1997 Ford Explorer 4x4 4.0 liter
Summary:
Refuses to die, even with very poor maintenance
Faults:
This is a review of my cousin's Ford Explorer. He bought it for $600 about 8 years ago. It's never once left him stranded and always starts and gets you where you need to go, so he refuses to let go of it.
Over the past 8 years it's only needed a new battery once. He lost his license for a year, the truck was sitting, started right up with a new (used) battery.
Brake pads were changed a few years ago too.
Oil changes are done sometimes, but probably not often enough.
Still driven daily. I borrow it sometimes when he needs my pickup truck, so I'm quite familiar with this Explorer.
Current issues:
Leaks oil and coolant. Both require top ups every few weeks.
Driver's window stuck in up position. Cousin too cheap to fix it.
Makes loud vacuum type noise when driving. Annoying.
Stereo stopped working, but was fixed with a new fuse.
Tires are pretty shot.
ABS brakes problematic.
Windshield cracked.
General Comments:
My cousin bought this Explorer from a middle aged woman who maintained it quite poorly for $600. He's had it for 8 years and it never failed to start or broke down. He has also maintained it quite poorly; he does oil changes maybe once a year and bought a used battery for it once, brakes were done once, that's about it.
Gas mileage isn't great, but then again it is RWD and 4x4, what do you expect?
Rides OK, kind of truck like ride similar to a Ford Ranger. Seats aren't super comfortable compared to my own cars (89 Chevy Silverado, 91 Buick LeSabre).
Visibility is really good, no blind spots. 4x4 still works great . Rear hatch window that pops up is great for hauling lumber in the back, roof rack is handy too.
Engine is super reliable despite leaking a bit of oil. I'm sure it could be fixed, owner just does not care to spend money on it.
I keep telling my cousin to buy something nicer, but he loves the reliability of this thing and all the space it has in the back for camping and hauling work materials around.
I'd recommend a Ford Explorer if it was well maintained, or if you just need a cheap beater to get around in. Fuel mileage is average at best, but I guess the reliability makes up for it. I still see tons of 90s Explorers chugging along every day, most in pretty crappy shape, but people are still driving them for a reason. The 4.0 engine is unstoppable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 12th October, 2016
13th Oct 2016, 22:16
A guy round the corner from me has a '96 model. It's tatty and ratty but just trundles on... he says it's likely the body will fall off the engine, and he will then - to his regret - have to put it up against a wall and shoot to put it out of its misery.