2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission I need help- The $21000.00 question

[evldsl]

I need to know if a fully loaded 2002 silver 3500 slt 4x4 manual shift cummins with 49,000 miles is worth $21,000. 00 dollars.

I was looking at a 2005 4x4 qc auto with 4. 10 rear cummins fully loaded but I will have a payment and with the 2002 I do'nt.

What mods will the 2002 take for more useable horsepower and what type of trans is the manual?. Also can the 2002 3500 handle a slight lift?.

 

[Coalsmoke]

I don't know much about mods on the newer trucks, but if it were I, I would save the money for other toys and get the 2002. Pound for pound, you'd be getting an almost new truck for a considerable cheaper cost than the 2005. heck, 49k isn't even broken in yet.

 

[hammersley]

And trust me ....

Having old fashion injectors is a lot better thing IMO... ...

 

[Eric Lee]

Good Buy

I wouldn't sell my '01 SRW for $21,000 and I also have 49,000 mi. I bought it for 15% less than sticker at $31,500 in May of '01. It stickered in the 37's.



I really like the DRW trucks too - I think the choice on that would hinge on whether you will be towing heavy. I just got back from 3 hrs south 3 north with 17,000 # (load/trailer) with my SRW and have hauled more.



I like the 24 Valve - read my sig - these mods ran around $9k and were bare minimums for me.



- Eric

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

JMHO - I'd buy the 2002 if it were me. Personally I prefer the 2nd gen styling and interior to the 3rd gen for one. The 98. 5-2002 24v engine is very bombable and is a proven factor - we've had plenty of time to tinker with it and there's tons of options available. You can make as much power with it as you want pretty much - IMO 400 hp is most easily attained before the cost per hp starts really rising. The 2002 has the same 6 speed as the 2003 & 2004 3rd gen (NV5600 - has been in use since 1999) and is a known quantity. The 2005 has a new 6 speed that we have no history with to know if there are going to be any issues with it. The only real problem with the 2002 is lift pumps dieing but you can add a fuel pressure gauge to monitor it and there are a number of options to solve the lift pump issue - my solution was to add a pusher pump and have had great results - been running that way for 3 years and 90,000 miles.

 

[JFitzgerald]

I just bought my '00 a few months ago, and was shopping for a while. From what I saw, I'd say that's a very good price assuming the truck is in nice condition. I'd think the prices would run higher where you are than in IL too.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Bellyscraper,



Were it me, I would go the 2nd gen model without blinking an eye. It is just barely getting close to having the engine broke in. And the interior should still be in new condition.



Example: I purchased my "new" truck a year ago Thanksgiving with 87,500 miles on the clock. The interior looked almost new then and still does. Since that time it has reached 98,000 miles and received two new tires on the front.



I drain the transmission pan with each oil change (B&M drain plug). It is still stock but does have the Dodge High Performance ECM in it (which I refuse to have 'upgraded' ) because it gives me about 60 HP.



And, someone else took the heavy depreciation hit. Go for the $21,000 model, put the payments you won't have in a savings account. When it gets big enough to pay cash for a performance mod, do it. Stay away from another loan. This is the wrong time to be taking on debt. Our economy hasn't settled out yet.



JMHO,

John

 

[sardoghauler]

my .02

Bellscraper



Does the 02 fit your needs? As former salesman I'd buy the used any day if it checks out mechanically. remember, as soon as you drive the new one off the lot it's worth at minimum ten percent less than what you paid for it. It'll be a used truck soon enough too. It's a big check to write but no bill coming in each month would be nice. good luck and follow your gut

 

[BKenny]

Is it a 5 or 6 speed either way thats a pretty good deal. I wish i could have found one like that when i was looking. Around here i had a hard time finding one for a decent deal most of them were at dealers i think they just buy them were ever they can and put it on there lot and raise the price. They would sell that thing in the low 30,s I would jump on that deal with a manual you can add power and only have to worry about upgrading your clucth and pressure plate witch is cheaper than upgradeing an auto. Also if you dicide to run an exhaust brake its easer to do with a manual. The main things poeple deal with on these truck is lift pumps and frount ends. Bkenny

 

[mjoppie]

definitly go with the 2nd gen, my friend just bought a 02 6spd with everything but leather and paid almost $30,000 i would say its a heck of a deal, dont get the 4:10s his only gets 15-16 mpg. just my . 02

 

[apkole]

I just paid $22,500 for a fully loaded 2001 4X4 srw quad shortbox with 77,000 miles. I think you're looking at a pretty good buy. I was due for another truck and picked this one over going new with a much larger payment. I also like the 2nd gen styling better.

 

[SharpMotors]

that one hell of a deal

im from connecticut and i own a used car /truck/boat /motorcycle dealer ship and by what your saying that is a excellent deal

 

[DBentley]

Go for the used one. These trucks get better with time and miles. In 2 or 3 years both will be worth near the same on a trade. With the money you save you can modify the front end,steering , and some other things that dodge cheaped out on.

 

[ntillm01]

I am going with everyone else, the 2002 is a great deal. My 4X2 auto fully loaded was $26,000 two years ago with 34,000 miles, and that was the typical selling price for them then. Personnally, I like the 2nd gens better too for looks and styling. A couple of things that they added to the 3rd gens would be nice, but I'm more than happy with it. From the research I did then, after the first-year-heavy-depreciation, these trucks level out and don't lose value very rapidly over the years.



And if you can swing it without a payment... Bonus!!!

 

[JSellers]

Here's another "me too" opinion for the 2nd generation truck. I paid $27,000 for my 2001 model in early '03, with 40,000 miles on the odometer. It's probably similar to the one you're looking at, and $21,000 sounds like a great price for a 2002 with fewer miles. And like everyone is saying, there's more flexibility with modifications for 2nd generation Rams.



I'd go for the used one -

John

 

[Hohn]

I wouldn't sell MY '02 for 21K. I LOVE IT. Steve gave an excellent summary of the virtues of the vintage.

I personally reasoned this through and came to the same conclusion when I bought mine NEW. I could have ordered an '03, but the '02 was better for my purposes:

1) more underhood space for BOMBs
2) Engine is known quanity and most issue have been addressed
3) Good brakes, but still uses 16" wheels so tires are easier to come by
4) classic 2nd gen styling
5) Much more developed aftermarket
6) transmission is almost indestructible (5600)

Sure, the truck isn't perfect. But it's not so imperfect as to make me wish for something else.

Plus, the Vp44 trucks tend to get better mileage than the HPCR trucks, especially the 04. 5s and newer. At least, that seems to be the consensus.

I'd say that $21K for the truck you described is a DEAL!! BUY IT!

jlh

 

[Wiredawg]

Buy the 02

I have both 02 and 03 (2d and 3d gen trucks) and love them both. My 02 is a dually like the silver one you're looking at. In fact, when I bought mine in Aug 02, there was a silver and a green one that came in at the same time. Both are sharp.



Have you checked Kelly Blue book? I would buy the 02 on the basis of cost. I drove my 02 in the DC area, parked it in parking garages and parallel parked it. Some folks don't care for the training wheels, so make sure you want to deal with them.



Wiredawg

 

[Horsepuller]

Yaaaa..... that is a good deal, just look up kelly blue book. I purchased the truck in my sig for $27k and had to drive up to San Louis Obispo to get it, but mine had alot of after market upgrades. And I thought I got a good deal. That is so low it would have me looking for something wrong with it.

 

[EBottema]

Buy a 02 without a question...

3rd gens will have problems later with all the extra plastic and junk they use



erik

 

[Horsepuller]

One more reason to go with the 2nd gen, the 2nd gens still sound like a diesel, nice and loud. I have a friend who owns a new 2004 and it just doesn't sound as good. They made the 3rd gens more quiet to attract more buyers that were turned off by the louder sound of diesels in general. Like the sound of a Harley, I like the distinctive sound of a unadulterated Cummins.