Tips on Buying Cars: 1995 Ford Explorer, mr olsen, slolom


Question
Mr.Olsen,

I have a 1995 ford Explorer with 106,000 miles.  It has no problems.  Eventually I plan to get a new car.  Is this a safe car to pass along to my teenage son?  I thought I'd heard that this particular model has a high center of gravity and is more likely to tip or flip than other vehicles.  You listed yourself as a Ford expert, what do you think?  Would you give it to your teenager?

Jane

Answer
Hi Jane I am glad you asked me this one because I have plenty of experience with this question. First lets go wiht the Ford part of the question. They have done numerous tests on these vehicle and have come up with some very conclusive information. This vehilce does have a much higher center of gravity......but they have found the major factor in all of these acciednts was speed. Of course it has a higher center of gravity, of course it is going to tip easier than a car so therefore can not be totalyy driven like a car. For example in everyday normal driving a car or SUV will perfom the same.Add speed inot the equation and a few turns then something dramatic happens. Now the car recovers much quicker and is able to handle the slolom of turns. The SUV onthe other hand takes much more to compensate therefore losing control much easier. My thing that I would teach my children is driving skills and safety skills.Obeying the speed limit and allways wearing your seatbelt will be an easy way to try and avoid injury. Secondly if they were in an accident the SUV is going to be much higher up than other cars and will protect the occupants better. So in those manners I would certainly think that would be a wonderfull choice for your child. Now the other parts. I am a volunteer firefighter abd I have been on plrnty of SUV accidents. The one's that involve teens are usually due to drugs, alcohol, or just plain carelessness. If you can battle these things you should be ok. Ok last part I promise I am also in Law Enforcement part time. In our local police department we have Explorers as police cars. All of the local department s have a " no pursuit policy" in the Explorers. That means nothing high speed. The reason is the stability of the Explorer is comprimised at higher speeds. So I hope that helped you out if you have any other questiosn please ffel fre to ask. Also please rate me! Thanks

Bob