$5000 truck?

[dodge man]

I'll give a little background here. I currently have a 2007 Dodge Ram Quad Cab half ton. The problem I have is I want a late model Dodge Challenger. The other problem is the wife wants one a lot less then I do. She some what as a joke said to trade my truck on one if I want one that bad. That actually may not be that bad of a deal if I can buy the Challenger and then buy a cheaper truck.

So the question is what kind of a truck can you get for around $5000-$8000? I'd like to get another Dodge and due to the fact we live in the country I think 4x4 is a must. A club cab or quad cab would be nice, but I could do without. I have a car hauler type trailer and it would be nice to get a truck that could tow at least tow 7000lbs. I'd probably take a Ford or Chevy if the price is right. I'm figuring something 10 years old with maybe 100,000 miles might be in my price range. Is this realistic?

 

[jcims]

I've been doing a lot of looking in the last six months, and $8K seems to be the point at where you can get a reasonably modern truck in reasonably good condition with what you're after (you're going to have to give up on the miles a bit, no matter what). You really have to keep looking though, the good deals are few and far between.

$5K will get you everything you're looking for mechanically, but you're going to be at (well) over 250K miles or 20 years old or both.

 

[Skyco]

Personally if I had a truck I liked, it did what I wanted and knew its mechanical condition I'd be very hesitant to get rid of it to get something unknown and possibly problematic...but thats just me:thumbsup:

 

[Egon]

You can try but you can't go back.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Keep your Dodge PU.

 

[Dmace]

I doubt you'll find a newer RAM (2002+) in quad/crew cab 4x4 for that price and as you probably know the older style RAM didn't come in a quad/crew cab configuration unless you want a 4-door with 2 suicide doors. You may be lucky to find one depending on your area but since you don't plan on using it much a Ford or Chevy should do fine.

I would do it in an instant, those Challengers are amazing! Road & Track tested the Challenger R/T at 376hp/410lb.ft. and averaged 20.3mpg in a 4135lb car and they were not going easy on it.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/content...ile/September-2010_Road-Test-Summary-Data.pdf

 

[Diamondpilot]

They are out there. My neighbor just sold, 10 days ago, a regular cab short bed dodge 1500 4x4 short bed red cab. It was a 97 with 120,000 miles but only 40,000 on a fresh 360 and 5,000 on a rebuilt tranny and transfer case. It had the typical dodge rust on the doors and front fenders but the rest was solid. $5000

I also looked at a 99 f150 with only 68,000 on it. It was 4x4 reg cab, long bed but only had the 4.6 so 7,000# was its limit. $6500 it was cleaner than most 2009 I see.


I stay far from GM but I think you could find the same.


Chris

 

[DIRTROAD]

I have been thinking of selling one of my Dodges. I am hesitant though because I know the history of it since I bought it almost new. I am just thinking about thinning the fleet a little, but I might just take it off the road and park it in the weeds for a while instead. The insurance comes due in a couple of weeks so I will have to make a decision by then I guess.

What do y'all think a '96 4x4 dually with a v-10 and 5 speed is worth? It has just a little over 200k on it, but runs excellent and has never had any major issues.

 

[dodge man]

Maybe about $5000 sitting in my driveway. Its a little more truck than I need, but it is a Dodge!

 

[WH401]

It depends on whether you want gas or diesel. That'll also determine the age of the truck too. If diesel then it'll probably be more than 10 - 15 years old. A gas truck maybe about 10 or slightly less, depending on the miles. Personally, I would go diesel. If you like Dodge, and have had good luck with them, then I would look for a 1st Gen Dodge Cummins, (89' - 93') or early 2nd Gen, (94' - 02', though you'll be staying closer to a 94' or 95' MY if your looking at an early one). Those trucks are very reliable, even with a couple hundred thousands miles on them, can be had reasonably priced around 5k, they get great mileage, and they'll be twice as good as any newer gas truck. While yes, those trucks are scarce, they are out there. I have a 92' Dodge Cummins with 174k on it and it's been a great truck, and I truthfully feel that it's more reliable than my 06, simply because it's a much simpler design.

Not a 2wd, but still a good truck:
1989 Dodge D250 Cummins Diesel

Possible option, the little things could be easily fixed, but I might pass on it:
1992 dodge d350 cummins 4x4

I doubt you would like a flatbed, but it's a pretty solid looking truck:
1993 DODGE ONE TON DUALLY

Not a bad looking option, the rust spot on the door that's mentioned could easily be fixed, 5 speed is also a desirable transmission too:
1994 Dodge 2500 Cummins

 

[dodge man]

Unless you are into cars, you don't understand. I owned a 70 Challenger for about 12 years and a 70 Road Runner for about 7 years. Once its in your blood, you can't get rid of it. There is no practial reason to buy the Challenger, and there are several reasons to keep the truck, but its more a matter of wants sometimes and not needs.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Unless you are into cars, you don't understand. I owned a 70 Challenger for about 12 years and a 70 Road Runner for about 7 years. Once its in your blood, you can't get rid of it. There is no practial reason to buy the Challenger, and there are several reasons to keep the truck, but its more a matter of wants sometimes and not needs.

I have to agree with ya. While I am not a Dodge Fan I would buy a Challenger in the drop of a hat. You can keep the Camero and the Mustang, that Challenger just has the look. Just need $40,000 dropped into my lap.

Chris

 

[BillBeyer]

I just bought a 1997 Ford F-450 Super Duty 7.3 Power Stroke for 6,000.00. 77,250 actual miles, one owner. I thought it was a good buy. Wife did not speak to me for 3 days. Did not think we need it. Guess because I have a F-350 also.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Wife did not speak to me for 3 days. Did not think we need it. Guess because I have a F-350 also.

I would buy one twice a week then....:laughing:

Cost the same as a diamond ring, does the same thing, and makes you happy. Can not get any better than that.

Chris

 

[magicheater]

Unless you are into cars, you don't understand. I owned a 70 Challenger for about 12 years and a 70 Road Runner for about 7 years. Once its in your blood, you can't get rid of it. There is no practial reason to buy the Challenger, and there are several reasons to keep the truck, but its more a matter of wants sometimes and not needs.

Then it really doesn't matter what any of us says because if it is your "wants" that are driving this, and you buy it, "you" will be driving it. I would listen to the "needs" more, especially in these unpredictable times. Disposable income is great to have but not everyone has that option. By the way, I am a Dodge man.

 

[buck12]

They are out there. My neighbor just sold, 10 days ago, a regular cab short bed dodge 1500 4x4 short bed red cab. It was a 97 with 120,000 miles but only 40,000 on a fresh 360 and 5,000 on a rebuilt tranny and transfer case. It had the typical dodge rust on the doors and front fenders but the rest was solid. $5000

I also looked at a 99 f150 with only 68,000 on it. It was 4x4 reg cab, long bed but only had the 4.6 so 7,000# was its limit. $6500 it was cleaner than most 2009 I see.


I stay far from GM but I think you could find the same.


Chris

That truck must have had a rough life to need a new motor, tranny, and transfer case in 120,000 miles. I have 93 F150 with 152,000 that has never had the motor, tranny, or transfer case touched other than a rear main seal and oil pan casket. Heck it still has the factory alternator. I feel you guys up north with the rust. By the way I have been offered $5000 for the 93 and have fefused it more than once.

 

[Diamondpilot]

That truck must have had a rough life to need a new motor, tranny, and transfer case in 120,000 miles. I have 93 F150 with 152,000 that has never had the motor, tranny, or transfer case touched other than a rear main seal and oil pan casket. Heck it still has the factory alternator. I feel you guys up north with the rust. By the way I have been offered $5000 for the 93 and have fefused it more than once.

The motor lost a oil pump and that was the killer of that. Just one of those things. Usually the 360 and the 318 are both very reliable motors.

The tranny, well its a Dodge, not much more to say.

The transfer case had a broken piece where the linkage goes in. I had to go pick it up 60 miles from home in the middle of the night. It was a easy fix once we dropped it out.

The truck did not lead a rough life at all. Most it ever towed was a 3,000# bass boat and a lawn mower on a trailer. It was really a nice truck. Only issue was rust on the front quarters and door bottoms which is very common around here.

I really though about buying it. He told me I could have it for $3500 since I had helped him out so much. I should have bought it and put a plow on it. would make a great truck for that being a regular cab short bed. I stewed over it too long and he put it on Craigs List and sold it in 6 hours.

Chris

 

[QRTRHRS]

That truck must have had a rough life to need a new motor, tranny, and transfer case in 120,000 miles. I have 93 F150 with 152,000 that has never had the motor, tranny, or transfer case touched other than a rear main seal and oil pan casket. Heck it still has the factory alternator. I feel you guys up north with the rust. By the way I have been offered $5000 for the 93 and have fefused it more than once.

Guess that is why when I mentioned to some co-workers today that I was thinking about selling my 92' F150 with 197k for maybe a thousand or so that all of the hands went up.

As far as want and need, we get enough guilt trips from the media these days. If the man wants a Challenger then I say go for it. That's what makes our economy go round and round.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I have a 2001 RAM 1500 Quad cab SLT 4x4 5.9l magnum 4spd auto that I'd sell in that price range. Has around 150K miles, new tires, I just replaced all the brake lines and new front calipers.

 

[newbury]

I also have been in the hunt for a truck, my price range is higher, up to 15K w/o fixing.

Some observations:
Beware of fake "kbb" claims - i just called a guy out on one. no way could I get the kbb up to what he was asking. He replied well that was the value last year.

Look at CLOSED/ENDED ebay auctions - there are a lot of trucks being offered that DON'T sell.

Establish NOW how much time/$$ you are going to invest in "the hunt". I don't know your job or what you value your time, but is it worth spending XXX hours traveling and looking to save $1000? If your time is worth $10/hr that's 100 hrs, but if your time is worth $50/hr it's only 20hrs.

Get all your stats on what would be acceptable written down and memorized, so when the right one appears on CL or ebay or in the feedstore parking lot you can slam the $$ down.

I've just about got SWMBO convinced we need a toy hauler, so I'm changing my looking for a combo truck/TH. I've seen some deals go by with moderately priced packages and they would sell only the TH or the combo, but not just the truck.

 

[doall]

how about keeping your truck and buying an older muscle car maybe a little rough around the edges charger or challenger with a 426 or 440 six pack. And you would have plenty of truck to pull it on your car hauler to the shows. :thumbsup: