Ford Explorer for the winter good or bad idea???

[lewis328]

I am considering buying a 1997 Ford Explorer for winter, 11 months mot and 5 months tax, done just over 100k, asking price of 1350. I had a Pajero last winter and it was brilliant. Fancy something different this year.

Does anyone have any knowledge of these cars? annd thoughts on my potential purchase.

cheers

[andy-xr]

The only thing that puts me off these in the Winter is when you hit ice and slide, you're really going to carry on sliding for a while with the size and weight of it. I guess a Disco or something along those lines might have the same problems and it could well be a mental sticking point

[sherman]

Dont fit it with Firestone tyres and I dont see a problem.

[jamesson]

Or use the accelerator.

[Spanna]

My Mum's had one for 8 years, put a good 60K or so on it and I can't remember a time when it's had a problem. Now on 140K+ and it's been ragged to buggery, the interior is falling apart but mechanically it's fantastic and reliable.

Helped plenty of stranded Merc and BMW drivers last winter.

[300bhp/ton]

lewis328 said:

I am considering buying a 1997 Ford Explorer for winter, 11 months mot and 5 months tax, done just over 100k, asking price of 1350. I had a Pajero last winter and it was brilliant. Fancy something different this year.

Does anyone have any knowledge of these cars? annd thoughts on my potential purchase.

cheers

Very capable, usually well specced and offer a luxury more inline with a Range Rover of similar vintage, so long as you can look past the blue collar plastics.

Think they like a drink, but they are a 4.0 petrol motor, but certainly no worse (probably better) than a V8 Disco/RR.

[Big Rod]

Is the Explorer the one with timing chain issues?

[plasticpig]

Big Rod said:

Is the Explorer the one with timing chain issues?

Yes. Any rattles from the engine then be very cautious about buying. The main issues with the timing chains is actually the cost of changing the chains. You need to change 4 chains all together and it's a bh of a job. Shouldn't matter for a winter hack though.

[jr502]

My dad has had one from almost new, put around 100k on it, and other than an oil weep issue at the beginning (fixed by Ford) he has had no problems at all. Looks and drives like new. His is converted to LPG so the fuel bill is much less painful!

[lewis328]

Cheers for the replies, i'll listen out for engine rattle don't fancy getting stung with large bill. I am assuming some parts may be expensive/hard to get a hold of unless going through dealer, I say this due to the low number of these cars in uk.