When it comes to high mileage, it’s very rare that a vehicle used for daily driving still looks like brand new. Sure, if it’s a collector grade model that’s been used, you almost expect the owner to be proud of how they’ve threaded the needle between racking up miles without getting a door ding or a rip in the leather. But for a vehicle like the Ford Explorer with almost 200K on the clock? Please, if it’s not a rolling dumpster fire by now, it can’t possibly exist – or can it? This 1997 Ford Explorer Limited has a healthy 194,160 miles on the clock but looks like it has less than half that number. Find it here on eBay for $14,900 or best offer.
To me, this is the last of the Explorer line I truly consider nostalgic. I get it; this was only the second generation of the storied SUV, so how could it not be somewhat nostalgic? However, it occurs to me that it’s the third generation of almost any model where the charm of the original begins to slip away. In the case of Ford, they lost some of their mojo with both the Explorer and the Taurus around the same time, as it seems like both marquee models hit their high notes in the second generation (I could go on about how amazing the middle 90s were for a variety of reasons, but you don’t want me on that soapbox.) Also, the wheels that came on the Limited trim Explorers were downright gorgeous!
This does not look like an interior with close to 200K miles. Not in the least! That’s either some extremely durable leather or a very light and svelte woman was the sole occupant of this SUV for many years, which is not outside the realm of possibility. The carpets show traditional 90s-era rubber protectors, which have kept the rugs in great shape. The “Medium Prairie Tan” finishes throughout are not all that striking from a color standpoint, but the condition is what matters. Surprisingly, there’s no real woodgrain – fake or authentic – in this cockpit, which is usual for a Limited trim version of anything from this era.
The familiar 5.0L V8 engine bay is also in good order, with a healthy 215 b.h.p. on hand and all the lovely noises an eight-cylinder engine makes. The transmission is a 4R70W 4-speed automatic transmission, and this Explorer also comes equipped with a locking differential. The seller is up front about the typical bumps and blemishes you should expect on a truck this age, but it’s still small potatoes when you consider the mileage. There is some surface rust underneath but nothing awful, at least for those of us in the Northeast. The asking price is fairly ridiculous even with the amazing condition, so hopefully, the seller is serious about that best offer opportunity.
It’s hard to believe this dealer could believe a 194k mile Explorer is worth $14,900, no matter how nice. Maybe they listed it yesterday on April 1st as a joke?
I’d bet they’d have a hard time selling it for more than $5,000 or $6,000, these are still disposable transportation, especially high mileage versions.
Steve R
BF must be hard up for cars to do writeups on. This is just an ordinary worn out used SUV… nothing to get excited about, now OR when it was new. 200k miles? I bet they gave whoever traded it in about $500.
Well, it’s pretty remarkable that it survived Cash for Clunkers. These second generation 1995-03 Explorers were the number one vehicle traded in during the program.
I prefer seeing vehicles like this than yet another extremely overpriced muscle car.
4.0 and 2wd/4wd selector is the best configuration. The 5.0 awd getting 12 or 13 MPG was unnecessary. Might as well buy an Expedition for a lot less money and a lot more space
I had a1999 with the 5.0 and AWD and got right at 20mpg with it. This this would be a 2000/3000 at best.
A,couple of comments about these 5.0 Explorers. The 5.0 V8 Explorers have power rack and pinion steering, 4 wheel disc brakes, 4 wheel ABS, torsion bar adjustable front suspension and 5 link rear suspension. (Unlike 4.0 V6 units that have standard 2 link leaf springs.) It doesn’t matter if it is 2wd or 4wd. All 5.0 Explorers have these features through 2000. In my opinion,the later Explorers with the 4 wheel independent suspensions are very fragile. ( rear wheel bearings, transmissions, suspension components, etc. Also underside on the later ones (2001 on up) seem to attract the tin worm more that the MK Ii cars. And it is rarely seen unless you are under the vehicle trying to get the transmission or transfer case out and the support pieces turn to a pile of rust dust on the floor leaving you with trying to figure out how to bolt the stuff back in. Also this MKII Explorer has the last issue 5.0 intake and raised exhaust port heads. If not for the pretzel exhaust manifolds this engine would be 235 horsepower. One
comment made about MPG. I never drive slow, but always highway. (I live out in the Northern Nevada desert.) My 2wd 5.0 ’98 Explorer sees an average of 75 mph. And speeds exceeding 120 in passing situations. (Which it does easily) It consistently gets 21-22 mpg Also my current ODO reads about 185,000 miles. My leather interior still appears new and unused. Every 4 years I clean it with saddle soap and leather protector. And the car sits outside in the Nevada sun and heat 365 days a year. I have it slightly lowered with KYB gas adjust shocks and the most amount if positive Caster cranked into the alignment setting as possible. I also have 1″wider Lincoln wheels installed and it corners extremely well. The only complaint I have with the car is the white paint keeps wanting to peel/flake off.
Lord No
High mileage and mint do not go together. Many years ago i sold at toy shows, the only time you could call something mint was if it was still factory sealed and never out of the box once.
Not a great deal or great vehicle for many reasons. Just plain no.
These were great. I changed a lot of tires on these as a young man working at Firestone. I saw some with 300k on them. Someone liked this and took great care of it. This alin to a nice Pinto or Citation. They were everywhere, but most got used up, this one survived. This is the future of the hobby.
If this thing is the future of the hobby, the hobby is dead. I’ll take a Pinto.
Your dad’s generation said the same about the Pinto.
Most of these were destroyed by the infamous “Cash For Clunkers” boondoggle. It’s actually rare to see one of these on the road. Especially a V-8 model.
The Wikipedia article on “Cash for Clunkers” is an interesting read. The Explorer was indeed the number one “destroyed” vehicle. The article includes summaries of post mortem studies on the program’s economic impacts. The studies are mixed, some citing it was a success, others concluding it merely pulled sales forward. One which caught my eye actually concluded that it resulted in lower spending on new vehicles, as most new car purchases under the program were cheaper economy cars.
I would generally agree with Big C’s verbiage: “infamous” and “boondoggle.”
Wikipedia propaganda based facts.
It also killed the cheap used car market. And no Wikipedia needed. I lived it.
Also wiped out the used parts market.
i must have slept through a time warp $15 grand for an $800 dollar ride? I have seen them with higher miles, but they are priced accordingly as someone else stated this must be an April fool’s thing
5k on a real good day not 14k. ever work on 1 with a v8? can you say sucks?
I think we all agree too much, to many miles, too old! It is just a clean old car that has been used and probably has some time left, but not 15 K.
Here in Northeast Florida, these are pretty common and are used for “beach beaters”. They’re usually about this mileage and condition. They can easily be had for about $1200-$2000