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Should I buy this badly-running 27-year-old truck?

  

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Topic starter

Friend is selling a 97 Ford F150, with 250k miles. Automatic.

Engine runs rough, bearly goes.

Friend looked at it. Says it’s a couple cheap sensors. One was connected to the air intake. And he said also the tensioner to the serpentine belt. But says engine sounds good. Just a couple sensors and such etc

Also owner is saying a new trans was installed at 200k miles

Registration and safety up to date. 

He is selling to me for $200


4 Answers
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Posted by: @scottydaman2023

Engine runs rough, bearly goes.

That's certainly a red flag.

Posted by: @scottydaman2023

Friend looked at it. Says it’s a couple cheap sensors.

Then why doesn't he just replace them and be able to get more money for the truck running properly?

Posted by: @scottydaman2023

He is selling to me for $200

Although it's hard to go wrong for that kind of money it can go wrong if the vehicle winds up needing many thousands of dollars in repairs. A lot can go wrong in 27 years. Even at that price it needs to be looked at by a good mechanic so you don't wind up with a pig in a poke.


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Posted by: @scottydaman2023

He is selling to me for $200

well if you can work on trucks, it could get you around a bit for a good price. That's basically scrap value.

If you're paying someone to fix it up, then run away.


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If the body and frame aren't rusted out then go for it. As long as it still has its catalytic converters you should easily be able to get over twice the purchase price from a scrap dealer.

First thing, do a compression test. If it fails, scrap it out


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you could just drive it until it dies. put zero money into it. just change the oil and make sure the brakes are good from time to time


He said it barely goes anywhere. I think I'd rather walk.


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