Hey there guys I am looking to get my first truck. Have been looking into the ranger and found a 93 with 131k miles. I am going to run a car fax to confirm since only there's 5 digits.

Says no mechanical problems. Everything original. Only problem is the passenger side window isn't getting power to go down.

Few cracks on the dash. Needs new tires has new pro comp shocks in the back needs new shocks in the front.

Asking 3k I think I can talk him to 2500. Is that a good deal? What should I be looking to spend for a truck with similar milage?

 

4.0l engine is a very reliable engine, if not overheated, heads would crack, but not too expensive to fix, for DIY.

Window issue could be motor, $80, or just a broken wire in the door to body harness(not uncommon)

You are in Calif. which requires Smog testing, often expensive if you don't pass.

131k is low miles so either vehicle was broken down a long time or it sat for a long time, either way the seals for engine, trans and axles could be dried out causing them to crack and leak fairly soon when driven regularly.
And if it was driven every week but only 5 minutes to work and back then engine never warmed up so it could be sludgy inside, this shortens engine life, which is 300k+ for 4.0l.
131,000 miles is 500miles a month for 22 years, which means it might not be too bad inside but........??

These are some of the issues with low milers, the only benefit of low milers is super clean interior and body, but with cracked dash.................??
Also check brake pedal, 131k should barely be worn, '93 has speedo cable which people often unhooked.

'93 is 22 years old, so will need general repairs just from age.
In my location $3,000 would be way too high, but used truck pricing is based on supply and demand, used Rangers are popular as service vehicles, although 4.0l isn't great for MPG but is good if you need to pull a trailer, i.e. gardening services.

And people like to have a small pickup just for around the house work, which maybe a past life of this truck and why it has low miles, wasn't used that much.

So yes, scout the local papers to see the pricing of similar trucks, I would ignore the low miles since dash is cracked, but up to you

 

Thanks for the advice. I did find a beautiful 98 with rebuilt engine but the car went from 234k miles in 2012 to 143k in 2014. That's why you always do your car fax. He was going to sell for 6k and I was about to get in my car and drive 5 hours till I found out it had another 100k at least on it

I know I will have to replace things on it but buying at 2500 leaves me 2500 in my budget for maintenance.

I see what your saying about the low miles though expecially with an older car. How are the trannys? Is that something I have to worry about? Is there years I should be trying to avoid? Years I want to look for?

 

There are only two times you can ignore possible automatic transmission problems.
1. when vehicle is under warranty
2. when vehicle belongs to someone else

Manuals need clutches, which is not all that cheap or easy to DIY, but they for the most part don't break.

The last bulletproof automatic made was in............................oh, that's right there never has been one