I have been looking for a diesel Ram for sometime now. The other day I found one that sparked my interest. I am looking for some experienced advice on whether I should consider pulling the trigger on this or if I should let it pass.

Here is the link to the truck:

2004 Dodge Ram Pickup 2500 ST 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB For Sale In Waterbury Bantam Beacon Falls Atlantic Motors

I have attached a copy of the CarFax report too

 

Looks good and price is OK. Its going to need new batteries soon based on pics. Carfax wouldn't open so can't see previous history. Test drive it and if you like how it drives you should be work on em price wise a little and see if they budge. I did on my latest Cummins and got the price down around 5K from asking price.

Gary

 

Looks like a nice truck, but you'll need to look past the nice looks and check the driveline and undercarriage.

Several things come to mind:
1) Where is the truck from? I see no signs of rust and most cars and trucks I was around back East had some signs of body rot/rust (Although that has been years ago).
2) The truck has gauges, which makes me wonder how it was used by the last owner and if it was abused.
3) If the truck is an '04 it may have the less powerful engine. The '04.5 was the first 3rd gen. model with the High Output engine. The sticker on the side of the valve cover will tell you what engine it has.
The later models have more horsepower,but the earlier models usually return better fuel mileage. It's a trade off.
4) I have had a mechanic check every used vehicle I've bought, before I bought it, for many years. If it's a good mechanical inspection and hooked up to scan tools, it usually costs hundreds of dollars, but can save you money in the long run. If it has issues you can walk away, or ask the seller to address the issues. It can also identify minor issues that can help with the negotiations.
Finally, if the seller/dealer won't let you have it checked out I would walk away.
Just food for thought.
Good luck.

 

I took a gander at the truck today and overall I thought the truck was ok. I couldn't find very much rust anywhere. The thing I was turned off about was all of the little things I noticed with the truck. The pictures show a plastic bed liner when I looked under it I saw a sprayed in bed liner. The drivers door was not quite aligned right, both batteries looked like they were the original stock batteries that came with the truck, the oil dipstick handle had broken off and was fixed with a drywall screw, and the exhaust had rotted off past the rear tire. I had spent a whole 15 minutes looking at it and was wondering how much more little things I would have found if I had the extra time to really look at it.

 

It is the 04, and not the 04.5. Best MPG 2500 they made, and can be perked up if you need more power.

 

Wore out drivers seat has been repaired. Truck looks clean, real clean for being in the rust belt for 10 yrs and 200k. If the exhaust is rotted out it's likely not a southern truck so the rest of the rust may not be far behind.

 

That's an 04.5 by the number. Ad removed

 

I don't even have to see that truck in person and can tell you about all the rot on it. open up one of the sides views of truck. Brand new fender flares and a brand new bed liner????? Those rear quarters are a mess.

 

After expanding my search area I found a dealer who specializes in diesel trucks in PA. the name of the place is Cross Country Enterprises. Has anybody have experience with this place?

Here is the truck I am looking at:

2005 Dodge Ram Pickup 2500 SLT 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB In Hop Bottom Carbondale Clifford CROSS COUNTRY ENTERPRISE


Vehicle Report:

 

Looks nice too. $23k is too much. Get down around $20k is more like it IMO. My '07 Mega 5.9 6 speed, clean,good condition, no rust, maint history since new is only worth $25-27k IMO.
When buying higher mileage vehicles, its more about the physical condition and what has or what is going to need replaced soon for parts.