1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Sport Utility 4-door 4.0l on 2040-cars

VIN: 1FMZU35P3WUA98831 Year: 1998
Exterior Color: Black
Make: Ford
Interior Color: Tan
Model: Explorer
Trim: Eddie Bauer Sport Utility 4-Door
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Drive Type: 4WD
Options: Sunroof, Cassette Player, 4-Wheel Drive, Leather Seats, CD Player
Number of Cylinders: 6
Safety Features: Anti-Lock Brakes, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag
Power Options: Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats
Disability Equipped: No
Mileage: 205,000
Sub Model: Eddie Bauer

Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

Oh, look what I have for YOU!!!!!

Up for sale, is my 1998 Ford Explorer!!!

(Cue: "Great...another SUV for sale....I can hardly contain myself...")

Come on...you should be HAPPY!! This and the Taurus were Ford's money makers back in the day. You can't tell me that you haven't seen at least three of these trucks every 10 miles...

(Cue: "Well, I have...but...")

But nothing!!! 

Here....I'll tell you about what I have for sale.

(Cue: "Sigh. Okay...")

Good. As I said, it's a 1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer. The truck has 205,000 miles on it...

(Cue: "WHAT?!?!")

Yup. And it runs like a beast. Hondas, Benzes, and some Volvos have more mileage than that. Take a breath, and keep reading.

It's black, with gold lower body paint (tr`es chic!!), and a swanky gold pin stripe. Inside, you'll find tan leather interior, an overhead console, and even a power moonroof (try finding THAT on an inexpensive used car!). For those of you thinking that the 1990s were still the year of the cassette (they were...to an extent...), have no fear; this Explorer has a CD player! Woot!!! 

Need power to pass? No worries here! This Explorer comes with a 5.0 liter V8 engine. Powerful enough to pass an old lady driving a Chevette, or even to outrun a cop!!

(Cue: "Oh??")

Well, maybe not THAT powerful enough...but you get the idea. 

This Explorer starts up....goes "vroom"....drives...stops...and drives again. And....it passed State Inspection!!! At the DMV, and not a gas station!! ON THE FIRST SHOT!!! The sticker is good until August 2014.

(Cue: "Oh, my!!!")

Indeed!

(Cue: "Well....that's great. I guess. But what's WRONG with the car...er...SUV? Every ad I've seen on Craigslist for an inexpensive car, will list either massive issues, or worse...the cryptic "needs TLC". Are people really afraid to list what's wrong with their car?")

Yes. They are. 

And of course, like any used car....especially one that's 15 years old...there's going to be some work needed. Thankfully, it's stuff that you can do over time. 

So...

1): The keyless entry does not work. The truck DOES have it...but the remote is long gone, and I don't know what the code is for the keypad on the door. But don't fret. You can still get into the truck, the old fashioned way - by using the key. 

2): Speaking of locks; the passenger's front door lock does not operate from the outside, and the driver's side power door lock control does not lock the doors (it will, however, lock them). Again, if you need to let passengers in, you can use the key for the driver's door lock. A quick half-turn will unlock all the doors...kind of like in an old Honda. It's a neat feature. 

3): The interior is a little worn. The seats look okay, save for scuffs and stuff....but the center console armrest is a mess. You'll want to invest in a natty roll of tan or beige duct tape, and wrap the foam pad down. It'll look so much better. 

4): The air conditioner does not work. Here again, I have no idea why. I tried charging it last summer, and it took all the freon (those Pep Boys quick charge canisters are awesome)...but it would still blow lukewarm to hot air. Heat and I don't get along. Even with "4/70 air conditioning". Perhaps you'll get along better with it. Or, you'll find a way to fix it. The heater, however, DOES work. 

5): The rear door on the driver's side does not open from the inside. The release handle is broken. You'll want to tape this up, so that your kids (if you have kids) don't get hurt. Or, you can invest in a new/used one.

6): You will need minor maintenance stuff (wiper blades, oil change, brake pads, tires), but not today. Definitely down the road, though. I don't believe it needs a tune-up, as it seems to run without a hitch.

7): The a/c adapters do not work. It could be a fuse. It could be more. I don't know.

Other things I just thought of....

The power seat works (I don't remember if the passenger's seat is power or not....I think my ex-girlfriend sat in it once, adjusted it, and didn't touch it since...). The folding rear seats work. The electric windows work. The defroster works. 99% of the gauge lights work (I think the lighting over the battery level is out during the night). The headlights, fog lights, and brake lights work. The moonroof works. The truck has an anti-theft system, which activates when you lock the car, and dis-arms when you unlock it (factory system, of course). Two of the alloy hubcaps are kind of yucky; you'll want to get new ones if you care about aesthetics. 

Anyway, that's about all I can think of. 


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