would I be wasting my money

[duncan mcwhirter]

Hello all. Am considering buying a 4x4. But only have up to about 4k to spend. I have had my eye on a 97 ford explorer with 229k. The owner says it has never been taken offroad and seems to be in great nic. Am I wasting my money? Would any buy a 4x4 with a budget of 4k. If so where should I be heading to get a reliable one.:)

[Phoenixx]

I was in your position a cpl of months ago. Everyone I spoke to told me NOT to buy an "Exploder". Apparently they have troubles with the gearbox and you are looking towards the 5K mark for a new one.

What type of offroading are you planning on doing?

[murf]

Pajero's seem to be going real cheap atm

4k will buy one but expect it to be a bit rough around the edges and to do a bit of maintenance on it

all depends on what you want it to do, just like boats ;) as to what you buy

[DR]

I would spend the $100 odd & have the RACQ give it the once over, just in case it is OK

[duncan mcwhirter]

Thanks guys. Iam only planning to take it on a few beach runs and it will be used to tow a boat. This is the one I have been looking at. http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=6867560&__Qpb=true&Cr=2&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Price_Decim al%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Model_S tring%7c0&__N=1216%201247%201282%201252%201246%204294966463% 204294966180%20900%20442&silo=1011&PriceTo=442&seot=0&__Nne=15&trecs=4&__sid=11FF03F2F47C

[murf]

Thanks guys. Iam only planning to take it on a few beach runs and it will be used to tow a boat. This is the one I have been looking at. http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=6867560&__Qpb=true&Cr=2&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Price_Decim al%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Model_S tring%7c0&__N=1216%201247%201282%201252%201246%204294966463% 204294966180%20900%20442&silo=1011&PriceTo=442&seot=0&__Nne=15&trecs=4&__sid=11FF03F2F47C

mmmm exploder I know nothing about them in the 4WD department other than another AF'er drives one haha

[mowerman]

Regarding the "never taken off road" bit.


Take the valve caps off the tyres and see if any sand comes out.
Surprising what some people miss.



Rod.

[poundalead]

Navara Nugget's mate. A couple of mates have them absolutely gutless but are great offroad and reliable. You could probably pick up a 93-97 model for that price. Steer clear of the Ford's look for an early model Luxy or even an early 'Cruiser or anything from the Nissan stable.

Cheers Benny

[the lobster]

Yeah, negatory on the Explorer. No specific reason but you don't see many around and they're definitely not renowned for their reliability, fuel economy, offroad ability, looks, etc etc you get the point.

Personally I would be inclined to find the best diesel Toyota 4x4 I could for the price. If you want a wagon you should be able to get a half decent 60 series, early 80 series or 4runner. Otherwise an early 90s troopy, cruiser ute or hilux.

Otherwise you should be able to get a decent pajero for that price. Personally I would never buy a Mitsu, but for that money it could be a good option.

What you're looking for is a pretty crappy looking car with a decent engine. Be prepared to look past a few dints and scratches. Diesels tend to last longer than petrols so I would go diesel regardless of the make/model. Look for the lowest kms possible and a good service history is worth gold, even if it's done 350k+ kms.

Hope that helps.

matt

[White Pointer]

G'day,

A major fleet (no names) bought a few. One was driven over corrugated roads for a few hundred KM. It destroyed the shocks and spring mounts and cracked the chassis. Warranty was denied on the basis of abuse (they are not meant to be taken off-road). Claim was presented to insurance who deemed it beyond economical repair and wrote it off. It's a dud!

White Pointer

[Steeler]

Hi Duncan

Yes the explorer was known in the industry as the exploder,as previously mentioned they had huge issues with the driveline .Sourcing parts for them can be a very expensive and difficult exercise.

That type of budget if you are looking for a wagon type 4WD with plenty of comfort and capable off & on road then IMO the Nissan Pathfinder is a real option. Coils springs all round make them quite comfy reasonably economical with a steady foot and no shortage of both new & used parts if required.

I own a Pajero but in that price range i wreckon you are a much better chance of getting "more bang for your buck" in a Pathy than Pajero.

Cheers

Steve

[Captain Seaweed]

Duncan,
I would recommend buying a gq patrol. You will be able to get one for that money. If you go to the auctions you may even be able to get a diesel. Either way you wot be disappointed and it will out perform on sand and offroad if towing. I have had one. It may be a little thirsty but fishing and 4x4 ing was never going to be a great savings plan.
Marty

[murf]

Duncan,
I would recommend buying a gq patrol. You will be able to get one for that money. If you go to the auctions you may even be able to get a diesel. Either way you wot be disappointed and it will out perform on sand and offroad if towing. I have had one. It may be a little thirsty but fishing and 4x4 ing was never going to be a great savings plan.
Marty

best 4x4 by far the old GQ ;) (now stand back and watch the fun)

I have one and am very impressed with the value for money

great ride in the coil springs

cheap to modify as needs be from mild to wild

2nd hand parts and after market parts every where

[duncan mcwhirter]

Thanks for all your insights! It is great to be able to come on hear and get some sound advice about something Iam only just learning about. It seems a patrol,toyota or pajero semms to be the go. I will keep you all posted. Happy driving

[duncan mcwhirter]

By the way- could anyone tell me where the best auctions to go to.

[PADDLES]

yep, i agree with captain s, you'll get a reasonable GQ patrol for those sort of dollars and the motor and running gear will be a whole heap stronger than the explorer. an even older cruiser would still be better than the explorer.

[Cheech]

I would go for it if I was you. I bought an explorer 2 years ago and it is terrific. Though mine is only a couple of years old and the V8 version.

I tow a 2 tonne boat, and have taken it to Fraser. Does both great. Not good for full on 4 wheel driving as it does not have as much clearance as the others, but gets by on rough tracks. Drives well on the road as well.

If this one is 12 years old, then I think the problems that they had around that era would have been and gone with your vehicle.

Amazing that I still cop the Exploder tag from the uneducated. Yes there were a few problems with some of them in the 90's, but that is long gone. They have sold over a million of them in the USA, so they cannot be that bad.

[Steeler]

Hi Duncan

If at all possible try and go private,dealers have whats called a load ie a
$ 4000.00 car at a dealer is really a $ 2500.00 vehicle.Auctions if buying stock they own will also have a load factored in to the price and if you are looking at one they are selling on behalf of someone else than that might not provide you with the opportunity to go right over things thoroughly when buying a 4WD in this price range.

Check countrycars.com.au and a few of those sights.

As far as Nissan GQ Patrol's go i have had two ( 1 patrol and 1 Mav ) awesome trucks.mine were the 4.2 petrol with LPG.Wouldn't touch the 3.0ltr petrol too underpowered,good motor just not enough of it for this size truck.If you consider the 4.2 petrol be sure to get the cooling system pressure checked they were a little notorious for cracking cylinder heads.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Steve

[dreemon]

so nobody likes Fords ? ? ? ?

is it because you need to buy door handles and light globes and other parts by the 6 pack ?

[Steeler]

I would go for it if I was you. I bought an explorer 2 years ago and it is terrific. Though mine is only a couple of years old and the V8 version.

I tow a 2 tonne boat, and have taken it to Fraser. Does both great. Not good for full on 4 wheel driving as it does not have as much clearance as the others, but gets by on rough tracks. Drives well on the road as well.

If this one is 12 years old, then I think the problems that they had around that era would have been and gone with your vehicle.

Amazing that I still cop the Exploder tag from the uneducated. Yes there were a few problems with some of them in the 90's, but that is long gone. They have sold over a million of them in the USA, so they cannot be that bad.

I worked in the industry for some time and whenever we had a customer wishing to trade one of these things ( the first series introduced to the oz market ) the first thing we done was ring a few wholesalers and get prices off them to take off our hands.The moment the deal was done we rung up the wholesaler/auction house with the best price to send a bus around ( car carrier ) to come and collect it.We did not want the risk of having one of these things providing us with warranty issues if were to re-sell it as when they give problems they are expensive very quickly and easily absorbing all the load ( margin ) made out of the vehicle.



The comparison between the first explorers and the second generation of explorers sold here is like comparing apples with oranges,they shared very little in common above and beyond the blue oval badge and name,they were not just a facelift they were a complete re-invention and a quantum leap in improvement over the previous version so it comes as no surprise you have had a good trot out of yours.

Don't get me wrong i am a ford man through and through but the reality is the only good ford 4WD's are the ones they source from other manufacturers and re-badge.

An industry insight " educated " post reply.
Cheers.

Steve.

[Captain Seaweed]

I dont want to drag it on but you cannot find a 4x4 no matter what brand, that is more capable than one with all coil suspension off road. Something I would definitely steer you towards for the following reasons:
1)Easy to lift and maintain ie only springs and shocks to worry about unless you go over 2 " which is not required for your needs.
2)IFS has and always will be a problem and a handbrake unless you have a locker, your limited to wheel travel etc etc.
3)Jump under a Nissan patrol and compare the amount of steel you see in the chassis to any other car. These are solid cars and for the money you are spending are more than a capable car.
4)Less moving parts and bushes in a all coil car.

I am only commenting as I have owned a 4 Ruuner IFS, GQ all coil, Pajero IFS. I now own a GU patrol ute and a 100 series IFS V8 Sahara. Why did I buy the Sahara? Only because it has the most pulling power out of anything available on the market and it came with a fridge. I loath the IFS but dont use it other than the beach to drag the boat around. Also the wife likes the auto. Anyway just trying to help you out and definitely not trying to start a debate or offend people with other vehicles.
Marty

[the lobster]

As others have said, a GQ patrol/maverick is probably a good option. Personally I'm a Toyota man, but you'll probably get a newer/better GQ for the money and Toyotas tend to be more expensive.

matt

[DR]

never had anything to do with them, only had Landcruisers, but, everyone seems to be losing site of the fact Duncan only wants to spend around $4000 & it will be only used for the odd beach run as well as towing the boat.. So i fail to see why, if this one checks out, he needs to spend a lot more money for a vehicle that is a lot more 4x4 capable, when it wont be used for that purpose. Surely after this amount of time the bugs should be out of this particular vehicle..the pics look very tidy.

[Steeler]

never had anything to do with them, only had Landcruisers, but, everyone seems to be losing site of the fact Duncan only wants to spend around $4000 & it will be only used for the odd beach run as well as towing the boat.. So i fail to see why, if this one checks out, he needs to spend a lot more money for a vehicle that is a lot more 4x4 capable, when it wont be used for that purpose. Surely after this amount of time the bugs should be out of this particular vehicle..the pics look very tidy.

Hi

Could not agree more thats why originally suggested a Nissan Pathfinder.They were good honest vehicles,more than handy off road and very comfy with IRS front and coils at the rear.

A very underated mid sized 4WD wagon.

Cheers

Steve

[duncan mcwhirter]

Thanks Steeler and Dr you guys must have read my mind. I was going to ask about the nissan Pathfinder. They look great and I think I could pick one up for around $4000-$5000 model. I have found one that is a 98 model going for $4500. The only thing is its in NSW. I may have to take a trip. I guess the trip back would sort any problems out. I also like the fact that it is a 3 litre- as I said i'm not going to do a whole heap of offroading just want to take this misses and dogs ups the beach etc.

[Steeler]

All GREAT things come from NSW,Go the BLUES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[the lobster]

never had anything to do with them, only had Landcruisers, but, everyone seems to be losing site of the fact Duncan only wants to spend around $4000 & it will be only used for the odd beach run as well as towing the boat.. So i fail to see why, if this one checks out, he needs to spend a lot more money for a vehicle that is a lot more 4x4 capable, when it wont be used for that purpose. Surely after this amount of time the bugs should be out of this particular vehicle..the pics look very tidy.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that he spend more money. He could get an older, more reliable and capable vehicle for the same money, which is a far better choice IMHO.

You're right. The bugs *should* be out of this vehicle. But, all reports seem to indicate that they are not which tells me one thing. Stay away. He's far better off getting a well renowned, proven reliable vehicle.

Just my $0.02.

matt