Buying a used PU questions

lhfarm · Mar 19, 2011

I'm in the market for a used PU that will be my tow vehicle for hauling around my farm jeep to shows (so some long road trips). Plan to buy an 18' car hauler. Not a great deal of weight and I'm assuming an F150 or 1500 series truck will do fine. I need 4wd, extended cab and tow package. I'm also looking for less than 60K miles. I'm not tied to a brand and I've not been in the PU market for years. Currently have a 96 Ford Ranger - 4wd. I have a limited budget ($25K max but would like to stay under $20K) and won't do a loan.

I've been doing searches on line (autotrader.com, cars.com, carguru.com) and made one dealer visit just to do a test drive. If I go out 75 miles, I can see a number of 07 trucks in the higher end of my budget range. I won't go in to the sticker shock I got when I first started looking, but would like to know if my expectations are reasonable; can I buy an 07 or newer truck given my criteria and budget?

Assuming I can, I don't think I'll find one in town, unless I'm patient and get lucky. If I have to drive an hour or more to see a truck, how can I prepare to make the most of the visit? Do you have a check list of things to check while doing a test drive? Is there a way to tell, for example if the truck is equipped with a tow package and not just an aftermarket hitch? Should I get a Carfax?

Should I have the truck inspected by an independent mechanic, even if purchased from a dealer lot? If I'm out of town, can I expect the dealer to help me find a local mechanic or is that even worth asking?

I, like most people I know, hate buying cars/trucks. It is a lot of money and I don't want to make a mistake or spend lots more than I need to. Any advice or words of wisdom greatly appreciated.

Diamondpilot · Mar 19, 2011

You can easily get a 1/2 ton truck in your budget that is 4 years old or less. I see them everyday. Just pick your favorite brand and go from there.

As for buying what we did when we went to Detroit to get a 04 Aviator, about 4 hours away, in 07 was arranged for the local Ford dealer to take a look at it. They changed the oil, rotated the tires, ran the VIN#, did a full inspection, ect all for $59. Money well spent. If you decide not to buy it you gave the dealer a free maintenance and if you do buy its been gone over.

As for buying you can save tons buy going out of town. Example is that Aviator. They were 20K here and we found a dozen at a Buick dealer, yes, a Buick dealer for 14-15K. He told us he bought a entire fleet off a corp.

Same thing last fall when a friend was looking for a Nissan Murano. Around here 2-3 year old ones with 30,000 miles were nearly 30K. In Chicago the same cars were in the 23K range. There were well over 100 when we did a Cars. com search in that area.

Do your shopping and find what you want.

Chris

CompactTractorFan · Mar 19, 2011

FYI: you can buy a new 1/2 ton "work truck" for about $30k (according to build and price online)...Just in case you did not check into it...(I know, it's really east to spend other people's money...

)

davkir · Mar 19, 2011

You might take a look at Carmax also. They charge a bit more, but they check out the vehicles, offer local delivery and you don't have to buy it if you don't like it.
(And no, I don't work for them)

flusher · Mar 19, 2011

$25K is a wopping large budget for a used 1/2 ton truck. You should have no problem finding exactly what you want.

Look on eBay and craigslist. Last Dec I found a 2004 Isuzu NPR tiltcab stakebed truck (8x14 ft bed, 6L Chevy engine, 49500 miles) on eBay and made the deal for $11K. I'll use it to carry my restored parade tractors (1951 Farmall Super A, 1948 Farmall Cub, 1951 Minneapolis Moline BF, and ???) to shows, parades, picnics, etc that my tractor club get involved in. And so far I've found all my old tractors on CL.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/190454-got-tractor-hauler-finally.html

Why the stakebed instead of a trailer? Just me--I like the looks of the Isuzu (always wanted to own something like that), it's a lot shorter than a PU/trailer combo, and I suck at backing a trailer.

B7510HSD · Mar 19, 2011

Well I can tell you from reading all the post in this section you really don't want to but a Dodge,Ford,Chevrolet,GMC,Toyota,Nissan, but anything else
should give you a 50/50 chance at something good!! :thumbsup:

Soundguy · Mar 19, 2011

might be able to find a 3/4 or 1 ton cheap if you look around and don't mind one 10ys old. and a lil waer on the seat and carpet.

be more capable and a bit safer...

soundguy

lhfarm · Apr 1, 2011

Purchased an 07 F150 yesterday off a dealer lot some 40 miles away. It was the 5th truck I test drove and got the famous "last day of the month" deal. Actually it was a good enough deal that I opted for the extended warranty, which made it an OK deal.

I hadn't purchased a used vehicle since 98 and the Internet has clearly changed everything. Still requires lots of patients and money though.

Thanks for the help and advice.

dodge man · Apr 1, 2011

Good luck with it, and you know the saying, its worthless without pictures

Diamondpilot · Apr 1, 2011

Congratulations. Last F-150 I had was a 07. Truck was trouble free for the 3 years I owned it and averaged 15.5mpg over its life. Had the 5.4L with 3.73 gears and was a crew cab short bed 4x4.

Very nice truck.

Chris