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Buying my first truck - good deal?

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  #1  
Old 11-02-2009 | 11:19 PM
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Default Buying my first truck - good deal?

1995 Dodge ram 1500. 4x4, 360ci 5.9L. Single Cab, 8ft bed.

It has 145,000 miles. It runs very good. Inspected until 9/10. Did Extremely well on emissions. Doesn't pull to either side, brakes are good. Everything underneath pretty much looked good. There was a VERY minor leak in the transfer case but I don't think it is a big deal and neither did my dad (who is better with this sort of thing). He seems to have maintained it very well. He is the second owner (1st was a family member) and it has seen nothing but full synthetic oil in it every 4-5k miles.

The body looks good..Very little rust on the truck.. Just started to bubble on two of the fenders but nothing really. All mounts are good, as well as cab corners.

He said there is an idle problem sometimes and he had a buddy check it with a scanner and it is an O2 sensor.

Remote start, bed liner, towing package, etc. He is throwing a cap in with the deal for free that matches and is in good shape.

So..$2800...Good deal? Is 145k too many miles? I personally thought I could get at least 200k out of it if taken care of, but several friends and such have seemed to think otherwise. Am I wrong? Should I wait and get a truck with less miles on it, or is it a good deal?

Thanks. Looking to buy it tomorrow unless I change my mind..So..let me know what you guys think.
 
  #2  
Old 11-02-2009 | 11:23 PM
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probably not a bad deal i just can't make myself by somthing with that many miles as a DD because i do commute many miles at times and the upkeep on a dodge can be expensive. but thats just me i am sure someone will chime in with better advise than mine!
 
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Old 11-02-2009 | 11:35 PM
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I say it's a good deal, you obviously looked at it carefully top to bottom. My 96 Ram made it to 245,000 miles until I crashed it. The one I have now is also a 96 that had 155,000 miles when I bought it for 3,600.

I think the only set-back is the fact that it's a OBD I, which takes away ease from some add-ons, but many members here will be happy to help you out.

Welcome to DodgeForum!
 
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Old 11-02-2009 | 11:39 PM
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I bought mine with 140k and paid way more....more than I should have but I wanted it and was sick of looking..and they seem to go for different amounts in different areas of the country..It really depends on how well it was maintained and it it sat a lot or was driven regularly ....you dont want something that sat...
 
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Old 11-02-2009 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Ram_Me
I say it's a good deal, you obviously looked at it carefully top to bottom. My 96 Ram made it to 245,000 miles until I crashed it. The one I have now is also a 96 that had 155,000 miles when I bought it for 3,600.

I think the only set-back is the fact that it's a OBD I, which takes away ease from some add-ons, but many members here will be happy to help you out.

Welcome to DodgeForum!
Yeah..I tried to look at everything I could think of. Also brought a friend who's more mechanically-inclined than I am. I can check some things but he helped out too..Everything under the truck seemed in nice condition..Not much rust under there either. The motor sounds great. I don't know if it is because of the full-synthetic or what but its runs good.

The only thing I am weary of is the mileage. Just good to hear that they'll run for 200-300k miles on them.

Yeah, OBD I could be a PITA but I don't think it's the end of the world..Only one year off too. Oh well.

Thanks.
Originally Posted by Augiedoggy
I bought mine with 140k and paid way more....more than I should have but I wanted it and was sick of looking..and they seem to go for different amounts in different areas of the country..It really depends on how well it was maintained and it it sat a lot or was driven regularly ....you dont want something that sat...
It did not sit much. He planned on keeping it, and actually replaced quite a lot on it, as well as inspected it and stuff. However his buddy gave him a really good deal on a new Ford and he decided to take it and is now selling this one.

It has a tranny rebuild on it as well. He said it has about 15-20k miles on the rebuild, and that it cost him about $1600 for it.
 

Last edited by rideordie; 11-02-2009 at 11:43 PM.
  #6  
Old 11-02-2009 | 11:41 PM
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for 2800 it sounds like a great deal. you cant expect a caddi for that kind of dough. i would say go for it and enjoy the truck!
 
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Old 11-02-2009 | 11:41 PM
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i agree 100% if it has sat for a while it will be nothing more than a money pit
 
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Old 11-02-2009 | 11:42 PM
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i have 268,000 on mine no leaks or ne thing. i know a couple that have almost 700,000 and still running.... mine still runs like new and looses or burns no oil.
 
  #9  
Old 11-02-2009 | 11:45 PM
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Has the plenum been fixed? Has the transmission been rebuilt? Those are the two most common problems in these trucks that you should check out.
 
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Old 11-02-2009 | 11:46 PM
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mine sat for 6 months then i drove it 6 months now its been sitting 8 months cause of a blown trans. i still start it and rund perfect
 


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