Maintenance & Restoration

Norman · 03-06-2009, 01:27 PM

My 1998 Ford Explorer bit the big one yesterday. My wife has hid the keys to her van and I can only get around on my bike and riding lawn mower now. She dosen't want me putting a hitch on car.

Today I found a 1998 Dodge Ram that only has 31,000 miles on it, looks newish and drives excellent. Buttttt...the free carfax says it has 8 records, and the owner is tight lipped about what they could be. He is a handyperson and I suppect he does his own service and oil changes. I just don't want to buy a what could have been a wrecked unit.

So...I need a carfax, can someone with an active account PM me?

I would be happy to donate to FGRV for the help.

Thanks!

Pete Dumbleton · 03-06-2009, 01:38 PM

That's very low mileage and likely came from short, around town drives, which is not a good thing because engine might not have been getting warm enough to clean itself, esp if it wasn't using synthetic oil.

Conversely, it just might have not been used between longer trips in which case things tend to go bad from lack of use, so don't get too excited about the super low mileage.

Norman · 03-06-2009, 02:02 PM

Hi Pete ~

The seller is around 35/40 years old.

The Ram Van has a handicap setup on the side door and belonged to his father who passed away last month. The father could not drive and it was used to transport the father around. Other than unbolting the handicap lift and giving it to Habitat, the van is clean a a whistle.

By the way, I learned not to get excited, at the little things. Being married going on 44 years, when my wife says she still loves me I know there is a "BIG but, would you please" attached to the statement. And before you ask, she is like the van and everyone thinks she is low mileage also. I just hope she dosen't hit me when she reads this.

Roger C H · 03-06-2009, 04:59 PM

It's not a New Orleans car is it?

You have to be careful. Cars that have gone through floods, etc. are being sold as I understand it.

Could be one reason for the low mileage.

Pete Dumbleton · 03-06-2009, 09:41 PM

How much does a CarFax report cost?

Lizbeth · 03-06-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

How much does a CarFax report cost?

One for 29.99
Ten for 34.99
Unlimited for 30 days 39.99

I think my 30 days have expired I will check...... yep it's expired.

kevin61 · 03-07-2009, 09:17 AM

You may want to check out this investigative report on Carfax

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2009/vehicle...ports/main.html

Norman · 03-07-2009, 09:59 AM

OK kevin -
My wife has a good idea, this Sunday to make a round of all the churches in the area and ask the Pastors if any one has recently asked for forgiveness for trying to sell a Dodge Ram lemon that was owned by their parents. It seems from the link you added about Carfax, that this would be just as good as a Carfax report.
Norm

kevin61 · 03-07-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

OK kevin -
My wife has a good idea, this Sunday to make a round of all the churches in the area and ask the Pastors if any one has recently asked for forgiveness for trying to sell a Dodge Ram lemon that was owned by their parents. It seems from the link you added about Carfax, that this would be just as good as a Carfax report.
Norm

Norman,

From your initial posting you were expressing doubts about the vehicle. and the owner's unwillingness to elaborate on the vehicle's history

The intent of the link wasn't to discourage you from purchasing the vehicle. This is a decision you will make on your own. The intent is to provide information to you and others that relying only on a Carfax report for your purchase decision might not give you all of the vehicles history, as their advertising implies.

I wish I had been informed before I handed over my $30.