Should I Buy?

[Amasterp1322]

I found a 2003 Sport trac xlt for $2500 with 160k miles.

The Good:
spark plugs and censors replaced as well as new manifold gasket.

The Bad:
Tranny is bad and needs to be fixed. Im waiting to talk to the mechanic on the problem but the seller says its a 1500 fix.

Missing the driver side mirror, Arm rest and center console.

Car is 1000 miles away and would have to pay 500 for shipping the car to me also to consider.



Would you guys do this deal? Any ballpark on what it will cost to get those things missing? and how hard are they to replace?


Thanks in advance!

 

[koda2000]

A rebuilt trans (or a transmission rebuild) can cost over $2000. The other things you mention are minor. Look on eBay for used parts and console repairs. You can probably spend less than $50 for those.

Unless you are capable of doing repairs yourself and considering the vehicle is 1000 miles away, I would advise you to walk away. Read my thread titled "New Toy" to see how many issues my 2001 ST has. If I had to pay someone to make the repairs I'm making it definitely would not be with it. I bought mine sight-unseen for $1000 as a gamble. I wont be upside down by the time I finish this truck and I don't need to be using it in the mean time so I can sell it and make a few bucks when I'm done.

Generally speaking, never buy a vehicle without checking it out in person first, and never believe anything the seller tells you regarding its condition.

 

[sr139fox]

I agree. $3000 to your place and still needs a transmission. Too much money and not seeing it. What about rust, engine noise, brakes. There are better ST around at a lower price. Dave p.

 

[Amasterp1322]

A rebuilt trans (or a transmission rebuild) can cost over $2000. The other things you mention are minor. Look on eBay for used parts and console repairs. You can probably spend less than $50 for those.

Unless you are capable of doing repairs yourself and considering the vehicle is 1000 miles away, I would advise you to walk away. Read my thread titled "New Toy" to see how many issues my 2001 ST has. If I had to pay someone to make the repairs I'm making it definitely would not be with it. I bought mine sight-unseen for $1000 as a gamble. I wont be upside down by the time I finish this truck and I don't need to be using it in the mean time so I can sell it and make a few bucks when I'm done.

Generally speaking, never buy a vehicle without checking it out in person first, and never believe anything the seller tells you regarding its condition.

First want to start off by saying thank you for your advice and everyone else too!

I found out yesterday that I have a close family friend who moved to the area as a trucker and said he would be more than happy to check it out for me.

I plan on doing the work myself. I also have a friend with a shop that I can use at any time and will help me out if need be at a huge discount (30 an hour)

Lets just say hypothetically that everything else checks out and its only going to be a $1,500 fix to the tranny to have it running like a top. What would you be willing to pay considering its 500 to get it home and you still wont see it till it gets to your door?



I also have found a 2004 with 140k miles and an eagle performance engine put in at 80k.
Gas gauge, Radio and power Windows don't work, he thinks the problem is the relay controls? asking 4k What do you think about that deal? what would you pay for one like that?

 

[OffTrac]

Personally, I wouldn't go into the first one for more than $2,500 with the shipping and transmission fix included. That'd leave an offer of $500. He ain't gonna take that. Just keep looking. No sense in falling in love with that particular one.

The second one is overpriced. $3k maybe, probably lower? I really hate electrical stuff so I wouldn't want to bother with it at all but if you're an electrical kinda guy it may be a decent purchase, all else in good condition. Still, it's on a second engine and the original failed at 80k. I'd have doubts regarding the maintenance early in its life.

The price of these are showing an inflated sense of value to many of the people I see trying to sell them online. I wouldn't give more than $7,500 for an '05 with low mileage and showroom condition. Dealerships are still asking double that in some cases, lol. They are pretty abundant around me, though, just not often in very good shape.

 

[koda2000]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish by purchasing these trucks? Is it your intension to fix it up and keep it for yourself? If so, check out the current value of similar ST's where you live. I go by local cragslist by-owner ads, as I find KBB valves are typically too low for my area. Then figure the purchase price, transportation plus what it's going to cost to fix it up. If you can fix it up for less than what an already fully functional ST would sell for (and enjoy working on vehicles) it's a good deal. To me two things that are deal killers are serious engine and transmission problems. A remanufactured SOHC engine can cost as much (or more) than what the truck is worth. A transmission rebuilt roughly 1/2 of the truck's value. You can try to buy a used engine or trans, but you don't know what you're getting for your money (and the engines and transmissions in these trucks tend to be problem areas).

For whatever the reason, ST's retain their value far better than the 4 door Explorers (even the far superior V8's), so you can justify putting more money into an ST to fix it up. I my case, I was gambling the '01 ST I bought last month just needed a fuel pump, a good cleaning and some minor repairs. I knew it needed 4 tires, a windshield and had window problems. The fuel pump, strainer and fuel filter cost me around $80 to fix and the window issues, which turned out to be significant, around $75. The tires and windshield ran me about $700. The surprises for me turned out to be a major lack of maintenance performed on the truck and general neglect by the prior owner. A month later, I've repaired a good deal of the problems (using good used parts wherever I can and new parts where it makes sense). I think all-in, including the purchase price, I will spend somewhere around $2500 to get this truck back in 100% operational condition. I enjoy working on vehicles, have many years of experience and plenty of time as I'm retired. I consider my labor is free. I estimate the current market value on my '01 ST s around $4500-$5000, so whether I keep it or flip it I wont be upside-down. Even if I end up breaking even, I will have enjoyed the process of restoring this truck.

 

[Sitcoms]

As others have said, I don't think it's particularly worth it. Transmission rebuilds are expensive, and if you're expecting to resale it's going to only leave you a small amount of profit (if any) @ $5000 ($2500 purchase price + $500 Shipping + $1500 tranny rebuild). Also 160k is getting high, if it was lower miles, then maybe.

 

[Chugg-A-Lugg]

Personally, I wouldn't go into the first one for more than $2,500 with the shipping and transmission fix included. That'd leave an offer of $500. He ain't gonna take that. Just keep looking. No sense in falling in love with that particular one.

The second one is overpriced. $3k maybe, probably lower? I really hate electrical stuff so I wouldn't want to bother with it at all but if you're an electrical kinda guy it may be a decent purchase, all else in good condition. Still, it's on a second engine and the original failed at 80k. I'd have doubts regarding the maintenance early in its life.

The price of these are showing an inflated sense of value to many of the people I see trying to sell them online. I wouldn't give more than $7,500 for an '05 with low mileage and showroom condition. Dealerships are still asking double that in some cases, lol. They are pretty abundant around me, though, just not often in very good shape.

X2

i gave $6500 for an '05 this past January, in Near perfect condition, with a topper, cover, extender, aftermarket wheels and tires, leveling kit, programmer, etc.... needed nothing, and still needs nothing...

This in Michigan where finding something without rust is almost impossible..

 

[Amasterp1322]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish by purchasing these trucks? Is it your intension to fix it up and keep it for yourself? QUOTE]

I am really just looking for a toy that I can take 5 comfortably up to the local mountains in Southern California to go camping, Hunting and fishing Or go on long road trips up the coast for more of the same.

I don't want to break the bank on my first truck as I truly wont know what I want until I start doing it more so I want to stay around 5k or 6k. I know upgrading your car is a labor or love and you very rarely if ever get your money back so want to keep the loss to a minimal if I choose to sell down the road.

The only upgrades I would do is a lift (which in the little reading I have done on hear can done relatively cheap?) for more clearance on the trail and maybe better tires. (isn't that how it always starts)

I will be keeping my daily driver so I don't need to worry about time to fix it up. just want reliability when I'm using it (Don't we all)


the car closer to me also has been rhino lined. Don't know if that's good or bad.

 

[01STrunner]

Yeah you'll never get money out of it but I can say you can definitely enjoy it after putting money into it. My registries show just how much I love my truck haha.

That said I wouldn't really buy a truck sight unseen. I wouldn't even buy one without driving it around myself and feeling out whats wrong with it and if they are simple fixes or more complicated. I would shy away from a truck that has transmission issues or timing chain rattles. Also, not a fan of rhino lining on a whole vehicle. Too much bumpy uneven dirt-catching surface for me thats hard to clean.

As for lift, yes, you can get up to a 5" lift and run up to 35s for pretty cheap. I think I paid about 200 for my BL and well under 100 for my shackles. I ran (and wheeled) 35s with that combo for a couple years before I went all in and SAS'd it.

 

[68Mercury250]

Here in Ontario, a ST in need of a trans is a parts truck. lots here in the 1500and under range and that's Canadian funds. that's less than 1200 US.

I bought my 2001 for the body only, it has a broken 4.0 but has minimal rust , southern US vehicle. but I got it for $500 and had to be towed.

keep looking, find one local, take one for a test drive at a used car dealer. see if you really want one before you ship one 1000miles you haven't even seen personally.

good luck in your hunt.