Selling my 1st generation-too cheap? $2,750

[raxley]

I have a kind of verbal agreement with a guy on craigslist to sell my 1991 Dodge with a Cummins. It has some electrical problems, but they could be fixed easily. It's had some work done to the pump (VE) and it runs really well (for an older truck which has over 335,000) it feels like it has over 50 hp more than my stock 1994 160hp (which is the same basic truck-2 WD, automatic, long bed single cab) it also has 75 hp injectors. It smokes quite a bit (previous owner turned up the pump) but it mostly goes away once it revs up. It's got a HX35, a big air cleaner, no muffler, just a straight pipe to under the passenger side of truck just aft of the door. It has a different spring in the pump, and it doesn't run out of fuel or what ever that feeling is when a stock engine slows down, it just keeps accelerating. I really haven't pushed my foot down more than 1/2 way ever, because it's noisy. I bet with more air it could easily have 100 hp more than my 160 hp truck. It doesn't wander on the freeway, and it feels comfortable cruising at 70, no problem.
It starts right up, instantly, just touch the starter.
The auto is great, it's had a shift kit added to it, and it feels firm and there is no slipping. It seems to get good mileage, probably used a little less than 1/8th tank for about a 50 mile trip, stop and go through the streets (or at least 40 miles anyway).
I have a verbal agreement to sell it for $2750, but it's been about 3 days and he keeps calling me saying he is trying to raise the money.
The body is in good shape no rust, but it's got a lot of little dings (door openings at parking lots type dings) The PO put a small intercooler, looks to be about 1/2 the size of a stock intercooler.
I'm hoping the guy doesn't come up with the money for the next day or so, so I can tell him that the deal is off. I believe I should be able to get $3500 once I fix the electrical stuff, I might have to come up with a left front caliper (although it's got 'good' brakes, the left front wheel will lock up in a panic stop type of situation, I put another rotor on it (new) I'm thinking something is wrong with the caliper.

Am I out of line in thinking a good running truck with good transmission is worth at least $3500, even with the economy we have right now? I was happy to pay (with taxes, tags, everything) $7000 from a dealer for my 'keeper' truck (1994) that is really clean, automatic, 2 wd, reg cab long bed about 6 months ago.

I need the money, but I can still get a few dollars from my savings to do the work and buy parts. I paid $3,200 from the last guy, but he at first wanted $3,800. I don't see any in the craigslist around here for that price, cheapest I've seen is around 4 or more.

 

[raxley]

Couple of other things wrong (he knows all this, the prospective owner) the odometer isn't registering miles, although the speedo still works, the heater fan doesn't spin (somebody cut a small hole into the fiberglass heater plenum (maybe a 2X2 hole) right into where the wire with plastic connection goes into plenum-why I don't know. Also it's had a EGT gauge, but the guy cut the wire coming out of the exhaust manifold and pulled the gauge out. He also cut about an inch square hole in the driver side windshield plastic where you often mount gauges-crappy work. It's got about 9 inch rip or cut in the drivers side seat. It's got rubber mats on floor that are ancient, and split, etc.
Right now I have to pull off a battery terminal to keep the battery from going down, I wish I could blame that on the PO, but I was working on the wiring and didn't get it hooked up right again, now my landlord is pushing me to get it out of her driveway (I already have one truck there). I put my current truck's tags on it, so I can park it in the Raley's parking lot, hopefully it won't get towed.
I think I advertised it badly-I didn't mention the work that was done on it (fuel pump work, 75 hp injectors, automatic shift kit) I just said it runs great, good fuel mileage, good engine and transmission, and mentioned that it needed some electrical work. I didn't want to be like the last guy, who really 'pumped' up the product, I was surprised to see it, it didn't look like it sounded, but I was able to talk him down $600, and then was promptly sorry once I got it home. Now it's 'looking' better and I'm thinking I didn't ask enough for it! Human nature, huh?

 

[jclark5810]

Where at in CA are you?

 

[raxley]

Huh, I replied, but it didn't seem to 'take'.

I live in Roseville, which is right next to Sacramento.

I just got an email, he's not going to have the money for some time yet. He's doing a 'rush' sale on his 1994 Integra. He wanted to trade it for my truck. It would be cheap to drive (and easy to park) but I needed money more than another vehicle. I'm just going to fix the worst things on the truck, and try to make it look better. It would be nice if I could get another turbo that didn't cost a whole lot, but would clean up the exhaust and give it more power (probably not that cheap, though) Also a muffler. And I'll emphasize the performance aspects of the truck next. I've heard that you really don't get the cost of performance improvements out of vehicles, though. I need to get another blower motor (my wrecked 2005-it would be nice if I could use that one-doubt it would fit though).
Should get a EGT gauge too, but that's probably over $100 easy.

 

[jclark5810]

I lived in Roseville for about 6 years, my grandparents and cousins still live there. I honestly wouldn't put any more money into it if you are looking to sell it. It's unfortunate that the previous owner did some hack things to it, but I'd let the new owner address those. Rather than looking at a new turbo I would just de-tune the pump, that's free and easy to do. I would pass on this pending sale, and stay clear of any tuner cars that people are looking to quick sell. They've usually had VERY hard lives and they can't take a beating like that truck can.

As far as price I honestly think you'd be in good shape if you got your asking price. Without going through the itemized list, there are a couple things that could get expensive. The brakes should be easy to figure out, could just be the rear is not working at all and that's causing the front to take on the entire load. The intercooler sounds hookie and i'd definitely maker sure it's adequate for the task. Swapping a powerstroke intake in there might be a viable option. These trucks are very simple to work on with the right tools, however the biggest disappointment I had with mine was the scarcity of parts. Your truck sounds like it needs a couple Saturday's of working out the little things. If someone had $2800 cash, i'd take it. If you worked out everything I think you'd still only wind up in the $3-$3500 range an that might not be something you want to spend.

How are the tires? Did you pull the floor mat up to look at the drivers side floor pan (rust)? How bad is the paint, is it just the hood? Mine was repainted that same color and it's beautiful, but it was stinking expensive because it had began peeling so bad. I have a soft spot for those trucks, but you have to know what you're getting yourself into.

 

[raxley]

Well, I emailed him last night and said I understood (he emailed me that the money wasn't working out for him-apparently he couldn't get it at that time) and that I'd do some fixes to the truck and put it back on Craigslist for a little more. Today I got a call, he had the money and would be here in half an hour. So I sold it for $2750. I felt obligated to follow through because we did come to an agreement, although it took a couple or 3 extra days to collect the money.
So that's done-I need the money, but I regret going down to $2750, that was my mistake.

 

[jclark5810]

If it makes you feel any better I think that was a good price. When you consider what your needs are, you'll be better off. My list had well over $1,000 worth of repairs, the little stuff adds up quick. I bought mine for $5,000, paid WAY too much in hindsight. I put well over $13000 into it and had to sell it at a huge loss when life changes forced me to get rid of it. It sucks sometimes selling stuff like that but I think you did fine. If that helps at all

 

[ENafziger]

Agree, for a 2wd, I think you did fine on the price. If it were 4wd, you could've doubled your price. I'd take it and smile

 

[raxley]

I just use my truck for tools and light (occasional) hauling of building materials. I live in the city so I'd never use a 4X4, and wouldn't want the complexity and more maintenance involved. The only thing nice (for me) about a 4X4 would be off the line performance, but 2 WD can make up for that in faster top end. And it will be some time before I can get my truck fast in any case.
I didn't know that you could double the price of a 4X4 though (compared to 2 wd)!
Also only wanted a reg. cab. I didn't have TOO much trouble finding my 1994, but had a hard time finding a reg cab in my 2005. Seems they didn't make too many (comparatively)