I’m shopping for a used Ford Explorer and trying to stay within a reasonable budget. This means I’m looking at older models with higher mileage. Here are the options I’ve narrowed down:
Year
Trim
Mileage
Asking Price
Notes
2018
Sport
129,245
$12,985.70
Bucket seats (I prefer a bench), sold by a 3rd-party dealer with bad reviews
2017
XLT w/Sport Appearance Package
119,303
$10,460.70
Water pump and timing belt already replaced, private seller
2018
Sport
79,056
$17,314.27
Dealer trade-in, clean title but has two accidents: 1 collision ($2k) and 1 animal collision ($5k)
The mileage difference is roughly what I’d drive over two years. The monthly payment difference between the cheaper and more expensive options is about $70–$100 over the same period.
I’m leaning toward the Sport but would insist on a pre-purchase inspection no matter which one I choose. I could wait longer to see if better options come up, but similar trims with lower mileage are significantly more expensive.
EDIT: Added another 2018 Sport with fewer miles but a higher price. It’s really clean and has a bench seat, which I prefer.
EDIT2: I went for the 2018 Sport with lower mileage and a bench seat. It’s clean, and I got a fair deal. I’m excited!
Grey said:
The XLT all the way, especially since the water pump and timing belt have already been replaced. That’s one of the biggest issues with these models.
You think so? The Sport seems like a better value, and avoiding it just because of a potential water pump issue feels like missing out.
@Jesse
Can you afford a $3–4k repair if the water pump goes? The XLT has no known mechanical issues, just cosmetic ones. The Sport doesn’t even have the seating you want, and it’s from a dealer with bad reviews. The XLT is the smarter choice based on what you’ve shared.
Go with the one that has lower miles, better maintenance records, and less wear and tear. If the Sport meets those criteria, it’s the better option. Be sure to check for maintenance like transmission fluid changes, PTU fluid replacements, and antifreeze. Also, consider water pump replacement if it’s over 100k miles.
Jesse said: @Kai
The XLT has lower mileage and already had the water pump replaced. The Sport is more expensive and has higher mileage.
In that case, I’d lean toward the XLT, especially if it’s in good condition. If the Sport had lower miles, I’d reconsider, but maintenance history is key.
Make sure to do a pre-purchase inspection and test drive. Check under the oil cap and dipstick for signs of coolant mixing, inspect the coolant recovery bottle for contamination, look for leaks, and check the rotors for wear. If you can, test the battery’s health as well.
I bought a 2018 Limited with 80k miles and ended up replacing the water pump, evap core, and a corroded AC line. Luckily, the dealership’s limited warranty covered some of it. If you’re considering the Sport, make sure it comes with some kind of warranty, or go with the XLT since the water pump has already been replaced.
For the one from the third-party dealer, copy and paste the VIN into Google to check for accident photos. It’ll give you a better idea of any past damage.
Kerr said:
For the one from the third-party dealer, copy and paste the VIN into Google to check for accident photos. It’ll give you a better idea of any past damage.
It has a clean Carfax with no accidents and decent service records. Still, I’d get it inspected before buying.
Given the price and miles, I’d choose the 2017 XLT since the water pump has been replaced. If you’re set on the Sport, try negotiating for a lower price or look for one with lower miles.
Don’t buy an Explorer with over 100k miles. I got a 2015 with 134k, and I’ve replaced almost everything in it. My previous Explorer had 62k when I bought it and was reliable until 152k.
I had a 2017 XLT with the Sport Appearance Package, and it was my favorite car ever. I traded it in at 80k miles for a new one but still miss it. I’d recommend the XLT.