Re: Buying New Truck (LONG!)

From: Jon (jonsdak@midmaine.com)
Date: Thu Dec 12 2002 - 13:30:38 EST


Tom,
My thought is, if you want the truck, go for it. If you can swing keeping
at least one Dak, I'd keep the 4x4 for plowing (I would never, personally,
hang a plow on a new truck).
Also, the truck looks good, and for a great price if they honor the $20,495
quote, but I suggest driving it again, and driving it HARD. The 360 V8 is
the lowest-displacement engine offered in 2500 trim (they offer it in Daks,
as you know, which are between 2,500 and 4,000 pounds lighter than a Ram
2500), and I'm wondering if it'll have _any_ gusto. Might be better to go
for a 1998-200 2500 with the V10, it's only an $800 option IIRC.
Hope this helps, and good luck!

--
-Jon
jonsdak@midmaine.com
http://jonsdakota.tripod.com
1996 Dodge Dakota Sport 4X4, 3.9L V6, 42RE, 3.92:1 8.25 axle, "BackRack"
Headache Rack,  Dodge Motorsports decals, steering wheel cover, and front
license plate, diamond-plate bedrail covers, Lund VentVisors, Lund
BugShield, Jensen MP-3310 CD/MP3 Receiver, Pioneer TS-G1347's in front,
TS-A5713's in rear

"andy levy" <andylevy@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:at94qr$vp6$1@bent.twistedbits.net... > > Terrible Tom wrote: > > > > Well I wanted to keep this quiet for a few reasons... but in the end I > > decided to come to the "family" for help. > > > > I have located a truck that I REALLY REALLY want. > > > > Here are the specs... > > > > 2001 Black Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab Long Bed > > 360 CI Magnum Engine, Auto Trans - Fog Lights, power locks, and windows, > > power heated mirrors, Back Rack, tow package, bed liner, clearance > > lamps, sliding rear window, 8 foot Meyer Steel snow plow with an E-60 > > lift, has overhead computer w/temp and compass readouts. I didn't > > notice if it has crusie and tilt or not but I'm willing to bet it does. > > With everything else there, cruise at least is a pretty safe bet. It'll > be right on the steering wheel. > > > It has 40,600 miles and overall is in outstanding shape. Its only flaws > > that I saw were a small dent in the tailgate and the front windsheild > > was cracked with a large chip. Looked like a rock hit it. They said > > they would replace it. > > Get that in writing before you get close to a closed deal. > > > He went to look for the key and to > > find out how much it was and said it was around $25K. > > > > Got in the showroom after the test drive and he said $29,995. From > > there on I haggled with them and the "sales manager" who was really > > pushy. But I kept my cool. He finally came to $20,995 as a price. > > I think you're right to have a funny feeling about this. That is way > low for an '01 with everything I think. But it does have the plow rig > on it and like you said below, it may be abused some. > > > KBB.com says the truck would retail between $24K and $26K. I'm > > wondering if he was just throwing a number at me without intension of > > honoring it. I kept telling the guy I wanted to think about it and I > > would call him back tomarrow. I have a feeling if I go back ther eand > > say OK I'll take it at $20,995 - he will say "I never offered you that". > > In which case its no loss I suppose - I just don't buy the truck. I > > did not get that quote in writing, no. He scribbled it on a peice of > > paper in a black marker - that was it. (don't have the paper) > > I know you know this, but you shoulda gotten it in writing. Maybe even > put a deposit on the truck to get it held - at that price - while you > check things out. It's refundable and if you do buy the truck, the > money goes towards it. Typically $100. > > > I'm getting to the part where I need help... My credit is very good - > > but I don't have very much of it. Basically a high credit rating - but > > not a large credit line. We are selling out house and buying a new one. > > With selling the house there might be enough left over to swing a > > large enough downpayment (assuming the offer of $20,995 is good) to > > auctually buy this Ram. But I would be in a much better position if ... > > uh... err... I sold my two Dakota Silver89's > > > For 3 years I have resisted selling those trucks. I have held firm > > against it. I have been told by everyone I know and talk to - that I am > > insane for turning down a new(er) truck for these old falling apart > > Daks. I don't even know how much I could get for them. One doesn't run > > and one barely runs. > > You might not get much for them, so I'm not sure what selling gains you. > Or is it more that you wouldn't have that liability hanging around? But > think about this - with a newer, far more reliable (and bigger!) truck, > how would that affect your plowing business (I'm thinking it would be > better)? > > > I just know that down the line - I will regret selling them. A friend > > told me of how he had an old pontiac 2+2 and how he poured money into > > the car and it was never right. Until he hated it so much he wanted to > > puke whne he looked at it. I look at those two rust buckets sitting in > > my carport and dream over how I want to build them up. They won't cost > > anything sitting in my new garage undriven. My family doesn't understand > > no one seems to understand my attatchment to those trucks. They see > > junk - I see a dream to complete. They arn't a pair of GTO Judge's or 59 > > Caddies or 69 Chargers or 71 Hemi Cuda 'verts. But they mean that much > > to me. (I suppose I answered my own question eh)? What does everyone > > else think I should do? > > If you've got the space, and they cost you nothing to keep around (aside > from registration/insurance), why not keep 'em? If you know you won't > be using them while you're restoring them, take them off the road. > > > Also - there is something else I need help with that I don't know if > > anyone can advise me on. If I do manage to finagle a way to buy this > > Ram, I want to have it inspected by an unbiased 3rd party. I wan't to > > know exactly waht mechanical condition that rig is in. I got shafted > > when I bought my Silver 89 Dak. (paid too much) - I got shafted when I > > got my 2wd's tranny fixed - I vowed never to get taken to the cleaners > > again. How can I make sure this truck is good? Plow trucks are > > typically abused and worked over hard. > > Take it to an independent mechanic you trust. I think you answered your > own question right away there - unbiased 3rd party. I really worry > about them dropping $10K off the price like that. >



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