Any car buying Tips?

willowsmom

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I own a 94' Ford Ranger pick up. It was used back in 96' as collaterale for my brother on a Debty consolidation loan. Just recently it stated acting up HORRIABLY!!! I can't even go to the store without making sure someone is with me to stay with the truck so I can leave it running. Other wise she won't start once I turn her off until an hour or more later. Just the other day I got stuck right next to a gas pump at a gas station just around the corner from my house. I literally just drove to the gas station to fill her up. And I was then stuck there for over 2 hours waiting for her to start again. Giving her jumps doesn't help and she not over heating. So I have no clue what wrong with her and can't afford to get her fixed. Sooooooo since I can't use her as a trade in until the loan my brother took out almost 8 years ago is paid off......He still owes $2,637.48 on the loan and my trucks estimated blue book value is only 1,000. So after talking with a few dealers I was told they won't take it as a trade in because it would end up biting them in the end. So My other option is to try and buy a car with no money down, but so far I have been
running into a brick wall......Most places even the shotty little corner dealerships require at least 1,000 down. I need a car sooner then I could save up that 1,000. I was just wondering if anyone on here knows of any other options I might have to getting me a new car. I am just at a totally loss! I even thought about taking a trip up to WA to see an old friend of mine who owns his own dealership just see what he could do for me LOL but the money I would spend just trying to get there could have been used as a down payment here.

Anyway Just looking for some idea's heck since this will be my first time to actually have to buy a car on my own I would like any tips also!

Just let me know.
 

tulip2454

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What about rental? I dont know what it costs over there but you can get some good deals in the UK. All you have to do is put the petrol/diesel in them. If it is on long term you can get a better deal. I know its not the same as actually owing the car but less hassle and no repair bills. If you have got to pay a loan every month anyway, this would be no different. The no money down route can often be mega expensive as they write any loss they may have into your payments.
Good luck
 

spotz

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I would suggest calling a reputable mechanic, and asking them how much they would charge to give you an estimate.

I would suspect something with the starter...pure speculation currently, but if jumping isn't fixing it, it's either bad jumper wires, or bad electrical...however if it stays running, then it's doubtful something electrical...unless it's something to do with the starter.

It may be cheaper to fix, at least short term.

Spotz
 

kiwideus

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If it is not the starter, then I suggest it may be the alternator - we had the same problem as you, so we changed the battery, no luck, the starter, no luck and as a last resort, the alternator and thats when we got lucky. It is not too hard to change, jsut a little tricky - but we did it ourselves - it helps if you have small hands like I do


*edited to add* You could go to a Ford dealership and ask them if they can do a diagnostic - we did the same thing on the car recently when the power started getting low - it cost us $30 to find out that it was the distributer cap, etc and since the price was reasonable to change them, we went ahead with the repairs and the $30 was taken off the final cost and just the repairs and the labour was included in the costs, but if you just do the diagnostics, it will cost $30 or whatever they charge in your area.
 

spotz

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Shouldn't be the alternator Kiwideus....(it's possible[what isn't?])...however the car stays running when they do get it started, so it's not having problems generating electricity.

Jump starting doesn't make a difference so it's either bad jumper cables, or not the battery at all.

A check by a good mechanic is the only way we'll anyone will ever know exactly what's going on with this vehicle.

Spotz
 

grampngram

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Good thoughts so far.
I'll add 1.

It's a Ford.
What's the weakest link on a Ford ignitiion system?

The starter solenoid.

10 dollar part and they fail frequently and intermittently. Jump it with 2 screwdrivers. If it starts...Bingo.

1 trip to the auto parts store and 10 minutes later it's fixed.
 

abby7625

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Did you call a Ford dealership and ask if there are any recalls. My boyfriend runs the service department at the Ford dealership here and he talks all the time of Rangers and Explorers having recalls. If that were the case, they would fix it for free.
 

cougar

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Originally Posted by grampngram

Good thoughts so far.
I'll add 1.

It's a Ford.
What's the weakest link on a Ford ignitiion system?

The starter solenoid.

10 dollar part and they fail frequently and intermittently. Jump it with 2 screwdrivers. If it starts...Bingo.

1 trip to the auto parts store and 10 minutes later it's fixed.
Yep definetly check it out. I think ive been through 3 now on my probe.

peace,
Brandon
 

deb25

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At the current price of gas, I would suggest finding one that runs on water.
 

abby7625

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Originally Posted by Deb25

At the current price of gas, I would suggest finding one that runs on water.
When you find that, let me know...I want one!
 

spideycat

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Originally Posted by grampngram

Good thoughts so far.
I'll add 1.

It's a Ford.
What's the weakest link on a Ford ignitiion system?

The starter solenoid.

10 dollar part and they fail frequently and intermittently. Jump it with 2 screwdrivers. If it starts...Bingo.

1 trip to the auto parts store and 10 minutes later it's fixed.
Have your computer checked for any fault codes then replace as needed.
 

grampngram

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Start/No Start isn't a computer code kill. If the computer goes into a no-start mode it won't start again until the computer is reset on OBD1 systems. They are able to restart it after it sits. It's in the starter circuit. 94's still have the ceramic solenoid that mounted on the firewall or fender. If the ceramic is cracked, as soon as it heats up the circuit opens because the ceramic expands. When it cools the crack closes and the circuit is complete again. Common problem on Fords

PartsAmerica.com $14.99
 
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willowsmom

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Originally Posted by Spotz

I would suggest calling a reputable mechanic, and asking them how much they would charge to give you an estimate.

I would suspect something with the starter...pure speculation currently, but if jumping isn't fixing it, it's either bad jumper wires, or bad electrical...however if it stays running, then it's doubtful something electrical...unless it's something to do with the starter.

It may be cheaper to fix, at least short term.

Spotz
My Mechanic that my family has used since I was just a lil kid charges about 50 bucks. But also has to hold the vehicle for a day or two. I need the vehicle to get to and from work and my b/f uses it for his job. So we can't go with out a vehicle. between my backyard mechanic b/f and a friend whose a ford mechanic I have been told that with all the problems it has I would be better off parking it and getting a better running one. I wish It were so easy to get her fixed. I LOVE my truck.
 
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willowsmom

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That's one I did myself just last November......Thought it was bad to replaced it....turned out to be the battery. So one of my christmas presents from a friends was a new battery.
 
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willowsmom

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Originally Posted by Deb25

At the current price of gas, I would suggest finding one that runs on water.
Only in a dream world!!!
 

cougar

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Mabye its time to sell it..... to me that is


Best of luck,

Brandon
 
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willowsmom

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Originally Posted by Cougar

Mabye its time to sell it..... to me that is


Best of luck,

Brandon
LOL Heck I would do that but I doubt you'd be willing to pay what is owed on the loan......plus extra to help me get it to ya! that wouldn't be to much since i am just next door LOL But if you have 2,637 bucks just laying around that covers what is owed on it. you can have it
 

cougar

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lol, actually what I do is fly over to the cars I buy(I can fly for free) and drive them back (and fix them on the way back if needed)
its pretty fun actually.

Peace,
Brandon
 
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