Looking for a Used Pickup...

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

Hi Folks,

 

Now, I'm looking for a pickup, regular cab, short bed, automatic, and 4WD; preferably Dodge Ram. I've searched online from Redding to Fresno and only found one I like, even including Toyota, Chevrolet, and Ford. It is a 2007 Dodge 5.7 liter. Hubby isn't impressed with the 85,000 + miles it has on it. He will go look at it tomorrow. Cross your fingers for me.

 

Did you know that 99.99 percent of available trucks are either quad, crew, or extended cab?

 

I test drove a pretty pewter long bed Silverado yesterday. It drove really nice; but, I really don't want a long bed.

 

Sigh! Getting set for going to annual matches is tougher than I thought.

 

Regards,

 

Allie Mo

[Doc Windshadow]

How about a nice restored Army surplus Dodge Power Wagon? DG&R

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

How about a nice restored Army surplus Dodge Power Wagon? DG&R

Ha ha!

 

Do you think they come with automatic transmissions?

 

Regards,

 

AM

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Hey "Crash", why "no-luv" for a standard 8' bed?

Most std. beds have a better ride and are more stable when towing, that the same in a shorty

What ever truck you folks get, make sure it has the factory towing package installed(engine and tranny oil cooler(s), hi-amp alternator, and heavy duty radiator cooling)

Respectfully,

LG

[Utah Bob #35998]

Used pickups ion good shape are hard to find sometimes. Especially with the specifics you want. Good luck in your search.

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

Hey "Crash", why "no-luv" for a standard 8' bed?

Most std. beds have a better ride and are more stable when towing, that the same in a shorty

What ever truck you folks get, make sure it has the factory towing package installed(engine and tranny oil cooler(s), hi-amp alternator, and heavy duty radiator cooling)

Respectfully,

LG

Good info Lumpy!

 

Hubby has owned many trucks over the years...

 

I like the way the shorter ones look and I think parking will be easier.

 

If this comes together, I plan to attend Defend the Roost some day. It will probably be 2012 though.

 

 

Crash

[Brother King, SASS #69031]

EBAY MOTORS... no kidding... you can easily check out any truck on CARFAX. ALSO! a bid on EBAY MOTORS IS NOT A BINDING CONTRACT! Winning bidder still gets a first hand chance to perform due diligence.

 

These days who cares where a deal is located? A plane ticket and fuel money is a cheap ROAD TRIP.

[Cascade Charlie, SASS # 48668L]

Don't rule out a diesel either. It took a long time to convince me but now I'm a firm believer.

 

Great "gas" mileage when I'm not towing and even descent mileage when I am towing. I don't know if it'll make much difference with something as light as you want, but 83k on a desiel engine is just getting broken in.

 

Have fun looking,

 

Charlie

[The Shoer 27979]

Don't rule out a diesel either. It took a long time to convince me but now I'm a firm believer.

 

Great "gas" mileage when I'm not towing and even descent mileage when I am towing. I don't know if it'll make much difference with something as light as you want, but 83k on a desiel engine is just getting broken in.

 

Have fun looking,

 

Charlie

 

+1

[JD Trampas, SASS # 55781]

I just checked craigs list in your area, very few trucks and the ones I did see, high mileage and a high price for the mileage, if you have a new car dealer in your area that you can trust, contact them, they have good resources for getting what you want, its a thought anyway, even a used car dealer might be able to help you

 

Good luck in your search, and no I won't sell mine, LOL

 

 

All for now JD Trampas

[Tucker T Fudpucker]

Ms Mo try edmunds.com. You can enter the make and model with the options that you want and it will tell you what is avaliable in your area. Helped me find what I was looking for.

 

Good Luck,

 

Tucker T.

[Grizzly Greg, SASS #10299]

Here's another option to try:

http://www.searchtempest.com/

 

You can search Craigslist within a radius you specify, it will also give Ebay results if you want it.

 

Good Hunting, Grizz.

[Finagler 6853 Life]

Another good option is to check with Fastenal. They drive Dodges pretty much exclusively and sell them after they are only a few years old. Some have lots of miles and some not so much. They have trucks all over the country. Most are standard cabs, automatics with 8 foot beds though. If you like white you are going to like these. They list the trucks, the specifics on them and their locations on their web site. These are typically outfitted fairly nicely. I don't know if they have trailer packages though. If you need any other help, PM me.

[Taquila Tab, Sass #25048]

I recommend Texas Direct Auto. I bought my 2008 truck here with only 229 miles on it. I got a $42,000 truck for $28,000. They have a nice search feature on their web page.

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

You folks are wonderful!

 

I'm going to check out all of the Websites you've recommended. Charlie, I have not ruled out diesel. However, not a one came up in my searches...

 

 

 

Allie

[Chickahominy Charlie]

I've used AutoTrader before and been very happy with what I was able to locate. I am, however, a firm "diesel guy." The only thing I own in my family that burns gasoline is a lawnmower -- 2 diesel pick-ups. I have 240k+ on my "old" 1996 Ford F-250 (which I bought used with 160k on it) and around 150k on a 2007 Dodge 3500 Dually. I am of the opinion that I will not buy new because of the outrageous prices, and I drive them "forever" (see mileage on 1996 Ford F-250 above ). By the way, when the 13 y/o reaches driving age, I'm going to give her my Ford and get me a "new" truck. It should have 270k or so on it by then.

 

If you buy a "good" diesel motor, then you have no towing issues and they just seem to keep going and going with a little maintenance. I think I've spent a whopping $600 on repairs on my Ford in the last 2 years....and it's been "mine" (no note) for more than 5 years.

 

Good Luck in your seach!

 

Chick

[Seldom Seen #16162]

Lady,

 

If you want a REAL working pickup suitable for pulling trailers, hauling hay and pulling stumps out of the ground while sliding around in slick muddy pastures you need to come to the Midwest. We buy our trucks and I mean real trucks (our latest big dog is Chevy 2500HD, 4 wheel drive, extended cab and brush guard bumper useful for taking on cows and compact cars) from Oklahoma.

 

Anything less is a wannabe.

[Doc Windshadow]

Ha ha!

 

Do you think they come with automatic transmissions?

 

Regards,

 

AM

Seriously I saw a WW II vintage Power Wagon with all of its winches and entrenching tools etc (looked like it was right off of a movie set)

but it was what they now call a resto mod vintage look on the outside; Inside. All new 2000+ vintage mechanicals new Cummings oil burner crate engine running gear and suspension AC Air ride seas etc it was built to tow a special custom trailer that on the outside looked like the command trailer that Gen. Bradely after Normandy had, but inside all mod cons he built it to go camping/hunting deep in the Maine woods over abandoned logging tracks that have not seen anything but snowmobiles or ATVS for years the trailer had high ground clearance for example. I saw it at an old car getogether a few years ago.... course you might need a small step ladder to get in or out of the thing

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

Hey!

 

That autotrader.com is the best shopping so far. I found a Toyota, Silverado, and Ram that are all contenders.

 

Still, no diesels have come up in my searches for used cars. It must be that folks keep them until they are used up. I just cannot afford a new truck with all the features I want.

 

Seldom, I guess I'm a wannabe. Not sure what it is that I wannabe. I do know I do not want a 3/4 ton or an extended (crew or quad) cab. I'd like a smoother ride and looking truck. To me that is a 1/2 ton with a regular cab and short bed. Those are two things hubby and I agree on. To each his/her own.

 

Thanks folks for the tips!

 

Allie Mo

[Church Key, SASS # 33713]

Allie - I second the posts to not rule out a standard cab with an 8' bed as trucks like the work truck model Tundra were only made that way when I bought my 2005 for 17,200 new. It came with a towing package, auto w/OD, sliding rear window, positraction, V8. Now it's a 2WD, however it averages 18MPG and will pull anything reasonable. I'd hunt for a work truck model owned by a retiree who used it as a car replacement. Mine is most likely carrying stuff from COSTCO.

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

Hi Church Key,

 

Thanks for the comments on this.

 

I'll give you a bit more of the story. I'm just happy that Hubby is into doing this for me. He hates it when I go places. The truck is only partly for me to go to annual matches. He is considering the truck as his primary vehicle, which means he has to like it. He is adamant about regular cab and pretty firm on a short bed.

 

Also, I do not want to tow with a long vehicle nor do I want a trailer longer than 16'. I've never towed anything before and this will be a big change for me.

 

Where we live, a 4WD is pretty important.

 

Regards,

 

Allie Mo

[Doc Windshadow]

The longer the tow car/truck the better and easier it is to tow something I recall towing a 22 foot speedboat with a CJ5 jeep, and even with everything set up the best it could be, the tail really wanted to wag the dog.

 

So for a pickup truck as a tow machine I would only go short Cab with a long bed; you could have a short bed with a crew cab, but you need a longer wheelbase with a tow.

More so as a novice or when you get your speed north of 50mph the tail will wag in crosswinds or when you get passed by the big rigs. add in some bad weather and you will not be a happy camper

[Chickahominy Charlie]

Still, no diesels have come up in my searches for used cars.

 

I do know I do not want a 3/4 ton or an extended (crew or quad) cab. Allie Mo

 

That's why you have no diesels. Diesel engines are not put in 1/2 ton trucks -- 3/4 ton and above. If you stick with 1/2 ton, then you also stick with gas.

 

Of note, when you start selecting 1/2 ton trucks, check to make sure that the max tow weight and max bumper weight are ok for the trailer size you're looking at. You'd be surprised how many 1/2 ton trucks won't (within the specifications) pull it. I've thought for years that the 1/2 tons that my Daddy used to drive are the 3/4 tons of today. They've really pulled down the max while trying to achieve the better ride.

 

Good Luck,

 

Chick

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

Thanks again Gents!

 

Hubby is not adamant about the bed length. That is me.

 

When I did not specify a particular fuel (I did not even see that option) or weight (3/4 or 1/2 again, not an option), still no deisels. Most sites just allowed me to specifycab, transmission, and drive train.

 

Oh dear Windy. You are scaring me. I'll consider it.

 

Regards,

 

Allie Mo

[Chickahominy Charlie]

When I did not specify a particular fuel (I did not even see that option) or weight (3/4 or 1/2 again, not an option), still no deisels.

Regards,

 

Allie Mo

 

If you're using AutoTrader.com, then when putting in your selections, you'll need to look down at the bottom and there's a link which opens up other "advanced" selections to include fuel type.

 

While I'm not trying to insult your intelligence, when you put in your model (at the top), you'll get to pick from "250" or "2500" or "350," etc. 150 or 1500's are 1/2 tons, 250's and 2500's are 3/4 tons and 350/3500's are 1 tons. Just in case you didn't realize that.

 

When I search in my area, there are lots of diesels to choose from, but in California, that may be a lot different. Texas buys more trucks than anyone else (last I heard) and we also don't have the tougher emissions standards that you guys have out there. That could account for the difference in diesels that are available for sale.

 

Good Luck,

 

Chick

[Noz]

I wish that I had not been adamant about not having an extended cab. They are great for tossing guns, jackets, lunch and even a folding guncart when the weather is less than optimal.

Now I have to wrestle a shell or just let the guncart get wet.

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

If you're using AutoTrader.com, then when putting in your selections, you'll need to look down at the bottom and there's a link which opens up other "advanced" selections to include fuel type.

 

While I'm not trying to insult your intelligence, when you put in your model (at the top), you'll get to pick from "250" or "2500" or "350," etc. 150 or 1500's are 1/2 tons, 250's and 2500's are 3/4 tons and 350/3500's are 1 tons. Just in case you didn't realize that.

 

When I search in my area, there are lots of diesels to choose from, but in California, that may be a lot different. Texas buys more trucks than anyone else (last I heard) and we also don't have the tougher emissions standards that you guys have out there. That could account for the difference in diesels that are available for sale.

 

Good Luck,

 

Chick

Hi Chick,

 

How could I be insulted by someone who is taking the time to be helpful.

 

On autotrader.com and other similar search engines, I do not put make or model in the search as it would force me to do a new search for every different brand. I just select pickup, then go to the advanced options and enter transmission (auto), doors (2), drive (4WD), mileage (less than 70,000). I allow the search engine to present any thing within those parameters, which would include any fuel type and 3/4 ton trucks.

 

Different dealers have different options and I am trying to keep it as open as I can within the preceding specifications.

 

Noz,

 

I would go for an extended cab (not a crew or quad). However hubby doesn't even want that. As I will be alone when I use this, the passenger seat is adequate for all that. The guncart can go in the trailer. We always kept our old one inside the RV. When I go to local matches, I will drive my Liberty and the gun cart fits in the back of it. Anyway, thank for your opinions on this!

 

Regards,

 

Allie Mo

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

PS I am lucky to live in a county that does not require "smog checks" like other parts of the state. The reason is that we are a sparsely populated (around 38,000), rural (our largest city and the county seat only has a population of around 4,000). Gotta love Google!

[Chickahominy Charlie]

On autotrader.com and other similar search engines, I do not put make or model in the search as it would force me to do a new search for every different brand. I just select pickup, then go to the advanced options and enter transmission (auto), doors (2), drive (4WD), mileage (less than 70,000). I allow the search engine to present any thing within those parameters, which would include any fuel type and 3/4 ton trucks.

Regards,

 

Allie Mo

 

 

Try a search by selecting a model (or several which AutoTrader allows) to include Ford F-150; Chevy 1500; Dodge 1500, etc. Include whatever models you may be interested in. I think you may be surprised at the different results.

 

For whatever reason, when sellers put their information in, they seem to always put the model, but not necessarily the type of transmission, doors, etc. This could be part of the reason you're not getting many hits.

 

The "other reason" could be that you live in an area with only 38,000 people? Just how many trucks could possibly be for sale?

 

 

....I know, I know...yer probably including a large radius to your search, but I just couldn't resist.

 

I live about 100 miles from Houston, TX, so when I do a search, I get lots of hits....regardless of the other parameters included, but that's to be expected when I live 100 miles from 4 million other people.

 

Again, good luck!

 

Chick

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

Hi Chick,

 

I use a Sacramento zip code and 200 miles. If they don't list transmission or drive (two very specific wants), I'm not going to waste time on them.

 

Regards,

 

Allie Mo

[Cascade Charlie, SASS # 48668L]

Hi Chick,

 

I use a Sacramento zip code and 200 miles. If they don't list transmission or drive (two very specific wants), I'm not going to waste time on them.

 

Regards,

 

Allie Mo

 

Allie...I don't balme you for not wanting to put up with other people's ignorance or stupidity, but sometimes you just have to.

 

Sometimes it's worth taking the time to ask a question that they forgot to list. They don't know how to sell a vehicle. That doesn't mean it's not a good vehicle to buy.

 

Please....be a little more patient with other people's ignorance and you just may profit from it.

[Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438]

Allie Mo:

 

You might also consider checking Hertz, National, and the other major rental outfits. I bought my last car from Hertz - a well-maintained low mileage 1 year old car, still under factory warranty, for about 50% of its value. There are deals to be had.

 

LL

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

Charlie, I'll consider that if I get impatient.

 

LL, I think that is a reasonable idea. However, Hubby told me he will not consider purchasing a former rental. I rather doubt that the type of truck we want will be easy to find at a rental dealer. Anyway, I'm going to give it a "look see."

 

Thanks again,

 

AM

[Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438]

Charlie, I'll consider that if I get impatient.

 

LL, I think that is a reasonable idea. However, Hubby told me he will not consider purchasing a former rental. I rather doubt that the type of truck we want will be easy to find at a rental dealer. Anyway, I'm going to give it a "look see."

 

Thanks again,

 

AM

 

 

AM:

 

Here's a CA example:

http://www.budgetcarsales.com/inventory/view_inventory.shtml?db=default&uid=default&DealerID=115-005-CA&sb1=10&so1=descend&sb2=12&so2=ascend&sb3=13&so3=ascend&view_records=Search+Inventory&nh=26&mh=1

 

I wouldn't buy a rental either, until I went and looked at the vehicles; these days, they maintain these fleets much better than they did 20 years ago - especially the higher end vehicles.

 

Just a thought; good luck hunting.

 

LL

[Seldom Seen #16162]

Allie,

 

Their are lots of choices when shopping for a pick-up, most of them bad.

 

First the most common mistake buyers make is purchasing a truck without enough hauling capacity and engine. I seem to recall reading that most 1/2 tons are used as daily commuters to work and the store. I know the beds of a lot of 1/2 tons I have seen don't have a mark in them. Case in point is my father-in-law. I have spent decades telling him he didn't enough truck for his trailer towing needs. He would buy his trucks based on how pretty they were and then wondered why he would have problems. After we brought a 3/4 diesel he finally got it through his head what I was telling him.

 

2. Most salesman don't know jack about what is needed for trailer towing. We had a young salesman tell us that a 1/2 ton Dodge PU would tow on horse trailer cause it had a HEMI! He was to young and arrogrant to believe my wife when she started asking asking horsepower, transmission ratio, bumper weight, etc. or that a woman knew more than he did.

 

Good used 3/4 tons only stay on lot for a few days.

 

3. Diesels are not cost efficent unless you do a lot of trailer hauling. And for serious pulling we are talking one ton truck. Diesel is about .50 cents a gallon more than gas here and engine repairs are a LOT more expensive. My last diesel hit me for a $1100.00 repair bill and my wife traded it off the next weekend for a big gaser.

 

And speaking of gaser I would not go less than a 6.0 liter engine. I know it suffers in gas mileage but wait til the first time you see a glassy eyed 18 wheel driver highballing it at you and getting out of his way FAST seems like a real good idea.

 

4. Toyota don't know how to build a pick-up. The Tundra suffers for poor sales and resale value.

 

5. 4 wheel drive really depends on where you live. Since we have horses I have to get into the pasture regardless of the weather.

 

6. Take a really hard look a what you may be pulling in the future. The 15' may be cute but after a couple of seasons 30' trailer may look awful good.