need help deciding

[glocker22rtf]

Hello I am a newb here but ever since I saw a ST probably 10 years ago I have wanted one but finances and other stuff have gotten in the way of me obtaining one. I have recently switched to a much better job and have come across a 01 ST at a local dealer who has 4995 on it. I checked the sticker on the door today and it said 03/2000 so I'm guessing it is a job 1. It has 184XXX on the odometer it looks and drives nice but the temperature gauge goes straight to hot no matter if you have just turned it on or have been running it for 30 minutes which is how long I drove it. It also needs new tires he told me that if I bought tires and fixed the gauge he would take 4100 for it to make up for him not having to fix it.
With the "issues" the job 1 have should I go for it sand hope for the best? Or is there a fix for these issues or should I wait until I find a job2 or newer at a decent price. Your help is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Vitamin_D]

I'd probably walk. Let's say you didn't notice the tires or the gauge, this guy would have been happy to sell it to you for list price. I'm guessing he doesn't want to fix it himself because he's betting there is more wrong with it.

Just my $0.02

 

[01STrunner]

That's pretty high miles on a job 1. At the very least I'd expect him to fix the gauge. If you keep looking around, I'm sure you'll be able to find a better deal.

 

[upther]

Yeah, I think I'd continue to look around. I just got one a month or so ago and there were quite a few to choose from. Be patient, you'll find one perfect for you.

 

[swshawaii]

Check the prices of rebuilt 5R55E transmissions and timing chain tensioner replacement rates, among other things.

Very few 2001-02 ST's have have made it past the 200K mark without requiring major work. Do the math, I'd pass.

 

[just1me]

The temp gauge could be a faulty sensor, disconnected plug, a bad wire, but shouldn't be to hard to fix. As for tires you could stay stock or go up in tire diameter. I myself prefer the Job 1's because they are perfect candidate for the 5.0 swap.

They use the ABS module for the VSS signal just like the Explorer/Mountaineer, and they also have PATS B like the Explorer/Mountaineer, which makes dropping the 5.0 in a easier swap, less wiring to do, your speedometer stays on spot, and you can keep PATS.

Of course with a Job 2 you can also drop in the 5.0 but you then need a proper VSS signal for the speedometer, cruise control, and such, which requires an aftermarket module, or using the Explorer/Mountaineer ABS module and G-sensor and needing a tuner to correct for the gear ratio difference between the Explorer/Mountaineer and the Sport Trac. Also if you choose to keep PATS you would have to remove PATS E and wire in PATS B, in which the theft light would also need modded to work, since the Job 1 and Job 2 clusters are different as well.

 

[LONO100]

just like a "broken odometer", i would walk from that thing. no matter if its just a bad sensor, or something mechanical causing the temp gauge to jump to hot, however long that thing has been malfunctioning is how long the temp has not been accurately monitored. overheating damage can happen without completely stopping the truck in its tracks. therefore the truck can be running today, but damage may have been caused without anything noticeable being obvious. or, the seller knows theres is some sort of overheating problem and he intentionally broke the temp gauge to hide that, and is just telling potential buyers that its a simple "gauge" fix.

walk from it, you can find much better deals out there for 5 grand.

 

[mitch9521]

I bought my '02 for $2700 and it had about 195k miles on it, so I would walk from it also.

 

[roamer37]

just looking around craigs list in the area you can find trac,s newer for near the same money
http://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/4320532210.html

 

[Xcape2xplore]

Mine has 236000 and it's getting a tranny rebuild. I expect the engine to last another 100000.