Alright, so after back to back Ferraris, I'm feeling like we need to shift our attention to something cheaper and less exotic. Plus it's getting cold here in the US, so I'm thinking we need a vehicle that is also warm, comfy, and with four wheel drive. Ferrari GTC4Lusso?!? No, waaaaay too expensive. But how about something that could be bought for the price of a service of one?
Enter this 1994 Ford Explorer Limited on Cars & Bids! Yes, the vehicle that ushered in today's generation of luxury SUVs and helped kill off some of my favorite 1990s sports cars, this Explorer fits all the criteria for an inexpensive, luxurious winter machine.
And my goodness what a beautiful bit of Americana it is! This Explorer is a great example of the boxy first generation, which for me was cemented as iconic in the classic film Jurassic Park.
But no bright yellow and green theme park livery here, this one is finished in a Bentley Bentayga-esque Dark Cranberry Metallic exterior over a Mocha interior. Fancy!
It's also a Limited, which means just about everything that was available back then was standard. But, remember this is 1994 standard, so things like fog laps, roof rack, and a color keyed sports steering wheel are highlights in the brochure. No, middle management Eddie Bauer trim here, that JBL in-dash cassette player is standard.
A simpler dash for simpler times. Dashmat is so fitting!
Condition of the Explorer appears pretty much as I would expect for a 30 year old 130,000 mile FoMoCo product. The interior looks surprisingly to be in excellent shape, those "Limited" embroidered front seats especially.
About the only thing it's lacking is heating for those seats, which is a bummer, but that wouldn't be available for a few more years. Occupants will have to make do in those plush front thrones that look mighty comfortable.
Plush leather, fabric inserts, embroidered headrests AND piping in deviated color to match exterior. What is this, a modern Porsche? No! It's a 1994 Ford Explorer!
I'm genuinely surprised at the rest of it. It's very clean and in great condition. No Ferrari sticky buttons here, all the switches and knobs have very little wear, fading, etc.
The condition of the outside matches the inside. Looking pretty great with the noticeable issues being some scrapes on the bumper and fading paint on the mirrors. But what 32 year old anything doesn't have minor wear and tear?
I love this photo. It's like something out of a sales brochure. "Ford Explorer. It goes wherever life takes you." Or something.
Oh, and check out those Firestone tires. Like Michelins on a Porsche, there's just something right about a Ford riding on Firestones.
And speaking of Firestone and MIchelins, something caught my eye when browsing the auction: the underneath photos are when the Explorer was wearing MIchelins. So, I assume the interior/exterior pictures are recent and undersides are older. I'll give the seller the benefit of the doubt and assume that the latter were taken when there was a chance to get the car up in the air.
Something to inquire about though. Especially since it looks like the front differential might have a leak going.
All in all, it looks like a great ride. A lot of Explorers out there have been through the ringer, making this a rare bird given its condition, mileage and colors. I say it deserves every dollar it gets.
Original window sticker included. You love to see it.
Are you a buyer? If not, is there another Explorer that catches your eye, or something altogether different?
