Hello all! I'm thinking of purchasing a new truck, and one of my top picks at the moment is a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4. It has an extended cab, nerf bars, tonneau cover, bed liner, towing package, splash guards, and chrome-plated rocker panel trim. It's also a gasoline engine. I just had a couple of questions on the kinds of things I should look for before deciding on a purchase.


It looks like it has been meticulously taken care of...no rust or noticeable scratches. The interior looks to be in good condition, too, from what I can see in the pictures. My main concern was the mileage: it has about 142,000 miles on the odometer, should that be a concern? Dealer is asking about $8,000 for it, is that a reasonable price?

Also wondered about towing ability. My parents have a 2004 Ram 1500 and have used it to pull a 4-horse gooseneck trailer...would a 2500 be more suited to this type of towing?


Just want to make sure I have all of my ducks in a row before I decide to make the 2-hour drive to take a look at it. Thank you for taking the time to read all of my questions!

 

What's your zip code? (makes a difference on pricing....)

The usual troubles with used 4x4's. Steering parts, particularly the box itself. And of course, the plenum gasket. (stickied thread at top of this forum will tell you more than you really want to know on that topic.)

Mileage isn't unreasonable. Towing will be better than with the 1500, provided the truck has the 360, or v-10 for that matter. Gas mileage sucks no matter what motor. (other than der diesel)

It would have to be in REALLY good condition, and optioned out to the max to worth 8 grand though.......

 

In my opinion 8k is outrageous. You can net yourself the same truck private party for probably half that price just need to look around.

 

It isn't outrageous, if you can get it down to 6k or less and it has a rebuilt transmission then I'd say go for it! Provided it has a paint job and runs lol

 

To me $8k is a bit much too. Heck you could *probably* get a good 5.9L diesel for 2 or 3k more.....

 

My zip code is 61482 if that helps. I'm looking for something nice for the price, but also something that I can afford. I'm hoping to trade my 04 Chevy Colorado in to cover part of the cost, but it has a rebuilt title which of course makes it more difficult to sell. There was a nice 01 Ram 1500 4x4 in my price range I was looking at (125k miles, fully loaded, leather seats, and all the rest), I was ready to buy it but the dealer wouldn't take rebuilt vehicles as trade-ins...you live and learn I guess.

 

This is what the truck looks like, just in case you were wondering.

 

Going on the condition you described for the 2500, I don't think that starting price is too unreasonable.

Heck tell them to do a compression test.

Anything seem original equipment, like the shocks? Any mods?

Carfax of any merit these days still?

Get the tranny inspected.

Things you find....take the price down....

 

NADA says 8300 Clean Retail. Clean trade-in value is 5750....... Offer then 5500 for it. See what they say.

 

Check the inner lips of the doors. Ever time I see those chrome panels... it screams to me "hey, check me, i am probably hiding rust behind here." Could be clean though... worth a check. Also check to see if it is rear disc or drum. I'd pay a few extra $ if it wasn't drum.

I personally still keep getting drawn to 2500 5spds, but im not sure i'd rock that in a 2nd gen anymore . The power difference by bumping a few years... just makes it that much more worthwhile to me. and 04 hemi (your parents) puts out another 100 hp / 40tq than a stock 5.9.

Even compare a diesel 2500 2nd gen vs. power difference of my buddys 06 2500 cummins stock. Hell even my other buddys 2011 6.7 adds another 150 tq from factory over the 06 diesel. Its getting rediculous.

As far as towing... I'm not impressed. I pulled my grandpa's colorado with my 1500 when it broke down at his place. Once I got moving and the torque converter locked, it was fine. Getting it moving was another story lol. I also drank more gas on a 3hr round trip than i'd like to talk about.



If you asked me today and I didn't have a truck which i'd choose... i'd be the hemi hands down. If I was given a lump sum of $, I'd get an 06/07 5.9 diesel in a heartbeat. But... I don't... so the paid off 1500 is what I keep driving lol.