I am looking at a '98 Explorer XLT Loaded tonight to buy, it has approximately 147K miles on it, and the person wants $3200.

I have a '96 Ranger that my son drives with a 5pd and have not had too many issues other than rusted brakelines.

Any "got ya's" I should be aware of? like transmission issues??

thanks
Royce

 

Many Exploders go quite a distance without problems. Some are like mine.

All OHC 4.0 motors in '98 were subject to a TSB regarding the cam chain tensioners. Once fixed, they may get noisy again, but are generally 'ok', so says my new best friend independant shop Ford mechanic.

The 5 speed automatic is a weak sister--mine broke the input shaft a 74000 (thank you 75000 esp...) They 'flair' (revs rise and it slides into the next gear )between shifts at part throttle due to soft-shift settings and other issues. This leads to more wear, etc. My Ford reman did this, but a little Justice Brothers trans additive seems to have tamed it for now.

Differentials are prone to bearing failure, due to Ford's selection of some 3rd world bearing maker.

My belt tensioner fell off. Radiator developed an unfixable hole. Heater valve leaked. Today we are getting a new $640 fuel pump.

KBB shows this at $3200 in good condition with a Ca zip code. So you have a fair price there, but perhaps you could bargain intensely...

OK, here is the good news. At this mileage, stuff like I describe has probably happened (and been fixed)--or it isn't going to happen. With good bearings, the axle is good for 200000+. If the trans is shifting good, fluid looks good, it's as good as any.

Check the shocks. You can do a search here for what works, as there are aftermarket jobs that ride better. Maybe it has good ones already.

AND, beware the twitchy drive. Ford sent these out with 26lbs psi in the tires to 'soften up' the response. With 32 or 35 psi, these are twitchy handlers until you get used to them. Certain tires are better than others according to posts here, but as long as you don't try to pitch it sideways in the corners or chase Porsches down mountain roads, you'll be ok.

 

SUV and pickups values have plummeted lately and I doubt if kbb is up to date.

 

I agree that kbb is too high. $3200 with 147k seems a bit high unless it's in exec shape and well documented. Run a carfax on it to check it out further. I always buy used vehicles and I assume I will have to put $1500 extra into it within the first 18 months for unexpected repairs.