Beginning to Shop...01-05, what to look for?

[dorelse]

First a brief intro...

For the most part, I drive the 'older' vehicles in the family, and my wife drives the 'new' cars for her commute. I commute less than a mile to work, so any breakdowns are a minor inconvenience for me.

I have a 18 ft bowrider boat that I tow, roughly weighs 2500-3000# fully gassed & loaded.

My current vehicle is a 2002 Chevy Avalanche with 120,000 miles and climbing. Its beginning to show its age a bit with some hefty repair bills on the horizon.

2 1/2 years ago, I purchased an '07 Sport Trac only to trade it 3 mos. later for the Avalanche. Thought I'd researched that model really well, but missed some things that I should have caught (my fault)...so I traded it for the Avalanche. (Needless to say, I did not like the '07.)

I'm thinking about going back to a Sport Trac and wondered what I should be looking for when shopping for 01-05 ST? (The right V8 4x4 Lthr 08-10's are not out of the question either.)

There's an '02 4x4 'basic' with 65k miles on it (which is overpriced) at $13k, and an '01 4x4 loaded with 90k miles on it for $9k.

The earlier ones appear to have tranny issues? Anything else I should know?

Despite the experiences (listed below), I love the size & utility of the ST and I'm thinking about giving them another shot.

I've read a few threads on the forums, looking for other owners thoughts.

TIA!

(For those that are curious, the '07 XLT issues I had: Radiator leaks, 2 replacements in 3 mos., leaking 3rd brake light (2 attempted fixes), having to reach down by my ankles to shut the doors (only found out later that late '07s and up had an additional handle in the door's arm rest), and the killer was that it only got 12 MPG average. I don't beat on my vehicles...I get 17 combined in my Av...oh, and the cloth seats were extremely uncomfortable on long drives, where the leather ones are really nice.)

 

[OffTrac]

The '02 might be a good deal for $2,000 less IF the front end has been entirely updated with new ball joints, end links, bushings, hubs; the rear with new endlinks; no timing chain rattle and a freshly flushed tranny. If not, $9,000 is more likely the fair price, IMO. Don't buy it at all if the timing chain is rattling.

For reference, I bought my '01 two years ago with 56k miles, 4x4 fully loaded except limited slip and in absolutely mint condition from a very reputable dealership. They were asking $11,900 and I bought it at $9,700. I have no issues except general maintenance including rebuilding the front suspension. The only part that has gone bad was the steering rack which I replaced myself for about $150.

Good luck.

 

[dorelse]

Thanks for reminding me about the timing chain rattle. Here are the 2 I spoke of...I have lots of time to find the right one.

'01:

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/ctd/2950222070.html


'02:

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/ctd/2862946428.html

 

[OffTrac]

They both look nice. The '01 definitely has the better features but the higher mileage is a minus. If they're mechanically sound, they're probably both a good buy but I think the price is about $3k too high on both, maybe a little more on the '01.

 

[dorelse]

Thanks for looking at them.

I put about 5-6k/year on the trucks I drive...so honestly, I only really have to plan for if the truck can make it 20k more miles...and I'll get 3-4 years out of it.

That's sort of the standard I go by...then sell it before I have to pay for anything major.

 

[JohnnyO]

Check for rust on the bottom door seams and radiator support.

 

[dorelse]

So I looked at the 2001 linked above. Its not as nice as the pictures show...the nerf bars are rusting, more than a few paint chips (expected), and there's missing paint on the front drivers side wheel well that looks like its peeling off to bare metal.

Its maybe a $6.5k or $7k ST at best, at least to me. It was a good first one to look at though.

 

[OffTrac]

Sounds more like $4k to me.

 

[dorelse]

Yeah, its a pass. Oh, and it has a drive shaft bump, and under acceleration, there was a rattle? Which I'm assuming is the timing chain rattle?

Anyway, I'm in no hurry, I'll keep looking. I really like the size & utility of them, so its just finding the right one now.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[05dakotatrac]

um one big thing bout the 02 is no cruise control. if that is an expendable option then go for it. other wise i know the prices for these trucks are inflated out by me, but minnesota and illinois have many of them and they're cheap

 

[OffTrac]

um one big thing bout the 02 is no cruise control.

Really? Never knew that. They just skipped it for a year?

 

[05dakotatrac]

no they had cruise control as an option on all 01-05 tracs

the 01 you posted has the factory cruise control, it is the black switches to the left and right of the horn/airbag. the 02 does not have the factory switches or an aftermarket stalk style on the column.

the 01 has more options that the 02 doesn't have and here is a list for you:

fog lights, bed cover, bed extender, factory floor mats, full center console, upgraded rims, tow hooks, leather seats, cruise control, factory stereo, running boards

 

[OffTrac]

Oh, I just read your post wrong. I thought you were saying that all '02s didn't have cruise control.

I noticed the difference in options. In fact, I posted:

The '01 definitely has the better features but the higher mileage is a minus.

 

[dorelse]

I just spoke to a neighbor who custom ordered his ST back in '02. He takes very good care of his, and rarely drives it b/c he has a Dodge Viper, Harley & the ST.

So...his has 55k miles on it and he's looking to trade/sell next spring...so I've told him that I'm interested whenever he's ready to sell.

 

[theluke19]

I just spoke to a neighbor who custom ordered his ST back in '02. He takes very good care of his, and rarely drives it b/c he has a Dodge Viper, Harley & the ST.

So...his has 55k miles on it and he's looking to trade/sell next spring...so I've told him that I'm interested whenever he's ready to sell.

Nice, sounds like the ST's been in good company all it's life

Snap any pics? That's some low low miles for an 02!

 

[dorelse]

Nice, sounds like the ST's been in good company all it's life

Snap any pics? That's some low low miles for an 02!

Its just your standard stock Black ST. I'll see if I can't snag a spy photo.

 

[05dakotatrac]

standard black ST???? too many options to list honestly there are alot of tracs in my area and no one is the same as the next.

 

[JohnnyO]

no they had cruise control as an option on all 01-05 tracs

the 01 you posted has the factory cruise control, it is the black switches to the left and right of the horn/airbag. the 02 does not have the factory switches or an aftermarket stalk style on the column.

The basic XLS model (rare) did not come with cruise control, keyless entry, fog lights, step bars, tilt wheel, and smaller tires in blackwall only. At least that's how it was when I got my '05 Trac.
My '05 was a base XLT (also rare) which did have cruise, tilt, and keyless entry, but no fog lights or step bars and it came with smaller 235/70-16 tires and 3.73 axles. I got it because I purposely did not want step bars since they are only good for getting my pants dirty in the winter.
The XLT Premium (most common) has all of the above plus fog lights, step bars, larger 255/70-16 tires, and 4.10 axles because of the larger tires.

 

[tobeybj]

There are more on craigslist des moines than just those. Des Moines resident here, pm me if you need help finding one.

 

[dorelse]

Thanks Tobey. I'm going to keep shopping. When we purchased my wife's car, I took the Amtrak to Denver and drove it back (saved about $4k), so a road trip for the right one isn't out of the question either.

So...I'm going to take my time on this one and do it right.