That doesn't mean that they are worth that kind of money, or that the bank will loan that amount. It also doesn't mean that the buyer will ever get that kind of money back out of it. Because someone is willing to pay a silly price doesn't make the vehicle worth that.

 

KDP needs addressing, for sure.
Lot of front end work was done last Fall (rotors, tie rod end, pitman arm, etc.). He had a pile of receipts for the truck an inch thick, but looked like the kind of man who would save every oil change receipt.
Steering box, don't know, but it sure felt tight on the highway, no discernable slop or vibration.
No after market gauges in the truck, but it hasn't had performance upgrades that might warrant them, either.
Yeah, the tranny is the ticking time bomb, in spite of good PM he's done on it. The fluid was nice and clean, no smell.

Thanks!

 

IMO, for what it's worth, your offer sounds pretty good. Since you are in Canada, the asking price might be appropriate--remember that the owner has driven it to Florida and unless folks in Canada really want a 2X4, the truck may just be available in the spring as others have said.
Do you know the seller? Maybe you can smooze them with the idea there are some things (like KDP) and maybe suspension if it hasn't been done. There is also the possibility of the transmission / TC going in the future.

Given all that, and what does a nice CTD usually get in Canada? If you are willing to put some work into the truck (sounds like very little other than personal mods) I would wait awhile and check with the owner again?
OR you might look state side for a clean southern truck??

 

The price of a used vehicle depends on so many factors, doesn't it? Location is one I think. Such a reasonable-mileage, low rust, well maintained truck commends higher prices in the snow belt where I live, than in arid Arizona or Texas, where these no-rust trucks probably abound. Supply and demand, and car-value "micro-climates" of sorts. Sure, someone can fly down to Texas, buy one and drive it back a couple thousand miles to the snow belt, and save a few thousand dollars, but there is a cost to that too (flight, gas, hassles, stress of finding a good one and driving it back with no issues). Whereas buying a local truck that can be put up on a lift and professionally inspected before purchase, conveys more peace of mind.

Different strokes for different folks, and like so many used/old things, something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it!

Your point is a good one, and one of the factors I've always considered when buying a used vehicle: can I get back (close to) what I paid for it if it doesn't quite fit the bill, or I am obliged to sell for some reason?

One line the seller used on me, which kind of ticked me off because it sounded too much like a used car salesman: "heck, what I'm asking for it is just what you'd pay in taxes on a new one"

 

No, I don't know the seller. We chatted pretty good in the hour or so that I spent looking at it and driving it with him. Not a bad guy. I think he definitely wants to sell it, because he's hardly using it (he parked his 5th wheel permanently as a trailer, and his wife has a car). Plus, he told me he's eyeing this used car and would work out some kind of deal with the dealer to get a tax savings (which means that I would buy the truck from the dealer, and I don't know if I would like that kind of deal, sounds a bit complicated).

CTD trucks of that vintage sell (or ask, I should say) for around that, give or take $1-2K. Many are double-rear-wheeled and I'm not interested in those. Oh, one can get a deal on one for $5-6K, but it would have higher mileage and more than likely have been worked. This truck would be perfect for my slide-in, it already has the air bags and the camper attachments. But I'm not prepared to pay $10K if I'm going to have to put $2-3K in the tranny in a couple of years, plus $1K in new tires all around. I'm willing to live with the tranny and nurse it, but my offer accounted for new tires, KDP, and the bit of bodywork to fix that front fender rust spot.

I'll check with him in a couple of days and see how he's making out. Maybe he's got it sold already, who knows. 2x4 may be the detractor for a LOT of potential buyers up here, without a doubt...

 

Just checked what's on the local kijiji in similar trucks, for comparison

2003 2500 5 speed 2x4 extd cab, 150,000 mi, vet truck, new brakes new tires never pulled or worked $10,700

1998 2500 4x4 reg cab, auto 120,000 mi, with snow plow $16,000

1992 2500 4x4 auto ext. cab, 150,000 mi, bad tires, cracked windshield $5450 (this one's been for sale for a while)

1999 2500 2x4 auto ext. cab 120,000 mi, no winter use, new brakes, tires, alt, up/low ball joints and bearings, $12,500

Hmmm, the 99 sounds like it might be a better deal than the 97, given equivalent body condition and better mechanicals/wearables. 24v though...

Some other ones in my general area, within 1-5 hours: (not indicating obviously modified rodded trucks, since I'm looking for stock)

1999 2500 4x4 auto 180,000 mi, leather, plow, $10,500

1996 3500 dually 4x4 manual 280,000 mi, new parts $13,000

1993 2500 2x4 auto new rad shocks springs extd cab, 160,000 mi, no winters, $11,000

1996 2500 4x4 auto 200,000 mi, extd. cab, new xfer case, needs vacuum repair to engage front diff, good tires brakes, $7900

1998 2500 reg cab, body issues, new front end, tires, 4x4, recent tranny work, $8000

1999 2500 auto 2x4 120,000 mi, some surface rust $8900

1999 2500 ext cab 4x4 80,000 mi $14,400

1993 2500 ext cab 4x4 160,000 mi auto, orig owner $6900


Compare with the one I was looking at:

1997 2500 2x4 auto ext cab 150,000 mi, no winter use, some new front end parts, worn tires, $10,000

Anyway, gives you an idea of the prices around here for these trucks...

 

I don't limit my location when looking for a vehicle. I can fly to the vehicle & bring it back or have it shipped. Places like AZ, CA & TX have relatively rust free vehicles. I bought my current ram in NC while on vacation then had to use it to tow the Mercedes SD we were driving. Nothing like having an extra truck to compensate for a mechanical.

 

I agree Junkman, but he also has to account for the expense of getting it into Canada if it's a US truck, and the additional travel costs.
I just can't get over the inflated costs in his region. It is not reasonable to expect a truck with 150-200,000 miles to be maintenance free- to pay those prices, and then have to fix whatever needs attention. I an thankful for where I live...

 

I agree! AZ, TX, CA are not exactly next door to where I live But I see your point and indeed in the right circumstance, that would save some $$$'s. I suppose I try to practice the "100 mile diet" when it comes to cars

Yeah, you got THAT right! Add to that the exhorbitant cost of car parts up here compared to State-side, and it sure makes me wonder who's making all the dough (too many middle-men likely). Plus, unlike CA, TX, AZ, we also have 6 months of road salt to contend with Such is life, you win some you lose some!
Anyway, that little car search exercice confirmed for me that this guy is not exhorbitant in his asking price, and will likely get it. Oh well, the other thing I derived from that is that there are a pile of Dodge Cummins trucks out there, in that vintage! Maybe it's a buyer's marketplace, after all...
CHeers!

 

Do you have a relative in the states that could buy, repair and give you the truck? I know that here no sales tax or other charges besides licensing for transactions between immediate family.

 

Great idea JunkMan! Unfortunately, no immediate family member living state-side (that I know of! ). Up here, such transactions are tax-free also.

 

I was speaking with my ex-brother-in-law last night, who owns a Ford 3/4 ton diesel and whose brother just picked up a very nice Gen 1 Cummins. He recommended getting a newer (than Gen1), more comfortable truck for long highway runs (says his brother's is pretty LOUD).
Also, when I mentioned to him that this Dodge I was looking at had a 4.10 rear-end, he suggested to pass, saying that is geared too low, for pulling. Might have been find for pulling a large 5th wheel, but he didn't feel it would be particularly suited to what I want to do with it, and would consume more fuel. I hadn't thought of that, but I think he's right, and will rather be looking for a 3.73 rear end in the truck I'll get.

 

That is a nice looking truck, but in my opinion, not worth 10K. I bought a clean 98 12 valve quad cab 4x4 for 9K 2 years ago, under 200K miles, and the prices of those have gone down. It was a California truck and had been on the market for months when I bought it. I would buy it again, because I love the truck, but it was a lot of money to cough up for a 10 year old truck. Bear in mind, that at those miles you will need to do some extensive work. I've just done a full front end rebuild, and both drive shafts, and a major trans service w new Goerend converter (yay!), to the tune of over 2K in parts alone. For 8 thousand, I would consider the trouble of importing it, but for 10, after importation and things you didn't see, you could have a 14K truck with 175 thousand miles.

 

I don't completely agree with your ex brother-in-law. While the 4:10's might not be ideal, that depends on how much you are driving the truck. If it is mostly local, for instance, the lower gears may not hamper you much. Either way, if a good deal presents itself, it may well be worth the cost of a gear change, if everything else is what you want. Because the one you are looking at is 2WD, that is half the cost to change.

 

I have 4.10s. I don't need it for pulling but truck had everything else (except a 12V)...quad cab, long bed, 4x4, NV4500 & enough dings to not cause great concern with every bump, still looks good. Price was right 3 yrs ago @111,000 mi = 10K. 4.10s aren't make or break issue.