What should I stay away from?

camsdad11 wrote:
Ok . I just found a 2003 Dodge 3/4 ton 2 wheel drive quad cab diesel in my price range. what do you guys think? The lady got the truck in the divorce. She can't tell me if it is a turbo diesel or not. Just wants the truck gone. She sent me pictures and it is super clean for 180,000 miles. Should I jump on it? how bout if it is not turbo'd ?

If she's correct is saying it's diesel then it definitely has a turbo; if I'm correct there hasn't been a non-turbo diesel on the market in an auto application for some time now.

180k miles is not a lot on a Cummins diesel, but (not to beat this to death) just have your eyes open going in that everything else on the truck is 10 years old with 180k miles. There'd be no surprise whatsoever if various other components are reaching the end of their lifespan, and some of them (oil & fuel pumps, window motors, various relays & switches, AC components, the turbo itself, cooling system, etc) are not inexpensive to replace.

Having said all that, if you see it in person and it's as clean and cared for as the pics have made you believe, then go for it. There's a give & take, and accepting that some parts might be worn is the balancing act in spending less and buying used. With one exception I've always bought used- and not necessarily low-mileage used- and I've had really great luck with my vehicles.

Is it local such that you can test-drive it without having to hop a plane? Some guys are comfortable buying without test-driving first but it's something I wouldn't be comfortable with personally.