97 5.0 good buy or not?

[97greenmonster]

Im looking at buying a 1997 5.0 with around 117000 on the clock. I dont know to much about it, im going to take a look at it tonight, just wanna know some things i can look at to bargin it down more, i got the guy from 5400 to 4000 with a little smart talk cause i own one already, but i have the SOHC, and im not familar with the 5.0 x's. i am with the 5.0 f150's tho. Are they roughtly the same? Anything else i should look at. The body looks to be in great shape from the pix, but ill find out more later. ill be going in about 4 hours, its noon in omaha, so yea. any help would be great! Thanks.
oh, or theres a 97 SOHC i could get for around the same price and miles.

 

['97 V8]

stay away from the 97-98 sohc. The 5.0 is a good buy. They have really good transmissions, motors last forever and are all around just easier to deal with. I have a 97 mountaineer 5.0, all original. Dad bought it in 96 and have no issues with it except for a gas gauge malfunction. Its has 162k on it now.

 

[Turdle]

Get the v-8 for sure--
It is based on the 302 pushrod engine-and the transmission is at least twice as strong as the one in the v-6 models--
Gas mileage will be real close.
First thing-key turned on-check that the check engine light illuminates when the engine is not running (may have pulled bulb)

Take it on the highway-watch for check engine light, or OD light to flash.

Check the cruising 70mph engine speed is 2300rpm's or less
Then,take it for a drive to a quiet location, with no traffic. with driver door open, listen to transfer case as you move a bit in reverse, then forward--( I am assuming it is an AWD--v-8 has no selectable 4wd-they are 2wd or full time AWD) slight clunk ok, but a grinding clunking-could be front driveshaft, or transfer case-not usually a problem though.

4000 is a good fair price, for a good clean well maintained one,but show him 3500 in cash (if you like it) and see if he grabs it--you never know.

 

[97greenmonster]

i have a 97 sohc, its got 132000 on the clock, and not one problem. This summer im going to get the chains and tensioners replaced. Thanks. Gas millage isnt as important as reliability. I knoew the reliability of both motors, and power and speed isnt a factor, considering its for my parents. I will show 3500, i like the way that sounds. but since im 16, idk if thell let me drive it. its a private dealer. I love x's soo much, and i think its a great deal for the year and millage. Thanks for the help. Will remember all this. any problems i should address oncei get the car to prevent any major malfunctions? and what mod do you all like for sound and preformance? thanks!!
Clay

 

[97greenmonster]

Ok, so i go to the place (20 min drive) in rush hour trafic, and turns out hes letting someone borrow the truck for the day. WTF i asked my self politely. I dont get it. I gave him my number and hopefully well be intouch soon. While we were out, we found a 99 mounty with 184000 on the clock, but it was a local ford dealers transport car, and it has all mantince records, and theres ALOT, its an SOHC, timing tensioner, iac, this that. i didnt look to indepth at it considering it was cold and rainy, but we could get it for 2400, but the inside isnt in great shape. I figure that could be a good parts truck or something for that many miles, i dont want to drive it, i dont know the condition of t-case, diffies or anything else. And then we found a 98 sport with the SOHC, and its getting a new lawer intake manifold gasket today, it has a new iac, and its in good shape. the only thing is tho, the metal piece under the grill that runs the front of the truck and stops at the wheel wels has practly no paint. how much will that cost. it has 134000 miles and we got him down to 3995, and i havent carfaxed it, im going to today and see if i can get tit down alittle more plus tires and brakes and what not. Opinions?