Time to trade up

[ClaimCheck]

I own(ed) (Past tense because, even though it is still in my possession, technically the insurance company owns it.) a 1995 Explorer XLT w/ 5 Speed MANUAL transmission.
The odometer shows 197k+/- miles (Rebuilt tranny & clutch at about 190k miles in May 2010 & again under warranty April 2011).
I bought it in July 96 with maybe 100 mi on it.
It had been on its way to Brazil. Dunno why it didn't make it. But I got it as a used Explorer with a new dash and the paperwork to show that it had been replaced from a metric version.

It is finally time to say goodbye. :-(
It was killed in the hail storm we had here at the end of April. Insurance has declared it a total loss and given me about $2400 towards a replacement

I am going to get a newer Explorer.
I drive it every day including weekend days.

I like a lot of things about the 95 Explorer XLT.
Major likes were the body was identical to the Ranger. Are the newer models?
I want the stability and safty of having a REAL FRAME and not worrying about a unibody frame.
Did Ford ever switch the later years to a unibody?

I also liked the height and the ride and the SIX FEET of room from the back seats to the liftgate.
And the ability to open JUST the glass or the entire liftgate.
Do any of the newer Explorers stil have that? The one I have seen didn'y.

The double sunvisors are great! (One for the front & another for the side.)
(was that only on the 1995 models?)
An analog dashboard AND odometer.
(The digital is cool and all that, I just prefer the good ol' analog.)

Those are the things I can think of off the top of my mind.

Is there a particular year (or years) I should avoid?
Is there a particular year (or years) I should consider over all the others?

My 95 came with a tow package and in last 16 years I have had no reason to use, or even remember, that feature.
Is there any reason I should get, or avoid, the V8's?

On the Explorer is it important to get a real low mileage one or the miles aren't as big a factor as I think?

I know the decision is mine, I'd like some input from other people who have, know, and enjoy Explorers to provide whatever insight that may be had, to help make that decision.

Thank you all for your time to read this and any input you may have.

CC

(I hope this is the right place to put this post.)

 

[BigJoe1094]

Ok I don't know enough to comment on most of what's up there BUT I have a V8 mounty (2000) and my buddy has a v8 mounty (1997 I think) the one thing I will say is gas mileage sucks BUT the AWD is awesome and they run strong for a while. By buddys is at over 200K and still running strong.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Define "newer" Explorer- there are several different generations and stipulating that would eliminate a lot of unnecessary typing for responses if you're looking for a range of years/prices in particular...

 

[ClaimCheck]

Newer = newer than 1995

More seriously - I dunno.
I need to keep the price to under $10K.
Realistically, it should be closer to $8k

But as for the rest of it, I'm afraid I am not well versed in the mechanics.
It needs to work more ofter than not.

And the features of the 1st post, as shallow as that may seem are the important factors.

I originally bought the 95 explorer because I was living on a gravel road in the country and was tired of my FWD Mazda 626 ending up in a ditch in the snow and having to hike to a warm place for a phone and a ride.

Since I have expeienced 4WD on the explorer on the icy roads of Des Moine and the snow covered dirt & gravel roads of MO & IL, I don't wanna ever drive a non-4WD vehicle again.

I did check out the front(?) page where it lists the 1991 - 1994 and 1995 - 2001 and 2002 - 2005 Explorers as the different generations. (I prolly can't afford the 2006 - 2010 or 2011 - present generations. Unless it has crazy many miles. And unless it has to have that, I'd rather start at under 100k miles in the price range.

Generally I don't like the first year of a redesign due to kinks still being worked out.
the 95 parking brakes NEVER worked right. As I understand it, that was the ONLY year Ford did it that way.

Any thing you can say or websites you can direct me to is appreciated.

Thanks

CC

 

[Teejay4490]

I would type out a whole long response as to why but im on my phone so i cant lol, but get a 3rd Gen. 2002-2005. I've had 2 now and theyre pretty tough. Have lots of room etc etc

 

[Green04]

the sizes defiantly changed, they were on a frame up until 2011 i think someone correct me if im wrong, you can get a 3rd row in some years if you have a family that would help mine only has a 2nd row i have 2 kids, they have under the floor compartments in the cargo area window still opens up separate on mine (04) there is actually a button to the right of the handle to open the lift gate to pop the window open and the 3rd gen ones have an issue with the plastic under the rear window it cracks down by the ford logo i have a v6 2wd it gets about 13 mpg in town dunno about highway yet im gonna go on a trip this weekend thats all highway ill see then mine has a little over 90K on the clock and runs like a champ and smooth dont think you'll be disappointed with a gen 3

 

[ClaimCheck]

Thanks to all for your help & support in my quest to learn what to get next.
I just located a 2002 4x4 Eddie Bauer edition.
Hope its still there when all are ready to go.
Sounds too good to last.
Blake flex fuel with 86,904 miles for $6950.
dealer says one owner and a forever engine guarantee. Lou fuss has a 3 day return & 30 day exchange @ no charge. Wow!!

Dang! Ready to hi post & I saw one last detail...
Excludes vehicles over 8 yrs old.
still sounds good w/o that.

 

[ClaimCheck]

That one was gone!
I have found another one.

2005 Explorer w/ sport trac.
It has 81.5k miles and they are asking $9950 for it & they are willing to sell it to me for $9000 even.

It drives nice enough.
Hard to know for sure its an automatic & I have never driven an automatic.
My 95 was 5-speed manual.

It looks good.
Some minor rust issues.
I also noticed several places where the paint is flecked off.

I don't know enough to tell if it is mechanically in good shape or not.
The engine looks real clean on top.
When I look deeper into the engine, the carquest oil filter looks less clean

The other thing, I saw was a weird dent in the door where it latches.
I have no idea how the door latch could be dented there unless it closed off kilter.
And if it closed off kilter, why?

Should I be worried?

I have commit to getting it tonight.
The price is good compared to other 2005's & milage isn't bad.
A/C isn't as cold as it should be.
The power port doesn't work.
Lot of money w/o knowing what to expect.

Any thoughts or ideas I'll appreciate.

Thanks & happy fathers day to all.

 

[George355]

i have a 2007 xlt 4x4 v6. i bought it used last year for just over 10k, it had 100k miles on it when i got it and it has been running strong ever since. 1 owner with all the service history so i didnt mind the miles.

granted its my first explorer but i love it. my dad has a 2000 explorer and it's nice but ford came a long way with since then in my opinion. it was fully loaded with a 6 disc in dash changer, heated leather seats, seats 7, sunroof, 4x4, fender flares match the body, sirius radio, power seats.

only thing i have done is just change the oil every 3000, and rotate the tires every other oil change at the dealer, because i got an extended warrenty with it also. so i say if you can find a 4th gen get it.

although i do like the sport tracs and would have loved to get one but i fell in love with this one instead.

when you goto look at the sport trac pay close attention to the paint on the doors, if it was in a front end accident they could have replaced the front door and painted it and the paint wont have a factory look like the rest of it. pop the hood and look at the bolts on top of the fenders, they should be painted to match the body. do the bolts look like they were removed? or are they not painted? another sign it was in an accident.

sorry for the long post and again these are just my opinions.

 

[ClaimCheck]

reply from phone:
long post replies are, IMHO, Xlnt.

thanks for the bolt tip. I'll look for that when I return tomorrow nite.

again the sport trac?
What does that do for (or maybe against) me?

anyone else?

thanks again.

 

[George355]

in your other post you mentioned a 2005 explorer sport trac, that is a eplorer with a open bed on the back instead of closed with a lift gate. sorry if i misunderstood.

 

[ClaimCheck]

George - My bad!! I said Sport. I meant AdvanceTrac. On the back is a tag that says AdvanceTrac RSC and I dunno what that is either.

 

[ClaimCheck]

I would ... get a 3rd Gen. 2002-2005. I've had 2 now and theyre pretty tough. Have lots of room etc etc

TeeJay - I've taken your advice to heart and limited my search to just 3rd gen explorers.

Man!!! I gotta say, after test driving them, I thought I had a nice exp in my 95. But it feels stripped down w/ all the extra bells & whistles put on the 2005 over my former 1995.

All I really wanted was a key fob to unlock the doors remotely and it has that and so much more.

 

[George355]

advance trac with rsc equipped explorers have gyros built into the vehicle, so if it senses that the body is rolling too much and might tip over it will start breaking the wheels and throttle the engine back to help correct the problem.

thats from what i understand about it. you can disable it if you take it off road buy pressing in the traction control button until the traction control light blinks on the dash. but then after you get up to 25mph it will engage again.

 

[ClaimCheck]

advance trac with rsc equipped explorers have gyros built into the vehicle, so if it senses that the body is rolling too much and might tip over it will start breaking the wheels and throttle the engine back ... you can disable it if you take it off road buy pressing in the traction control button until the traction control light blinks on the dash. but then after you get up to 25mph it will engage again.

George - THAT is precisely why, even though I want a newer exp, I don't want one that is TOO NEW. I lose too much control of the driving.

Not always a bad thing, just not always a good thing.

I am already giving up a HUGE amount of contol just by going to an automatic. I need to for a few reasons:
3 - I don't think any exp's exist nowadays w/ manual.
2 - My left knee is starting to complain too much
1 - My wife is insisting that the next one HAS to be an automatic. :-(

 

[George355]

ok, i hear you on not having too much control, my exp has 4x4 and it stays in 4x4 auto so as soon as the back starts to slip the front engages which is no fun in my opinion but i still wouldnt trade it. but when i get some more money i might buy an older 4x4 that doesnt do that

 

[Teejay4490]

Disabling the 4x4 auto is a switch away..

 

[ClaimCheck]

Disabling the 4x4 auto is a switch away..

indeed, it is.

I always drove the 95 in RWD, except when I wanted/needed 4x4, since the time I drove it in 4x4 from St Louis, MO to KCMO & on to Des Moines, IA where it got left for a few days.

It seems that, from what the dealer told me, I am not supposed to drive it @ hiway speeds (70-100ish) when it is in 4x4 mode.

A few days later it was fixed (all under warranty-thank goodness) and finished the trip to the twin cities of MN.

Does this not hold true for the subsequent generations?