---
title: "How To Profit From A Loss"
description: "The hardest thing to do in any business is to learn when you should invest in your mistakes. Even when it hurts like a bastard."
date: "2017-02-27"
modified: "2017-02-27"
authors:
  - name: "Steven Lang"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/steven-lang"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/7951/how-to-profit-from-a-loss"
categories:
  - "News"
---

# How To Profit From A Loss

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/02/12.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

![message-editor%2F1488246073224-1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246073224-1.jpg>)

This 2000 Ford Ranger XLT was my annual, "Oops!". I got it for only $1300 with 135k miles on it. But I thought I could just replace the head gasket and everything would be fine with the engine going forward.

![message-editor%2F1488246128891-b.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246128891-b.jpg>)

It wasn't. So I decided to find the lowest mileage engine in Georgia and used that as the foundation for getting a premium price for it. The Ranger got that engine for about twice the price of a high mileage one. A new clutch, belt, plugs, wires, water pump, and I even found brand new seats that were stored in an attic for 12 years.

![message-editor%2F1488246173266-1d.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246173266-1d.jpg>)

I put it online for $3900 and sold it for $3700. About a $700 profit. The last words from the buyer before he drove off were, "I sure love how you do your business!"

Now I just need to find another "Oops!".

![message-editor%2F1488246209708-1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246209708-1.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246214402-1a.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246214402-1a.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246218574-1b.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246218574-1b.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246223279-1c.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246223279-1c.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246229188-1d.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246229188-1d.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246233537-1e.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246233537-1e.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246242154-1f.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246242154-1f.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246248461-1g.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246248461-1g.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246252302-1h.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246252302-1h.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246258218-1i.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246258218-1i.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246261946-1j.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246261946-1j.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246265387-2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246265387-2.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1488246271052-3.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1488246271052-3.jpg>)

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