Assuming good mechanicals I’d take that Explorer in a heartbeat. You can’t get anything here that rust free for that price.
I like that 91’ DeVille, my son had a 93’ with the 4.9L. It wasn’t as powerful as the Northstar but was the best of that engine series. Enough back seat room to install a pool table.
That Lexus looks like a good transportation buy although I have trouble accepting 121k as “low mileage” even on a Lexus.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The 91 DeVille has the optional Bose, probably very rare in an low optioned car. Looks decent overall.
Other than leather what is that Caddy missing? Looks pretty loaded for the time.
You are correct, I overlooked several features. Astroroof and leather are two that come to mind that would be nice. I wonder if the driver’s seat would clean up nicely. A thorough interior detail would make a huge difference.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
The Explorer is the pick of that litter. I'd buy it for the sheer coolness of it. But "great winter car?" Here in mid-Michigan it would dissolve away. It's a amazing the difference a little lot of salt makes...
>> The Grand Marquis would most likely outlast anything on the list. ..even the Lexus?
I had that drivetrain in an '03, and it was rust did the car in.. the engine soldiers on in another van in Northern Michigan..220k when it was transplanted. Ran like new, long-term problem was a coolant leak of the block, by a freeze plug. Stop-leak held it for the last year with us.
A friend has a Crown Vic from the mid-aughties, and while it still runs fine, he's had problems with leaks, AC, power steering..all typical ones. It'll 'never' stop running and driving, but the economics will do it in.
My money's on the Camry clone.
Also wanted to add: Doesn't that Explorer bring back the memories? Almost makes me want to roll it
I would try not to drive my winter beater when the salt was down either, but at least I would not be afraid to. I also go to the touchless wash with the underbody rinse any time I know it got salt on it. Unless it goes above freezing and I drag the house out.
QBs Xterra would be a great winter car. Disposable, and really good in the snow.
The Lexus has a check engine light that the mechanic can't diagnose.
there you go, reading all the details instead of just looking at the pictures and the headline!
yes, that is concerning. And I would bet the reason they bought a new car. Also sounds like a lot of deferred maintenance if they needed a major rehab. An evap code is not that hard to diagnose. But an "air flow" issue is an odd way to word a leaking gas cap (and that is the easiest thing to shoot the parts cannon at)
With 146k and a new electrical problem, it may be time to move on from the BMW X5. I'm liking this and hoping some of you guys may be familiar with these.
The left front fender and the drivers door are different shades of gray. Water pump is an expensive repair on those 3.5's. I would invest in a Carfax if you are interested. Anyone notice the Merkur in the background of some of the pics?
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
@explorerx4 said:
The left front fender and the drivers door are different shades of gray.
Water pump is an expensive repair on those 3.5's.
I would invest in a Carfax if you are interested.
Anyone notice the Merkur in the background of some of the pics?
Such a PITA, but not an uncommon occurrence. Many vehicles' water pumps are driven by the timing belt/chain as opposed to an auxiliary serpentine belt.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
I think the Audi V8 is longitudinally mounted, but with the timing chains against the fire wall. Engine removal required, and the repair is pretty common.
I watch a lot of repair videos (having no life to speak of) and the way some bays are packed in, it really could be quicker overall to pull the engine so you can get at everything.
LOL I have that Audi picture saved somewhere, and when I get indecent thoughts about owning one, I look at it for a while.
Also you're totally wrong about this part. >> timing chain problems ...because the CHAINS are fine.
It's the plastic tensioners that go bad, in turn fouling the chains, of course. Nobody could have seen that coming
It's a truly inspiring storyline -- the sheer idiocy of it, and yet you can follow along step-by-perfectly-reasonable-step. I particularly like the part where the guy must have said, I have an idea, let's rotate the engine 180 degrees for better packaging, since we never need to get at the timing chain!
That's why you can buy an older A8 for chump change, and shouldn't.
A 4.2 Audi V8 Timing Chain job should be mandatory apprentice training for all car mechanics. This would lower the cost of the service.
It was a fortune even when my ultimate Audi indy shop was only charging $115/hour just not that long ago. Inflation is killer, it's $156/hour now. Can't blame them, most every other specialty German auto shop charges much more here in San Diego.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Ha, I saw that the other day. Pretty respectable performance from a 30+ year old car with a not overly powerful I6. Almost like the chase could be a MB commercial.
Sad to see one get wrecked, but they aren't rare, and plenty of both good and neglected ones are still out there - pretty good survival rate on W126 I think, as build quality is immense and they are generally solidly engineered.
Ha, I saw that the other day. Pretty respectable performance from a 30+ year old car with a not overly powerful I6. Almost like the chase could be a MB commercial.
Sad to see one get wrecked, but they aren't rare, and plenty of both good and neglected ones are still out there - pretty good survival rate on W126 I think, as build quality is immense and they are generally solidly engineered.
Wow, Georgia troopers don’t mess around. Here in NY they’d discontinue the chase and send him a fruit basket the next day to make up for his emotional trauma.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Ha, I saw that the other day. Pretty respectable performance from a 30+ year old car with a not overly powerful I6. Almost like the chase could be a MB commercial.
Sad to see one get wrecked, but they aren't rare, and plenty of both good and neglected ones are still out there - pretty good survival rate on W126 I think, as build quality is immense and they are generally solidly engineered.
Wow, Georgia troopers don’t mess around. Here in NY they’d discontinue the chase and send him a fruit basket the next day to make up for his emotional trauma.
Same here - they need to have some kind of "cause" to chase I think, although I think the lives of troopers lost in chases and probable lawsuits from crashes or damage from chases might be part of it.
That Tacoma would sell in 10 seconds at that price here, but they generally don't dissolve here either
Cougar looks like it has those porous polycast wheels, maybe the only option (I am certain generic wire caps were standard, or should have been maybe). I too prefer the Bird of that generation.
AMC looks like pics were taken by a phone camera from 1978.
@stickguy said:
Frame issues scare me. Sounds like it rotted out and they just hacked some metal onto it. I would want that one carefully looked at underneath.
Comments
I like that 91’ DeVille, my son had a 93’ with the 4.9L. It wasn’t as powerful as the Northstar but was the best of that engine series. Enough back seat room to install a pool table.
That Lexus looks like a good transportation buy although I have trouble accepting 121k as “low mileage” even on a Lexus.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Lord help me, I also like the Explorer
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
It's a amazing the difference a
littlelot of salt makes...The Lexus is another solid choice.
The Grand Marquis would most likely outlast anything on the list.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
..even the Lexus?
I had that drivetrain in an '03, and it was rust did the car in.. the engine soldiers on in another van in Northern Michigan..220k when it was transplanted. Ran like new, long-term problem was a coolant leak of the block, by a freeze plug. Stop-leak held it for the last year with us.
A friend has a Crown Vic from the mid-aughties, and while it still runs fine, he's had problems with leaks, AC, power steering..all typical ones. It'll 'never' stop running and driving, but the economics will do it in.
My money's on the Camry clone.
Also wanted to add:
Doesn't that Explorer bring back the memories? Almost makes me want to roll it
cheers -mathias
QBs Xterra would be a great winter car. Disposable, and really good in the snow.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
yes, that is concerning. And I would bet the reason they bought a new car. Also sounds like a lot of deferred maintenance if they needed a major rehab. An evap code is not that hard to diagnose. But an "air flow" issue is an odd way to word a leaking gas cap (and that is the easiest thing to shoot the parts cannon at)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I’d take the Panther over the Lexus. They are truly tough to kill and easy to fix. Parts are cheap and plentiful.
I’ve been in Town Cars with 600k on the clock.
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You think you hate it now… wait till you drive it.
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With 146k and a new electrical problem, it may be time to move on from the BMW X5. I'm liking this and hoping some of you guys may be familiar with these.
2011 Taurus SHO
I'm a hyrid worker and take the train when I do go in so may only be looking at 8k to 10k miles a year. What to look out for?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Water pump is an expensive repair on those 3.5's.
I would invest in a Carfax if you are interested.
Anyone notice the Merkur in the background of some of the pics?
I did. I guess he's a Ford man
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I guess the question is wht is the life expectancy on the water pump?
This reminds me of the Audi 4.2 L V8 timing chain problems.
edit: well, maybe not THAT bad:
I guess that this is a product of trnasverse mounted engines and the need to decrease the depth of the engine.
I watch a lot of repair videos (having no life to speak of) and the way some bays are packed in, it really could be quicker overall to pull the engine so you can get at everything.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Also you're totally wrong about this part.
>> timing chain problems
...because the CHAINS are fine.
It's the plastic tensioners that go bad, in turn fouling the chains, of course.
Nobody could have seen that coming
It's a truly inspiring storyline -- the sheer idiocy of it, and yet you can follow along step-by-perfectly-reasonable-step. I particularly like the part where the guy must have said, I have an idea, let's rotate the engine 180 degrees for better packaging, since we never need to get at the timing chain!
That's why you can buy an older A8 for chump change, and shouldn't.
cheers -mathias
It was a fortune even when my ultimate Audi indy shop was only charging $115/hour just not that long ago. Inflation is killer, it's $156/hour now. Can't blame them, most every other specialty German auto shop charges much more here in San Diego.
This has to be the same seller as the bustleback Continental - curbstoner who likes a certain era
You can't get there from here
They've advertised this off and on for at least a couple years, maybe a consignment. Price was originally much more - now it is a fair deal. Either something went wrong or they are finally serious about selling it (I kind of like it, Euro car with woolcloth velour)
Needs a lot more pics for this price - come on lazies, you are paying for the ad
It'll last forever
Could only be more malaise if it was somehow a diesel
These seem to be underrated cars, I have seen them with decent odometer readings (I prefer the looks of the first gen)
Someone gave up, package deal
These appear to now be considered vintage - I'd only pay that for a Twister re-creation
Thin on the ground in this spec - and I detest these apparent AI-written ads (the AI ads from dingaling local realtors are 100x worse)
Seldom-seen now, you are paying for an ad - provide more pics and no original promo pics allowed
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Eldo would be so nice in white or black. That yellow is awful
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That was the Mazda. Ranger came later and Mazda got a rebadge of that.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Fast forward to about 2:15 for the start of the real action.
Sad to see one get wrecked, but they aren't rare, and plenty of both good and neglected ones are still out there - pretty good survival rate on W126 I think, as build quality is immense and they are generally solidly engineered.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
This Marquis looks well preserved Get into the ride sharing biz maybe
Whose got a spare small block
The mileage claim for this Cougar may be legit Real Grandpa special. Always hated the center console with column shift on these
Grandpa special Toyota truck Never see these like this anymore here
AMC Matador The Mercury wagon may be more interesting
Mitsu 3000 Unfortunately looks pretty base and worn out
That Cougar is about as base as I’ve ever seen.
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That awkward roof on the Cougar has never grown on me.
On the other hand, at < $5 they're not trying to hurt anyone.
Frame issues scare me. Sounds like it rotted out and they just hacked some metal onto it. I would want that one carefully looked at underneath.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Cougar looks like it has those porous polycast wheels, maybe the only option (I am certain generic wire caps were standard, or should have been maybe). I too prefer the Bird of that generation.
AMC looks like pics were taken by a phone camera from 1978.
Agree. Give them credit for differentiating it from the T-bird but the rear window always looked too vertical for me
Yes, a good thorough look is needed