So wanting to take that first giant step to freedom.. i have the opportunity to trade my 1997 buick, in for a 1998 ford Explorer. It needs some work on it, minor, cv joint parts come with it, it needs new tires, oil change, the front drivers window doesnt go down, and most of all the air conditioning doesnt work.... it is in good condition body wise, has a luggage rack on top. The whole back seats fold down... it would be perfect... if i could do alittle at a time, my car runs great, is ready to go, but would i be feeling like im in a sardine can? Im debating, to just hit the road, with what i have, wanting to do the all women's caravan. Im a grandma going on 61, come April... wanting to break free. Maybe i could find someone that would like a travel companion, im on disability, and my life story sounds like all of y'all's, Like minded people...
Newbie I have spotted a 1998 ford Explorer
- Thread starter cpetardi
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JD GUMBEE
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Sorry to sound so negative...but DON'T DO IT!
That era "Exploder" is one of the very WORST 100,000+ mile throw away garbage heap SUV's on the road.
Chronic transmission defects, heater box issues, unreliable front drive components and they drink as much fuel as a Tahoe, with less room inside.
"Little by little" repairs, unless you do them all yourself.
Go check on the cost to do those "easy" CV's that come along with the Exploder.
See why they aren't already installed.
The Northern fleets all learned the Expedition or Tahoe was a better buy.
Thousands of Explorer examples proved this for the gas/power companies as well.
Are you aware what a decent set of tires, swapping those joints and the rest of it (like what you have not seen yet) will cost you? BAD IDEA. Even if you think this advice is unfounded, make damned sure you know the price to fix those issues. (...and buying the cheapest tires on that vehicle is a rollover waiting to happen.)
If you like Ford, pick another vehicle. Not an Exploder. You would be better off in a minivan by FAR.
More usable room, better MPG too.
How about providing more info?
The Buick you have...
Year/model/miles??
Where are you in the country?
(State/North-South area, not precise locale.)
Budget available?
(There was easily $$1500-plus needed in that Explorer, just on the stuff mentioned so far...without touching the A/C.)
That era "Exploder" is one of the very WORST 100,000+ mile throw away garbage heap SUV's on the road.
Chronic transmission defects, heater box issues, unreliable front drive components and they drink as much fuel as a Tahoe, with less room inside.
"Little by little" repairs, unless you do them all yourself.
Go check on the cost to do those "easy" CV's that come along with the Exploder.
See why they aren't already installed.
The Northern fleets all learned the Expedition or Tahoe was a better buy.
Thousands of Explorer examples proved this for the gas/power companies as well.
Are you aware what a decent set of tires, swapping those joints and the rest of it (like what you have not seen yet) will cost you? BAD IDEA. Even if you think this advice is unfounded, make damned sure you know the price to fix those issues. (...and buying the cheapest tires on that vehicle is a rollover waiting to happen.)
If you like Ford, pick another vehicle. Not an Exploder. You would be better off in a minivan by FAR.
More usable room, better MPG too.
How about providing more info?
The Buick you have...
Year/model/miles??
Where are you in the country?
(State/North-South area, not precise locale.)
Budget available?
(There was easily $$1500-plus needed in that Explorer, just on the stuff mentioned so far...without touching the A/C.)
DON'T DO IT! You ain't gonna be nothin but sorry. Why the person wouldn't change the oil is stupid. The reason he hasn't fixed the AC is because LOTS of parts are gonna be needed. If you get that vehicle you will be back here singing the blues.
highdesertranger
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x3 don't do it. in the used car business they are actually called Exploders. they got that nick name for a reason. highdesertranger
JD GUMBEE
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You know you can tow a teardrop with that car easily?
It would give you more usable room than an Explorer ever would.
A lot better MPG, too.
It would give you more usable room than an Explorer ever would.
A lot better MPG, too.
I have a 1998 Explorer that I bought years ago for my kids to drive. Got it super cheap from a tow yard auction and fixed it up with my kids using lots of parts from the self-service junkyard. Great learning opportunity for my kids... and some father-son time. So far I've cycled it through all 3 boys and it's like the car that just won't die. It's the undead Ford... I swear some gypsy must have cursed it with immortality. Lol! We must have 100k+ on it and it's at 360k now, still running along. Looks like hell, crap fuel mileage and power, passes smog check, but the AC blows cold. Recently started running rough, put some plugs and wires on it, and now it's running better than ever. We never changed the plugs since when we first got it...
