What do you think?

[tabnavy]

Hello all, I am new to the forum today. I have been looking for a smaller crew cab style truck for 4 weeks. I think I have narrowed it down between a Sport Trac or a Frontier. They both have issues as indicated by carcomplaints.com I am sure based on the name of this forum quite a few of you will say Sport Trac is the best. The main issue I have noticed is the transmission issues on the 2002. I know anything can break but, how many of you out there have not have transmission problems? I am looking at a 2002 Sport Trac with 83k on it for $8000. I think its a little steep personally. However, I have located multiple other Sport Tracs selling for $8000 with 137K on them. I am not so concerned about the price as the reliability of the vehicle. The truck has just had the brakes replaced. Which might lead to the idea that the ABS sensor may be going bad? Maybe not, just odd to when people perform work like brakes or head gaskets then sell a vehicle. I know to check the fluid and see what color it is. However, I would like to hear from your experiences. I performed a search and located similar questions. However, I would like to know what you guys think. It is a sharp looking truck. Any help you can give is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[jds3403]

Not saying that you need to be but are you mechanically inclined? This will help you alot no matter what you buy! A used vehicle regardless of what it is and regardless of what other say on this sight is for that fact a used vehicle. There are things that will be getting close to the end of their life or may suprise you and last another 100K just depends on the previous owners mechanical upkeep of the vehicle. I can take a brand new BMW which is supposed to be superior and with out maintenance make it less valuable than a cash for clunkers POS. I'm sure you know this but it never hurts to say. Look at the vehicles closely if possible and dont be afraid to look and ask questions based on your observations, as long as you know what you are asking and you are confident that you know what the answer should be you'll be able to tell why they are really selling it example, why is there water in the oil? Oh because I store my gatorade in there! no I dont think so catch my drift? With that being said, Ford makes a quality product. The aftermarket support and other than dealer parts are affordable if need be and more abundant due to the fact that there is simply more of them out there. Order a IAC sensor from advance auto for a ford v6 versus a nissan v6 and chances are that the ford is more likely to be in stock! Not because they are replaced more but because the vehicle is more common, not only that ABS sensor? 20 bucks. and you've got a forum full of people more than willing to help!

 

[Clusterpup]

The trac also came with a manual transmission if you can find one. I've read that some folks have trouble with the automatics after 100k miles but it isnt everyone and I would imagine it all depends of if the transmission fluids have been changed at the correct interval and how the truck was driven.

 

[JR8916]

Some people on this forum might say I ended up with a lemon and thank god for my extended warrnty which I paid $1,200 for when I bought the truck new at the dealer in October 2001. I have allways taken the truck to the dealer for all maintence and repairs needed. Well before my warrnty was up at 100,000 miles the dealer replaced the following: fuel pump, power window motor ( drivers side ), a/c evaporater, transmisson, power windows relay, brake light short, rear slidding window off the track, cd player stuck and I am possibly missing other items. One of the good thing is that since replacing the BF Goodrich tires which only lasted 30k my new tires have lasted me more than 60k miles ( Uniroyal ). Since the warrnty was over I have replaced almost all the front end parts and also all four shocks. There is a leak in the A/C and my brake/booster is leaking ( just add fluid its cheaper. Also added new wires and plugs. Replaced the radiator and thats when all hell broke loose. The car overheated and left me stranded on the turnpike with a $150 tow truck bill. The truck has 187,000 highway miles. Look at the forum and do your research before buying a sport trac. See what is on the repair list. And make your choice with caution.