Any Opinions on this Truck?

4nTN · #1 01/15/11, 10:41 PM

Or any trucks for that matter.
But the one I`m looking at now is a 98 Ford XLT 4x4.6 cyl auto
Its a super cab I guess.Not a four door but 2 half doors.Little jump seats,and real clean inside and out.
It has 122,000 on it.Upsized tires with sporty looking rims and a real nice bed liner.It`s a step side.
Truck is loaded except for leather seats.
Im just concerned with all those miles on an american vehicle.

oh yeah,the guys asking 5,995.

This is what I`m looking for basically.Except i don`t care about rims or whatnot.But I do want a 4x4 and I do want a 6 cyl.I do need room for a car seat and a 9 yr old.It has to pull my 14 foot utility trailer with resturant equipment inside about 600lbs.And I`d like to spend no more than 6,000.And I`d like decent gas mileage.

Am I asking to much?I usually hold on to cars for quite along time so I`m pretty choosey when I start looking.

next1 · #2 01/15/11, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4nTN

Or any trucks for that matter.
But the one I`m looking at now is a 98 Ford XLT 4x4.6 cyl auto
Its a super cab I guess.Not a four door but 2 half doors.Little jump seats,and real clean inside and out.
It has 122,000 on it.Upsized tires with sporty looking rims and a real nice bed liner.It`s a step side.
Truck is loaded except for leather seats.
Im just concerned with all those miles on an american vehicle.

oh yeah,the guys asking 5,995.

This is what I`m looking for basically.Except i don`t care about rims or whatnot.But I do want a 4x4 and I do want a 6 cyl.I do need room for a car seat and a 9 yr old.It has to pull my 14 foot utility trailer with resturant equipment inside about 600lbs.And I`d like to spend no more than 6,000.And I`d like decent gas mileage.

Am I asking to much?I usually hold on to cars for quite along time so I`m pretty choosey when I start looking.

You are not asking too much but the seller is "asking" too much! 6000 only if it's diesel F250 would be right, I think his price is too much!

4nTN · #3 01/15/11, 10:58 PM

Uhuh See...and he was acting like that was a great deal.
That`s why I`m asking cause I really don`t have a good idea.
I did look at Kelly Blue book online and it was right at around 5,300 for this particular truck.

MO_cows · #4 01/15/11, 11:10 PM

Sounds good from what you posted. But we can't tell much over the internet. Take it to a shop and have it checked over. Probably do it for $50 or free if you have a relationship with them.

An American made vehicle scares you??? Just the opposite here. We have always bought American vehicles and kept them many years and many miles. Most of them over 200k before trading. Ford trucks, GM cars.

chickenslayer · #5 01/15/11, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by next1

You are not asking too much but the seller is "asking" too much! 6000 only if it's diesel F250 would be right, I think his price is too much!

My thoughts exactly

4nTN · #6 01/15/11, 11:34 PM

I love and have always had American made trucks and cars.In the days where you could work on them yourself.Well not me myself much,but my husband or friends.
I`m just trying to put my money on the best bet,seeing as money is hard to come by lately.I can`t afford brand new.I`m a little leery of high miles.

Beeman · #7 01/16/11, 12:43 AM

122k is not a lot of miles on today's vehicles. I'm not familiar enough with that truck/engine to judge it. No idea on gas mileage for that vehicle. Do you need a pickup and do you need 4x4?

Usingmyrights · #8 01/16/11, 01:07 AM

Is it the Ranger XLT? My dad had a '96, but his was a 4cyclinder 5spd and that thing couldn't pass a fart. No passing power whatsoever after about 40mph. Definately test drive it on the highway and if possible hook your trailer to it. Some small trucks handle them ok and others bog down quick under a load.

randy11acres · #9 01/16/11, 08:23 AM

Depends on the weight of your trailer LOADED. The v6 will move the truck fine but would be concerned about loaded trailer. More important is being able to SAFELY STOP.

timfromohio · #10 01/16/11, 08:39 AM

I have a 2002 F150, regular cab, 1wd (no limited slip and I live in NEOhio!!!!), 5 speed, short bed. Has the V6 (4.2 L). It's fine in my trucks configuration, but would likely be anemic in an extended cab 4x4 with an automatic. I can squeeze nearly 20mpg out of it in the warmer months and have routinely abused the load limits hauling firewood. I don't know if I'd go for it with that many miles though. I have just under 60k and am starting to have never ending sensor problems. I can't offer any suggestions on an alternative, would just recommend that you really consider if this particular V6 will suite your needs. The older straight six ... that would be another story.

sticky_burr · #11 01/16/11, 08:46 AM

well it could be ok.. but at 120k.. service time is coming complete flush and refill axle cooling trans x-fer case everything especially since you dont know how its been treated/held up. along with timing chain(gear or belt)
change the belts(i throw the old ones behind the seat or with the spare tire just in case of failure) and hoses thermostat
send the engine oil out to be tested
why has it a new bed liner .. spray on or plastic (holds mosture on any paint chips)? i'd have a look under the liner for damage
do/have a thorough exam for wear that needs to be watched out or replaced...
give the seller the guess of how much this will all cost and get a big discount if he has receipts for stuff , like if he had the timing replaced at 100k
also IMO 100% synthetic lubes as they are more stable in cold and hot conditions and not as likely to break down

this is not only for americian cars any car with 100k should be checked more so with used cars

pcwerk · #12 01/16/11, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4nTN

Or any trucks for that matter.
But the one I`m looking at now is a 98 Ford XLT 4x4.6 cyl auto
Its a super cab I guess.Not a four door but 2 half doors.Little jump seats,and real clean inside and out.
It has 122,000 on it.Upsized tires with sporty looking rims and a real nice bed liner.It`s a step side.
Truck is loaded except for leather seats.
Im just concerned with all those miles on an american vehicle.

oh yeah,the guys asking 5,995.

This is what I`m looking for basically.Except i don`t care about rims or whatnot.But I do want a 4x4 and I do want a 6 cyl.I do need room for a car seat and a 9 yr old.It has to pull my 14 foot utility trailer with resturant equipment inside about 600lbs.And I`d like to spend no more than 6,000.And I`d like decent gas mileage.

Am I asking to much?I usually hold on to cars for quite along time so I`m pretty choosey when I start looking.

Is it a v6 or Inline6? I have an I6 and it sure isn't very fuel efficient! I get
maybe 12-14mpg but it has a 4sp w/ granny gear. Hey, if its what you
want and it checks out (I concur that you should have it checked by a
mechanic; just way too many things that could be wrong or about to go
out) go for it! Offer him $5,000 cash.
jim

salmonslayer · #13 01/16/11, 10:10 AM

Lots of good advice above and another thing to be aware of is that the pesky Check Engine Light (CEL) will likely be an issue on an older vehicle and if you have to pass a smog inspection it can cost you. We have 5 older vehicles, two have the CEL merrily glowing away for a vacuum leak and the other for EGR issues. I am chasing the vacuum leak and I replaced the EGR valve on the other but the CEL still come back on after being reset and you could spend a ton of money chasing things like that if you have to have all the codes clear for an emissions test. We dont have emissions tests here so I use my code reader to basically make sure the CEL isnt telling me something serious but this is a huge issue some places.

Not trying to scare you off from a used vehicle because the government scam that is the CEL can happen even on a fairly new car...just be aware of it.

4nTN · #14 01/16/11, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beeman

122k is not a lot of miles on today's vehicles. I'm not familiar enough with that truck/engine to judge it. No idea on gas mileage for that vehicle. Do you need a pickup and do you need 4x4?

Beeman yes I need a pickup sooo bad.And I`m surprised at your next question.Are you sure you live in east tn? hehe

4nTN · #15 01/16/11, 10:30 AM

Thanks all for your advice.I`m not sure of the engine or how it`s been treated,but I always have my mechanic check out any used vehicle before I buy.He checks everything and charges nothing.Good buisness sense IMO.
Tennessee has no inspections (YET) so I`m not worried about emmision controls or CEL`s at this time.

10ecn · #16 01/16/11, 10:33 AM

You should check into the availability of replacement parts. I've encountered problems finding parts for a '94 Ranger. Most of the problems I had with it were electronic. Other than that, I got about 200,000 miles out of it, and it didn't exactly have an easy life.

Beeman · #17 01/16/11, 10:33 AM

Most that buy 4wd don't really need it, I've had 2wd vehicles and no problems using them as road vehicles. Now if you need to get off of the road or you have a rough driveway then it's a different story.

Aside from pulling a what we're guessing is a small trailer what else will you be doing with this truck? Also what size is this trailer and what does the trailer loaded weigh?

As someone said a V-6 in a fullsize truck, if that's what you're looking at, is usually pretty anemic. Also be aware as someone else stated a vehicle with over 100k mi. will need some work. Since I do live in E TN I well know that most vehicles get the oil change at WalMart and gas put in them. Check engine lites are a driving lite to let you know the engine is running. The maintenance plan is a tow operator card in the glove box and a cell phone. No matter what you buy have it checked out completely by a competent repair shop BEFORE buying. A few dollars spent now can save a lot later. Nothing is cheap today, even on older vehicles parts can be expensive. Expect the truck to need work and allow for it in the price. Go price a good set of tires before you buy a truck with marginal tires, you'll be shocked at the cost of just tires. One more thing, I've seen a lot of title problems lately. There's a title loan place on every corner and vehicles have liens on titles and all kinds of screwed up titles, be careful.

timfromohio · #18 01/16/11, 10:36 AM

My truck with that engine is constantly throwing codes for a DPFE sensor (tells the EGR valve when to open/close) - I've replaced the sensor twice, have confirmed that the EGR valve itself is functioning properly, and now just ignore the light ...

Belfrybat · #19 01/16/11, 10:46 AM

I have a 2002 Chev S-10 4WD 6 cyl, crew cab with 96,000 miles. It's a real workhorse, and pulls a whole lot more than I would have expected. If I were to sell it, I'd expect to get $6500-7000 from it. If you are talking about a Ranger or similar size to what I have, I wouldn't hesitate on the 6 cyl. If you are talking about a full sized truck, then you might find the 6 cyl a bit underpowered. My mechanic has told me I can expect another 100,000+ miles without a problem. Most trucks these days will get to 200,000 just fine, even more.

10ecn · #20 01/16/11, 10:47 AM

Also, bear in mind, that if it's a Ranger, it was probably built by Mazda. The larger Fords tend to have a better reputation. That being said, the Mazda Ranger I had took a lot more abuse, and wear and tear than I thought possible, and continued to get the job done. It's still parked out back in the woods, and I started it up 2 days ago. If I could get the electronic problems resolved, I would probably put it back on the road.