Lookin' at Heaven on Earth...

[MisterBean]

Okay, so I am in the final stages of purchasing another Cummins & I swear to you all that I learned my lesson last time and will NEVER trade it in, unless its on a newer Cummins. I will not repeat my previous mistakes... #@$%!



Anyways, its an 08 2500 QC LB 4X4 SLT, 51K miles, diamond plate bed caps, pretty clean truck. Asking price is $29,950 through the internet. It's two-tone dark blue over gold with the gray over charcoal interior. Nothing truly "fancy". I test drove it up through the canyon and back down and it shifts smooth (up & down), the PacBrake works within specs, both seats (electric) work fine, windows, door locks, comes with a locking fuel cap and both stock keys (and they both work, too!). I plan on purchasing a set of wheel-to-wheel nerf bars (still deciding which ones), next on the wish list will be to Line-X the bed, and then... possibly the 56-gallon transferflow replacement!!! Oo.



I'm working to get the dealer to replace the tires all the way around because at least two of the four tires are right at the DOT minimum tread depth. We'll see what happens. ?. ?. ?. :-{}



Does anyone have anything that comes to mind that I need to specifically check out on this before I sign the final papers??? If so, PLEASE speak up now! ALL comments, questions, concerns, etc. are GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks!!!

 

[JJPage]

Have the dealer run the VIN, History for TSB's, etc. Otherwise... Congrats!

 

[HBarlow]

An '08 does not have a PacBrake. The variable geometry turbocharger provides the exhaust brake function by closing internally.

 

[Hoefler]

An '08 does not have a PacBrake. The variable geometry turbocharger provides the exhaust brake function by closing internally.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[LRutigliano]

You are just asking for trouble with asking the dealer to "throw in" new tires. Have you ever seen how your truck is treated between the dealership and the tire shop? They get a high school punk to drive it there and he will race the crap out of it, tire store won't balance the tires to your satisfaction, etc. You will not be happy.

Renegotiate the price approx $800 lower for the new tires and take care of it yourself.

Get in and get out. Don't let them touch your truck, especially on a used deal. They only want your money, so you are fooling yourself thinking they will "make it right" or to your satisfaction.

 

[HBarlow]

You are just asking for trouble with asking the dealer to "throw in" new tires. Have you ever seen how your truck is treated between the dealership and the tire shop? They get a high school punk to drive it there and he will race the crap out of it, tire store won't balance the tires to your satisfaction, etc. You will not be happy.

Renegotiate the price approx $800 lower for the new tires and take care of it yourself.

Get in and get out. Don't let them touch your truck, especially on a used deal. They only want your money, so you are fooling yourself thinking they will "make it right" or to your satisfaction.

That's good advice which I follow. To protect your interests, always minimize your interaction with the dealership unless the service manager and tech are your personal friends.

I would add, you wouldn't want the tires they will 'throw in" even if they agree to your negotiation.

 

[Grizzly]

MisterBean, As another Albuquerquean, my best advice to you is never buy a truck, or a car for that matter, from a dealer. You have no idea how it was taken care of. Dealers are very good at covering up any signs of mistreatment or abuse. You'll never get a maintainance log that you might get from a private owner. Whenever I buy a used vehicle, I buy from a private original owner. That way I get to shoot the breeze with the owner and can generally determine if he is honest. I also like to look in his garage, if I can, to see how clean and organized it is. If it's clean and organized, it's a good sign that he took good care of his vehicle. I alway try to get a maintenance log. If you don't know enough about checking out a used vehicle, take it to a mechanic you trust and have him check it out. It's worth a few bucks to make sure it's a good vehicle.



In addition, you can generally get a better price from an original private owner. I don't like to buy from a second owner because I won't know how the original owner took care of the vehicle. I feel the same way about purchasing an RV, however I've only bought one used RV.



Check on craigslist and check other surrounding cities.



george

 

[macdaddy]

Buy running the VIN IMHO I think youll be alright buying from the dealer. We bought my sons 08 doing this. It's turned out to be a keeper.



We were able to see the gender of the previous owner all TSB's ECM updates,repairs etc.



Mac

 

[Riverboy]

I am with Grizzly, I found what I wanted and I looked a long time. You will generally save about 3k buying from a private owner. Good luck, you might find the "one" there though.

 

[Wingate]

Okay, so I am in the final stages of purchasing another Cummins & I swear to you all that I learned my lesson last time and will NEVER trade it in, unless its on a newer Cummins. I will not repeat my previous mistakes... #@$%!



Anyways, its an 08 2500 QC LB 4X4 SLT, 51K miles, diamond plate bed caps, pretty clean truck. Asking price is $29,950 through the internet. It's two-tone dark blue over gold with the gray over charcoal interior. Nothing truly "fancy". I test drove it up through the canyon and back down and it shifts smooth (up & down), the PacBrake works within specs, both seats (electric) work fine, windows, door locks, comes with a locking fuel cap and both stock keys (and they both work, too!). I plan on purchasing a set of wheel-to-wheel nerf bars (still deciding which ones), next on the wish list will be to Line-X the bed, and then... possibly the 56-gallon transferflow replacement!!! Oo.



I'm working to get the dealer to replace the tires all the way around because at least two of the four tires are right at the DOT minimum tread depth. We'll see what happens. ?. ?. ?. :-{}



Does anyone have anything that comes to mind that I need to specifically check out on this before I sign the final papers??? If so, PLEASE speak up now! ALL comments, questions, concerns, etc. are GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks!!!

Check the HVAC system and make sure its working properly, make sure the front end is in good shape, and make sure all engine updates are done.

I would also have them hook up to it and make sure its never had a programmer on it.

 

[MisterBean]

Thank you ALL for the input/thoughts/opinions!

Well, thanks for all the input guys! I truly appreciate it greatly! And I apologize for the "PacBrake" mis-speak. Let me clarify, I am in no way, shape, or form, anything remotely close to an expert on Dodge Cummins trucks, but I'm no virgin in the area either. Granted, I have been "benched" for the last 4-5 years, so I am significantly "behind the power curve" on these amazing trucks. Right now, here in Albuquerque, our "market" is VERY dry. PowerStrokes are everywhere, but Cummins are few and far between, based on my searching experience. Its been this way for about 18 months. I looked at other areas (San Antonio, Dallas, Denver) and while they have a significantly larger selection, I've also found quite a few "issues" with the dealers that have this selection.



All that being said, I went back today, knowing my "salesperson" wouldn't be there and went through the truck with a fine tooth comb. I thoroughly looked through the entire interior for any signs of having had "things" temporarily attached (I even removed the door sills to see if there was tons of crap hidden underneath!), then I went through the entire engine compartment to see if I could find ANY signs of "accessories" having been removed. I found NOTHING that would indicate to me that this truck has had anything done to it, although I did find a couple things that I missed yesterday evening; like the power slider rear window, UConnect and XM...



I have already discussed the CarFax and the TSB issues with the Sales Manager and he was completely in agreement. While test driving it yesterday, going up through the canyon, at 68mph, I punched it, closely watching for any signs of smoke/soot coming from the exhaust... Nada. Same result when I repeated same sitting in the lot. Based upon the accumulative total of my observations, I believe this truck was probably previously owned by an older gentleman. It appears to have possibly had a canopy on it, that has been removed and the diamond-plate bed cap on the driver's side has a small dent in the top. Only other "damage" I could find was a 3" rub spot on the tailgate, above the tailgate release. Easily fixed by your's truly...



I have been looking and looking for over a year and a half for a 2500 6. 7L QC or MC, in decent shape that an owner didn't want an arm & a leg for, or that wasn't trashed by a young kid with a heavy foot, or used exclusively as a farm truck and smelled like one, unsuccessfully. As for the tires issue, I already addressed it to the Sales Manager and he agreed to send me to Big O with a voucher for $880. So, all in all, I feel pretty comfortable in this deal so far.



Again, many thanks to you all for everything!!!



Mark

 

[MisterBean]

Oh, and the HVAC works perfectly, too!!!

 

[Riverboy]

You sound exactly like me... although right when I started giving up there it was! Believe me I was looking everywhere within 500 miles of my home and couldn't find what I wanted. . Then it was like someone bought the truck of my dreams with all the goodies and added some more just to sell it to me. Sounds like you found her. Good luck and let us know when its sitting in front of your house!

 

[MisterBean]

Riverboy, that's more than a little funny, seeing how I'm from Spokane!!! :-laf

 

[MisterBean]

The End...

Well, I didn't buy the truck guys... :{ The dealer wasn't budging on the "sale price" and I wasn't going to pay THAT much more than I already do. I simply wrote it off as, "not currently in the plans"... My search continues... Thanks for everything guys!

 

[HBarlow]

I haven't paid any attention to the used market but try searching various sources in TX. Everybody in TX and his brother-in-law drive pickups. There must be some nice ones on dealer lots.

 

[Harlacher]

I have heard that the State of Nevada is the place to look for good used trucks. I heard snow birds have them for sale all the time. My son drove from Atlanta GA to Montana to get his dream truck. Might have to expand that 500 mile radius criteria to find what you want.

 

[MisterBean]

See??? Look what fell into my lap!!!

SO, after taking you guys advice, I looked things up on Craig's List and randomly found my buddy's Cummins for sale because his wife is pregnant and over-due already. She says must have a more "family" vehicle. SO, here is his specs... PLEASE let me know what you think!!!



Up for sale is my 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 SLT Big Horn Cummins. Quad Cab, Short box. Automatic, MANUAL TRANSFER CASE!!!. Inferno Red This truck has been used as a Daily driver. Heaviest load it has ever seen is a pallet of sod! As of right now the truck has less the 54K miles. NO RUST or body damage! Factory options-Front Fog lights, Sliding rear window, tow package, block heater, and many more. Got the truck used at 10K, and run nothing but Synthetic fluids. Have oil tests done every 3k or less (have files). here are the mods.

Mag Hytec Diff covers front and rear

Mag Hytec Double Deep Trans pan

Color matched Line-x rails and Rockers

Autometer Oil Pressure gauge

Autometer Oil temp gauge

Diprocol Fuel Pressure Gauge

Diprocol Rail Pressure Gauge

Custom DTT Stainless Intake Horn

PSM Silicone Airbox to turbo Hose

5" Turbo back Diamond Eye Exhaust (with V-band Clamps for removable Muffler, Cat, Straight pipe)

Custom Fleetguard Fuel filters. (7 micron water/fuel, and 2 micron filter)

Edge Monitor with pillar mount

AC condensor Guard

Custom Amsoil Bypass filter set up in engine bay. all AN fittings and Stainless Braid line.

N-Fab side steps

Toyo Tuff Duty HT tires with less then 5k on them.

New front Hub Bearings

New Bilstien front shocks

Front Leveling Kit

Weather Tech floor mats front and rear.



asking 27. 5K OBO



So, I ask you all for your thoughts, comments, opinions, etc. I feel MUCH more comfortable with this one. I know the guy well, I have seen his garage several times, he has personally owned the vehicle for over 40k miles, has added quite a few nice toys throughout the truck, etc. And the price is maybe a little higher than NADA, but he has added ALL the toys listed above, so its worth a couple hundred $$$, right?

Mark

 

[Wingate]

buy it quick cause you cant buy MINE for that price!! hahaha... seems like a good #... CR 5. 9L are going for premium + around here.

 

[Riverboy]

More like a couple grand in gizmo's and extra's. Sounds nice. . glad you walked on the other one! Buy it. Banks are better to get loans at then the dealer anyway. Let us know!!