Aight, so I used to hang out on the explorer forum, because I currently have a 1998 explorer sport. However, I'm super fat, its exhaust isn't even attached anymore, and the timing chain is barely holding on.
So, I wanna get something new. There's a 2003 Eddie bauer explorer for $6450.00 right now near me. It's currently $600 off as a promotion! And if I turn in my loud trash heap, I can get another $600 off. I currently have $2000 saved up, and my family was going to loan me the rest (I'm 20 and I'm talking to what I hope becomes my second job, so I plan to pay that all back)
Now, in 2016, I found my 1998 explorer sport for sale, I overpaid for it, got slammed by the inspection and registry, and not only that, the engine needs $3,000 in repairs because of how (supposedly) labor intensive the repairs are on it. Add in that my 500 pound self doesn't exactly fit in it very well... I might be working on my weight but I'm also too damn tall for it.
Obviously, I wanna avoid this with the expedition. is there anything I need to watch out for? The mirror adjustment joystick, the seat adjustment switch, the rear wiper, (washer fluid works though) and one other minor thing are all broken, but everything else is in amazing condition, and the AC system is glorious compared to the broken one on mine (AC only works on Max, every other mode is heat, dumb explorers and their blend doors) however the salesman says he's gonna get them all checked on.
Searching up problems online brings up a few reports on the engine throwing its spark plugs out, is that as common or expensive to fix as my own car's timing chain? Also, what should I be looking for when I check it out? I'm going out tomorrow for another look, and I think I'll be test driving it...
I dunno, I guess I'm just asking for advice and so on!
Edit: If I remember right, it's got 11X,*** miles and it has the "Triton V8 4.5L" engine.