Found this truck on craiglist this week. Im going to look at it tomorrow night and am wondering what you guys think. Its a 04 FX4 with with just about everything except a sunroof. Originaly was a showroom truck. He says there arent any tears in the leather and no dings or major scratches on the paint. Its only got 55k on odometer wich I thought was kinda low for an 04. Asking price is 18k, and he said the dealership was going to give him $17,340 on trade in. Seem like a good deal to you guys? If location maters, he is in Atlanta. Blue book on it is $18,430. Would have posted in "Buying tips and tricks" but doenst seem to be anything going on in there.

Also, is there anything I should pay attention to when looking it over? I know about spark plugs being a major issue, but anything else?

 

I would get the VIN and run a carfax on it and also try to obtain an OASIS report from the dealer before going to drive it. Other than that just the usual stuff (4wd, A/C, back slider (if applicable), and all the controls) Would also check for the rear end clunk and smoothness of transmission. Also listen for the engine.

 

Looks pretty good. Not a horrible price for private party, but I doubt the dealer would give him almost 18 for it.

Like Btown said, just check the usual things. Make sure everything works right. Don't jump the gun cause it looks pretty.

 

One thing I'd do is listen to it being started for the first time after it's sat all night and listen for any start-up rattle. some say it doesn't have any adverse affect on the motor but it's annoying as H377!

Other things I'd check other than the stuff you'd always check:
Make sure the rotors aren't warped and/or making noise. (weak rotors)
Check for driveline vibration and low and high speed. (was common)
Make sure the HVAC blend doors move freely and silently. (some are loud)
Make sure that it's quickly going into both 4Hi and 4Lo. (checking actuators etc...)

I'm sure there are several others that I'm not thinking of.

 

Personal opinion, but I wouldn't purchase an '04 truck -- I'd look for a late-'05 or later truck. The '04's were the first year of the new bodystyle, and had a fair number of kinks to be worked out before the quality came up to a higher level.

Does that mean all '04's are bad? Of course not, but I would be willing to bet that the early build trucks have a much higher possibility of being troublesome than the same vehicle built further in to the production run.

Good luck with your decision.....

 

Ive made a few rush purchases on used cars before. Thankfully it never came back and bit me in the butt. Trying not to make the same mistake here. He has a Carfax report on hand. I do have a few questions:

1. What are HVAC blend doors?
2. How do you test the 4hi/lo? Do you just go by the light indicator?
3. Do you check driveline vibration by just driving it and paying close
attention to how it feels?

THanks for help guys!

Edit: I just talked to the bank, and I may have to end up looking for something cheaper to fit the budget. Hopefully not. Id rather not purchase a truck that will be 2 editions in a few months.

 

Just spend the extra cash and buy a new one. Buying used is not a smart move. I bought used and got screwed.

 

YMMV. just because you got hosed doesn't mean he will. My 05 was flawless. One owner, all options and low miles. never been in for warranty work and the carfax was clean. buying used means being diligent and doing your homework. it also helps if you don't jump on the first thing with four wheels. I saved thousands over buying new.

lever,

ask to take it to a mechanic. it'll give you piece of mind that you're getting a solid truck and that the seller isn't hiding anything. if he says no or acts shady, move on. there's always going to be another one.

as for pricing, search in the papers/autotrader/anywhere else you can to find out what comparable trucks (same options, year, mileage) are going for. find a price and stick to it. KBB and edmunds were a little off of the estimated value of my truck so don't take it as gospel. these things aren't exactly flying off the lots right now, so i'd imagine your seller's door isn't being beaten down with offers. 18K isn't bad. i payed 21K for my 05 with 35Kmi last year.

 

I usually try and let someone else take the initial "drive off the lot" depreciation hit. Find a good used ones, do you homework, one with low miles, and you'll be just as well off as if you bought new. Remember, used ones were brand new once too.

 

I would much rather buy new than used, but my budget just wont allow it. I would buy an 02 or 03 but im affraid they wont be worth half as much as on 04 or newer when I go to re-sell it. Plus the miles are alot higher on those models, and when the miles are low, the price is right back where I started.

I have been keeping a close eye on the Autotrader and Craigslist. Seems around here trucks with that price dont have that low of miles. I was hoping someone could confirm that. I go to look at it tomorrow. I have been telling myself to take it slow, and if everything doest sit right with me, then Ill let it slide. Thanks for all of the advice guys! If anybody else has anything to say I am more than willing to listen!

 

If ya got a trusted mechanic you can take it to them and for $100 or so they'll usually do a "buy inspection". For me it's worth the piece of mind to have a trained person to give it a good once over.

 

Any mechanics want to meet me in Kennesaw tom night?

 

1.) Blend doors determine the air flow in the cabin. its a PIA to replace.
2.) lock in 4 high, off payment and in 4 low (put in neutral first). You will be able to tell if it locks in or not.
3.) yes. But vibration could be a number of things i.e. tires out of balance

 

I have an early build 04 (Sept 03) and the only issue has been the clutch pack that would have been a very minor problem if the dealership had not forgot to tighten the carrier bolts and ruined the housing.

 

If you've got cash to spare sure....

I'll let someone else drive it off the lot and take the $3000+ worth hit. I'll never buy new. An informed and auto-savy buyer shouldn't ever get hosed as long as the seller is honest. I could've gotten a brand new 2wd XLT or for the same price get a 4x4 Lariat with 15,000 miles.


anyway. the blend doors are what open and close inside the dash when you switch the air from floor to dash and visa versa. Mine are noisy off and on and my g'father had to have his replaced under warranty because of squeaking noise.

on 4x4 switch it on and drive it a LITTLE. and in mostly a STRAIGHT line. You'll be able to tell the difference if it's engaged.

On driveline. Yeah, just drive it and pay close attention to any wierd vibrations. These trucks are really smooth. vibrations should be pretty evident.