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SUVs Ford Explorer Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer: Prices Paid & Buying Experience
219 messages, Last post on Aug 24, 2009 at 7:17 AM
You are in the Ford Explorer Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Ok, first time poster... long time reader of Edmunds.com This is a tale of me having my way with a dealership. I have (had) a 1998 Chevy Blazer. Replaced 3 water pumps, one alternator, one radiator, one fuel pump, 4 shocks and a butt-load of tires. The Blazer also had the following issues: -121,000 Miles -Needed a tune-up -Front alignment (Car shakes from 60-70mph) -Needed 2 new front tires -Needed Front breaks -Heat and air did not work -Had electrical issues - incessant clicking (from what sounded like the turn signal) -The fuel gage never read true and would click to E at anytime. -Transmission just recently started acting funny. -Had an oil leak, radiator leak, and a leak from the back hatch window. -Passengers door wouldn't open with keyless entry -And the inside would smell like exhaust or gas from time to time. -Last but not least: The interior sucked... (2 kids and me not being anal about the inside) -Exterior: Lots of small dents and scratches. (Ala kids) Pro's: The 4wdr worked, and the engine was strong. I was going to have to pay at least $650.00 to 1.5k$ to get the car back into shape I wasn't looking forward to winter with at very least no heat. I explained the situation to the wife. Then said We should look for something newer and less miles and trade the Blazer in. I started looking on the Internet and I found an explorer in an adjacent city, with 80k miles and 2001. I called to see if they still had it. (9 times out of 10 they don't but... they surely have something else they can get you into... blah blah) In this case they had it. I told them I'd be down at about 5pm. I waited until dark to go. I wanted to camouflage my car a bit more. =) They wanted $4,995 for the Explorer XLT. I hopped on Edmunds.com and checked the price. It was listed at $5,250. While my Blazer was listed at $1,200. I had read the buying guides on this site and I tested them a few times on other perspective cars. I've never felt so vulnerable as when in a 'car buying' situation. My wife's job on this mark was to be disapproving and agitated. We test drove it. It seemed solid. With one exception, a rhythmic 'whirring' sound. Could have been from the 4wdr gear box or a bearing issue... OR Completely normal to the car. (Time will tell) I came in and let him know I wanted to chat about the vehicle. After some time he got back to us...  We remained active, getting up and wandering around when he left, etc... We started talking money. I told him of the sound I'd heard and expressed it could be a future issue. He didn't argue with me. I asked if he'd mind if I had my mechanic look at it, etc... Then we got down to the trade-in part. He asked me what I had and I gave him the keys and he wandered out to see. We did not follow. Here is the critical portion. This was in a smaller city and he had no other staff on-hand as it was late (For them, they closed at 8pm) He came back in, made a call, chatted with the other end then came over and wrote down what he was willing to offer. The offer was $2,000. Knowing what I knew about the blazer and it's worth, I nearly swallowed my teeth. I hymned and hawed about the $2,000, but ultimately let it go as I was not going to let that be a deal breaker in any situation but I didn't want to appear too eager to jump at the offer. I then haggled him down on the $4,995. I finally got him down to $4,150. With all told, I only owed him $2450.67, which I was more than happy to pay. A was a bit chagrined to take the title for the blazer and cash for the Exploder back to him the next day, but hey... deals a deal. They did make a jab at me for the beat up license plates from the Blazer - alluding to the condition of the car, but never came right out saying it. However in my defense, I did disclose everything he had asked for initially. I took the Exp out on a 370 round trip exercise. Performed wonderfully and I got 23mpg. Win win. I left there giggling to my wife. She just shook her head. She however was just as glad to be out of the Blazer. While I could afford a better car, I wanted to have this for a work car. Money concerns are huge on 95% of American's these days, and I believe that this site helped me walk out of there having saved $1k at very least. This was an awesome experience. However, I don't think I could make as one sided a victory as this again.  
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I saw a 08 limited leftover with most options expet remote start and dvd. Sticker was $41k I know they are asking 36k+ and there is 1000 rebate plus 0% for 60 months (which I need) but what do you think is a good price for this truck? I was thinking 30k OTD since I will have to pay to add the DVD and remote start. Thinking that will cost me about $2k |
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Anyone know of any 2008 Ford Explorers still on a lot in the NJ/PA,NY, CT area; Ford has deep incentives on these if they can be found. By the way...I need 4WD or AWD & 3rd Row? Will also consider used if mint and low, low milage....Thanks
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want to know how much you can get off the MSRP. Thanks
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Replying to: epec (Aug 10, 2009 12:44 pm)
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Replying to: gbj (Aug 18, 2009 9:39 pm) |
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Replying to: karma50 (Jun 10, 2009 5:15 pm)
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