Tempted

[koda2000]

Saw this '01 for sale on CL

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/5071729505.html

I'm tempted, it looks to be clean in great shape with only 150,000 miles on the V8. Could be just a bad oil pump, clogged pickup screen, even just a bad oil pressure switch plus some other issue, but possibly a bad engine. My least favorite color. If it wasn't 75 miles from my house I'd go check it out. Owner is asking $900, but I wouldn't pay more than $500. That would make it a $250 scrap risk, not counting parting it out. If I did buy it and fix it, I'd sell it afterwards.

Thoughts?

 

[lobo411]

That's the best color because you never have to wash it!

Too far and seems too good to be true IMO.

 

[koda2000]

That's the best color because you never have to wash it!

Too far and seems too good to be true IMO.

Yeah, I'll keep an eye on the CL posting, and think about it for a few days. Sure looks clean though.

 

[4DoorFord]

It looks really clean. I don't know...I think it'd be worth the risk even at around $700. If the interior is as clean as it looks, just that and possibly good wheels/tires + the scrap price would make it worth it.

Either way, Thats not what we're hopin' for! We're hoping for a minor fix and having it up and running to add to your 'collection' lol.

Edit: Just realized you're going to be selling it even if it turns out to be a good one...so scratch the 'add to your collection' portion of my last comment..

 

[J_C]

Find a local attraction, restaurant you've never eaten at or something, so you have more to do while there and take a OBD code scanner with you. Then again that's a long way to tow it if it isn't drivable which I'd worry about with oil *issues*.

 

[koda2000]

Find a local attraction, restaurant you've never eaten at or something, so you have more to do while there and take a OBD code scanner with you. Then again that's a long way to tow it if it isn't drivable which I'd worry about with oil *issues*.

I have AAA, so towing wouldn't cost me anything. It's mainly the 150 mile round trip, through the infamous Atlanta traffic, that's stopping me from going to check it out.

 

[Flash]

Are those wheels 15s? They look small.

 

[koda2000]

Are those wheels 15s? They look small.

Yes, they are 15" wheels. You can tell by the start-shaped center cap. The 16" wheels have a round center cap.

Shame the engine may be toast. It looks like it's been taken care of way better than most, but maybe they never changed the oil.

 

[drdoom]

Looks good I would buy it.

 

[koda2000]

Looks good I would buy it.

Let's see if he still has it by the end of the week and if he lower's the price. I'm still thinking about it.

 

[Flash]

My bet is the oil pressure sender.
The listing has gone now.

 

[koda2000]

My bet is the oil pressure sender.
The listing has gone now.

Oh well, I didn't need another project anyway. Wasn't meant to be I guess.

 

[J_C]

I wonder if someone on this forum snatched it out from under you... posting the link here in a (relevant) forum must have increased the CL listing exposure quite a bit.

 

[koda2000]

I wonder if someone on this forum snatched it out from under you... posting the link here in a (relevant) forum must have increased the CL listing exposure quite a bit.

If someone did, that's okay with me.

 

[SoNic67]

Post was deleted by it's author...

 

[1997XLTRollover]

When I find things like this I don't even bother looking. I just buy them and have them delivered or just go pick them up in one trip. At such a low cost you can't really lose. Some have been better than others but I've never lost money.

 

[koda2000]

When I find things like this I don't even bother looking. I just buy them and have them delivered or just go pick them up in one trip. At such a low cost you can't really lose. Some have been better than others but I've never lost money.

Well if you're talking about craigslist, you have to deliver the cash in person, so you might as well look, but your right about one thing. If you really want something you have to act as fast as possible, and sometimes that's not even fast enough. I had one guy sell a car out from under me 2 years ago while I was driving to buy it. I was pissed because I had already driven 60 miles, after telling him I was on my way, when he called me to tell me some woman showed up and the Mountaineer Premier was sold. I guess I can't blame him (a bird in the hand) but I would have waited to give me right of first refusal. It was a really nice vehicle.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

Well if you're talking about craigslist, you have to deliver the cash in person, so you might as well look, but your right about one thing. If you really want something you have to act as fast as possible, and sometimes that's not even fast enough. I had one guy sell a car out from under me 2 years ago while I was driving to buy it. I was pissed because I had already driven 60 miles, after telling him I was on my way, when he called me to tell me some woman showed up and the Mountaineer Premier was sold. I guess I can't blame him (a bird in the hand) but I would have waited to give me right of first refusal. It was a really nice vehicle.

Happened to me too. I was on my way and guy calls and says oh don't come now a guy just took it. I was pretty pissed because he wasted my time and my gas I used to drive halfway there when I specifically asked him if the other guy was taking it or not.

But yes I mean craigslist. I have had people deliver vehicles before without me leaving my house. Shoot them a deposit via paypal, they drop the truck off I give them the rest cash. Done deal.

 

[koda2000]

Happened to me too. I was on my way and guy calls and says oh don't come now a guy just took it. I was pretty pissed because he wasted my time and my gas I used to drive halfway there when I specifically asked him if the other guy was taking it or not.

But yes I mean craigslist. I have had people deliver vehicles before without me leaving my house. Shoot them a deposit via paypal, they drop the truck off I give them the rest cash. Done deal.

I'm not a trusting soul, especially when it comes to craigslist, so I wouldn't send anyone money on a CL purchase. But it was all good, I found an even better Mountaineer a week later for less money.

 

[koda2000]

Well, under the theory that, "when one door closes another one opens..." I just bought a 2001 Sport Trac which runs on starting fluid, but otherwise wont start (= bad/non working fuel pump) for $1000. Seller says it will go into gear (forward and reverse) while running on starting fluid and that the engine (4.0L SOHC) is quiet and runs smooth with no timing chain noise.

I'm bought it sight unseen, seller received the truck as partial payment for a debt and doesn't want to put any money into it. 180K, 2WD, loaded with all the options. From what he tells me it needs a good detailing, tires, a new windshield and has two windows that don't work. He also said the tailgate will not lock with the key. I doubt it takes a separate key for the tailgate, so I'm thinking dirty lock (I've been there before).

I'm thinking I can be into it for under $2000 total after repairs, with my labor, and maybe sell in for $4,500 if it cleans up half way decent. For $1000 I figure I can't go wrong.

AAA will pick it up on Monday. It's 75 miles from where I live, but only 20 miles from where one of my daughters lives, so she'll pay for it, get the title & bill-of-sale and wait for AAA to show up.