Last minute advice, please? Buying this week.

[NPauli]

I've been looking for a truck since Thanksgiving, and finally found exactly what I'm looking for. See sig. for truck info. I've got a few last-minute questions for the experts before I go pick it up (next weekend):



1) What deal-breakers should I look for, and how can I tell? I'm thinking of deal-breakers as anything that would cost thousands to fix or would prevent me from getting home safely (500 mi). The truck's a good enough deal I'm not going to sweat the small stuff.



2) Once I am home, I have the luxury of a mechanic in the family that can give it a good going over and take care of anything that needs service. Is the owners manual the best source of stuff to check at 100k, or is there a better way?



By the way, this is my first dodge and first diesel. Only previous pickups were F150 reg cab longbeds w/ 5speeds.

 

[p-Bar]

Wow this thing already has 100k on it? Do you know what the truck was used for primarily? Anything else done to the truck (mods) . I would take the vin # to the dealer and have them put it in their system and see what kind of warranty work was done it. I'll think of some other things also. Have test drove it? how did the transmission feel ? no shifting problems? May want to do a carfax on it. Is this a dealer truck or private party

 

[NPauli]

Should have mentioned:



Carfax: no problems

BBB report on dealer: no problems



previous owner (only one) was commercial, and seems to have taken some pride in it. Leather, running boards, sprayed bedliner. Bed hitch. Aggressive off-road tires? That one confused me - who gets a nice pretty truck w/ leather seats to go play in the mud? (I'm sure some folks do, but the logic escapes me) Maybe the tires were just for looks?



I've only seen pics. I'll keep my money to myself till I go to check it out in person.

 

[p-Bar]

I would still have the VIN run at the dealer (service) and see what warranty work was done on it.

 

[BBeck]

Bed hitch and that many miles means it was probably an rv hauler, pulling 5th wheels all over the country or a horse trailer.

 

[Regcabguy]

Dealing.

Take your time as there are a lot of folks bailing out of these trucks due to fuel costs and employment woes. Deals galore out there on low mileage units. A new aftermarket clutch will be needed at the least.