Tips on Buying Cars: Ford Explorer 124,000 KM, izuzu rodeo, flood damage

Question
Hello,
My husband and I are looking into buying a 2002 Ford Explorer Limited edition w/ 124,000 miles.  The body is very nice and the inside looks very nice.  We havent test drove it yet.  My question is should we be careful in buying this with high miles?  The history of this car is that its a was a rental car. They are asking $9850 but the dealer said we can get it for $8000.  My zip code is 64133 KC, MO.  Any imput would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.  

Answer
Hi Julie,
STAY AWAY.........DO NOT let the good looks fool you!!!!! Explorer are nice vehicles, and that is a nice body style, but at 124,000 miles, it is past its life span by 24000 miles!!!! At $8000 you would be better off looking at an IZUZU RODEO, not that i like them much but you could find one with half that mileage!!!!!!!! If you really want the explorer, look for something with no more then 70,000 miles, and do a carfax, it will at least help determine if it had major damage or flood damage. lso, being a rental car, i can assure you it was driven very hard by everyone that rented it...Please do not throw your hard earned money away...Let me know if you have any further questions..Good Luck!!!!

STEVE