I'm back....to Ram anyways had a 3rd gen Reg cab and had a growing Family so got a dart and a Jeep WK2. I got into an accident on motorcycle and now I have settlement funds coming so time to fill that itch for a diesel when I'm not working (drive a Rig so diesel is nothing new to me incidentally a Cummins ISX)
So a guy I know by association has a 2009 Ram 233k on original drive train hes asking 21k (put the deposit down today to give me time) (LINK BELOW to the truck)
It has a new turbo/exhaust brake and lots of various new parts. Including over 30 pages of service records. Oil was changed religiously the most it went was 9000k between them, theres lots of various work done however it doesn't have anything for tranny after its 60k fluid flush and change I find that hard to believe as fluid is still clean and all the work mostly done at one dealership which I happen to have a good friend who works there and his dad is top dog on shop floor/lead mechanic if you wana call him that, front end is all new as are the brakes. Nothing done to fuel system or any critical components it just been a reliable truck, its been deleted not sure how long though, has a RaceMe ultra on it and taking the condition of truck I believe him when he says he doesn't run a high HP tune and runs it with 80hp once in moon towing hell run the 120hp. New paint new rims no rot and chassis always cleaned and filmed. given that the truck has no issues and been cared for its a cherry but is it at the point if I buy it I'm facing impending repairs like crazy? If I buy it for 21k and things go bad is 5k a good amount to have the 68rfe rebuilt (5k for parts and labor total) and would it be safe to say 7000.to remove rebuild and replace the motor?
I'm debating on 21k for truck and 12k set aside in event trany goes and lets say the motor needs to be pulled for some failure out of me having bad luck.
or just drop 35k on a used Ram with say under 120k on it?
I do not plan on running a aggressive tune but I will kick it up a tad for plowing if I need to.
I'm torn the truck just looks great and cared for I just don't know whats a better deal in long run its a gamble either way but id save 12k off the initial purchase cost and possible get to 350k or better before needing major work. and FYI I average 30k miles a year

thoughts opinions and critique is appreciated.

link to truck I put deposit on

 

Given that it has all past service records..... that's a tempting deal. Think I would run the price by NADA, and KBB, and see what they think it would sell for.

 

the fair market value is close...I don't use KBB because they are unrealistic Edmunds and NADA are at 20k approximately. I figure with the paint, tuner, lift kit new OEM rims and tires another grand or two is kinda fair. Plus he said anywork I want done body wise id get a discount and in my case I have a car that needs a new bumper, motorcycle that needs a custom paint job so I can really offset the 2 extra grand and the fact the plow mount is installed saves me money so 21k is fair. I priced a tranny rebuild for if and when it goes out to a little under 3000 for stock rebuild, I figured id add can set aside 4k for tranny if it needs it 1000 worth of upgrades during a rebuild truck and rebuilt tranny by reputable shop Id be in for 25k. If a CTD can get a general overhaul for 8-9 grand id have that set aside and be in it for 34k worst case scenario. I can get a 2012 3500 Laramie longhorn for 38500 from a guy here with 68,000 on odometer. he said 41500 with 3 year Unlimited mile powertrain warranty so its tough call. Ive never ever had a vehicle need warranty work or ever use an extended warranty. lastly taxes would be a lot cheaper for sales tax and yearly property tax. Just don't know which way is better route in the long term, I am happy with simple interiors of third gen ram and don't need all the features my Dart and Jeep Grand Cherokee are fully loaded and never use half the features

 

Seems like a good deal then.... You'll have to puzzle out the finances, and go from there.

The diesels are really reliable though.... you should be able to get 300K out of the engine without any trouble, so long as you keep up the maintenance.