1997 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 AUTO, LOW MILES

I bought it just this last April from ExplorerParts UK via eBay for £1250 - they are an Explorer specialist in South Wales who regularly advertise on eBay and have extensive positive feedback.

They had given the car their thorough inspection throughout and most importantly had just replaced all timing chains - a common fault and saving me a bill of around £800 - so that is good for many many miles to come and the engine is ultra refined, quiet and still feels like it is delivering all of its 205 horses.

We bought this car because as a family we decided to dip our toes into the caravan world.

However, I don’t actually like caravan’s very much when they’re being towed on the road in front of me, so this meant two things:

I wanted a powerful but inexpensive tow vehicle that could tow the caravan as if it wasn’t actually there and that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg to find out if its was a passing phase.

I was determined to buy the smallest caravan I could find - and ended up buying a hard sided French folding caravan that folds down into a trailer - ideal - I still get to say I don't tow a caravan!!! It fits behind the Explorer as if they were designed to go together.

Anyway, we took off to a small farm on the Welsh coast and - yes - even though our caravan is about the same size as a hearth rug inside - we had a great family time and decided we would go away as much as possible.

But a couple of weekends later, we went back to the same farm because its a great place for the kids and as we were leaving the farmer said, "That’s the funniest little caravan I’ve ever seen.”

I went on to explain that not only could I pretend that I didn’t actually own a caravan, but that also, my wife, who had never towed before, wanted something very small to start out with so she could see whether she would be confident. At which point the farmer replied that we could leave the caravan in his barn if we liked at no charge - and just pay for the nights we stay. He would even tow the caravan down the field for us with his tractor if we called in advance.

So that was that. No need to tow anymore.

However, we held on to the Explorer in case we got bored of that site and fancied a change over the summer. But we didn’t, its been great and we are leaving the caravan there.

So, the Explorer genuinely has become surplus to requirements. It doesn't quite feel right to use it for continual short journeys. The kids will miss it because they have ridden all over the farm standing on the side steps (like old fashioned fun before everyone became so 'PC') and the other campers will miss it when its been useful to pull them out of the mud.

Here are the vital facts:

4.0 straight 6, 5 speed Auto.

Switchable Lo/Hi/Auto 4x4.

Leather.

Aircon (just about did its job in summer - imagine needs regas as basic robust American system).

Low mileage.

Electric sunroof, seats, windows, locks.

Massive load space.

Chunky side steps and adjustable roofbars.

MOT ‘till February 15th 2010.

Timing chains done 6000 miles ago.

Only 72500 miles (6000 done by us).

Towbar with twin electrics - all working fine.

Pulls like a train.

Cheap to insure and maintain.

Spares readily available.

Actually very capable off road but will cruise comfortably and in refinement all day at 90mph (on German motorways of course).

Does about 21mpg average regardless of whether I am going round town or cross country, fast or slow, towing or not!

After I purchased it, I had two small areas of non structural rust by the rear arches professionally done for cosmetic purposes.

Chassis rock solid.

Body and paint pretty good.

Mechanically and interior very good.

Starts brilliantly and drives really well.

Makes a lovely, lovely, burbly noise.

Points you should be aware of are minor:

Front alloys polish up a bit if you can be bothered to use brillo and brasso but basically have surface corrosion of the plating. Rears are fine (see photos).

One small rear lens cracked (see photo).

Couple of minor scuffy scratches on nearside rear (see photo).

Small piece of paint chipped on offside (see photo).

Drivers mirror intact but cracked (see photo).

A few squeaks, rattles and creaks when braking or cornering, but nothing out of the ordinary or unsafe.

Might be a small oil weep from cam cover onto exhaust manifold but not using any oil between servicing intervals. Is not using any water, power steering or auto fluids either - so good...

Needs radio recoding since we disconnected the battery for the little bit of welding we had done to the side step wheel arch area.

That’s it!

A really reliable family workhorse that puts a smile on your face.

We as a family have had a great time with 4 bikes on the back of this car, driving over mountain tracks with the kids riding on the side steps (very slowly of course), etc, etc.

What I have loved most about this car is it was relatively cheap and yet just feels so robust and ready for anything we would throw at it - like it will just go on and on.

Now, you may think this is tosh - but this a true statement: my other car is a good Porsche Carrera 993, but rather strangely, I have often jumped in this old bus instead. There’s just something so carefree about it that I have really enjoyed.

But as stated, we just don’t need it. Though its tidy and presentable - it is far from presentable enough or new enough for me to turn up to client meetings in - and hardly sensible for the school run.

So - here it is at a very reasonable starting price and a great “Buy It Now” price.

You won’t regret it if you need a gutsy towing or 4x4 vehicle.

You can call me on 07711 413800 for more information.

Naturally, there is no warranty implied or given, bids are binding, buyer collects.

I will accept cash on collection or cleared Paypal funds only.

Good luck!