Would you buy a 99 SOHC 4wd...

[David in NC]

with 93k miles if it has no death rattle or other problems? I know this has been discussed a lot. I found a good looking Limited and have swapped emails with the owner, but haven't seen it or driven it yet. The owner says it has no mechanical problems. (Don't they all?) I don't know which V6 it has, but if it has the SOHC, I'd like your advice. I've done some searching, but have a few questions.

If it has 93k on the SOHC, how long would I have before major repairs?
If it has no rattle, does that mean it never will? Or just hasn't yet?
What is the repair? I've heard it's $1500-2000.
Does the repair cure the rattle for good or will it come back?
What's it worth? If I buy it right, can it be a good vehicle?
I'd prefer a 2wd V8.

Thanks

 

[Verno]

What it is worth is a summation of several variables. And remember, what it is worth to the current owner may not equal what it can be sold for...
My 94 is worth more to me than I could sell it for, and I've done things to return it to stock (remove lift, orig size tires, etc) which in most cases lowers the "resale" value.
If there truly aren't any major problems with the power plant, body shows no visible rust, etc go to kelly blue book (kbb.com) and play with variables to get yourself a price range. Explorers are TERIFFIC vehicles, and they are usually easy to find for sale at decent prices. SHOP AROUND !!!

 

[410Fortune]

I wouldnt
Not when for the same money you can get the 5.0L V8

99 SOHC is probably good for 180-200K miles with regular maint, the transmission and t case are probably good for 150K as well, but when they do go south they are $$$$$$$$$ to fix and its a crap shoot

the 5.0L trucks have a bomb proof V8 and auto trans, the only weak link is the AWD t case, mostly the CV style front output = new driveshaft

for the money in a 99 4 door I always vote V8
I own a 02 Sport trac with SOHC 114K miles, already the trans has a flare from 2-3 shifting and the SOHC has a rattle at start up

When it blows I am putting a V8 drivetrain in there

 

[my98nnj]

I've done things to return it to stock (remove lift, orig size tires, etc) which in most cases lowers the "resale" value.

A clean stock vehicle is worth more and is easier to sell then a modified vehicle.

 

[marragtop]

Regardless of what you get, make sure the AC and heat function properly. You don't want to get into a blend door issue.

 

[David in NC]

Regardless of what you get, make sure the AC and heat function properly. You don't want to get into a blend door issue.

Thanks. I'm on to that as we already have that problem on my son's '97.

 

[team]

where at in NC are you and the said vehicle located?

 

[David in NC]

I'm in Wilmington on the coast and the truck is in Boone, 5 hours away. The owner hasn't told me which engine it has.

 

[team]

I guess you know if this vehicle has been in boone for a decent amount of time it is going to be fairly rusty underneath (since they get a decent amount of snowfall each year)

 

[marragtop]

If it's not the original owner, run a carfax on the vin to check it's history. Most dealers are willing to do this (unless they are hiding something) but most private owners aren't. I try and avoid anthing that was ever rented/leased, auctioned, or salvaged. If you want, I can run the vin and send you the results.

 

[JohnnyO]

My sister rolled up 165,000 on her '99 4.0, she just traded it in on another one. Did have the tranny rebuilt around 100k but she never got it flushed either. Otherwise no problems.

 

[David in NC]

Scam?

I think this deal is some kind of a scam. I found it on CL for Boone and started writing the seller. She said everything was perfect, no mechanical problems, no rust, good original paint, etc. She said she had lost her job and was offering it for $2700 to sell fast. I asked what engine, but she never told me. She did say she wanted to run any sale through ebay, but I couldn't find that it was listed on ebay. Finally, she told me it was loaded in a container(?) in Texas ready for shipping. Something doesn't sound right so I deleted her email and forgot about.

I'm still sort of interested in whether there's ever a time that an SOHC engine could be a decent buy. But as I said, I'd like to find a decent 2wd 5.0 X.

Thanks for all of the input.