2004.5 3500 Long Bed Should I Buy?

[mcblaze99]

I'm in the market for a diesel truck. I sold my 90' Dodge CTD 5 spd about 2 years ago and I'm kicking myself now because I need one.



I found a 2004. 5 crew cab long bed for sale in northern wisconsin. The truck has 36,000 miles and is flawless. AT, 4WD, good rubber, K&N filter, tonneau cover, 6 cd changer, brake control...



The owner claims to get 13 mpg when pulling his 27' snowmobile trailer. Is this believable? I'll be pulling an 18' cargo trailer for the winter, then hopefully upgrading to a 26' gooseneck in the summer.



The owner is asking 26,000 OBO for the truck. It sounds like a good deal, but definetly out of my price range. I'll spend the money if it'll pay off in the long run.



Any advice?

 

[klenger]

My 04. 5 has been a great truck. I've got an NV5600 6 speed.

 

[JApol]

The mileage does sound right for towing with that few miles on it. If you look at the truck again turn the key on and off 3 times stopping with on. The odometer will show codes and will display 'done' when all the codes have been displayed.

 

[CKennedy]

26K sounds high to me. I just got my new 07 4wd slt ctd for 31K after rebate and employee discount. As for the mileage I get 14 city 17 highyway empty

 

[wyosteve]

I have a similar truck except for the 6 spd. as shown in profile. Took my 4 horse gooseneck to Oregon and back in May and got between 11 and 14. 4 depending on speed, wind conditions. I'd say the mileage on that one is right in the ballpark. Empty mixed city highway, I avg. 17 w/ summer fuel. About 15. 5 in winter. Have 60k on mine with zero problems.

 

[MFalkinham]

The price doesn't sound terrible for the low mileage, but I'd hold out for an '03 or early '04 without the 3rd injection event if you want the best mileage and lowest price. Also, the K&N would scare me a little as I've heard they aren't the best at keeping the dirt out of the engine.

If you're willing to travel and buy "sight unseen" there are some really super deals around on used trucks. PM me if you want some tips on how I found my trucks by searching the Internet.

- Mike

 

[Grizzly]

I think that $26K sounds a bit on the high side considering all the great incentives you can get on a brand new 07. I agree about the K&N filter could cause more harm than good.

 

[trqmnstr]

Look on Ebay. Get the same truck brand new for 7k more.

 

[geusterman]

$26K is fine. I have that same truck. It is just great. Even at $2500 under dealer it was $34K new. That truck IS new... 36K miles is nothing on it... just warmed up. These trucks hold incredible resale... lots of young guys need to buy used and these truck are just about like new when 2 to 4 years old. I would have buddies all over me if I sold mine for @26K. George

 

[Motorhead]

Dump the K&N... Check the intake on the turbo. EVERY truck that I have worked on with a K&N had fine grit in the turbo intake.

 

[SBeretz]

That sounds about right to me. My buddy just bought a 2004 6speed 3500 SRW shortbed and he paid about 25K, oh, his truck has about 46K on it. If it is what you want and looks nice, get it, because they are not making more the 5. 9's and I sure finding low mileage ones is not going to get easier.

 

[Grizzly]

If it's a 2500 SLT, NADA says it's worth $27,675.