Need opinion on a used car purchase

[pacem]

Looking at a 1998 Ford Expedition 4x4

260,000 miles

The good:

Engine with 90K miles installed 3 years ago
Transmission with 60K miles
New AC last year
New radiator and most of the stuff in the engine bay
Fuel pump a year old but not reading full.
tires under a year old

The bad:

Inside leather seats a little torn, outside is worse than average - rust on the rear bumper, minor dents here and there, but nothing beyond cosmetic.

Needs rear differential, the entire assembly.
Needs front and rear shocks.
Fuel pump might need to be swapped to get correct reading.

Basically the entire rear end needs to be replaced from a junk yard, any idea how much that may cost and if the whole operation is worthwhile for such a vehicle.

The asking price is $1000 and the seller says they have one offer (which I believe) and if I beat and offer $1100, they can sell. Is $1100 worth it.
I have a feeling everything else will fall apart around it and become a huge money pit, the 4x4, the front axle, the shocks, which apparently have never been changed.

 

[4D-56]

I personally have no idea why you're even thinking about it. "headache central" comes to mind. keep looking.

 

[simple_gifts]

Price?

Do work on a vehicle so you can get 15mpg?

You don't mention the application which would be handy.

 

[pacem]

Apparently 5-6K in repairs in the last 3 years (engine + transmission) but it needs tons more, such as the rear differential falling apart and is probably a $1500 a repair.

 

[Tdbo]

I'd pass.

 

[Donald]

If you could buy it for the scrap metal price then go for it. But even then only if you can swap the differential yourself. Its also got a transfer case and front differential. What condition are they in?

Rust??

 

[ram_man]

I personally would run. If your interested in expeditions look for one closer to 3 -4000 thats what you will have in this one by time its road worthy probably. Good luck.

 

[ET16]

I'd pass, too. There seems to be too much lurking.

 

[Trav]

Forget it, its a money sucking hole.

 

[Zaedock]

Exploder rear axles are cheap and plentiful. I can get them for $120-$200.


Still, 260K is a lot on the body/chassis. Tell the guy you'll give him $750 and if he can get $1000.00 from someone else then go ahead.

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Forget it, its a money sucking hole.


Or this

 

[pacem]

Originally Posted By: Donald
If you could buy it for the scrap metal price then go for it. But even then only if you can swap the differential yourself. Its also got a transfer case and front differential. What condition are they in?

Rust??


Yes, the rear bumper area is rusty.

I don't know the condition of the transfer case and the front differential. If the rear went out at 260K miles, (the yoke snapped) I am guessing the front differential is not far behind. The owner says 4x4 is working, but I am not sure. I asked if there is rust and they said there wasn't, and when I actually looked at it, it seemed worse than described. Which makes me question how much other stuff is wrong with it.

The cosmetic damage is here and there.

 

[andyd]

Meh, If you can do this job yourself, offer him 800$ cash. Give him your number so he can call you. The car isnt worth paying to have this job done by a shop. It also is not anything you want to daily drive either

 

[pacem]

Afraid I don't have the space to do this by myself.

 

[TrevorS]

Just a thought. That engine and transmission and some other parts are quite new. Could you buy it and sell it for parts and then take that money and get yourself something better?

 

[901Memphis]

What's the reason for getting an suv? Are you limited financially because even though it cheap it's going to kill you on MPG.

 

[QuietPortage]

That vehicle is at the end of its useful life. Unless you have the means to do significant work yourself, move on.

Why are you looking at a large body on frame SUV?

 

[Chris142]

Buy it for $500. Put a $200 axle in it and unload it for $1500 on Craigs.

 

[exranger06]

Sounds a lot like my project Bronco, which I'm obviously putting the time and money into fixing. But I can do everything myself (except body work) and I get a big discount on parts. If you have to pay a shop to do all the work, forget it.

 

[147_Grain]

I'd pass on this 8 mpg gas hog that will eat you alive over the years. Repairs will certainly be more than the vehicle is worth.