would this be a smart move? 98 sport sohc question

[EliteConcept]

tax season breeds awesome deals
and i am in the market for a newer x or 99 cougar and my local ford dealer has a 98 explorer sport with a v6 sohc engine, loaded moonroof, pretty much the works with low miles, for $9,990. if i could get it for 9,000 i'd probably buy it, i was wondering what you guys think of the 98 sport sohc.

would i get decent MPG out of it? i'm a poor college student.

i don't drive my cars hard, but how reliable is the sohc, i heard mixed opinions about it.

i'd be driving this as nearly completely stock, maybe a intake, but probably stock otherwise

thanks
ryan

 

[jimbo74]

as long as it doesnt have the plastic chain tensioners should be a great vehicle......

 

[section525]

My GF has that exact same X and it seems to be a pretty tight ride. Just make sure it has all the recalls done to it. Once we did the 00M12 on hers it ran like a champ. The gas mileage is lower than I expected it would be. She gets around 16mpg (but shes a heavy gasser/braker shhhhh!). I think she got hers for 8.5k but it had almost 80k on the odo. I'd say go for it!

 

[expl0der8]

I personally own a 98 x sport, and I love it. Make sure you have the 00M12 done. I just had mine done a couple of months ago, didn't know about the recall so had to pay for it myself. Besides normal wear and tear not else major has happened. Right now i think i get about 18 to 19 mpg, but haven't check in a while, and it's been friggen cold lately.

 

[MontanaGT]

I've had my 98 Ex Sport for 2 years. I bought it with 40,000 miles and now has 75,000 miles. Truck runs great and haven't had any problems. Only thing I've had to do is: battery, brakes, and thermostat.
I get about 15City/18Highway (with a lead foot).