car review question

[caseydog]

Here in the south, first generation explorers had AC systems that were not up to the task. I had a 90. It worked well, and held up well. But, the AC was lame, and twin I-Beam was obsolete, but still in use.

My wife's got a 91 Explorer w190k on it and I've got a 92 Navajo/Explorer w/160k on it. Both have the 4.0 V6 w/auto trans. Both pull the TD with no effort at all. The only problems I've ever seen with them (Explorers) is the trannys. They are notorious for bad transmissions.
Oh, and the rocker panels rot out.
If you can find one with good rockers and a healthy trans you'll have a very dependable vehicle that will pull fine.
Mileage is variable with these tho. Seems the southern ones with higher gears average about 18+ were as the northern ones with lower gears to handle the hills generally get 14+.

There's lots of debate tween the Fords and Chevys but they both work, just depends on what you want.
Personally I think the Explorers are a little more comfortable and quieter than the Blazers, but that's just me.

[pauld3]

Auntie M, e-mail me. You know we work for a dealership here in Liberal and I have some you might be interested in too.

[email protected]

Lynn

[Miriam C.]

Lynn check your PM's.

[Gaelen]

Auntie M...sounds like you're already heading in a knowlegeable direction, but just to chime in...

My '01 2wd 4cyl 5spd Chevy S10 is my third S10 pickup. The Blazers are more or less the S10 and, depending on the year, the Blazer looks just like the S10 with an OEM designed bed.

My S10s have been more or less bullet-proof. They've all been 4cyl, 5spd, 2wd, lowest model end, no frills vehicles. I routinely get 25-28mpg on the highway, a bit less driving back and forth to work, and they do tend to drop a mile or two per gallon as they age. My first one was a '90, my second was a '95 club cab. I was driving a LOT more when I had those trucks, and traded each of them in with around 90-95K. The '01 just broke 60K because I stopped doing long-haul dog showing from 2001-2006, but in the last year I've put around 15K on it. It's been pretty well maintained, and I agree that's the key to these vehicles.

The only thing I've really had a problem with in my current S10 is the check engine light. Two years ago, I was broadsided by a kid who ran a red light. The damage to her Volvo was a lot worse than to my s10; I was worried the frame would be bent but it was fine. However, after the acident mysteriously the check engine light came on and wouldn't go off, and the A/C just stopped working. The accumulated skills of three mechanics finally figured out the engine light thing, but the A/C is still fruity. Sometimes it blows cool air, sometimes not so much. Since I don't have that much need for A/C here in CNY, I just roll down the windows and live with it when it's in a mood. The rest of the heating/defrosting/cooling system has been checked repeatedly and works just fine.

My 2nd s10 was a magnet for every avenging shopping cart it ever met, but that wasn't the truck's fault. It was still a good truck.

[Miriam C.]

Thanks Galen. My Nissan is a magnet for anything that moves or slides. Been to Walmart enough to show for sure.

The boss is swinging back toward a pickup. It is what we really need around here. But the Blazer looked in good shape and was in our price range. However all 3 have some car fax issues I am not fond of.

[Bobgorilla]

:lol: Thanks Galen. My Nissan is a magnet for anything that moves or slides. Been to Walmart enough to show for sure.

The boss is swinging back toward a pickup. It is what we really need around here. But the Blazer looked in good shape and was in our price range. However all 3 have some car fax issues I am not fond of.

If your thinking pickup allow me to add my 2 cents. I've got a Dodge Dakota with over 193, 000 miles and I can't imagine anyone putting harder miles on a vehicle than me. I have had very few issues with it a water pump, an alternator and a power steering pump (just last month), my maintenance is kind of hit and miss but I do have the 318 motor which after all the years Chrysler has used this motor is nearly bulletproof. And with that V8 I've never had any towing issues (20' Shamrock or a fully loaded 12x6 U-haul. The biggest drawback is gas mileage 16/20 unloaded 12/15 approximately loaded

[Miriam C.]

Thanks Bob, I love the Dakotas too. There aren't too many for sale here and they are expensive. I really only want to pull my TD and haul stuff every now and then. I don't see putting $10,000 into a used pickup to do that.

I know if any group has experience with tow vehicles it is ours.

[del]

I to own a dodge dakota. It is two wheel drive, and the convertible top leaks, so it is a fair weather toy only. here it tends to be very hot in the summer (no ac), or cold in the winter, so I do not drive it much. With the top down and doing 70 it gets about 18mpg. It has been a fun little pick-up though.

del

[bledsoe3]

Miriam, The 4.3 motor has a lot of torque and would be great for towing. Mileage is not the greatest.

[Miriam C.]

Miriam, The 4.3 motor has a lot of torque and would be great for towing. Mileage is not the greatest.

I am looking to get it out of my driveway, will worry about the mileage later. I don't think I went over 1500 pounds yet so......