1991 Mazda Navajo - Thoughts?

[projectRanger93]

I've been looking for another project to restore once my Ranger is finished and I came across a non-op 91 Navajo that i can probably get for $500 or less. It has the 4.0L engine (apparently rebuilt a few years ago), auto trans and transfer case, and fully loaded for the year (power doors, leather seats, cruise control). Guy says it needs a tune up and battery to be road-worthy, but i'm not sure those are the only problems.

What's everyone's thoughts? Pros/cons of working on this? Should i even bother?

 

[Dirtman]

I didn't even know mazda ever made an explorer clone...

 

[projectRanger93]

I didn't even know mazda ever made an explorer clone...

Yup from 91 - 94. It's basically a rebadged explorer sport.
http://importarchive.com/brochure/mazdanavajo1991_02

 

[Dirtman]

I obviously know nothing about the navajo having never even known they existed lol. But lets pretend it's just an explorer for sale. First thing, unless he provides receipts and documents for the "engine rebuild" you can go ahead and just assume it was never done and the engine is 100% original.

That said, basically anything that drives is worth a few hundred bucks so price is not really an issue here. Comes down to what you want out of it? If I could jump start it and it drove around the block, no massive rust damage, I'd pay 500 bucks for it for a beater vehicle.

 

[Ranger850]

From what I remember, they were all pretty decked out. The base trims were pretty ell optioned Explorer Sports. I could be wrong, but $500 isn't bad anything that runs.

 

[projectRanger93]

I obviously know nothing about the navajo having never even known they existed lol. But lets pretend it's just an explorer for sale. First thing, unless he provides receipts and documents for the "engine rebuild" you can go ahead and just assume it was never done and the engine is 100% original.

That said, basically anything that drives is worth a few hundred bucks so price is not really an issue here. Comes down to what you want out of it? If I could jump start it and it drove around the block, no massive rust damage, I'd pay 500 bucks for it for a beater vehicle.

He says there is paperwork to prove the rebuild. It has been sitting for 6 years, so i don't know the reason for that. If it runs, does it move? I'm going to assume it needs a rebuilt transmission. Overall goal is to restore the exterior, make it safe and reliable, and use it as a beater for my family's vacation house in Baja.

From what I remember, they were all pretty decked out. The base trims were pretty ell optioned Explorer Sports. I could be wrong, but $500 isn't bad anything that runs.

But yeah if it does run, then $500 is decent. It's hard to get anything seemingly intact for that price these days.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I kinda wanted one of the manual transmission ones for a daily driver, if I could have found one instead of the '97 Ranger I might have done it...

Doesn't look bad, like you I would be suspicious of the A4LD but it's just an explorer so everything but mazda specific interior trinkets is available, the interior door pulls are harder to find for 2 door and they do break...