Should I buy this?

[JRRNeiklot]

Today I looked at a truck.  A 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 4wd.  It was really nice, inside and out.  Had a long crack in the windshield, the drivers door push button lock didn't work, the heater core was leaking, and the rear end was bad.  The dealer told me, he would fix all that before the sale, and he's asking $9,000.  I've been looking at trucks for a while, and I've been looking at 97s-2003ish in that price range.  Assuming he fixes all the above issues, should I buy?  Or run away as fast as I can?

Thanks.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

ROFL!!
Let me guess, 298,000 miles?

 

[JRRNeiklot]

ROFL!!
Let me guess, 298,000 miles?

183000

 

[highdesertranger]

if you want my opinion here it is, IT'S DONE. highdesertranger

 

[IAmWoody]

Run away!

 

[TMG51]

I would pass.

 

[John61CT]

But the same mileage in a V8 Chevy 3500 might be worth salvaging if priced right,

Right?

 

[highdesertranger]

it depends on the vehicle. the reason I said it was done was the year. had way to many issues for such a new vehicle. sounds like it was really abused. highdesertranger

 

[closeanuf]

I'm with John on this one; go look for a Chevy or GMC.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Okay, I guess I got reeled in by how nice the inside is and how good the motor ran. And the year. I've been looking at a lot of 01-03 models that weren't half as nice.

Thanks.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

I've seen a lot of diesel trucks in my price range, but I'm afraid I can't afford the maintenance cost on a diesel. I'm on a fixed income. I have $8,000 in savings and then I'm done. Am I wrong to just discount diesels right off the bat?

Thanks.

 

[John61CT]

Yes.

How were you considering a $9K vehicle?

Don't let that vehicle/emergencies fund go below $4-5K.

My rant on keeping that topped up

​ https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?pid=353330#pid353330

 

[JRRNeiklot]

$9k was the ASKING price. Also, I can't top off what I don't have.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

Not sure where you are...but after reading your situation, wouldn't a decent TT behind this with a cap on it do your job well?

https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=2043721
(Link leads to a pickup truck)
(Or are you dead-set on 4X4?)
Where can you go?

 

[JRRNeiklot]

I'm not interested in a travel trailer. I'm considering truck campers and vans only.

 

[Wanderer]

Today I looked at a truck.  A 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 4wd.  It was really nice, inside and out.  Had a long crack in the windshield, the drivers door push button lock didn't work, the heater core was leaking, and the rear end was bad.  The dealer told me, he would fix all that before the sale, and he's asking $9,000.  I've been looking at trucks for a while, and I've been looking at 97s-2003ish in that price range.  Assuming he fixes all the above issues, should I buy?  Or run away as fast as I can?

Thanks.

Even though I am a "sorta" fan of Dodge. I'd have left that dealer fast..... 

The "Rear is bad' has me scared enough to run....

 

[DKNZ]

Hard to say without photos, anyway you can still check the car after the repairs are done or before buying it? Then peace of mind..

 

[DannyB1954]

I've seen a lot of diesel trucks in my price range, but I'm afraid I can't afford the maintenance cost on a diesel.  I'm on a fixed income.  I have $8,000 in savings and then I'm done.  Am I wrong to just discount diesels right off the bat?

Thanks.

You answered that one for yourself in the second sentence. If anything goes wrong with a diesel it will cost you big time. Not hundreds, more like thousands. I had a Ford 6.9 that cracked a cylinder. The cost then for a replacement engine was $8,000. The truck was not worth it, so I was out the whole thing. In today's money probably double or triple that.
Someone wants to tell you they run forever, ask if they will pay for any major repairs you encounter. I bet they will forget all about it will run forever.