Hello guys. I currently have a 97 ram 4x4 and I have the opportunity to buy a 2004 quad cab hemi 4x2 SLT 1 owner, don't really need the 4x4 except for the looks. It has 36k on it and is in really good shape for 16K. Does this sound like a good deal and is there anything I should take a hard look at? Any help would be great!

 

I have the same truck and this is my first ever dodge and it will not be my last... if i were you i would pro. take the deal

 

take it for a ride and see if u hear any weird noises or anything.....if that turns out good i would go for it......

 

i'd try to talk them down a little bit. The same truck up here is about 14K MAYBE 15K but thats pushing it. But like what was said take it for a good test drive and make sure your happy with it!

 

Go to Kelly Blue Book to get a value on it (www.kbb.com). If you are going through a dealer, it suggests $19,190 for excellant condition, private party is $16,968 for excellant, and the trade in value is $14,850 (going with the only options of SLT, CD player and power windows and locks). According to the site, they define excellant as:
"Excellent" condition means that the vehicle looks new, is in excellent mechanical condition and needs no reconditioning. This vehicle has never had any paint or body work and is free of rust. The vehicle has a clean title history and will pass a smog and safety inspection. The engine compartment is clean, with no fluid leaks and is free of any wear or visible defects. The vehicle also has complete and verifiable service records. Less than 5% of all used vehicles fall into this category.[/align]

 

The blue book is 17900 for it in good condition and jumps to 19 in excellent shape. The thing is I will have to wait till the weekend before I can make it over there. I hope it is still there.

 

Well good luck. I hope that it serves you well.

 

I found an 03 with 32K on it today and is the same price as the 04, but the 03 has about every option there is, along with leather int. Guy said he really only used it on the highway to pull his boat and he sold his boat and now does not ahve a need for the truck anymore. Which one would be the better deal and is there a difference between an 03 and 04??? Any advise would be great

 

Resale might be higher in Yuma as there is no snow there. I live in SoCal and will never buy a car/truck that has evidence of continued use in the snow. I also have a farm in Nebraska and have seen what the snow does to my beaters that I keep out there (not to mention what salt will do to even a tractor over time). As such, I can buy the same car in NE for much less than one that has spent its life in the desert or low humidity (southern AZ, NV, or CA).

As for the '03, if he was towing a boatchances are that the rear axle has been immersed in water many times (hopefully not down in the ocean in Mexico) which can be bad for the rear diff, bearings, brakes, etc...

 

Is there anyway to check or any preventive measures to take to do to it if I do decide to buy this. Just have the rearend serviced or what?? The truck looks like it is in perfect condition inside and out. So what do you guys think the 03 or the 04. I'm leaning towards the 03, but what sspp said kind of scares me with the 03.