Steve Hurwitz
Member
Hi,
Glad I found this forum. I have an opportunity to purchase the following:
2003 Sport Trac XLS with 38,000 miles, towing, 4x4, Auto trans, tilt, cruise, power seat, running boards, tonneau cover. Not sure on the other options, as my dealer buddy is still finding out about it, but it's not an XLT. From what I read the tow hooks and fog lights came with the 4x4?
KBB says it retails for $16,370 and private party (excl cond) is $13,365. This assumes I do not click the "sliding rear window" or "bed liner" options, since they are standard. IF I do it of course goes a little higher ($200) in those values.
They want $13,900 for it.
The mileage is certainly a huge part of this sale with an average of only 7600 per year. My dealer will put it through a thorough inspection andif it even looks like it ever sat for a long while, or ever had an accident he won't sell it. I've bought cars from him for 15 years without a single problem ever.
Anyhow, my concerns are as follows:
1) Poor MPG's - but it sounds like a few cheap mods can help? Cold air intake, better freeflow muffler? Other at-home fixes like ignition perhaps, etc?
2) 4x4 doesn't help the MPG's. If YOU had a choice would you opt for the 4x4 if 99.9% of your driving was city, and in Tucson there isn't ever any snow. Would 4x4 help with towing or at least getting a couple of jet skis out of a boat ramp?
3) I've read it rides bad - but again it sounds like a few cheap projects can fix this like the simple 3" lift shakles, tweak the tortion bars, new front and rear sway bars, and new better shocks stiften it all up nicely?
4) Wind and ride noise - yet again found the projects to add noise deadening, so cheap fix there as well? Is this such a huge problem in city driving to even care or mainly highway?
Lastly, and just because I like LOADED vehicles, I "wish" it had the XLT or XLT Premium package but it doesn't. But again it sounds like it's not that expensive to get some of the niceties like the upgraded center console, overhead console, etc, for cheap. You guys on this site are certainly great at posting detailed projects!
So what do you think? Wish it was a 2006 with the upgraded "Explorer" independant suspention, etc, but for under $14k this sounds like a solid truck to do everything I could want to.
Thoughts?
Thanks!!
Glad I found this forum. I have an opportunity to purchase the following:
2003 Sport Trac XLS with 38,000 miles, towing, 4x4, Auto trans, tilt, cruise, power seat, running boards, tonneau cover. Not sure on the other options, as my dealer buddy is still finding out about it, but it's not an XLT. From what I read the tow hooks and fog lights came with the 4x4?
KBB says it retails for $16,370 and private party (excl cond) is $13,365. This assumes I do not click the "sliding rear window" or "bed liner" options, since they are standard. IF I do it of course goes a little higher ($200) in those values.
They want $13,900 for it.
The mileage is certainly a huge part of this sale with an average of only 7600 per year. My dealer will put it through a thorough inspection andif it even looks like it ever sat for a long while, or ever had an accident he won't sell it. I've bought cars from him for 15 years without a single problem ever.
Anyhow, my concerns are as follows:
1) Poor MPG's - but it sounds like a few cheap mods can help? Cold air intake, better freeflow muffler? Other at-home fixes like ignition perhaps, etc?
2) 4x4 doesn't help the MPG's. If YOU had a choice would you opt for the 4x4 if 99.9% of your driving was city, and in Tucson there isn't ever any snow. Would 4x4 help with towing or at least getting a couple of jet skis out of a boat ramp?
3) I've read it rides bad - but again it sounds like a few cheap projects can fix this like the simple 3" lift shakles, tweak the tortion bars, new front and rear sway bars, and new better shocks stiften it all up nicely?
4) Wind and ride noise - yet again found the projects to add noise deadening, so cheap fix there as well? Is this such a huge problem in city driving to even care or mainly highway?
Lastly, and just because I like LOADED vehicles, I "wish" it had the XLT or XLT Premium package but it doesn't. But again it sounds like it's not that expensive to get some of the niceties like the upgraded center console, overhead console, etc, for cheap. You guys on this site are certainly great at posting detailed projects!
So what do you think? Wish it was a 2006 with the upgraded "Explorer" independant suspention, etc, but for under $14k this sounds like a solid truck to do everything I could want to.
Thoughts?
Thanks!!