Harry, thanks for the advice. I looked at the links you sent, but would like to spend under 10k, and looking for low miles, under 50k if possible.

I found another one on craigs, more to everyone's liking: 2004 MAZDA B4000 4+4...ARE YOU READY FOR THE WINTER..

 

Here's another good deal IMO that is around you:
Cars for Sale: 2002 Ford Ranger 4x4 SuperCab in Mendham, NJ 07945: Truck Details - 271843781 - AutoTrader.com
You could easily get him down to 10 I bet

 

dange what a find Clay!!! Why couldnt one of these been available in NC when i bought mine! That's just how it goes! To the original poster, if your going to spend 10k on a Ranger, get this one; it is the top of the line Ranger

 

I saw that one before - carfax shows a front accident that disabled the truck, needed to be towed. I would like accident free or at least nothing more than fender bender. It's probably a rough truck if you were to look at it in person. I do appreciate all your efforts!

 

In 04, I bought my fully loaded minus power option XLT ranger...30,000 on the clock for 10,500 from a Nissan dealership. They're wanting too much for the truck...bluebook on the one your looking at is topped out at what they're asking. Shoot...when I bought mine, bluebook was 15k.

Timing chain issues 01-03's, but it's not that big of a deal. Some trucks have it bad, others have it barely occur. My 01 at 100k was aweful..rattlin' since 40k. My buddy's 01 with 140k doens't make a sound at all. Talking about 4.0's. And honestly, go drive both...even if they're out of your price range....go drive a 3.0 and 4.0. You'll make your decision right then and there on which engine you'll want. Believe me. lol.

 

well you can see that what we are telling you is to look a little more. I wish i had. I looked at all the local dealerships without even thinking to check Craigslist or Autotrader. I wanted one that met a few criteria. Well i met like 5 of the 10 criteria because i settled. I checked Autotrader about two weeks after i bought mine and found one that fit the bill down to every bolt of what i wanted--A whit FX4 Level II that actually was cheaper than what i bought. I'm still kicking myself today for it. So dont settle, make a list of what you want it to have and go from there.

I can go on Autotrader right now and find about 5 Rangers that are cheaper than mine and are better equiped. I did get mine for a good price so I cant complain too much, and I do love my truck

 

If someone could tell me one good reason to pay 10K for a 3.0 ranger, I will take everything I said back. Sure the 3.0 can move a ranger, but the question is why would you, if you have other options? I have driven plenty, and if you like the terrifying feeling of struggling to pass on the freeway or the feeling of wanting to get out and push when you are going up hill then the 3.0 is your deal. But when they make very little price difference used or new, (it was a $1000 difference in 01 between the 3.0 and 4.0 and used it doesn't matter) why would anyone willingly go for the lesser engine? Even on gas mileage, I have never heard of anyone with a 3.0 4x4 with 4:10's getting any noticable better mileage than a similar 4.0. I have met very few people that have settled (which is what you are doing if you get a 3.0) for a 3.0 and not regretted it, or at least coveted their neighbors 4.0 ranger.

~HJ

 

I settled with mine because all my other rigs were falling apart. Only bit of criteria that mine didn't meet, was the power options. Which, I'm actually a little thankfull for it looking back. Ideally, I wanted a '03 Fx4 Level II (white, red, or black), but those were a little too out of my price range...and when I found one I wanted, it just wasn't feasable. 6 months later I was in the market and found exactly what I wanted minus power options iwth LESS miles than I was looking for (60k was my target, I found a 30k for a 100k price tag).

Doing what your doing is the smartest thing to do. Ask current and former owners about it. I wish I had done it with mine.

Bottom line: if your looking at a 3.0 with low miles and an almost 11000k price tag, there's better rigs out there to be had. My old work rangers were 2wd reg cab long bed 3.0 and 2wd xcab short bed 3.0....when unloaded and light, they still were gutless compared to my 4.0 sohc loaded with a full load in the bed.

 

X1000

 

I'm not gonna pay $10k for it. I said in my first post I got him down to 10 over the phone. I think a fair price is in the 8's, maybe even 9. I wouldn't go any higher. I have to see it first before I can discuss anymore.

Fx4wannabe01 - I wouldn't be so hung up on the price you paid. Half the cars out there are junk, either in bad accidents or poorly maintained with crappy interiors and body. Simply looking at Internet ads is not enough to make a reasonable assumption.

Here in the NYC area, dealers are going to new lows. Many advertise insanely low prices and then tell you in order to get that price, you have have an 800+ credit score and finance for 6 years at 15% interest. Other tricks I've encountered are low price but you pay $1000-2000 doc fee. It's getting so bad that you can't search Autotrader because the prices are all bogus.

I'm very picky when it comes to buying used cars. Condition is key. I look for original paint and no accidents. I expect the car to be in excellent condition as I keep all my cars. I understand I will pay more than others for cars that fit this criteria. I intend to hold onto this purchase for several years so I'm not going to shop based on price only. Besides the condition, I want a 4x4 ext cab, all power, and auto trans. I'm open to either the Edge or XLT, and until I test drive, probably flexible on engine as well. I would say that condition is most important to me.

I do appreciate all of your comments, this is why I posted this thread to see what others think. I would like to step up shopping after Christmas and look at a few before making a decision. I will take all of your tips into consideration, thanks again!

 

maybe? I pulled on an 08' harley non supercharged 5.4 with a superchip tune. Was close but i still beat him, 07' dodge 1500 got beat baaad and same goes for my buddie's 6.0 chevy 2500.

 

No.

 

I paid $10k for my '03 Edge Stepside with 50k miles fully loaded.
Pre Owned Auto Sales in Brattleboro Vermont | Used Car Sales in Brattleboro Vermont | Marks Motors Inc


If you're near Brattleboro, VT, check them out... they're a wholesaler. My truck's retail value was almost $16,000 when I bought it this past summer. AWESOME DEALS!!!

 

I just looked... they've got two Rangers at the moment:


Great deals.

 

i got my 03 ext cab 4x4 4.0 with 39k miles 1 owner elderly man for 8900 came out close to ten with all the fees and shiz i had the 3.0 before it was lifted and got better mpg than my 4.0 but was a turd i love my 4.0 and hope to keep it for a long long time just my .02 i looked and looked and saw mine on a lot as i was headed home from looking at other trucks in the city all day they were asking 10990+ttt i think i got a great deal but def talk them down

 

just keep looking untill you find something that you really like.

i wouldn't pay 9k for the taxi cab tan interior. maybe 7k... find a black/grey one and be much happier.

i was looking for a long time and found my truck at a dealer, fresh on the lot. 2000 3.0 5spd xlt x-cab and got it for 4600. it wasn't n their system yet and the posted it on criagslist at 5k and i printed the sheet and took it with me. the window sticker said 7500. but they had to honor the internet price. i think it was a good deal.


as for 3.0 power, i've never had an issue. i tow my race car with it all the time. sure its a little slow but i can pass on the freeway with no issue. and thats with towing 3000 lbs. i'm averaging 20 mpg in the city, and 25-27 on the highway. course im not lifted and i have small tires, but thats nothing a rear-gear cant fix.