Good Buy?
 

Hi, I kind of asked this in my intro in that section but I didn't think it would get many views.
I am about to pull the trigger on buying a 1991.5 LE standard cab 5 speed.
It has 325000 miles on it and it has some rust at the front of the roof but none anywhere else that I can tell.
Paint is peeling and looks rough. Interior is fair. Runs like a top.
is $3600 too much for this truck?
A first gen is my dream truck but I don't want to jump at something that isn't worth it.
Thanks

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:dang: While I was mulling it over this afternoon someone came along with cash and snatched it :argh::ouch::s:

:w: depressing

I wouldn't get too upset over it. I had been looking for an old low mileage diesel for quite some time. TWICE someone grabbed a very good condition IDI ford sub 100k mile truck for $3000 or so before I could get to it. When the next old diesel came up I wasted no time heading over and grabbing it... a 1993 Dodge Cummins with 260,000 miles and extended cab, for $3800. It was pretty beat up. I am a very meticulous person when it comes to my vehicles and it didn't take too long before I regretted it. I put it up for sale and couldn't sell it until I dropped the price down to $2900. A $1000 hit in a matter of months. Right after I bought it, a swarm of better condition 1st Gens hit the market making it difficult for me to sell. I was going to suggest to you before I read your update that this is a bit high of a price. Now I live in a Southern state so rust isn't such an issue here. In fact I sold my truck by putting on eBay and someone from Indiana flew in and picked it up because his truck was all rusty and he was looking for a donor.

I turned around and bought another Dodge, a 1990 Ram with 98k miles, excellent interior, good exterior, repainted, very straight body. Only when I took off the camper shell some rust is forming on the back top of the cab where water collected from the camper shell. That's the only real thing I'm upset about and wasn't expecting. Paid $4900 and had to buy new tires then not too long afterward had to replace the radiator and a trans cooler/heater line that carried water in it, previous owner did not change antifreeze. This is now my daily driver and yes it has it's "quirks" but overall it gets me from point A to point B and can haul and tow.

Anyways, all I can say is don't rush it and eventually one will show up. If you are in a Northern state you may want to look further South to get a rust free truck.

Another thing I found is it's typical for an old Cummins to be on the market for a long time, and they all seem to be a better value than my first, yet, not everyon else agrees. Example: a 1992 D350 5 speed with 120k miles and a few minor cosmetic issues (rubber pieces missing) but overall looked like a very solid truck and very straight, sat for sale for months. These things come up. The Cummins motor may last a long time but the body sure does age like any gas powered Dodge. Good luck in your search.

To me Dodge's version of an extended cab is almost a joke but I guess you could use it for a little storage space, tradeoff being harder to park. I don't care for extended cabs but bucket seats with a console and a darn cupholder would sure be nice!!! (I don't want to drill cupholders into my nice dash)

Thank you Metricar. The hunt will go on. I am actually glad that this one got away. I'm sure I can find something better.
Now that I have committed to finally finding and buying one, it will happen!
Is $4000 a good number to try to get a deal on one in good shape?

Around here you can, but I don't live in the rust belt so that may make a difference. I've found 4wd tend to trade at a premium so for a 2wd you shouldn't have a problem.

Yeah I live in Montana so a 4x4 is mandatory. If I only needed a 2wd I could have one for that price today haha.
I've stalked craiglist and ebay. Are there any "super secret bad ass" places to find some for decent prices?

A locking axle makes a 2wd MUCH more capable.

I got my D250s for $2900 and $1000. W250 was $4500. All were 5spd, none were pretty, and the cheap D250 had a shredded rear axle.

2wd ones should be really cheap because everyone thinks they *need* a 4x4. ;)

hmmm.... explain how a locking 2wd would be better than 4x4. I'm confused :humm:
I have to regularly drive down dirt roads and unplowed roads. Maybe on ice the 2wd can do as good but maybe i've been lead wrong. Maybe I'm in for a revelation. :tu: If its true a 2wd is gettable haha

Not better than 4wd... locking 2wd is MUCH better than open 2wd. So much is the case I can drive my 2wd all winter, and no more stupid stucks from dirt driveways, grass, etc. :D

Plus it makes for a nicer DD. Rides and handles like a big car.... not like a tank (as with my w250).

I'm thinking the ideal situation is 2!:tu::c:
One beater 4x4 for when its really bad out and a 2wd with lockers for daily driver/nice rig