Looking into getting a 1988 Ford Bronco, just ran a carfax report and it came up with something

[alm99]

Its a 1988 Ford Bronco II XLT for $1300. V-6, 2.9L, A/T. It has 71K, I ran a carfax report and it turned up an accident in 1995, apparently it hit a ditch and damaged the right side, since then it had just gone from DMV to DMV until someone picked it up to resell and now here is me. Nothing is visible from the accident. Should I be worried? I know its not the greatest truck out there, but its a little higher than my price range and has good mileage. Primarily to be used for my two dogs instead of the back of my car and moving small stuff. What do you think?

 

[iamwiz82]

i'd be worried that you are getting a bronco II. It will rust like nothing else.

 

[cjchaps]

Did the seller disclose that it was in an accident? If not, tell them and you might be able to get a discount. Also, take it to a mechanic if you are really worried, and they can check out everything, not just the "Crashed" parts. I would say that if it has survived this long, you probably don't have to worry about it. Check the area and make sure there is no extra rust or anything around where the damage was. Also, check the tires and make sure the tread has even wear. If it's not, the truck might have an alignment problem or something else wrong with it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Ah, the Bronco II, the original Ford Escape. IIRC the Bronco II is basically a Ranger underneath, so look up the problems common to a 1988 Ranger XLT as well. A friend of mine had an '86 Ranger as his first car and it held up all right. Got the crap beat out of it for three years of his ownership before he finally screwed up the distributor in 2001 and decided to chuck it.

ZV

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
i'd be worried that you are getting a bronco II. It will rust like nothing else.

I live in GA, so I am not to worried about rust, although I may be moving back to Upstate NY next spring, I miss NY

 

[BooneRebel]

Is it a 4x4?

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: BooneRebel
Is it a 4x4?

no its only a 2-wheel drive

 

[Kerouactivist]

a buddy of mine in high school had a either an 87 or 88 Bronco and it rusted bad and we lived in southern MO.