1997 Ford Explorer

XLT SUV

5.0L V8

Automatic

1FMDU35P4VUA18610

Clear

Gasoline

I have put nearly 175,000 miles on this truck during 15 years of ownership, and it has only failed to get me to my destination once. I have no idea how much longer it will continue to be this reliable, nor can I possibly guarantee it will be that way much longer. It is far from perfect cosmetically, and it certainly looks its age. But I have always maintained it well; 15,000 dollars was spent on tires, brakes, batteries, fluid changes, and routine maintenance during 15 years. It has received nothing but synthetic oil changes every 3,000-4,500 miles throughout my ownership. What works: · Engine runs strong and burns no oil - I do not have to add oil between changes. It has 3,000 miles on its most recent change and the oil is still up to the full mark! · AC blows very cold and keeps up with Texas heat, but the fan only has one speed left (high). It requires a repair to the blower connector if you want anything other than high speed. · Both power seats are in working order, and the leather is in good shape for its age (the back seats have only been used rarely). · Front tires were replaced less than 2,500 miles ago and rears replaced 18,000 miles ago. · Front suspension rebuilt and brake fluid flushed within last 3,000 miles. · Stereo sounds great, although the driver’s door speaker comes and goes. But the radio display still works. I do not know if the 6 disc changer or cassette tape player work, because I never use them. · Sun roof works great and doesn’t leak, probably because I’ve only used it less than 20 times in 15 years. · Battery replaced about 4 months ago. Known issues: · One of the front catalytic converters rattles internally but passes inspection. It sounds like a loose exhaust clamp rattling when you go over bumps. It is not. · The alternator, a front pulley, or a pump made some buzzing noise when it was cold out after the truck sat for a week at the airport, but the noise has not reappeared in 500 miles (I have purposely hung onto the car to see what the problem was before putting it up for sale, but it hasn’t reappeared). · The check engine light comes on about every other month, and then goes out. This is characteristic of all early Ford Explorers. Because this car is earlier than 1998, the light can be reset and the codes erased by disconnecting the battery when inspection time comes around (or you can just wait until it goes out again). · The driver's mirror is cracked and can no longer be controlled remotely. · Some dash lights are burned out: one in the speedometer at 65MPH and two by the HVAC controls. · The timing of the intermittent wipers is a little erratic at times, but they largely work. But, the wipers do work reliably at both slow and high fixed speeds. · The outside temperature and compass display only works sometimes, usually when the brake pedal and the door look switch are depressed at the same time (it took me quite a while to notice this one, and it is likely that only a Ford engineer could explain this mystery). · The driver's door lock switch locks the doors, but it does not unlock them. · The driver's side electric window is very sluggish when it is cold (below 40 degrees). If you are from Chicago, you'll probably have to fix it or drive with the window rolled up all winter. · There is some surface rust on it from spending its first years in Chicago, particularly around the rear wheel arch and one of the door trim pieces is rusted. Since that time, it has been in southern climates where there is no salt or snow (North Carolina and Texas). · One of the fog lights is burned out, even though they’ve never been used. · The console armrest is worn through, the steering wheel leather is loose and worn, and the carpets are dirty, especially in the cargo area where I’ve hauled everything from groceries to landscaping materials.Carmax will give me $700 in a heartbeat. Their report can be seen. So, the reserve is set high enough to cover that plus my selling costs. They claim it has 147,000 miles, not 174,500. It has 174,500, and probably a little more by the time this auction is over. Obviously, this vehicle is being sold as-is with absolutely no guarantees whatsoever.Happy bidding!