Buying a Used Diesel Truck

[smcrea]

Hi,

Question:

If I'm buying a used diesel truck for towing our travel trailer then what should I look for when choosing the truck?

Any warning signs:

Is it a good idea to get a vehicle inspected and if so any recommendations. We live in San Diego but will look locally and up in the LA area.

With regards to Ford and Chevy/GM.. anything like DO not buy older than xyz?

It's my understanding that a Diesel will go on and on and on and 100K is just about run in. Is this true?

What tends to break first so we can check

Any Advise is welcome

Thanks!

[brirene]

JamesBr wrote:

I was more flexible and used the overnall internet distaste for the 6.0 to my advantage and walked out with a 23k dollar truck for 16k which left lots of room in the budget to do all the 6.0 proofing work.

A "bullet proofed" 6.0 is close to being just that. All of the problems with this engine have been identified, and after market equipment addresses them. You could potentially end up with a great tv if you're willing to research and take the appropriate measures. Even with that, lots of folks aren't interested, so you'll see some great deals out there.

[rhagfo]

Me Again wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Is there a problem bringing an out of state 2013 RAM left over into California? Here is a smoking deal on a left over 2013 RAM 3500 SRW. Offer them 48K and have it delivery across the border.

http://www.kingmandodge.com/New-2013-RAM-3500-Laramie-Kingman-AZ/vd/14765373

Has the sought after Aisin HD 6sp auto.

As someone pointed out a left over new one is a better deal than a used truck.

Chris

Why yes I did about three post back, but thank you very much for pointing out a real world deal. 🙂

I chuckle at all the nay sayers that a Diesel cost $10,000 more than a gas. Have you looked at used diesel prices lately, 90% of the 99 to 01's in my area are priced at $14,000 to $20,000+ these are trucks 14 years old.

Russ, if I had the money I would be jumping all over this RAM in the link. But my lotto tickets keep coming up "sorry not a winner".

The thing I struggle with is that I can do pretty much anything on my old 2001 except tranny work.

Set of injectors! 500 and two hours on my time. Failed VP44 injection pump 1046 and 4 hours of my time. Better fuel lift pump 150 and a couple hours to mount it down on the frame rail vs on the engine. Time to swap in spare old OEM fuel lift pump, about 10 minutes. Adjusted the valves the other day! 2 hours, and I had the baring tool from the Cummins in the boat!

I have never owned a vehicle that was tethered to the dealers service department, so buying a new diesel from anyone of the big three would be a major adjustment for me.

And!!! My old 2001 gets better towing mileage than anyone of the three new trucks would get. 12-12.5 average towing, 15 around town, 19 to 20 on the highway.

The thing is we have not had a car payment in the last 20 or 25 years and many vehicles! With the cost of these new trucks I will have to squirrel money away for a couple years to buy one. So DRATS!

Chris

Ditto!

I really enjoy our 01, still strong at 269,000. Turn my own wrenches also. Last project was Pacbrake. I do have a set of RV275's sitting on the shelf, soon to be installed.
That 2013 looks to be VERY NICE package as should be able to get for a few thousand less than asking.

[Me_Again]

smcrea wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Is there a problem bringing an out of state 2013 RAM left over into California? Here is a smoking deal on a left over 2013 RAM 3500 SRW. Offer them 48K and have it delivery across the border.

http://www.kingmandodge.com/New-2013-RAM-3500-Laramie-Kingman-AZ/vd/14765373

Has the sought after Aisin HD 6sp auto.

As someone pointed out a left over new one is a better deal than a used truck.

Chris

I've investigated in depth the possibility of bringing a new truck over the border into Kalifornia.

Is it Possible?.. Yes

Is it worth the absolute grief? probably not

With the KA emissions requirements, DMV, tax implications etc etc we found that it's better to buy a truck inside Kalifornia. And a gun rack option would be out of the question!! :E

I just talked "Bacon" at the dealership and he said it is a 50 state certified vehicle. Give him a call, he said it is not a problem selling it into California. It was a special order and then the person did not take it. I am sure they want to sell it. Someone test drove it yesterday but she could have qualify for the payment!

Chris

[JamesBr]

Every truck has its issues no matter what the brand. My recommendation is find a mechanic that is familiar with the truck brand/engine/model you are leaning to buy and have them do a pre puchase inspection. Not all diesel guys know each engine well, so you need to narrow it down to what ones you like and one like and then go from there.

I was more flexible and used the overnall internet distaste for the 6.0 to my advantage and walked out with a 23k dollar truck for 16k which left lots of room in the budget to do all the 6.0 proofing work.

[smcrea]

Me Again wrote:
Is there a problem bringing an out of state 2013 RAM left over into California? Here is a smoking deal on a left over 2013 RAM 3500 SRW. Offer them 48K and have it delivery across the border.

http://www.kingmandodge.com/New-2013-RAM-3500-Laramie-Kingman-AZ/vd/14765373

Has the sought after Aisin HD 6sp auto.

As someone pointed out a left over new one is a better deal than a used truck.

Chris

I've investigated in depth the possibility of bringing a new truck over the border into Kalifornia.

Is it Possible?.. Yes

Is it worth the absolute grief? probably not

With the KA emissions requirements, DMV, tax implications etc etc we found that it's better to buy a truck inside Kalifornia. And a gun rack option would be out of the question!! :E

[Me_Again]

rhagfo wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Is there a problem bringing an out of state 2013 RAM left over into California? Here is a smoking deal on a left over 2013 RAM 3500 SRW. Offer them 48K and have it delivery across the border.

http://www.kingmandodge.com/New-2013-RAM-3500-Laramie-Kingman-AZ/vd/14765373

Has the sought after Aisin HD 6sp auto.

As someone pointed out a left over new one is a better deal than a used truck.

Chris

Why yes I did about three post back, but thank you very much for pointing out a real world deal. 🙂

I chuckle at all the nay sayers that a Diesel cost $10,000 more than a gas. Have you looked at used diesel prices lately, 90% of the 99 to 01's in my area are priced at $14,000 to $20,000+ these are trucks 14 years old.

Russ, if I had the money I would be jumping all over this RAM in the link. But my lotto tickets keep coming up "sorry not a winner".

The thing I struggle with is that I can do pretty much anything on my old 2001 except tranny work.

Set of injectors! 500 and two hours on my time. Failed VP44 injection pump 1046 and 4 hours of my time. Better fuel lift pump 150 and a couple hours to mount it down on the frame rail vs on the engine. Time to swap in spare old OEM fuel lift pump, about 10 minutes. Adjusted the valves the other day! 2 hours, and I had the baring tool from the Cummins in the boat!

I have never owned a vehicle that was tethered to the dealers service department, so buying a new diesel from anyone of the big three would be a major adjustment for me.

And!!! My old 2001 gets better towing mileage than anyone of the three new trucks would get. 12-12.5 average towing, 15 around town, 19 to 20 on the highway.

The thing is we have not had a car payment in the last 20 or 25 years and many vehicles! With the cost of these new trucks I will have to squirrel money away for a couple years to buy one. So DRATS!

Chris

[rhagfo]

Me Again wrote:
Is there a problem bringing an out of state 2013 RAM left over into California? Here is a smoking deal on a left over 2013 RAM 3500 SRW. Offer them 48K and have it delivery across the border.

http://www.kingmandodge.com/New-2013-RAM-3500-Laramie-Kingman-AZ/vd/14765373

Has the sought after Aisin HD 6sp auto.

As someone pointed out a left over new one is a better deal than a used truck.

Chris

Why yes I did about three post back, but thank you very much for pointing out a real world deal. 🙂

I chuckle at all the nay sayers that a Diesel cost $10,000 more than a gas. Have you looked at used diesel prices lately, 90% of the 99 to 01's in my area are priced at $14,000 to $20,000+ these are trucks 14 years old.

[Me_Again]

Is there a problem bringing an out of state 2013 RAM left over into California? Here is a smoking deal on a left over 2013 RAM 3500 SRW. Offer them 48K and have it delivery across the border.

http://www.kingmandodge.com/New-2013-RAM-3500-Laramie-Kingman-AZ/vd/14765373

Has the sought after Aisin HD 6sp auto.

As someone pointed out a left over new one is a better deal than a used truck.

Chris

[rhagfo]

brirene wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:


I'm not sure of the Ford but I'm sure they are out there.

http://www.powerstroke.org/

The location for Ram Cummins Forum

[brirene]

mtofell1 wrote:


I'm not sure of the Ford but I'm sure they are out there.

http://www.powerstroke.org/

[rhagfo]

smcrea wrote:

ScottG wrote:

45Ricochet wrote:
I'd be looking at a 2006-07 GM Duramax or a 2004-07 Ram with the Cummins engine, both pre emission trucks...

Kinda curious why you left out the 03 Ram since it's pretty much identical to the 04?

Probably looking at about 3 years old. Just enough to get past the steep gradient on the depreciation curve.

One question.. We're seeing 3 year old diesel trucks with 70-80K on the clock. I'm guessing that this is probably not a bad thing for a diesel? would that be correct?

Thanks for the advise.. please keep it coming! 🙂

What is your budget? Your still looking at $40,000 to $50,000 you can come close to that on a year end new deal.

[rhagfo]

danojeno wrote:
Miles on a diesel are more of an issue than many will admit. Don't buy into the hype that 200k is just broken in. Many will have expensive issues well before then. I would look for a truck with a comprehensve and long lasting warranty. Not bashing diesel at all, because when you need one, nothing else will do.

No, don't buy into the the 200,000 miles plus for diesels!! Mine only has 269,000 miles, still pulling an 11,000# 5er without issue.

The Ford/Navastar 6.0 and to a lesser degree the 6.4 has destroyed the reputation of high mileage diesels.

I didn't think twice about the Cummins engine when we picked up our 01 Ram three years ago with 234,000 one owner miles! I spent more time making sure the Ram wrapper was still in good condition.
My neighbor at the RV storage yard has a 96 I think, with almost 500,000 miles.
If you want a diesel that will go the distance, steer clear of all, but the 7.3 Fords, stick with either a Cummins or DuraMax.

[danojeno]

Miles on a diesel are more of an issue than many will admit. Don't buy into the hype that 200k is just broken in. Many will have expensive issues well before then. I would look for a truck with a comprehensve and long lasting warranty. Not bashing diesel at all, because when you need one, nothing else will do.

[mtofell1]

Best thing is to do what you're doing.... poke around the net and take it all in. There is a ton of info from owners of the various trucks.

Lots of good info here but a lot of "my brand is the best" BS. Try to check out brand specific sits. For Chevy/Duramax go to www.dieselplace.com

I'm not sure of the Ford & Dodge but I'm sure they are out there. I always figure when doing internet research for a big purchase like this you can make around $100/hr or more just by educating yourself and making a wise purchase. Shooting blind by listening to salesman you are doomed. Get educated and go in armed with knowledge and you'll do well. Good luck.... these modern diesels are amazing.

[smcrea]

ScottG wrote:

45Ricochet wrote:
I'd be looking at a 2006-07 GM Duramax or a 2004-07 Ram with the Cummins engine, both pre emission trucks...

Kinda curious why you left out the 03 Ram since it's pretty much identical to the 04?

Probably looking at about 3 years old. Just enough to get past the steep gradient on the depreciation curve.

One question.. We're seeing 3 year old diesel trucks with 70-80K on the clock. I'm guessing that this is probably not a bad thing for a diesel? would that be correct?

Thanks for the advise.. please keep it coming! 🙂