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Jun 29, 07
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Buying a Used Vehicle - HELP -
This is a lot to read I know but I need some advice...
By boyfriend and I have been shopping around for a used truck. We went to a Dodge dealership first, recommended by my father. We thought they would give us a good deal and treat us well because my fathers company has bought 6 work trucks from them in the past. The opposite happened. The only truck we liked that was in our price range was a 2004 Dodge Dakota 4x4 four door extended cab with over 90k on it. Rust underneath, ton of scratches and dents. Power windows and basic inside amenities. They didn’t show us any inspection papers or analysis. Best price they gave us after financing it came to roughly $35,000 (give or take). Not to mention they were extremely pushy and talked to both of us like we were fucking idiots that hadn’t done their homework on used vehicles. My father will no longer deal with them. We ended up going to another dealer, highly recommended by a friend. We ended up falling in love with a 2004 Ford Sport Explorer 4x4 four door extended cab with 58k. Fully loaded with all leather interior, sun roof, bedding in the box with lock cover and much more. Amazing condition not to mention the sales people were so helpful and not pushy. They showed us what they had in stock gave us pen and paper to write what we liked and left us alone to look over the trucks. We saw the full body inspection paper which showed us everything they replaced and everything that was wrong with it (two scratched on the back bumper) With financing & fee's it would come to $34,000. Now the only thing that we are uneasy about is that it people tell us ford sucks. What is wrong with Ford and is there anything I should be aware of with the company??? 
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Jun 29, 07
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Aside from any small recalls that have or might come up I think Ford's build quality has gone up over the years.. I dont think you have to worry about an Explorer that new being an "Exploder" but the Durango on the other hand hmmmm
Just buy a 4runner :)
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Jun 29, 07
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Thanks! A lot of our friends said that ford sucks and I think it is because they are just jealous... I only had two friends say they were happy for me.
Also what is up with guys and having to one up eachother all the time????
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Jun 29, 07
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My father recently bought a 2004 F150 crewcab with every option available and it came to just over 30k before trade. Nw i don't know if that is because he haggled like a mofo r because of the dealership but he thinks he got a good deal. On the other hand, he has had it in 3 times within a month for servicing, though once was for warranty inspection and once for repairs known about before the sale. Overall, though, he is happy. My advice is to spend some time doing research online, check the blue(?) books at the library, and shop around before you make a deal. If the salespeople are shit, go elsewhere...they should work for their commission.
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Jun 29, 07
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Keep the advice coming!
btw I have been to 5 dealerships in the past week and none can offer anything close to this. The rule I was told about buying used is that a truck should have 20k per year. Some of the newer used I looked at had from 95k-140k on it and asking price was insane~!!! Most used I have looked at looked like they have been over driven, taken off road for some serious 4x4'ing. I will take the adive you have given me and put it to use!
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Jun 29, 07
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Oh and nothing is worse then having two sales people breathing down your neck pushing you to sign asap.
I left the first dealership we went to feeling sick to my stomach and scared. So if any one lives in Coq area do not buy from the Eagle Ridge dealership.
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Jun 29, 07
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Frankly, I've never heard anybody really say "Ford absolutely positively sucks". In reality, you'll hear horror stories about any brand of vehicle.
I think the people you'll hear bad mouth Ford's the most are te people who have to work with them. In that regard, I totally agree. Even things as simple as an oil change tend to be harder on a Ford (at least on the tons of older Fords I've changed oil on; they usually put the oil filter in a terrible spot). Some other things need "special" tools to get done. Reliability wise, they're no better and no worse than any other brand. If you've got a good deal lined up on a Ford, buy it.
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Jun 29, 07
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jenna, when i bought my first civic, i looked at the ford zx4 or what ever the shit it was....the reason i didn't buy it is because the cars breaks squeaked horribly. apparently after some recalls, instead of repairing the defect, ford labeled it a flaw in the vehicle.
i don't know about you, but squeaky breaks would drive me bonkers, and even further to that, a company that is willing to let the problem slide because they aren't willing to invest the money to repair it, makes me wonder what else they would label a "flaw". i have worked at a car dealership, and my mom currently does, if you need the hook up, i have it. ps - in our time of energy/fuel crisis - why a truck?
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Jun 29, 07
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^ Steve is a sheet metal apprentice. He needs a truck to take sheet metal to job sites ect. We are looking for a 4x4 v6 engine
Thanks for the heads up on the squeaky breaks. We did notice that when driving. I'll have to look into it more. Where is your mom’s dealership located??
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Jun 29, 07
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Dont listen to what people have to say about Fords, or Chevy, or Dodge. Everyone is biased! Plain and simple. Everyone wants their truck to be bigger and rougher and tougher. Thats all it is.
I like ford, always had fords, love ford trucks. I just dont like Ford Cars lol. But Ive never had a problem with a ford truck. but thats just me!
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Jun 29, 07
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Id say dont try to price it online, or from any dealership.
What you need is a good friend who's a mechanic or knows enough about them to go over your vehicle. Get them to tell you whats wrong and whats they think its worth. Thats your best bet.
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Jun 29, 07
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Quote:
add the prices of all the cars together, and then divide by how many cars were listed... (only add the info from the cars that are around same mileage and year of the car you are going to buy) that is one way icbc determines the value of your car if it was to get written off.... they've done that with me and my friends
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Jun 29, 07
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A good rule of thumb to follow is if the truck you're buying is a "1st gen", meaning how many versions have poreceeded the model you are looking at. Avoid 1st gen's, companies have yet to figure out many of the quirks.
In your case the 2004 Sport Trac has a pretty good reputation with very few recalls (I only found two after a quick google search) Project.one is right about people's opinions - they will (largely) be biased. I drive a '93 4WD two door sport and I love it. It is far from the best vehicle out there but has proven it's worth many times over. If you feel that you are getting a good deal and everything looks legit with the truck (available history, inspection report, etc..) then go for it, regardless of company If you decide to go with it...visit this site --> Ford Explorer Sport Trac Ranger Enthusiasts Serious Explorations The greatest ford truck resource on the internet
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Jun 29, 07
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Quote:
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Jul 03, 07
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Go to Consumer Guide expert reviews and ratings for new and used cars, consumer electronics, home&garden, upright vacuums, and more consumer products and look up the reviews on each vehicle. I've found them to be very good over the years.
I worked in the bush (running chainsaw and forest firefighting) for four years. Here's what I learned about the (full-sized) trucks they used there: Ford made up at least 75% of the trucks in the bush for several reasons; they held up longer, they had more clearance, they were the first to come up with the 4-door truck. Chevy made up about 20%. Chevy was what the head honchos always drove. Chevys are plush, and heavier and cruise along nicely. Crappy clearance. Saw lots of Chevys bottomed out on the high portions between the tire tracks once the mud dries. Chevys were also the first to get stuck in the mud. Dodge made up the remaining 5%. Dodges were known to rattle apart on the dirt roads. However, for small trucks the tables are turned: Dodge Dakota is rated as Consumer Best Buy for several years running. Mechanics will say that they repair Dakotas less than others. Dakota climbs like a mountain goat, and has the highest towing capacity. Dakota is the heaviest though. Ford Ranger is made on a car chassis, so it is a bit smaller and definately not as durable as the other domestics. Fuel economy is top of its class though. But you can't tow or carry nearly as much weight. The Chevy S-10s are known as money-makers to the mechanics. Mechanics will tell you they see the S-10s in there more than any of the other small trucks. This problem was bad enough that Chevy stopped making S-10 and now have the Chevy Colorado which they came out with in 2004 which took the place of the poorly reviewed S-10 in hopes of improving the truck. As far as the salesmen go... A really good salesman (the ones that make well over $100K per year) will be able to read you and get you to buy something totally comfortably. They can also bend you over and give it to you, and you wouldn't even notice. The salesmen that make you uncomfortable haven't learned the ropes yet. Salesmen need to be smooth to make the money. The best treatment you're going to get from a salesman (no matter whether he is really good or not) will be when you walk in there and say "This is what I want. This is what I'm going to pay for it. Find me a truck." As a woman you have to put your foot down, and come off as the Alpha Female. The good salesman will have several ways of dealing with Alpha Female, and will still be able to bend you over and give it to you...you just need to be aware of it. :P Last edited by Myka; Jul 03, 07 at 12:48 PM.
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Jul 05, 07
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Quote:
Thank you to everyone for all the advice. We went ahead about bought the 2004 ford xtl sport track and are in love with it :love:
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Jul 05, 07
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^ shannon i miss you....and my first shambala will not be complete without you and brit .......
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Jul 06, 07
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Get the VIN of the vehicle and do a full vehicle credit report. This site is valid for Canada and the States.
www.carfax.com
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