pretty much decided to part with this....knowing my luck ill get all this fixed and in a week the tranny will blow...lol thanks for the suggestions tho....and your dads 07? i think its safe to say that you 100% recommend it?

 

[zerodevil]

absolutely.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Before you buy something bigger- borrow one. Bigger can be WAY bigger. Just maneuvering in parking lots is a PITA with some of the larger vehicles... Especially an F150- I spent the last weekend driving my Dad's new 2010 F150, and it's a really, really nice truck, but its just too damn big to maneuver easily IMHO.

...and I know you didn't just suggest switching from Ford to a Tahoe after clicking 300,000+ miles on a 2003!?!?!

 

[ssm5114]

ZERO- alright thanks...thats definately close to the top of my list then

JOE- when some idiot decided to rear end my old g35 i got a 2010 ram for a rental. and i must say it was HUGE..and your right it was a PITA to drive around my school parking lot with it......but theres something about a large truck.....lol.

hahah couldnt help but laugh at that last comment......thats why i said im researching first lol....its JUST a thought because i love the way the new tahoes look...

 

[gforceman]

MY 03 eddie bauer shares the same ,, 180k and chain probs all ball joints, tie rods, sway bar links, bushings , the rear , i saw a trade for 5500.00 maybe ill trade for a 4th or another 3rd gen V8 ONLY, done with the 4.0

 

[Joe Dirt]

Just bustin' your chops...

They do look nice. I like them far more than the jellybean Tahoes. I even like the older boxy Tahoes better than the jellybean Tahoes.

Do some investigation on the '07+ Tahoes/Burbs/Avalanches though, sometimes beauty is only skin deep... Engine issues, Stabilitrak issues, electrical issues, and interior fitment issues...

NOt worried though, sounds like you've got a good grasp on how to look for a new ride.

 

[BrianDye]

Yea I would most deff. look into another ride, if the trans wasnt bad, then I might say think about fixing it, but with those miles, and the trans on top of that, its just gonna be a money pit LOL.

What the hell man were you just gonna drive it and see how long it could go without putting a dime besides gas into it? :

I myself would take a 4th Gen Ex over a Hoe anyday But they are pretty nice looking.

Like Joe said, look into all your options, and TEST DRIVE!!!! And get the feeling for it.


I also know about that "something" in a big truck though, its indescribable

 

[2000StreetRod]

Sport vs Tahoe

I have a 1997 Tahoe I bought new to tow a 24 foot trailer for our 25th wedding anniversary extended vacation. My Sport has been disabled for the last two months while I replace the timing chain guide assemblies, etc. Since I've been driving the Tahoe in the interim I realize how much I miss the Sport's reduced size and weight. And there's the fuel economy issue - 10 mpg in town for the Tahoe vs 15 mpg or better for the Sport. Unless you have a real need for a full size SUV (I could lay 4x8 sheets of plywood in the cargo area) I think you'll be happier with a mid-size SUV after owning one for so long.

 

[bender]

SSM- very impressive mileage. How many of those did you put on it?
if you are in altoona, you've got a great resource in blue knob auto. go take an 06+ explorer and tahoe and anything else you might be interested in for a test drive. we bought my wife's 03 xlt there. they get mixed reviews on customer service but you can't beat the prices.

I agree, drive that thing till the wheels fall off, not worth trading.

 

[ssm5114]

yeah i will only get a V8 from now on.....6 just isnt worth it...

JOE- hah i agree the ones they had for a while the engineers mustve been drunk when the designed it......and thanks ive had my share of bad luck with cars too so i try to learn from my mistakes...

BRIAN- why put more money into a car than you have to right? lol..

2000- ive driven an expedition quite a few times and i gotta say i loved that more than an explorer...havent tried the tahoe yet, but i plan to test drive soon...and i assume that it and the expedition will be similar....who knows..

BENDER- me personally? only about 5000 miles....my dad got the truck at 28,000 miles and he put all those miles on it... and yeah i definately wasnt going to trade it! its definately worth more than the 300 fiore offered me....and blue knob? ive heard it both ways about them.....but never anything from someone who actually bought something from there...but yeah i might go check it out soon..ive heard that they have a HUGE selection...

 

[NJExplorerFan]

I would DEFINITELY dump that truck. You got your money's worth out of it. I was in the same boat last month. My '97 started building a list of way too many problems. Much more than it was worth, and they were all annoying problems. So, I sold it about a month ago. And while I missed it for about 24 hours, I think it was the best decision I made.

I also agree that a big truck is necessary only if you need something that large. I'm currently shopping for a 3rd generation. I actually like that design better than the 2006+ models. I'm curious how much more improved the 2006+ ones are? It's really the same body, just a different front end and back. The shell of it is pretty much the same. What else makes it so much better?

 

[sport97]

I would DEFINITELY dump that truck. You got your money's worth out of it. I was in the same boat last month. My '97 started building a list of way too many problems. Much more than it was worth, and they were all annoying problems. So, I sold it about a month ago. And while I missed it for about 24 hours, I think it was the best decision I made.

I also agree that a big truck is necessary only if you need something that large. I'm currently shopping for a 3rd generation. I actually like that design better than the 2006+ models. I'm curious how much more improved the 2006+ ones are? It's really the same body, just a different front end and back. The shell of it is pretty much the same. What else makes it so much better?

I believe the suspension is tuned differently or it actually is different, although im not totally sure. I drove in an 08 mounty, it rode so nice and smooth, better than a 3rd gens rides.

 

[zerodevil]

my dads 07 drives like its on rails, has a very responsive touch to the steering, and although it has the v6, it in NO WAY feels sluggish(the new trans is a 5r55S), acceleration is smooth and swift and requires very little peddle to drive it. It has a redesigned suspension, and makes 20 extra rwhp compaired to the previous V6 explorer, my dads gets 15-16 in town, and over 24 on the highway. I almost bought an 06 white EB back in 2008, had the v8 and awd... the 4th gen v8's are amazing. they drive very smooth, and dont behave like they have 300 horses untill you stick your foot in it... then its like some one tried to brand a horse.

I ABSOLUTELY RECCOMEND THE FOURTH GEN EXPLORERS ASE WELL DESIGNED AND BUILT VEHICLES, i believe they are the best desined explorers to date.