2015 Ram 3500 Tradesman Diesel SRW

[vinnydog]

I'm thinking of purchasing a 2105 Ram 3500 crew cab Tradesman Diesel SRW with 79,000 miles on it. They are asking around $34,000. The truck is in New Jersey. This is my first diesel truck, so I had a few questions. Is this a good price? Should I be worried about the mileage? What are things should I be looking for with a diesel? Thanks for any input you can give.

[mowingman]

Just 3 weeks ago, I bought a used,2016 Ram 3500, crewcab, diesel, SRW, 8'bed, with the Laramie package and every option except a sun roof. It has 58,000 miles and was a commercial lease return vehicle. I gave $37,000 for the truck.
Just wanted to tose this info out so you can do some price comparisons. Of course, I am in Texas, a totally different market. I did see some used trucks like you are considering, with the Tradesman pkg. They were priced from $30,000 - $35,000 mostly.

[campingalan]

Good evening sir. I was going through the same considerations that your are.....used vs new diesel. They hold their value well. I had a former military buddy buy a new 3500 Tradesman dually for 42k 2 yrs ago.....drove it for a year and put 30k miles on it criss crossing the country for a year after he retired.

Anyways, I opted to go new because the new price was not significantly higher than a used model. Then, since we keep our vehicles 20+ yrs, I opted to go with a higher trim. It should arrive in about 1.5 months as it is being special ordered.

You should easily still be able to get a new 3500 tradesman for 41-43k; and you'd get the full warranty.

If you continue to pursue this one, I'd consider a reputable pre buy....and focus on the coolant and oil systems.....and maybe offer low 30k's.

The best of luck! That is a great looking truck! I am excited to join the ranks of Ram owner with you!!

[vinnydog]

This is the carfax

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=FRD_2&vin=3C63R3CL2FG704223#undefined

[Grit_dog]

You’ve gotten the rundown of typical diesel/Ram stuff to look for.
Provided that checks out, overall condition, rust underneath (was it driven winters, probably so if Jersey and that many miles). Tires brakes etc.
$34 doesn’t seem bad, but IMO it’s not a steal for a tradesman with 80k miles. It’s about $10k off the price of new. But ALL diesels are expensive these days.
I’d do that much if it was 100% cherry otherwise I’d be trying to chew them down some.

[Me_Again]

Might want be request a Carfax report from selling dealer.

I see this:
Vehicle:2015 RAM 3500 ST
VIN:3C63R3CL2FG704223
Your vehicle has
23 history records

In contrast our single owner unmolested 2015 states 11 history records. Over twice the records would have me really checking things. Chris

[Me_Again]

Brake Transmission Shift Interlock
Status
Incomplete
Recall Date
December 20, 2017
FCA Recall #
T79
NHTSA Recall #
17V-821

Water Pump
Status
Incomplete
Recall Date
September 12, 2017
FCA Recall #
T51

SCR
Status
Complete
Campaign Date
March 30, 2017
FCA Campaign #
T05
NHTSA Recall #
17V-562

[Me_Again]

Here is a link to the original window sticker. 79K on a 2015 is not low mileage. Truck could be 3.75 to 2.75 years old.

https://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3CL2FG704223

[Lwiddis]

Sure looks nice.

[vinnydog]

This is the truck.

https://www.smithmtr.com/used/Ram/2015-Ram-3500-for-sale-Washington-NJ-30eef5300a0e0aea656258b35d615f8d.htm?searchDepth=3:3

[donn0128]

Tradeaman is their bottom line truck. Vinyl floor mats, vinyl bench seat, missing almost everything unless the OE added stuff to make it more comfortable. Price is decent it seems like. Is it, or was it a business truck? Service history? All emission stuff in tact? All recalls performed?

[azrving]

Look for a log of oil, fuel filter, axle, transfer case changes. The oil and fuel filters get reset in the evic but I log everything in the back of my owners manual. There may be recalls that were done or need to be done. Latest is water pump, shift mechanism pin. Earlier may have been steering bracket, exhaust parts, re flashes and possibly seat belt?

I'd look closely at the coolant. It may look orangish in the reservoir but it's actually a purple color. It uses a special coolant and the diesel supplement warns about using the wrong stuff. I dont remember right off it's oat or hoat. Use the right one. Download the 2015 diesel supplement for maintenance intervals. Aisin trans is more often service than 68rfe

[ScottG]

Sounds like a great truck and low mileage.
I would just make sure no one screwed around with the emissions stuff.