Ford Ranger

We buy Toyota's to see who can rack up the most miles first without repair

 

At that price point, it really shouldn't be a factor as long as it's non-structural rust.

The truck bed would need to be tipping into the cab to justify passing

 

Let me know when you're ready to donate $15,000 to my secondary Toyota vehicle fund.

 

The odds of not being able to get this Ranger to fire up and run are pretty slim IMO, assuming the engine pistons will move. I would also look for signs of severe neglect, and any evidence of rodents eating the wiring. A quick but thorough inspection should confirm it's worth the risk or it's not. As long as the engine is not locked up, it will run again and the fix will hopefully be something stupid simple. I bought a Volve 240 wagon for a song during my Navy days , as it was very hard to start and ran like shit when it did fire up. Turned out to be a $15 coil. Again, I would go for it if it passed my personal inspection points.

 

I own a pretty significant number of vehicles. More than any sane person should. And the one that is the bane of my existence is my wife's '96 Bronco. That shit always has something broken. Usually electronic. It's out of service right now. Tried to fix one thing, broke another and the fix for the first thing didn't even correct the original problem. So now I've got two things to fix instead of one now. I fuggin hate that truck. And she doesn't even drive it. And the goddamn truck is occupying a prime garage spot, blocking in 2 vehicles I actually like to drive.

I'm not saying the OP cannot get the Ranger running. Or will not get it running. I'm suggesting that just because it's cheap, doesn't mean that it's a good idea. And just because some repairs are easy or inexpensive, doesn't mean all of them are. Or that there aren't MULTIPLE things wrong with the truck.
And people typically don't just abandon a vehicle because it needs something super-simple. It happens, but the old "ran when parked" is pure Bullshyte 99% of the time. The guy offering the Ranger for $500 just wants it gone. He'll be thrilled when it is. And so will his wife.

I've never bought a non-running vehicle, and I never will. Especially not a Ford.

If the OP just wants a group of randos to give him affirmation about a decision, then so be it, but I've never been much of a "yes" man.

 

I had a 00 explorer which was given to me from a family member, broken drivers door window & needed a fuel pump...
Had 267K on the 4.0 sohc, original spark plugs & zero timing chain rattles.....
But ive had to do literally probably 500 or so of the recalls so very familiar,

Its been too long so dont recall specific years, recall#, etc...
I tried googling it but contradicting info...
the 2003 may have not been effected by the cassette recall but may have had a recall to update the external timing chain tensioner design....

regardless, $500, you can easily get funds back from a wrecking yard if things get ugly.....

 

I owned a 1999 Mazda B2500 which I bot from Jeff Haas Mazda in Houston. That is the Ranger's twin and they are tuff lil trucks. Mine lasted over 500k miles till I blew the engine and sold it for $1,200 in non running condition.

Do it! Even if you have to put a reman engine, you are still way ahead depending on the overall condition of the body, interior, etc. If the rest of the truck looks in decent shape, it's a no brainier. Just make sure the seller has a clean title.

Good luck!

 

$500 for the truck, $500 for Insurance, $500 to fix it (the 1st few times). It goes on and on...