I'm really not much of an SUV guy... but I got the deal of a lifetime on this 2002 Explorer from my cousin who was moving across the country and needed to get rid of it. Its an XLT with the 4.6 V8, 4wd, about 130,000 miles, loaded up with a bunch of stuff, but I have no idea what I'm going to do with it.
It could use a good detailing, but its in very nice shape. Is there anything that an 02 Explorer is good for so that it would be worth keeping? I'm under the impression that they aren't very good off road, they get pretty poor gas mileage, and while they can tow a decent amount, I have nothing that needs to be towed.
I'm probably going to detail it, then turn around and flip it, but I'm afraid that I wouldn't get much money for it with gas prices the way they are.
Anyone want to trade me a nice miata for it? 
Makes a good motorized battering ram. The cruise control models also have a tendency to catch fire for no reason, so I'd say use it as a siege warfare weapon. Have any enemies with a castle or fort?
GameboyRMH wrote: The cruise control models also have a tendency to catch fire for no reason, ?
Yeah, prolly wanna doublecheck that the recall has been done.
(The recall consists of putting a fuse inline with the cruise control switch so that hopefully the fuse will blow before it catches fire. Only if it blows the fuse will they actually replace the faulty switch.)
I get the impression they're OK off road, nothing spectacular but more capable than something like a crossover. How about building a giant 4 wheel drive Locost?
I heard NASA was coming out with a spec-Exploder class.
if you can make 10%, sell it while you still can
Make it go BOOM. And film it.
My family had one as a rental on our trip to Orlando many moons ago and it wasn't bad as a family cruiser for a few days. Hauled everybody with no problem and was pretty comfortable too. If you have no use for hauling things around or for a huge tank, get out of it while you still can. I'm sure there is somebody looking for a tow vehicle out there..
I like those Explorers. There is one locally that spent a couple weeks with the kids at Roush and while they did absolutely nothing to the body and engine, the truck now turns and wears 17" Cobra Anniversaries.
Yavuz wrote: Anyone want to trade me a nice miata for it?
How about a beater 94 R package?
Yavuz wrote: IIs there anything that an 02 Explorer is good for so that it would be worth keeping? ...and while they can tow a decent amount, I have nothing that needs to be towed.
I am sure someone on this board can use a really comfortable tow vehicle. Why not extend the good deal to this family?
I need that light for when Exploders are following me in the Miata with their high beams on. 
I'd part it out.
Since you bought it right, just flip it.
You need to be more careful with your wording.
"What can I do with a 2002 Ford Explorer?"
should read
"What should I do with a 2002 Ford Explorer?"
us it for a trade in
What you got in it? Gas ain't getting cheaper, it's true, but if you bought it right, clean it up and flip it. Somebody out there who needs a kid hauler will buy it.
kidnap your friends that don't know about your new exploder yet
neon4891 wrote: us it for a trade in
Good Luck with that idea. A lot of the dealers around here are not taking SUV's as trade-ins. My neighbor is trying to unload his Yukon for something smaller and the dealers don't want to even talk trade.
I saw an Exploder setup like a jeep once. Doors removed, mod'ed for dirt fun. You could go that route...and then dog it until it dies...
Highly insure it then total it.
A nice scrape from a concrete barrier down the whole passenger side should do it. Be sure to get both fenders and both doors.
In all seriousness, clean it and sell it if you can or drive it.
Easy. Buy something that needs towing (I'm thinking racecar).
Drive around with 10psi in all the tires and do emergency lane changes on the highway.
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