Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) is this a bargain or to good to be true?

[TBlume]

98' 2wd, 47RE, crew cab, 150K, new 4" from turbo back, new cold air, one owner with receipts, $500 stereo/alarm/bluetooth combo, flawless interior, good paint, 80% on some Nikkoen (?) E range winter tires, steel cab high canopy, at a used lot asking $14000.



I am trying to find a good cummins, prefer the manual trans, but this might sway me, am I lucky or is this rig worth less/more? from what I can gather, 00' to 03' autos are suspect.



no idea if the KDP is taken care of, or if the turbo is on its last, or if the TC needs work, but drives very nice, no silencer ring, and the 4"/cold air sound sweet.



are there any reasons to pass this up?



thanks in advance,

Tim

 

[WPeschel]

I think that is a little steep for a two wheel drive...

 

[MMeier]

I think that is a little steep for a two wheel drive...

X 2, where are you located Tim? Fill out your sig and location. there is a nice 98 4WD dually for sale in the classifieds here, located in So. Cali. , think he wants 15k for it.

 

[Grizzly]

The price sounds right. Look it up on NADA blue book. I'd stay away from used car lots and get one from a private original owner. You can tell if the original owner is more honest then a used car salesman. Used car salesmen are like politicians, they will lie right in your face. If you want a manual don't give up until you find one.

 

[RStankevitz]

well my 96 was a extended cab and is 4 wheel drive i paid 9,000. I had to do the exhaust and having the trany done next week so i will be right around 13,500

 

[BrandonWright]

I'd say that's about $2k or $3k too high.

 

[Grizzly]

NADA says it's worth $12,625.

 

[bnbrown]

2 years ago I bought the wifes 2000 w/ 150k miles, truck is loaded to the gills (Pwr heated leather seats on both sides even) I paid $10k...

 

[MFalkinham]

Sounds about $2k - $3k too high. I bought my '98 2wd this time last year and paid $9600 with 139k miles from a used car dealer in Michigan. He'd had it on his lot for a year and was getting desperate. No rust since the truck wintered in Nevada every year. I couldn't be happier.

 

[TBlume]

Thanks a bunch, I am in south-west Oregon, Roseburg to be exact. From first impressions this rig looks like a one owner, all the receipts in the glove box were from the same guy, for the last 8 or 9 years, local rig, they claim it is the lot owners uncle's.



How much more can I expect to pay for a 4x4 manual?



I need the crew cab for the growing boys, and the manual might keep the wife away. she loves the Liberty 4cyl diesel we found last year, I barely get a chance to drive it unless it's a family outing or a post maintenance run. that one is slowly becoming less stock; custom EGR delete black box, magnaflow kit, CAT fuel filter, gauges on the way, lift when it is off warranty.



thanks again for the advice and I think I will keep looking for the manual.



BTW, the libby was in SLC with 8K on the ODO, so a spring bike trip within the 9 western states and return in a good cummins is not out of the question.

 

[NCovey]

Tblume, is the truck a quad cab or a true 4 door crew cab?

 

[bnbrown]

I have bought 4 trucks sight unseen from dealers in TX, and so far all have turned out well.
so far:
'99 for me, from Dallas, TX on ebay
'00 for the wife, from Dallas on ebay
'01 ETH for dad, from Dallas on ebay
'02 for friend, from Houston on ebay

the 00 and 01 both came from the same dealer, which I give first dibs whenever I am looking for another truck.
the 99 was my first CTD and got lucky, dealer was good to deal with, had a couple minor issues and he made them right (when I cam to pick up truck the aftermarket stereo was missing its face place, he cut me a check to cover cost of new replacement stereo)
and the '02 was the worst of the batch, got it in feb '05 for a friend, had 90k miles on it and paid $16, it wasnt quite as clean as the other three, but still a heck of a lot of bang for the buck... I would not deal with that particular dealer again however.
the 99 and 00 are SLT QC duallies, the 01 and 02 are 2500 QCs, all are SLT or better.
2 of these trucks were repo's, the other two one owner trade ins.
I just made a little vaccation out of getting them, fly in and drive home (after LP pressure check, oil and all filter changes), drove the 01 2500 miles home (a slight 1000 mile detour made to visit family).

 

[Grizzly]

Some folks have been burnt on eBay, myself included. I'd stay away from buying a truck on eBay.

 

[bnbrown]

Yep, thats a fact, it is a gamble. But I just look at the vehicle, figure if one major component is bad, say a VP and add that to the price... then if it is still a good deal I will consider it. I have known plenty of people that have been burned buying from private sellers also... let alone used car sales and just about any Ferd dealership

 

[TBlume]

Quote;

NCovey Tblume, is the truck a quad cab or a true 4 door crew cab?

quad cab, no jump doors like my '06 chev work truck



Quote;

bnbrown I have bought 4 trucks sight unseen from dealers in TX

lots of texas cummins to choose from, I have looked at a few Ebay dealers and I got the liberty from an online source, sight unseen, so that is not a huge hurdle or fear, but, this time around I can only afford a ten year old rig, probably well over 100K on the ODO, so I will definitely be cautious. texas is a good option though, from what I get from CTD owners I should be buying my last truck, so the right one the first time is essential.

 

[litespeed]

Even with all the records the price is still way too high. Plus the market sucks right now.



That truck should bring no more than 10 or 11 tops in perfect condition. There are a lot of factors involved when buying used vehicles. Especially when you compare dealer to private owner. I would rather buy from a private owner.



A private owner truck with all the records, all the fixes for that year (with TDR knowledge) and all the gauges... That truck would bring more than the normal market would bare. IMO...



I would not buy a paper plate off of ebay, based on my past experiences. Damn paper plate would have stains on it, have holes in it and be burnt.



AJ

 

[TBlume]

sounds like you need to buy some good metal plates



I get what you all are saying, I am going to bide my time and find the perfect truck for me, time is not right from a financial point now anyway.



litespeed- do you mean the market for selling or buying sucks now? I think if the cost of fuel and housing have anything to do with a big ticket item like this, my timing is pretty good, just need to get my finances in order and find the right guy looking to off the truck for an econo-box.

 

[tgordon]

IMHO just wait and find the right one. I passed up several before I found the one I have now, and I am glad. I have told the wife I have no plans to get rid of it, maybe overhaul the engine and body, but won't replace the truck:-laf

 

[litespeed]

litespeed- do you mean the market for selling or buying sucks now? I think if the cost of fuel and housing have anything to do with a big ticket item like this, my timing is pretty good, just need to get my finances in order and find the right guy looking to off the truck for an econo-box.

This is not really a "big ticket item". If you were buying new... Yes.



To answer your question. Both... Most of the people that "use" these trucks are not in a bind. But, some are. What this means is that you are going to see trucks at prices like the one you found (on a lot). They are out of their mind if they think they can get that for that particular vehicle. It is possible that some sucker will pay for it. But most of us would not. For every truck you see at $13 to $14k there will be 5 that will be at or under the book value as "the market continues to tank"(By the market... I am refering to the used car market. ). Go talk to a couple used car lots. Most of them are dying and are barely making it. Their costs were (are) artificially inflated just like everything else in this country.



Write down what you want. Stick it out and keep looking. It sounds like you know what you want. Even if you have to wait a few months. If you wait and get what you really want... . Chances are you will have it a long time.



tgordon is right on track!