Thinking about a 2013 Ford Explorer with 116k miles for my first car… worth it?

A coworker’s friend is offering to sell me his daughter’s 2013 Ford Explorer for $10,700. It’d be my first car, and I figured I’d ask here for some advice. The car looks to be in good condition from the photos, but I haven’t test-driven it yet or seen under the hood.

Is this a good deal? Should I expect any big maintenance costs given the mileage and age? How reliable are these Explorers for the long haul? Any help would be great!

I have a 2013 Explorer with 129k miles, and it’s been a solid daily driver. That said, you NEED to ask about the water pump and torque converter. Those are common issues with this model. If neither has been replaced, you could be in for some costly repairs down the line.

@Fable
Good to know! I’ll definitely ask about those. I was hoping for something reliable, but it sounds like these issues could be deal-breakers if they haven’t been addressed. Thanks!

Tristan said:
@Fable
Good to know! I’ll definitely ask about those. I was hoping for something reliable, but it sounds like these issues could be deal-breakers if they haven’t been addressed. Thanks!

This car is likely about to need some major work. Water pump, PTU, timing chain… plus shocks, brakes, and who knows what else. I’ve got a 2014, and I’ve had to replace just about everything. Be careful!

@Laine
If the water pump is due, it’s best to replace the timing chain at the same time. For the PTU, change the oil and cross your fingers.

@Fable
Did you have any issues with torque converter shudder? I’m dealing with that right now.

Leith said:
@Fable
Did you have any issues with torque converter shudder? I’m dealing with that right now.

Yes, I had the infamous torque converter shudder. I added two bottles of shudder fix and drove it for about 5k miles, then did a transmission fluid exchange with Valvoline fluid and Lucas Transmission Fix. It’s been smooth ever since.

It’s a bit overpriced if it’s a base model. If it’s a higher trim, it’s closer to fair. Either way, I’d recommend getting it checked out by a mechanic before committing.

I’ve got a 2012 Limited, and by 115k miles, I’ve had to replace brakes, rotors, tie rods, control arms, motor mounts, spark plugs, and even the steering rack. If this hasn’t been done on the one you’re looking at, you might be taking on a lot of repairs soon.

@Jensen
That’s a lot of work! Wasn’t the steering rack covered under recall for your model year?

Ellis said:
@Jensen
That’s a lot of work! Wasn’t the steering rack covered under recall for your model year?

It was, and I had it replaced twice under warranty.

@Jensen
I hate the sloped roof on the newer models. They look like someone dropped a grand piano on them.

Seems okay, but definitely get it inspected by a mechanic first. You can also check out YouTube videos on what to look for when buying a used car to help you spot potential issues.

Toby said:
Seems okay, but definitely get it inspected by a mechanic first. You can also check out YouTube videos on what to look for when buying a used car to help you spot potential issues.

Thanks for the tip! I’ll check out some videos and make sure to get a mechanic’s opinion too.

What does KBB say it’s worth?

Devan said:
What does KBB say it’s worth?

KBB says it’s worth about $5,000 to $6,000, so this price seems pretty high.

Tristan said:

Devan said:
What does KBB say it’s worth?

KBB says it’s worth about $5,000 to $6,000, so this price seems pretty high.

Looks like your coworker is offering you the friend discount…not!

Devan said:
What does KBB say it’s worth?

KBB isn’t super relevant these days with how much used car prices have gone up. Check what similar models are actually selling for. If it’s base trim and no maintenance has been done, I’d pass.

Honestly, get a Toyota if you’re looking for reliability. Explorers are decent, but they’re not as dependable.

Niko said:
Honestly, get a Toyota if you’re looking for reliability. Explorers are decent, but they’re not as dependable.

Fair point. I’m just a young adult who grew up broke, so I’m trying to find something decent without breaking the bank.