2000 Mercury Mountaineer AWD

[blichy]

eokie1 is correct about the tow package, and it was standard on V8's (but in later years you could get Mounty's with the 4.0). The wiring included is 4-pin, and many dealers didn't hook the pigtail up.

As far as the Edmund's price, I still say it is too high. I used to do a lot of analysis on the used vehicle prices for Ford Credit. $22K would be way high on the auction prices, and more representative of a truck with 10K miles. My Mounty didn't have the problems you described this one as having, and was a year newer (same mileage), and wasn't worth $22K (it had the Premier package too).

The good news for you is that there are a LOT of used Explorers/Mountaineers out there for sale.

 

[DC Larson]

Thanks Guys,

Well my tail is between my legs. THot a receiver hitch would be part of the tow package. I do need the seven pin for my tent trailer so the trailer brakes work. Is this a problem to hook up? I can't just use an adapter an go from 4 to 7 .....can I? Doesn't seem logical. If only four wires are being used and the trailer has seven to include brake wiring...?????

You all have any thots on that? The RV dealer I am dealing with, and they are good folks, say they won't install a 7 pin in the Ex's and Mountys. They about fried a $1500 wiring harness I guess, so they suggest that the dealer do it. I gues it was a real pain for them.

$17, 800 to high, eh? Dang.....We sure like it. They will replace the windshield and radio(display goes dim). I tried talking him into not replacing it but fixing it like I found on these boards.....but the won't.

 

[eokie1]

now, not sure if this is what you are noticing, but on mine, at least, it seems to be a normal thing for the radio display to dim when it gets nighttime, and brighten when it is daylight.....if you look at it when it is just between the 2 levels, you will notice it dimming or brightening.....
James Jensen '96 EB V8 AWD, (has auto. headlights, your Mountaineer does too, I would think...)

 

[LowdPypes]

All hail to the Mounty lovers... I have had mine for two years and she's still running strong. Stronger than ever. Great in the snow, off-roading and, now, racing. Godspeed.

 

[DC Larson]

What happens is the display just goes completely blank. Then it may come back later or maybe not. Doesn't make a difference if the lights are on or not.

Just had a phone cal from a dealer in Billings who can get me into a 02' Explorer Limited AWD w/ 20,000 miles on it for $22,000. It was a "Program" vehicle. Says he will give me a helluva deal, of course.

Man I didn't want to spend more than $16,000 now I'm thinking 22K! Says the newer independent suspension is better than previous years. That so?

 

[eokie1]

just something to keep in mind, "program" cars can be either:
demo. from THAT dealership (salesman, sales manager, dealer, parts manager, etc. drove it for 5-25k miles)
repo (bought at Ford Credit auction....could be a demo. that the dealership sent to auction (I think..), an ex-rental car, a Ford Credit or Regional office employee demo., or an actual "repo'd from a consumer" car......
so, buyer beware.....I would want assurances of where the car came from, who drove it, maint. records, etc.....if it were me. Since, just before someone turns in a car to be repo'd, they *might* not be nice to it..... :>(
also, when I sold Fords, most of the dimwit salesmen were too lazy to take their demo. to service to have the oil changed, for the whole time they drove it!!!!
0-10k miles !!!

 

[Stephen]

Yes, learn the history about the program vehicle first. As for the independant rear suspension, it does make the truck ride nicer, but personally I prefer the styling of the previous generation, inside and out.

Here's what you do, tell him that with all of the research you've done, you strongly feel that the vehicle is worth no more than $16,800. If he weren't a family friend, you would have gone ahead and looked further into similar trucks you've found at fairer prices. If he declines, then be polite but walk. Let it sit on his lot for a while.

Don't pay $17,800 for it.

 

[LowdPypes]

Gotta love car hunting.... really brings out the tightwad in ya. I bought a 99 Cougar a while back and it wound up being a lemon. After returning the car to the shop 12 times, the manager said, if I didn't like the car when it got out, he would put 5K towards another car (his mistake, I made him sign to his words). So, I took his word on it, shoved the paper in his face and returned the car the next week. Thats when I bought BBX and I walked out of the dealership with a $5K deposit and the TV out of his office.

That's teach'em to mess with my family. hehe...

Some people have the nack and other don't. When my dad walks on the lot, I swear he walks out paying more than sticker price. lol... be strong, don't grow attached and remember that any car, unless it's like a 429 Nascar Mustang or something, is replaceable. And like they said previously, do your homework on the car. Call previous owners... take it to a body shop and a deacent mechanic. Good luck man...

 

[tripleoption]

Have them fix the scratches too. How about the interior? Is it leather and is the carpet clean? Does it have the "smell"? Everything inside works as intended, aside from the clock?

I'd be willing to bet you can find at least 6 other unmentioned things to dicker about if you really look for them. You'll find them after you buy it, for sure.

"Ya, but that truecoat...I'll talk with my manager." From Fargo.

 

[DC Larson]

Does Kelly and Edmunds pricing vary with differnt localities? I haven't tried it. I've talked to quite a number of folks in Montana (different dealerships) even a friend who works at my Uncles old Ford dealership in eastern Montana. They all say the price is, "in there". The one fella is a guy I grew up with and I do believe him. But still $16.8k vs $17.8k is $1000!!

Speaking of Dad's. Wish mine was still around. He could deal like no one's business. I'm sure he would have walked out and it been off his mind long ago. Once when we visiting my older Bro in So Calif, Dad came upon a Mercury Outboard dealership. Dad started dealing on a used 25horse Merc. Man watching him deal was awsome. When they finally settled on a price (after starting to walk out a couple of times, me and Bro getting embarresed) the salesman added sales tax. We don't have that in Montana. Dad started walking again. He said, "I'm not paying a sales tax on something that's already had a sales tax applied to it before!" After some arguing, we came back to Montana with a 25 horse Merc in the trunk of the car. He never paid the tax.

I just talked myself into letting it ride. Kinda actually got a big lump in my throat.

If the salesman calls me back, I'll update you all. Everyone has been a great help here. I really appreciate it.

 

[Stephen]

You can do better DC, trust us

Keep your eyes peeled, you'll find the truck, and the deal of your dreams. You just started looking, remember that!

 

[james t]

i have to agree with Stephen- you will have NO TROUBLE finding one just like it. there is no reason to take a raping on this one, because both used X's and Mounty's are a dime a dozen. besides, close to the end of the month, he may get antsy and call you.

 

[Stephen]

There's nothing more fun then having some jerk salesman call you at the end of the month because the car you looked at was still on the lot, when now you've bought a new one already. "Oh sorry, missed your chance pal!"

Have you tried Autobytel or AutoTrader.com?

 

[FrankRizzo]

Damit man!
You are getting too emotional!

It's just a car!!
If I were still selling, I'd hit your head with a 3 wood so far, You'd be buried in the POS and it'd take months before you figured out what happened.

We prey on emotion when selling, and you are falling into the trap - worse than that: you are quasi-friend with this guy! Now you want to spend 22k! Sheesh!

Stop ****in_ around. You sir, are being taken advantage of. go back to the 2000, offer $15.5 with an excuse like "sorry I did'nt tell you earlier, but that's all I can afford or my wife will let me spend......

Good luck - I'll check the factory CD for trailer tow info.....


Sorry for the rant....trying to help

 

[Stephen]

Look here:

Here is a 2000 Mountaineer Premier! With all the options and 43,000 miles, STICKERED at $16,995. Thats the sticker price you can bargain down from there

Dead Link Removed

Its in NY.

 

[Stephen]

Here's on in Texas stickered also at the same price, not a Premier, but it only has 20,000 miles!

Dead Link Removed

 

[Stephen]

Here's one in NJ, stickered at $14,900, Premier edition, 38,000 miles.

This should show you you can do better than $17,800 for that truck!

 

[FrankRizzo]

Mine is a 2000 and has the trailer tow package.

Trailer towing prep package:
4-pin wiring harness and heavy duty flasher
Limited slip axle



It lists the "3500 Lb bumper trialer tow capacity" under "Standard equipment"

The 4-pin looks like this, (it's kinda hard to see but it hangs under the bumper on the driver's side): http://home.pacbell.net/kgara/reara.jpg

 

[DC Larson]

Hi Guys,

You've helped me alot. I've let it go. I'll be waiting for the salesman's call at the end of the month. Well not really waiting.....but maybe expecting. I looked in the paper and they got it advertised for $21,500. I told my wife and we had a good laugh.

I appreciate the feedback Frank. I have found in my life that sometimes what I need is a knot in the head to get me to wake up and smell the rubber burnin!

When I took it back I did the "Here's a number on this piece of paper, thats my offer". It was $15,500 with a list of things I wanted looked at or fixed. He actually kinda got pissed at me, like I wasn't worth his time. I shoulda walked out but I let him go on. He turned his computer around and was showing me that " ...we own it for $17,800, I can't let it go for less than that."

How does all that work? They took it in on trade and the previous owner then bought a new pickup. Even tho they may have gave a guy that much on trade, how do they work the numbers? I just can't believe that is what they "own" it for. I need to understand that better.

Thanks Again!

 

[DC Larson]

Hey Stephen,

I promise to join the Elite Explorer Club when I finally make a purchase. This site has really helped me out. I'll return the favor.

By-the-way, I've looked at those Autotrader and some others.....all the deals are a long ways away from me (1000 miles or further). The only one that I came remotely close to looking at was one in Indiana. It was about 100 miles from a relatives house. I coulda taken the train and drove it back home. It was a 99' with 30K on it and it sold for $14, 500. Actually it was Ebay. I called the guy and he is a college professor who makes a little on the side with Ebay. He said it came from an estate sale. Sent me the CarFax anyhow. It looked good.

Just goes to show you guys are absolutley right.