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2004 Dodge 2500 CTD. What would you pay?

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jpfrk2001

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Im looking at trying to get into a larger/newer truck. My current truck is a 1998.5 Dodge 2500 4x4 Short Bed 24Valve CTD Quad cab, 87K miles. The only thing I don't like about my truck is the short Bed. Because of this, I had to pass on so many good deals on campers that only fit a long bed. Well, I found this 2004 Dodge 2500 4x4 4 door CTD with 175K on the miles. The miles thing is whats screwing with me. I know the engine is at its optimal operating range, its the Auto tranny im scared about. On the left side of the valve cover, is the indentification saying 335HP:confused:

Basically, it IS something I am looking for as a replacement for what I have. There is nothing wrong with my truck. I just want a long bed so I can haul a camper or even not worry about going 5th wheel in the future if I wanted.

As of right now, they are offering $5K trade in for mine! (I figure mine is at least worth $6500. KBB comes out to $7200 for dealer trade in!) And my truck is in Damn good condition with brand new E rated tires. The 2004 model has BFG D-rated tires. So thats something to think about.(punch numbers for a zip code of 92311)

I figure I am trying to get them aroung $17K for the 2004 BEFORE any trade in or down payment. And I am dealing with a dealer in Southern Cali! Should I press on or wait till I get to Georgia for hopefully a better deal.

So what say the PBB tow rig guru's? Go for it or pass?
 
#5 ·
don't buy it. the tranny is shot, ball joints are bad, it needs new tie rods, there is someone else's ass ground into the seat, the front bearings are on their way out the door, it needs 4 new tires... plus any number of small irritating things down the road.

175k is no big deal on the cummins, but it is the breaking point for everything else.

be patient, and shop your ass off. i paid 9k for an 03 quad cab short bed 4x4 with a bad tranny & bald tires. with a deal like that, you could keep your 98. with diesel dropping like it is, they are gonna get a little harder to come by IMO.

i decided to look for a truck with a blown tranny. saved me a lot of stress wondering if the tranny was good or not. bought the truck, rebuilt the transmission, and now i drive/tow with confidence instead of worrying about when the previous owner's driving habits are gonna catch up to you.
 
#6 ·
that's too much considering the potential work it's going to need. Count on a new trans, front axle overhaul, HVAC repairs, and some misc niggly things that will need to get done.

btw, it should be a 305/555 motor if it's an early '04. An '04.5 will have the 325/600 motor.
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
thanks people. The deal was never signed. They said they would call me on monday. The more I think about it, If they dropped the price to about $12.5K, with my trade in of $5 K, that would leave me a balence of $7.5K before tax, title, liscense, Then MAYBE it would be a deal.
 
#9 ·
I know mine is a different make but i just bought a 2006 RCLB Duramax last month for $19,900 with 35k on the clock. It has all the power crap, Fisher plow, Line-X bed liner, tow package and Dee-Zee running boards. Prices are down on these trucks so use that to your advantage, you can find better deals than that.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Found another deal. Same year, 2004 with the H.O. motor. Difference is its a 2wd 1 ton long bed, quad cab, gloss black with 88000 miles. They are listing it for $15,990 before tax, title, lic, and document fees. The also said if my truck is as nice as I propose over the phone, I can get around a $7K trade in value. That leaves me with a loan application around $8K to $8.5K
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Never Monday said:
wait until you get here
Click to expand...
I am seriously thinking the same thing. But if a good deal pops up, why not? I also have a better understanding on good and bad prices. Been doing research.:D
 
#13 · (Edited)
That still sounds high, a buddy of mine recently picked up an 03 2500 quad cab long bed 4x4, auto, loaded minus leather, 153K miles with a set of 285 BFG muds on it and a new set of studded Cooper 285 winters with it for 12K CDN. Only drawback is the thing is white and is hard to find in snow... LOL
Personally I would not go without 4wd on my tow rig, I go too many places with the loaded trailer in tow getting to camping spots when I go wheeling that the truck unloaded in 2wd would have a hard time with. I dealt with not having it on my old tow pig(D44HD TTB was broken more than it ever worked) and I won't be doing that again.
But, If you don't need to worry about such situations, a 2wd will be fine.
 
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#14 ·
FWIW, I paid $14k for my '03 back in Sept.

It's a 4x4, QC, 6 speed, with the 305/555 HO motor and had right at 100k miles on it and in excellent condition.
 
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#15 ·
jpfrk2001 said:
Im looking at trying to get into a larger/newer truck. My current truck is a 1998.5 Dodge 2500 4x4 Short Bed 24Valve CTD Quad cab, 87K miles. The only thing I don't like about my truck is the short Bed. Because of this, I had to pass on so many good deals on campers that only fit a long bed. Well, I found this 2004 Dodge 2500 4x4 4 door CTD with 175K on the miles. The miles thing is whats screwing with me. I know the engine is at its optimal operating range, its the Auto tranny im scared about. On the left side of the valve cover, is the indentification saying 335HP:confused:

Basically, it IS something I am looking for as a replacement for what I have. There is nothing wrong with my truck. I just want a long bed so I can haul a camper or even not worry about going 5th wheel in the future if I wanted.

As of right now, they are offering $5K trade in for mine! (I figure mine is at least worth $6500. KBB comes out to $7200 for dealer trade in!) And my truck is in Damn good condition with brand new E rated tires. The 2004 model has BFG D-rated tires. So thats something to think about.(punch numbers for a zip code of 92311)

I figure I am trying to get them aroung $17K for the 2004 BEFORE any trade in or down payment. And I am dealing with a dealer in Southern Cali! Should I press on or wait till I get to Georgia for hopefully a better deal.

So what say the PBB tow rig guru's? Go for it or pass?
Click to expand...
Auto sliding hitch is about 1200 bucks. New truck that you don't know is 7500. that's a no brainer to me. I'd tow and if worst comes to worst just add some frame and buy a used bed. They do it all the time in the heavy truck business and even with the mega cabs. I wouldn't think twice about adding to the frame if I had a truck I liked and knew the history of.
 
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#16 ·
montecarlo31 said:
Auto sliding hitch is about 1200 bucks. New truck that you don't know is 7500. that's a no brainer to me. I'd tow and if worst comes to worst just add some frame and buy a used bed. They do it all the time in the heavy truck business and even with the mega cabs. I wouldn't think twice about adding to the frame if I had a truck I liked and knew the history of.
Click to expand...
X2. I'd add to it in a heart beat for a decent truck that worked good and low mileage.
 
Discussion starter · #17 · (Edited)
#18 ·
Shit, I got $7000 trade in on my 2000 F250 gasser and I couldn't even sell it outright for $6000. What they say they'll give you in on trade is somewhat irrelevant if the price of what you buy is high (or they won't budge on the price). If they have a wholesaler that will buy it from them for $6000, they'll just add that $1000 "loss" to the vehicle you buy...
 
#19 ·
jpfrk2001 said:
Here is the truck im trying to finalize the deal on:
http://www.sterlingimportsltd.com/carsforsale.aspx
Click on the dodge link at the top and then go to dodge 3500 model. Its the black one.

They seem really good to work with. Also said, that if my truck is described as I described it, I could get a $7000 trade in value on it. What you think?


Edit:
http://www.dealercarsearch.com/photos.aspx?dealer=442&id=169344&bgColor=000000
Click to expand...
IMO I still think thats too much $$$ for that truck. for that price, I'd expect to see 4x4 and leather
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
So far, thats the best deal I can find here in SO-Cal. You should have seen the first one I was looking at:shaking:

Also basing off the fact that my buddy picked up an 05 4wd at $19K with 55K miles. So I am thinking, this is a good deal. So far everything is over the phone. The seller knows that when all is on paper(in PENCIL), then I will make the 2 hour drive to do the final look over. At that point, I can still walk away if it doesn't add up. Not my first time dealing with a dealer.

If this doesn't pan out, Fub it, im keeping what I have. Go get a full tranny service done on my current dodge, and see what i can find in Savannah GA.
 
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