Mr. Binh, a 45-year-old Ford Explorer 2017 owner from Hanoi, has an extensive history with pre-owned vehicles. This is his 6th purchased used car, with previous acquisitions including the Ford Escape 2011, Honda Civic 2008, and Mazda CX5 2017, among others. Mr. Binh is an experienced and knowledgeable buyer when it comes to pre-owned automobiles.
Hello, Mr. Binh! When did you purchase this 2017 Ford Explorer? What was the condition of the vehicle at the time of purchase?
Mr. Binh, the experienced owner of the 2017 Ford Explorer, shares his insights.
Hello, readers of tinxe.vn! I acquired this vehicle earlier this year. The purchase price was quite competitive compared to the market, and the quality and condition of the car were favorable. When I bought it, the car had already traveled 120,000 kilometers, and I paid 750 million VND for it. At that time, the market value for a 2017 Ford Explorer ranged from 950 to 980 million VND, while a brand new one would cost over 2 billion VND without even hitting the roads. I believe I got an incredible deal on this Explorer. Currently, the car has surpassed the 130,000-kilometer mark.
Many people assume that an older American car with high mileage would require more maintenance than a Japanese car. What are your thoughts on this perspective?
Based on my experience with five different American and Japanese cars, and this being my 6th pre-owned vehicle, I believe that perspective is entirely inaccurate.
In reality, the Explorer is incredibly durable. When I purchased it, I only needed to service the undercarriage, as the engine compartment was still in excellent condition. I haven’t had to perform any major maintenance yet. Since owning this car, I haven’t encountered any technical issues on the road. It truly is a fill-up-and-go vehicle.
With six pre-owned cars in your history, it’s clear that you prioritize value for money. Can you elaborate on this?
Indeed, finding a high-quality, reasonably priced used car in the market is not an easy task. I don’t follow crowd psychology when it comes to car purchases, so the vehicles I buy may not stand out to others. However, I have a very clear intention regarding the type of car I want to buy, and I thoroughly research information about the car, its origin, brand, and delve deep into understanding the vehicle and its previous owner.
It’s noticeable that you’ve only owned Japanese and American cars, with no Korean cars in your history. What are your reasons for this?
Korean cars haven’t appealed to me for the following reasons: First, the driving feel doesn’t meet my expectations. The light steering doesn’t provide any exciting driving emotions.
As someone who enjoys driving and exploring various routes, I want a car that delivers thrilling driving experiences on long journeys. Secondly, their chassis tend to be weak. Before switching from the Mazda CX5 2017 to the Ford Explorer, I considered a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. While it performed adequately, when I started driving over curbs, the car revealed its weakness—a twisted body frame and noises coming from pillar B. That experience turned me off from Korean cars.
German cars are known for their solid performance and stability. Given your passion for driving, have you ever considered upgrading to a German car?
I’ve spent considerable time researching German car brands. Generally, German cars exude sophistication, elegance, and feature high-quality interior materials. Their performance is undoubtedly stable, but I find them less “friendly” in terms of maintenance costs relative to my income.
For instance, within the same price range as my Ford Explorer, which is 750-800 million VND, I could purchase 2014-2015 German models like the Audi Q5, BMW X5, or X3. However, the maintenance and replacement part costs for these vehicles would likely be double or even triple that of the Explorer.
To compare, German cars have the highest replacement part costs, followed by American cars, and finally, Japanese cars.
You got a great deal on the Explorer, but it’s a car that isn’t very popular among buyers, and its resale value may not be high. Are you concerned about taking a loss when you eventually sell it?
When you’re in the used car game, it’s inevitable to take a loss when selling. The Explorer isn’t a popular choice, so depreciation is expected. However, I plan to keep the car for the long haul, so I’m not too concerned about short-term gains or losses. Moreover, my initial purchase price was already well below market value, and the car has likely passed its steepest depreciation period, so I’m not worried about potential losses.
Aside from the attractive price, what other factors influenced your decision to buy the Ford Explorer?
This car embodies the characteristics of an American vehicle—a sturdy frame, thick bodywork, a solid driving feel, and a powerful 2.3-liter turbo engine that performs exceptionally on long-distance drives. Despite its large size, the turning radius is reasonable, making city driving less cumbersome. I find the interior appealing, and being Ford’s largest SUV in Vietnam, the Explorer boasts numerous modern features and technologies.
However, the car does have some drawbacks. The suspension is on the softer side, resulting in a bouncy rear when navigating speed bumps. I’ve replaced the suspension, but the handling still doesn’t meet my expectations. The driver’s seat design isn’t well-suited for Vietnamese body types, and the footwell for the driver is cramped due to the oversized front wheel well.
You often go on road trips, have you ever considered switching to a diesel-powered car like the Ford Everest for better fuel efficiency?
I’ve driven the 2022 Ford Everest for a few hundred kilometers, both in the city and on highways. Initially, I was attracted to the idea of a diesel engine and the potential fuel savings. However, after some time behind the wheel, my perspective changed.
Diesel engines inherently have higher noise and vibration levels, lack acceleration, and offer less agile handling. Personally, I prefer a responsive and nimble driving experience, even if it means sacrificing some fuel efficiency. I want a car that handles well at high speeds, not one that feels sluggish.
In conclusion, I am extremely satisfied with my 2017 Ford Explorer and plan to keep it for many more years. It meets my needs and my family’s, and that’s what matters most to me.
Thank you for your time today, Mr. Binh.
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