ereks mom Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 We need a car for ER & my FIL's neighbor is selling his Explorer. FIL looked at it and drove it and said it looked good to him. What we really wanted was a Honda CRV or maybe a Toyota Rav4 (good gas mileage & dependability), but we can't find one in our price range (up to $5,000). I don't really want to "settle" for something else, but... If you have any experience with a 1997 Explorer, please post your opinion. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andie Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 We need a car for ER & my FIL's neighbor is selling his Explorer. FIL looked at it and drove it and said it looked good to him. What we really wanted was a Honda CRV or maybe a Toyota Rav4 (good gas mileage & dependability), but we can't find one in our price range (up to $5,000). I don't really want to "settle" for something else, but... If you have any experience with a 1997 Explorer, please post your opinion. Thanks! My mom has a 97 Explorer, and while it's been very dependable (has a zillion miles and still going strong, only the most minor repair issues, and she takes excellent care of it) it is a gas H O G. My 94 Suburban does better on mileage than her Explorer. First car! What an exciting time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 I had a '98 that I absolutely loved and drove into the ground. Great leather seats that never showed any sign of cracking. I put almost 300,000 miles on it (about twice the national average for the time I owned it). Drove it all over the country and up into Canada a few times. But all the major parts started to wear out on it and needed replacing, so I think after so many miles that's going to happen to all of 'em. If yours has a lot lower mileage then I'd say it's good to go (had all its recall work done?) It won't be nearly as good gas mileage, though, as a Honda.... I have a Honda now and I still wish I had that Explorer.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlotteb Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 We actually have a '97 Explorer. We bought it in 2003, right before gas started getting crazy. Oh, I wish I knew then what I know now. We have kinda a love/hate relationship with it. First, it hardly ever gets driven. My dh takes our car to work and I'll only drive the explorer if the kids and I have somewhere in town to drive to. It very rarely goes more than 5 miles on a trip. But... whenever it snows (and we had some pretty good ones this year), we love it! It has 4 wheel drive and great traction, so we can press on thru any snow storm! All in all, I definately wouldn't buy one now. Gas prices are too crazy and it just isn't worth it, IMO. Unless you live in Alaska or something.. LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm A friend with one (not sure what year), just bought a 2nd car with a payment and she is STILL money ahead on the gas savings for her weekly driving. She gets about 14mpg in it, and that is with highway driving. Gas mileage right now is my big thing! LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 The Consumer Reports car issue I have lists the '07's as unreliable, BUT, says some earlier models are good bets for used cars. This particular issue doesn't go back to '97, but you might find some info at Edmunds.com or Yahoo autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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