2000 Ford Ranger

[Senko lover]

At the risk of turning the Everything Else section into a car guidance forum, I've been looking at vehicles lately and wanted to get some advice.
Have any of you owned an older Ford Ranger? The one I'm looking at is from 2000 and has 120k on it. I've heard you can practically run them for forever, although I've never had any experience with one.

My dream vehicle is a bad-a truck with a huge engine, but I don't have the 80k to buy one of those haha! The shop is asking 3500 for it, which is right in my budget range.

 

Any experience appreciated! Thanks.

[J Francho]

Seems high.  My son just bought a 2005 Silverado 5.3L Ex. Cab for $5K.  Around the same mileage.  It had some minor issues, mostly cosmetic, and needed an oil pressure sensor ($100 installed).  Keep saving and looking.

[jr231]

Every one you buy is going to need maintenance. My cousin had a ranger. And he ran that thing everywhere.. he had it for a long time. But most rednecks (which he is) like to turn wrenches.. so he was always doing something to it.. 

 

What options come with it ? Have you tried to barter ? Take a mechanic or someone very handy with you before you purchase any vehicle. Ask them if you can take it to get inspected. This will lead you to buying a "healthy " vehicle. 

 

I advise you learn how to change oil/filters / brake pads and rotors, fluids, batteries, head/tail lights, and wipers(if you don't know how already). things like this will save you alot of money... 

[J Francho]

31 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

wipers

 

And wiper transmissions, if you get a Chevy, lol.

[jr231]

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

 

And wiper transmissions, if you get a Chevy, lol.

 

So much to know it's ridiculous .. the basics are a necessity though IMO

[slonezp]

I agree that it seems high unless it's both mechanically and cosmetically sound. At 120,000 it is on its second set of tires and they are at the end of their life, unless you got lucky and the guy selling it just replaced them. A new set of tires are going to run you another $800.

[jr231]

22 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I agree that it seems high unless it's both mechanically and cosmetically sound. At 120,000 it is on its second set of tires and they are at the end of their life, unless you got lucky and the guy selling it just replaced them. A new set of tires are going to run you another $800.

 

I agree.. the money you spend on a car never stops.. even if it's self maintained. Gas , insurance, tags, parts . It's a never ending cycle. 

[gim]

I had a 2001 Ford Ranger XLT for about 5 years.  I bought it in 2005 as my first ever self-purchased vehicle after I graduated from college and it had about 85,000 miles on it.  I paid $7500 for it and it lasted until about 125,000 miles before things started to crap out.  I got sick of pouring money into it so got rid of it in 2010.  Thing was kind of a gas hog too for a small truck.  Nowadays a light duty truck or compact SUV that's similar can get at least 25 mpg.

[Subaqua Adinterim]

I have had 4WD Rangers with extended cabs since 1993. My first was a 3.0L that lasted 240K miles until I sold it to my neighbor (a mechanic) in 2005.  He put another 45K on it, before buying a newer model that he still has.

i had my 2005 4.0L until 2011 when I traded it in for a new 4.0L Ranger truck.  I have a total of over 420K miles all together on these three trucks.  I baby my vehicles and change the oil & filter every 5K using full synthetic oil. Expect to get about 21 MPG on the highway.

You should have great luck should you choose the Ranger truck, especially if you live in an area that has mild winters and does not use salt on the roads.  Here in NY, salt will wreak havoc on any vehicle after ten years - brake lines, under carriage parts, etc. will all need repair or replacement.

As far as how much you should pay, check the book value from edmunds or blue book pricing and look for the wholesale value not the retail.

Wishing you the best of luck.

[FordsnFishin]

Does it have the 2.5, 3.0, or 4.0. Auto or manual transmission.  These little trucks tend to run for a very long time,  and take some abuse. 

Personally, I had 2001 2.5 liter 5 speed manual. I literally ran the snot out of this truck and she'd just keep running. That is until one day. ...doing some country cruising,  young and dumb,  rail road tracks,  55mph, steep,  8 feet in air,  bye bye ranger. 

 

Still wish I had that truck. 

[Senko lover]

It is an automatic, four cylinder, and I forgot to add that it's being sold by a mechanic's shop. My dad has been going there for years and bought the car he currently drives from them as well. I trust them as far as the quality of the car; the tires are in good shape and the brakes are good as well. I will be making a cash offer to try and lower the price. I've been looking at used trucks including Rangers for a while and this is more or less what they're going for around here at least. 

[Red Bear]

I bought a 91 Chevy W/T 1500 for $1000 about 9 years ago. its still going strong, over 200,000 miles. yeah its needed some parts along the way and we redid the clutch as well, its a 4-speed with overdrive. its a tough truck though, i used it a lot to haul firewood. i basically let my moms husband use it as his daily driver now, he maintains any upkeep it needs, told him if/when we ever sell it, we will split the money. I drove it back and forth to work, an hour commute in heavy northern virginia traffic for 2 1/4 years myself...

 

keep looking around before jumping on it, as it does seem a bit high in price, look online and see what similar trucks are going for.

[deaknh03]

i would offer them $2500 and go from there. Hopefully settle somewhere south of $3000.

[clayton86]

I had a 99 ranger danger and loved that thing swapped out the crappy vacuum locking hubs with manual ones and beat the crap out of that thing. Wish I still had it honestly but I blew her up a few winters ago. 

[K_Mac]

6 hours ago, Senko lover said:

It is an automatic, four cylinder, and I forgot to add that it's being sold by a mechanic's shop. My dad has been going there for years and bought the car he currently drives from them as well. I trust them as far as the quality of the car; the tires are in good shape and the brakes are good as well. I will be making a cash offer to try and lower the price. I've been looking at used trucks including Rangers for a while and this is more or less what they're going for around here at least. 

 

Buying from a trusted source is worth a few extra bucks in my experience. Buying from a trusted auto shop is how I've bought my last few vehicles. I know of too many great deals that ultimately were not. Good luck.

[James Pondscum]

  Miles don't seem that bad. I live in south eastern Michigan and have found most vehicles rust out before they wear out. I would look at the under carriage .  Just drove my 99 jeep to the junkyard over 340,000 miles floor under seat rotted out and driver seat falling through.  Currently driving a 97 with 300,000 back and forth to work now.  Electronic displays and automatic features going out.  I just drive it and till it rusts out too.  drove my 92 chevy and 79 ford to the junkyard also with over 250,000 miles.

[Senko lover]

39 minutes ago, nickles said:

  Miles don't seem that bad. I live in south eastern Michigan and have found most vehicles rust out before they wear out. I would look at the under carriage .  Just drove my 99 jeep to the junkyard over 340,000 miles floor under seat rotted out and driver seat falling through.  Currently driving a 97 with 300,000 back and forth to work now.  Electronic displays and automatic features going out.  I just drive it and till it rusts out too.  drove my 92 chevy and 79 ford to the junkyard also with over 250,000 miles.

 

Back in my MN days, vehicles rusted a lot faster due to all the snow and salt on the roads.

[deaknh03]

1 hour ago, nickles said:

  Miles don't seem that bad. I live in south eastern Michigan and have found most vehicles rust out before they wear out. I would look at the under carriage .  Just drove my 99 jeep to the junkyard over 340,000 miles floor under seat rotted out and driver seat falling through.  Currently driving a 97 with 300,000 back and forth to work now.  Electronic displays and automatic features going out.  I just drive it and till it rusts out too.  drove my 92 chevy and 79 ford to the junkyard also with over 250,000 miles.

 

Checking the undercarriage is vital in all aspects of life.