A car question

[Bombero1956]

My soon to be son in law bought a 97 Ford Explorer for $400. Is it wrecked? nope. The truck is clean with just a couple of dings and scratches but nothing major. The reason why it sold for soo little is because the brakes are lock up. It won't move in reverse and it barely moves in drive. The anti-lock brake light is on and stays on when its running. The emergency brake is not engaged. Any ideas??

[unblock]

1. try to sell it for $500

sorry, i'm just in a wiseass mood tonight ....

[ProudGerman]

2. Sounds like a fun 3 day weekend ahead for him

If he's got tools, and access to the internet, he's in for some fun. Trips to a junk yard (always fun), auto parts stores or online stores if he doesn't mind the waiting.

He paid next to nothing for it, literally. He might as well tear it apart and put it back together. Nothing you've described is as daunting as it would appear to be.

And yes, I'm being serious, its a lot of fun.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. I'll bet there's a Ford Explorer web site/discussion board

where he can get an answer and possible solutions in less than a day.

There's one for Toyota Camry owners that I use all the time.

[DemoTex]

4. The engine is worth more than that

So is the body ...


Unless ...?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. Sounds like the drive shaft

:shrug: Rebuilt ones usually are about 500 bucks. The light being on could just be a short in the dash and not have anything to do with it.

[lpbk2713]

6. Just to prepare you/him........

.....if the vehicle was driven for any length of time with the brakes applied (but not yet totally locked) don't be surprised if there might be some serious engine and/or transmission trouble. Check for cooling system leaks (from overheating due to the strain). I hate to break the bad news but this might explain the $400 price tag.

[Ein]

7. Tranny problems = real bad

From what I understand 4 wheel drive trannies get very pricey.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

8. that is really cheap... is the title legal and everything?

do all the numbers match?
make sure it has not been reported stolen somewhere, or re-assembled from a stolen car

[jiacinto]

9. Don't buy it

I am against buying used cars. They are someone else's problems. Even if you have it checked out by a mechanic and get a warranty of some sort you are looking for trouble. Anything could go wrong with it. And then, if you need costly repairs, by the time you are finished, you probably would have been better off just buying a car to begin with.

I almost bought a used car until my brother explained this all to me. I just bought a new car and it was more than I really could afford; but, when I sat down and figured it out, I think I am in better shape.

[REP]

11. Used Cars Don't Always Suck

I've been driving mine, that was bought used, for ten years now. I did need to put in new timing gears a few years ago at 140,000 miles, but that was far cheaper than a new car or a newer used car.

[jiacinto]

12. Yeah

but they are still used. And frankly it is truly a matter of "caveat emptor" because you really don't know what the cars are truly like. If all I could afford was a used car I would do my best to get it at a place like carmax or something where at least I could get a warranty.

[REP]

10. Sounds Like the Transmission is DOA

About $2,000.00 to replace it. The purchase price + repair isn't too bad for a '97 Exploder, assuming there's nothing wrong with the engine. Then again, since it was sold at scrap value, I'm would guess that this is a flaming POS that the owner wa desperate to unload - otherwise, what take such a loss if it were fixable?