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Deal or No Deal?

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Old Jul 14, 2011 | 06:36 PM
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Question Deal or No Deal?

Hello all! I need your guys opinion. I'm thinking of purchasing a used 97 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L Laramie with 112k miles with the price tag at $5,500. Body is really good, very small size rust on the bottom and the body paint is still good. There is no engine light but here is the trouble part.

While idling, the engine makes this loud blower noises very 30secs. (Good or Bad?, not sure)
Shakes while stopping at an intersection.
Wooble movement between 30-50 mph.
Little engine struggle when I stop at a red light.

I can't make my mind up, please help. You think its a good deal?
 
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Old Jul 14, 2011 | 06:41 PM
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Not at 5500.00...Offer 1/2 that.
 
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Old Jul 14, 2011 | 06:44 PM
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NO DEAL! keep looking, you will find your baby like me
 
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Old Jul 14, 2011 | 06:59 PM
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Not good. It has death wobble, vacuum leak or bad fan clutch and needs brake work. I'd say pass.
 
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Old Jul 14, 2011 | 06:59 PM
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the only advantages I can negotiate my brain into releasing for a truck that age and with that many miles are:

- most the issues are known and documented, which makes repairing them on your own a LOT easier

- if you like to tinker, and not just twist the key and get from point A to point B

- nostalgia of owning one of the series of trucks that 'changed the game'

of course, you could get a lot better truck for the same money, so I would say no to your deal.. Don't take Chevy's or Ford's off the list.. their parts and pieces are easier to find and not made of precious metals..
 
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Old Jul 14, 2011 | 07:14 PM
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Thank you so much guys! I decided its best to pass.

I'm eye ballin' a 98 Dakota for visit tomorrow. Wish me luck!
 
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Old Jul 14, 2011 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by squarebear
Thank you so much guys! I decided its best to pass.

I'm eye ballin' a 98 Dakota for visit tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Get a ram with the 5.9, go big or go home lol

Hope you find something you like
 
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Old Jul 14, 2011 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by squarebear
Thank you so much guys! I decided its best to pass.

I'm eye ballin' a 98 Dakota for visit tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Carefull on those old Dakota's, they have all the same issues of a Ram.

Post up more infoon it before you buy.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by drewactual
the only advantages I can negotiate my brain into releasing for a truck that age and with that many miles are:

- most the issues are known and documented, which makes repairing them on your own a LOT easier

- if you like to tinker, and not just twist the key and get from point A to point B

- nostalgia of owning one of the series of trucks that 'changed the game'

of course, you could get a lot better truck for the same money, so I would say no to your deal.. Don't take Chevy's or Ford's off the list.. their parts and pieces are easier to find and not made of precious metals..
X2 Dont take chevy or ford off the list. Starting to double think our purchase of the RAM. We did mad research on these RAM's on the net/other forum's then came across this site with all these mad electrical issue's with no starting issue's n such we are double thinking our purchase hoping the truck dont leave us stranded one day.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 10:35 PM
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X2 Dont take chevy or ford off the list. Starting to double think our purchase of the RAM. We did mad research on these RAM's on the net/other forum's then came across this site with all these mad electrical issue's with no starting issue's n such we are double thinking our purchase hoping the truck dont leave us stranded one day.
Ever work on a ford especially 9th generation there a PITA. edit. Tenth gen. aren't too bad to work on. However 9th gen are much more better looking imo.

nostalgia of owning one of the series of trucks that 'changed the game'
nuff said
 

Last edited by mackbarr1014; Jul 18, 2011 at 10:43 PM.
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