2003 ford ranger question

[cowboy9from0hell]

hi all! since im in the market for a different truck i have some questions about an 03 ranger edge plus i looked at the other day. the truck has 129 k miles on it and i was wondering about how many more miles id be able to get out of the motor (4.0) and tranny (automatic) on it? id prefer a standard but in my area trying to find any truck in a standard is next to impossible. inside and outside of the truck condition is like brand new. has brand new tires on it. the price the dealer is selling it for is 7953 but when i was getting ready to walk out of the dealership friday night the guy said how about 6953 for it. i dont know if its the way i think or not but to me it seems like they are pushing hard to try and get rid of it for some odd reason. thanks

 

[adsm08]

They are trying to get rid of it because it is past that psychological line of 100k. If you take care of it and it hasnt been abused previously it will make at least 200k miles. Just keep up with service including the majors like trans fluid and coolant.

Postin' from teh Galaxy

 

[cowboy9from0hell]

makes sense. wonder if i could get them a tad bit lower..... how would i know if the truck was abused or not? the truck doesnt look abused inside and out and underneath the truck but knowing dealers they do detail the vehicles to make them look good to sell. im sure if i ask for service records they'll give me a car fax report or something on that nature but the only issue i have with that is companies like carfax only record what gets reported to them.

 

[RonD]

Take a test drive and get engine up to operating temp, so at least a 10-15 minute drive, make sure tranny isn't slipping, if it's a 4x4 check all ranges.
When you get back to the lot park the truck in a clean dry place.

Then look at the oil on the dip stick and check under the oil filler cap(condensation)

Pull the tranny fluid dip stick and check its color and smell for a "burnt smell".

Look in the rad overflow tank for any debris or foaming.

Look at the clean ground under the truck for any leaks, back the truck up after it has been sitting for a few minutes if that's easier.

If there are any concerns take it to a Ford dealer and they will do a Used Vehicle check on it, $100-$200, if the seller won't allow that then walk away.
Call local Ford dealer first to get price and appointment time.

Buying a used car is a gamble, heck buying a new car is a gamble with all the recalls, lol, time is money.

Check local Craigslist and Truck Trader website and find similar trucks, see what the "asking price" is, if you want, make a few calls and see if they are sold yet, if not, then "asking price" is too high.

The truck is 10 years old with 100k+ miles(as adsm08 said that's a line some buyers won't cross), so 70-80% of used car buyers wouldn't give it a second look.

You are the buyer so you are in control, remember the Golden Rule, "Whoever has the Gold makes the rules".

If the truck checks out make them a low offer, based on what you found from other sellers pricing, maybe $5,000-$5,500, you can't piss off a car dealer like you might a private seller, lol, so they will come back with a counter offer.
And even if you agree on a price you can still walk away if something doesn't feel right, Golden Rule.



With the new material(seals and bearings) used in engines and trans, 250-300k is not unreasonable to expect.
My '94 4.0 is just over 300k, I did do the head gasket, because of my own goof, but bottom end, cam/crank/rod bearings are untouched, front main seal as well, rear main is changed with new clutch.

 

[cowboy9from0hell]

i took it for a test drive friday night for about 15-20 minutes. checked for everything you stated except for the tranny fluid. truck runs fine no noises. when i first drove it i thought it was a wheel bearing/hub going because i only noticed the noise at high speeds because when i first drove it the sales man was talking to me. then when i came to a stop i rolled the windows down and listened and it sounded like the brand new all terrain tires making the noise. the truck is at a ford dealership from my area in central/northeast pa. checked on autotrader and for a truck give or take acouple model years with around the same mileage is in the same price range for an extended cab.

 

[RonD]

If its being sold from a Ford lot then they should already have done the Used Vehicle check list, something like a 100 point inspection.

If you like the truck then start low and get to a price in the middle, and once you have a price, since it's a Ford dealer, see if they can sweeten the pot with free oil changes or a Parts credit.
It costs nothing to ask so it's all profit if they give you something

 

[cowboy9from0hell]

well the ford dealership called me today and offered me 6500 for the truck. think im going to wait another day or 2 and see if they will do 6000

 

[RonD]

Or $500 credit at parts and service

 

[cowboy9from0hell]

i was going to try to push for a longer warranty

 

[camodown]

Sounds like you have a good deal going. It is hard to imagine my 03 is 10 years old already. Doesn't seem that old.

 

[cowboy9from0hell]

they seem very eager to sell this truck asap. thats why im sitting back and listening to their options and what they are throwing at me and put pieces of the puzzle together to make an offer. i have yet to make an offer on this truck. every offer that has been put on the table has been by the dealer. right now in my mind i have set 6000 and a longer warranty. other then that im more then willing to walk away.

 

[snake]

They can't read your mind- just call and tell them if they are willing to do 6K call you back. Done deal. In addition to the above poster, make sure the engine light comes on when the key is first turned on and goes off when started. Someone may have pulled the bulb to hide an engine light which would be rare from a dealer but you never know.

 

[koda6966]

Wait, 6000 for an 03 with that many miles? I'd keep walking.

My brother paid just over 5 for his 01 Edge with 75k on the clock, from a dealer, about 4 years ago.

To help with your other question, he's somewhere around 180k right now, of abusive miles with little to no maintenance. These trucks can be beasts when they want to be.