Would you buy a 30 year old truck with 51 miles on it?

[Hay Dude]

Which engine and transmission?

DTA 466
Allison MT-643

 

[jaxs]

I would bid on it. Meanwhile I have something for sale cheap enough you can make an overnight profit that will more than pay for your truck. Just like the auctioneer selling the truck,I'll show pictures and answer any questions you might have but you can't see it in person until you own it.
640 acres fronting the Pacific on one side and Atlantic on the other. Easy 45 minute drive to Phoenix or Tuson.
Auctioneer selling a truck he own's,on line with no reserve? Pooleez,you aren't serious?

 

[Citydude]

The unfortunate thing in an auction, there are going to be bidders who just focus on the way low mileage on it and not perform the due diligence like you are.

They will over inflate the price. Hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[Engineer42]

I believe I'd pass.

 

[Hay Dude]

The unfortunate thing in an auction, there are going to be bidders who just focus on the way low mileage on it and not perform the due diligence like you are.

They will over inflate the price. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I think you are exactly right and very wise my friend.

In many ways, I’d rather it had 50,000-100,000 miles on it than only 51.

 

[Hay Dude]

I would bid on it. Meanwhile I have something for sale cheap enough you can make an overnight profit that will more than pay for your truck. Just like the auctioneer selling the truck,I'll show pictures and answer any questions you might have but you can't see it in person until you own it.
640 acres fronting the Pacific on one side and Atlantic on the other. Easy 45 minute drive to Phoenix or Tuson.
Auctioneer selling a truck he own's,on line with no reserve? Pooleez,you aren't serious?

I get your sarcasm, and yes, there’s pictures and description, but I can go down and visit or drive the truck as much as I want. He encouraged me to.
Id take a flier on it for 10-15k, but not much more.

 

[4570Man]

It’s not likely I’d actually buy it because someone would probably pay more than I would but wouldn’t have any problem with buying it.

 

[Citydude]

You have probably looked at comparable sales but here are the ones I found.

Well, thats a first... I cant paste truck paper website here. In a nutshell, the average for a tandem is pushing 28K with mileage in the 6 figures.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Any rubber component if suspension or steering would be brittle and failure would surely be not far away

I just drove a 75 model to Alaska. All original just as I bought it at a junk yard. My suspension was still good. Putting a log loader on an 85 Mack now.

 

[scaredychicken]

I'd be very cautious.
Auctioneers Sell vehicles, they don't Buy them..

He started the truck and ran it with me on the phone. Claims it runs perfectly. He said the owner did start & run the truck periodically to keep it lubed.

can you verify ANY of these claims ? could have started one of his daily drivers for phone verification

Like you, I love looking and buying old vehicles, equipment. Several years ago, I drove with a buddy, his truck and trailer 7 hrs one way to buy a very rare vehicle - verbal confirmation of purchase, and a certified bank cheque. Upon arriving for the $2300 El Camino purchase, I realized that it was a legitimate mess, and a project, extra parts, no papers, bill of sale only, out of province too. I was able to confirm the VIN and the vehicle status, but it was NOT a $2300 vehicle to me, and it was only very loosely as described. I offered $1200 or walked away with an empty trailer for the return trip. Once I got it home, it was a project. Two years later, and nothing done to it, I sold it for $3500. Never again, that out of province stuff was a hassle.

Apart from my reservations about an online / distant auction, it may well be worth bidding. Good luck.