Is a ranger worth it?

[Stewie]

I just did the same thing. I purchased an 02 Ranger Edge from my nephew who was getting 1500 for a trade in. In Canada you need a safety certificate and it cost me 2600 to get a mechanical certificate. New upper and lower ball joints, Front brakes, and bearings and a set of rear axles and bearings and a hand brake cable. All Ford parts so a little more expensive. So for 4000 I have a pretty nice little truck. I still need to tune it up and fix a couple of small things. I shampooed the interior, and the exterior is perfect except for some rust spots on the front bumper. I was asked the other day if I had it painted, because the rest of it is perfect. The aluminum wheels are still bright and shiny and the tires are very recent.
I am using it as a second vehicle and I am pretty sure it will last me quite a long time. I am fairly new to Ford and it is funny the last two I had were pretty large money pits. This is my first one in 30 years. I am hoping they are a lot better now.
Oh yea, 160K miles and a 3.0 5 speed manual.

 

[mywhip]

This one needs cleaned up majorly. He works at a concrete place, and the thing is just dusty as all get out, and there is no point in him dusting it because it just goes that way the next day. So with a little TLC, it will look beautiful. I also hope this ford isn't a money pit either, or it will be my last :S

 

[strvger]

4.0 with a manual tranny and a light foot on the gas and you should be fine with it's gas mileage. you can double check the axle gears from the door tag (or there may be one on the axle itself), and that can tell you a lot about how much gas it may use. also, what did your step dad get for mileage? for only a 30 minute drive twice a week, i wouldn't worry about it that much. you already know he took pretty good care of it.
sounds like a good deal to me. just my $.02.

 

[mywhip]

He just drives it to work everyday, ten minutes there and back. He probably fills up like..once every two weeks or so? Maybe every week, not too sure.

 

[darkspork]

I would say it's reliability is directly proportional to how it was maintained. I'd buy it in a heartbeat for that if it was maintained even reasonably well.

+1 I'm sure this could be said for a lot of cars. The 4.0 + 5 speed manual seems to be a very good combination for longevity. If your step-dad has taken good care of it mechanically it would absolutely be worth $1000.

If you are only driving it 30 minutes each way twice a week I wouldn't really worry about gas mileage. I'm guessing about 20 miles each way getting close to 20mpg (I'm assuming it's all highway) would require would require between 4-5 gallons of gasoline @$3/gallon = up to $15/week (or $60/month) on gas. If you could find a reliable car for the same price that gets close to 40mpg you'd only be saving $7.50/week or $30/month, but you may spend that much more on insurance anyways. I'd say go for it.

 

[jayknight13]

That truck is worth 3 times that in fair condition. Cant predict if it will be a money pit or not. They aren't known for being money pits, any problems with mine have been self inflicted haha

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

buy it and dont think twice. worst case scenario you can at least double your money selling it if you dont like it. ive owned 2 rvb's and both have been reliable for the most part

 

[Wetbed0]

I sort of had the same deal a year ago. 2000 super cab 4x4 3.0l auto 180K. I got it from my cousin for 850. Now it has another thousand miles and it needs a transmission but I still think it was a great deal. So I say go for it.

 

[mywhip]

I sort of had the same deal a year ago. 2000 super cab 4x4 3.0l auto 180K. I got it from my cousin for 850. Now it has another thousand miles and it needs a transmission but I still think it was a great deal. So I say go for it.

Luckily if the tranny goes out, i have a guy that can get the transmission and do it for around 600. So it won't be that huge of a deal

 

[Wetbed0]

Luckily if the tranny goes out, i have a guy that can get the transmission and do it for around 600. So it won't be that huge of a deal

Not a big deal for me either because even if I spend a few hundred it is still a cheap truck.

 

[mywhip]

Sorry i still don't understand which subform i would use for my specific ranger..2000 ford, extended cab.

Don't shoot! D:

 

[Pagemaster]

any forum, unless otherwise specified, is ranger specific.

but here.
http://therangerstation.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2

http://therangerstation.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=67

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.php

and i am a college student and do about the same amount of travel but six days a week. havent had any issues besides replacing an old battery. BUY IT!!!!!