Should I buy an OJB or an Explorer

[roundhouse]

I'd get a LMB over an Exploder anyday, they really are good at clogging up the traffic when they flip over.
on a recent trip from Atlanta to Raleigh, I saw 3, count em, three, Exploders on their roof or side.

if you want a 4 door mid size SUV, get a 4Runner, drive a 96 Exploder, then a 96 4Runner back to back, youll see what I mean.

check at local auctions for them, i know a guy that got a 96 theft recovery, with no damage, 99K miles for $4K.

 

[daddyg]

For myself I would get a four door Explorer if those were my 2 choices. I need at least one vehicle to haul the family. My wife drives a Suburban and loves it. I am actually considering buying an Expedition a friend of mine is selling.

 

[trailpsycho]

I am not shooting down the Exploder, I have only driven in the 2 dr sports, which were OK. But I will second the 4-Runner. I, until a couple of months ago when I rolled it--truck still drove but cosmetically a mess, had a 99. It was a great vehicle. I got 20-22 mpg on the highway, even with a 16 ft canoe on top running 75-80. I also got decent mileage around town...much better than the Bronco...but I would rather drive the Bronco. The 4-Runner is comfortable for trips, the rear window is power, there is more room than any other mid-size SUV that I have been in almost 2X as much cargo space as some. Did well offroad the couple of times it got the chance. Also, pletny of space for people getting in and out of the back. Not a ton of power for towing, but adequate for around town. Resale is very good as well. I like the FSB too. But for a driver...the Yota is pretty sweet.

 

[supermottl]

I have much experience with FSBs, as I bought a 1992 eddie Bauer 5.8 in 1995, and my family still owns it. Went thru a bunch of starters, 1 rdiator, 1 gas tank and fuel pump, brakes a few times, but after 180,000 miles, nothing major like motors or tranny's (knock on wood).
I fell in love with those after seeing them on the beach and got one after many days working at the car wash.
The FSBs are awesome on the beach and I would regulaly haul out 1-ton pickups that didn't air down on the beach. All I had was low range and 8lbs or air with 33s. I got 14-16 mpg on the hiway, and thought it was plenty manueverable with the shorter wheelbase. Super comfy ride with those captains chairs and parts are everywhere.

Also, I will say good things about the exploders; buddy of mine has the 6 cyl and no real big problems. gets crappy milage, but other than that, little things.

watch for rust on the FSBs on rear wheel wells, tailgate, under doors. Check for sloppy steering. Also, w/ the 5.8 it should have some giddy-up when you stomp on it... if it hesitates, something is off...

 

[72bronco]

I know some of you will agree with my decision and some will not. But today I finally decided on a vehicle and made a purchase. Hopefully it will work out for me, but only time will tell. I decided on the explorer. The big reason was that it seemed like a more practical vehicle, plus after a few years when I'm done with it I plan on pulling the 5.0 and installing it in my eb. Plus I got what I think is a good deal.

It is a '97 exploder XLT, power everything, disc changer, 5.0 V8, 2WD, and everything works. No known problems, no previous accidents, no salvage title, or any other junk. Mileage is 104,000. I paid $3,500.

Below is a pic.

By the way, thanks for all the feedback from everyone. It really did help with my decision.

 

[Nobody]

I assumed all the V8's were AWD. I think you got a pretty good deal, too bad it's 2wd. I really like the AWD. Leather?

 

[SaddleUp]

I'd get a LMB over an Exploder anyday, they really are good at clogging up the traffic when they flip over.
on a recent trip from Atlanta to Raleigh, I saw 3, count em, three, Exploders on their roof or side.

if you want a 4 door mid size SUV, get a 4Runner, drive a 96 Exploder, then a 96 4Runner back to back, youll see what I mean.

check at local auctions for them, i know a guy that got a 96 theft recovery, with no damage, 99K miles for $4K.

The roll over issue has been hashed over many times. All SUV's are more inclined to roll than a car. The Explorer is middle of the road on this with several other models being more inclined to roll than it is. What we all see on TV is normally just media hype whereas there is real research that is available with some searching that shows that they are not really any worse than most others. FWIW, I've had mine for about 3 1/2 years and so far I haven't seen a single one rolled. (I think I would have noticed it) In that time I've seen a S10 Blazer rolled and a Toyota 4Runner rolled. Both were in the city. (I also saw a VW Beetle Convertable on it's top but that wasn't an SUV)

 

[SaddleUp]

I know some of you will agree with my decision and some will not. But today I finally decided on a vehicle and made a purchase. Hopefully it will work out for me, but only time will tell. I decided on the explorer. The big reason was that it seemed like a more practical vehicle, plus after a few years when I'm done with it I plan on pulling the 5.0 and installing it in my eb. Plus I got what I think is a good deal.

It is a '97 exploder XLT, power everything, disc changer, 5.0 V8, 2WD, and everything works. No known problems, no previous accidents, no salvage title, or any other junk. Mileage is 104,000. I paid $3,500.

Below is a pic.

By the way, thanks for all the feedback from everyone. It really did help with my decision.

I haven't looked at the 2WD prices but the AWD like mine books out for considerably more than that. If you have the disk changer then you also have the sub in the back. For that matter the entire stereo is back in the right quarter panel (JBL if I remember right) with just a head unit in the dash. I found this out the hard way when I needed to get to the antanae. (To add an RF modulator for the TV and monitors I put in)

 

[72bronco]

I assumed all the V8's were AWD. I think you got a pretty good deal, too bad it's 2wd. I really like the AWD. Leather?

The interior is leather. Inside it is in OK shape but the previous owner never had it cleaned up and detailed before selling it. There are no tears in the seats but they look pretty dirty. The only real defect is that the center console lid has a tear in it, but I can probably have that reupholstered pretty cheap. I'm puzzled as to why the previous owner didn't have the vehicle cleaned up before selling it since I believe you can get more money and attract buyers easier if a vehicle looks as new as possible. Its no different than a woman trying to hook a man, you've gotta gussy yourself up in order to land a good catch. But sometimes if you look at the potential you can find really good bargains. I'm planning on having it detailed and I'm sure when its done it'll look 100% better. As it is its not bad but it could really use an interior cleaning and wax job.

Most other exploders the same model year with similar mileage were selling for several thousand more. This guy originally was asking for $6,000 but when it didn't sell after a few weeks he dropped his asking price to $4,500. Then he emailed me a few days ago and said he really needed to get rid of it cause he needed the driveway space (he wasn't lying since his house has almost zero parking off a very busy road) so he would take $3,500.

I couldn't pass it up cause the Kelly Blue Book value was much higher than his asking price. According to KBB.COM the full retail value of the truck is listed at $8,445, the private party value is $6,095, and the wholesale (trade-in) value is $4,455. So to get it at almost $1,000 below trade-in value was a steal. Plus he had all the maintenance records and had put a lot of money into the truck over the years. I really think he should have gotten more money for his vehicle but he didn't advertise it much and admitted that he was so busy that he hadn't done a good job at returning calls from interested buyers. But he was happy to get rid of it since I was paying cash and I'm happy to get what I was looking for for less than I expected to pay. Hopefully it'll be a good vehicle for at least a few years. It sounds like there are at least a few guys on this site that are happy with their exploders.