Buying a New Truck! Need Help!
 

Hey everyone... I'm new here... I own a 1990 Ford Ranger that just need's too much work so I'm looking at a 1999 F150 XLT 2x4, V6, Auto, Supercab, Short Bed with 117,000 Mile's on it. Anything I should be aware of before buying this truck?

But before we get to that.. i'm getting the truck from my friend who is a used car manager at a toyota dealership, they took the truck in trade and own it for $1200, the truck is worth $6k All day.. But here's the part I'm worried about, the service engine soon light and the OD Light is flashing, they ran a computer on it and it showed several transmission codes, but the tranny works fine when driven, and the other problem is it doesnt get any other fault codes except the tranny ones but if you have the truck on and floor the accelerator it stumbles almost like it's not getting gas or missfiring.... But if you give it gas slowly it'll rev right to redline steady and hold.. Most other things have been checked and they think it's a bad coil, which I agree with but I've been reading some info online and they say that the blinking OD light says there's a problem and the truck might be in limp mode? The truck really is nice and I couldnt ask for a better price... Any Insight? thanks guys!!

No point in replacing a busted truck with a busted truck, if they don't fix it I would find a better one, they are not a rare machine. My brother got a cherry '97 std cab longbed 4x4 with a 4.6 and 90k miles for $6500, I think is up to 110k now and so far so good.

Normally I would agree but in my case I have 2 options, put $2500 I have into my 1990 Ranger that still wont pass inspection after I fix it, or buy this truck that might only need $200 in parts... I can't find a decsent truck for less than $6000 anywhere. My truck problems couldn't have come at a worse time. I've only been home for a couple months and have very little money for a new vehicle..

I guess what my question is, if I can get an idea of what the problem is I'll continue on with this truck.. But no one at this Toyota dealership has any ford expertise, they all seem to be half stupid because even I had an idea of what it could have been from hearing the symtoms. My 1990 Ranger although a different motor (2.3 4Cly) stumbled just like this one does when I hit a puddle or something for a few minutes, so it tell's me ignition problems.. I really only have about $2500 to spend and even that is pushing it right now... Also the local ford dealer want's $500 to look at the truck, so if you are wondering why I havn't brought it there, that's the answer...

I appreciate the reply back... thanks

Here is a quick overview of what My 1990 Ranger need's just to run right and be safe.. Forget about inspection, I doubt it'll pass...

Tail Pipe (Rusted Off), Muffler (Rusted Off), Catalytic Converter (Leaking), Misc Exhaust Hardware (All Exhaust hangers on truck are rusted off), Windshield Wipers, Front Pads & Rotors, Rear Brakes, 4 Tires, Body Mount/Frame Repairs (Half the cab/body mounts are rusted off), Bushings,
Sideview Mirrors need to be replaced, Misc Tune-Up (engine has 165,000 on it and it almost stalls when it rains out) and last but not least, my tranny(5 spd manual) is real hard to get into first and sometimes sticks in reverse.

The miss probably isn't a huge deal, sounds ignition related like you mentioned. But if that tranny lets go you have a $6000 paperweight. If you can get that figured out and fixed I agree there is nothing to hold you back. But $6000 for a fixer upper sounds high to me.

actually I'm getting the truck for $1200 not $6000...

The dealership I work at will send a lot of our luxury high-end cars to the dealerships. Maybe they could do the same and send it to a ford dealer to be repaired.

This dealership does the same thing but they have a resident ford tech, and so far he's been no help... so it's kinda a struggle to get them to send it out with the ford tech on the payroll even though he's and idiot... But my friend is pushing to get it sent out.. It's just taking forever... I need a truck..

I am sorrry I was reading it as $6000, that puts it in a different light if that is all that is wrong with it.

It's ok, no big deal...

Yeah that's why I think it's a good idea to stick with it.. even if I have to put a $1000 into it it's worth it...