Steve Z
Member
I am strongly considering buying a 2001 Trac with only 46,000 miles on it and the only thing that is holding me back is the dreaded O/D light of death 2/3 flair concern. I have a fully loaded 2001 Trac with 110,000 miles on it that I absolutely love. Virtually no problems for the five years I have had it until I got hit with the 2/3 flair issue. Without going into all of the details, based on what I have read on this sight I have probably waited too long to get it fixed and most likely am looking at a rebuilt tranny and around $2,000 out of pocket.
Dealer will give me a trade in of $6,500 for my Trac and based on our discussions I think I can close the deal on the used one for $6,500 cash out of pocket ($13,000 total purchase price). New one doesn't have leather seats and sun roof like my current one but is in very good shape. Dealer includes a 12 month/12,000 powertrain warranty so I should be covered if the 2/3 flair issue comes up in the first year. Did a Carfax on the new one and it is a single owner with no issues - - he added some after markets like a colored hard shelled tonneaou cover and window guards so it looks like he was a Trac guy and cared about his truck. I now have a good mechanic who I will have check out the new one to make sure there are no problems.
The Sport Trac is really the only thing out there I can see myself driving (I love the Honda Ridgline but it is out of my price capability). Now that I am up to speed on the 2/3 flair issue I will at least know what is happening should it come up and get it fixed right away. But I am interested in seeing what others would do in my situation - - would you pull the trigger and buy another 2001 knowing the 2/3 flair problem is out there or look at something else? Given my current tranny problem I guess I am looking at it as only $4,500 out of pocket to pick up a Trac with 60,000 less miles (although I will miss the leather and the sunroof).
Thanks for any input others might have on this decision.
Dealer will give me a trade in of $6,500 for my Trac and based on our discussions I think I can close the deal on the used one for $6,500 cash out of pocket ($13,000 total purchase price). New one doesn't have leather seats and sun roof like my current one but is in very good shape. Dealer includes a 12 month/12,000 powertrain warranty so I should be covered if the 2/3 flair issue comes up in the first year. Did a Carfax on the new one and it is a single owner with no issues - - he added some after markets like a colored hard shelled tonneaou cover and window guards so it looks like he was a Trac guy and cared about his truck. I now have a good mechanic who I will have check out the new one to make sure there are no problems.
The Sport Trac is really the only thing out there I can see myself driving (I love the Honda Ridgline but it is out of my price capability). Now that I am up to speed on the 2/3 flair issue I will at least know what is happening should it come up and get it fixed right away. But I am interested in seeing what others would do in my situation - - would you pull the trigger and buy another 2001 knowing the 2/3 flair problem is out there or look at something else? Given my current tranny problem I guess I am looking at it as only $4,500 out of pocket to pick up a Trac with 60,000 less miles (although I will miss the leather and the sunroof).
Thanks for any input others might have on this decision.