Look what I got for $500

So I was over my sons friends house dropping him off to hang out for a while, and noticed that they had a new to them Ford Expedition. I had been talking with the father for a little while because he was saying they needed to get a new car or two. Well I asked him what they were doing with their F-150, and he said he planned on sending it to the junk yard. I asked what was wrong with it, and he said the engine was ready to explode, and something about a hydraulic lifter, or tensioner that was bad. His mechanic said it wasn't worth fixing, but I disagreed.

My wife was with us, and I asked here if her older brothers son may want it as he is looking for his first car because he will be driving in about a year or so. She said probably, and we called them to see if they were interested in it. A few days go by and they didn't come to see it so I told my wife that I would just buy it if they didn't as it seemed like a good deal at $500.

Well on Friday my wife's brother said he wanted to come see it so we brought them over there to see it, and they liked it. Well they didn't have $500, so I decided to buy it, and bring it home Saturday morning. Technically I bought it for them, but I have the title, and the keys so I guess it is mine for now.

It has high miles at 197k, but it isn't terrible considering the price. It is a 2000 Lariat 4x4 off road with the 5.4 litre, and automatic. The engine has an exhaust leak that sounds pretty bad, but other than that it didn't appear to be running too poorly. The running boards are ready to fall off from rust, and there is a good sized rust spot on the hood as well.

Over all I think it was a good buy at scrap value. What say the GRM community?

Chris

Oh yeah the picture:

I bet if you put a for sale sign for 1500 on it in your yard it will disappear in a few days.

Congrats, you now have an invisible truck.

invisible?

For $500, I probably would have bought that too. Good buy even if it needs some work. Fix some of the issues and clean it up and you could probably flip it for a good profit.

If I was living on a teenager's income and didn't have the $500 to buy this truck in the first place, I don't know if I could afford to be driving around a 5.4L 4x4 truck...

Mazdax605 wrote: invisible?

= "one of millions" and therefore "invisible"

Good point on the cost of fuel, but I will let them worry about that. I figure even if they don't buy it from me I could junk it for the $500 I have invested in it, or clean it up a bit, and profit some.

that's a $2000 pickup where I live, minimum.

pull running boards. fix exhaust leak (check the manifolds, it's common). enjoy putting another 100k miles on it.

Yep, If you're selling it for $1500, then give me a location,and I'll be there with cash in hand. Don't expect more than 15mpg, but it'll tow an open trailer without breaking a sweat.. right up until it blows a spark plug out.. but that's a simple fix.

I had a '99 4x2 (3.55 diff) and it never made over 15mpg, but was an awesome truck otherwise. The current 97 rustbucket(long story) makes 18mpg, but is a manual 4.6L with a 3.08 diff. Not exactly a powerhouse. I'd take the 5.4 any day over the 4.6.

Does the odometer blink, or stop lighting up occasionally?(bad solder joints) Manual or automatic transfer case? Either way, you want to exercise it regularly, otherwise it'll freeze up.

$500 is a smoking deal. Fix it up, drive it 3 years and sell it for $1,800.

Ranger50 wrote: I bet if you put a for sale sign for 1500 on it in your yard it will disappear in a few days.

+1 I'd take the $1000 profit in 3 days over turning wrenches if I could.

tpwalsh wrote: Yep, If you're selling it for $1500, then give me a location,and I'll be there with cash in hand. Don't expect more than 15mpg, but it'll tow an open trailer without breaking a sweat.. right up until it blows a spark plug out.. but that's a simple fix. I had a '99 4x2 (3.55 diff) and it never made over 15mpg, but was an awesome truck otherwise. The current 97 rustbucket(long story) makes 18mpg, but is a manual 4.6L with a 3.08 diff. Not exactly a powerhouse. I'd take the 5.4 any day over the 4.6. Does the odometer blink, or stop lighting up occasionally?(bad solder joints) Manual or automatic transfer case? Either way, you want to exercise it regularly, otherwise it'll freeze up.

I think it is the automatic transfer case with a rotary knob on the dash. I didn't notice the dash blinking, but then again I only drove it for about three miles back home. The seller said the 4wd worked for him this winter during the blizzard, so I can only assume it still does right now. I suppose I could test it out though.

I live in South-eastern, MA so probably a long way away from you.

ANY 4X4 up here is normally worth $2000 - $2500.

You made a good deal!

Oh I don't want to flip it. I would rather he learn to fix it up, but I am not sure if he will do it. I suspect he will, and he was excited to see it, so most likely it will.

Could it be a hydraulic chain tensioner that is bad? Would replacing the engine be a smart move?

Chris

Najib will give you $1500 for that no question. He''ll have Miguel fix the mechanicals, and have that on scene body guy work on it for a day. Then it will go out front for $4500. He had no problem selling those Ram pickups for that price.

Najib?

cwh wrote: Najib?

Local guy, I suspect. OP and TR8todd are both from Carver, Mass.

Najib is the local gas station owner that sells about 5 cars a week off his lot. All cheap. Also the friendly inspection sticker guy we go to!!!!

tr8todd wrote: Najib is the local gas station owner that sells about 5 cars a week off his lot. All cheap. Also the friendly inspection sticker guy we go to!!!!

Is he on 58?

This engines are suspect; when they start knocking its due to the oil returns being plugged and its really to late. I've bought two just like it with the same issue and price which I flipped for project money. The real fix is a fresher engine.

ebonyandivory wrote:

tr8todd wrote: Najib is the local gas station owner that sells about 5 cars a week off his lot. All cheap. Also the friendly inspection sticker guy we go to!!!!

Is he on 58?

Yes, right in the centre of town.

That's an easy $2k where I live. I'd fix a bunch of the little stuff and sell it before gas gets pricey this summer.

I love awesome deals like that. Similar to how we came about our challenge civic.

I don't trust those engines at all. Still a good price, it looks wet in photo but I'd clean it up and sell it down the line real quick like.

Well bought.