Evening Gents!

I wanted to solicit a little advice from you guys. I am eyeballing this truck, it's in Littleton CO right now, just came up on listing. http://www.autonation.com/denver/Ch...n=1D7HU18N75S359683&phone=3032697800

I would be trading my old truck in for it. Current estimates are looking at about $1.7K trade in value, and with that I've got squirreled away I'm looking at $4-4500 down. My bank has preapproved me for the asking value, so we'll see where the vehicle lands if I can talk them down, or if it's even worth it. I'm certainly open to looking at other trucks, and don't have a problem with walking away either if I feel they're trying to work me. What I'd like to run by you gents is do you have any tips/tricks for dealing to make sure I don't get a raw deal on the vehicle?

I keep getting an error message.

Check sights that give reviews about that specific vehicle! Read as many as you can. Then check out the pricing in same vehicle. Don't know what else to ask you, cept when you ask them about the vehicle you ask VERY specific questions. DO NOT ask them if it's in good shape.

Go on a rainy Wednesday. Know your target price going in and stick to it. Helps to have your ideal price in your head and what you'll settle for. I usually keep to my ideal price. If you know you have other options and aren't tied to that vehicle, you have more leverage--especially if they sense you'd LIKE to buy their truck, but you are willing to walk if needed. They have a bottom line considering what they paid and the fact they need to make a profit. It's much harder to know what that is on a used vehicle though Good luck!

Check kelly blue book and a few other sitE's to see what people paid for a similar vehicle in your area.

Kelly Blue Book is your best friend. Check the seals around the oil pan and axles. Check the front U joints. Make sure all wiring is got the factory shielding on it and it hasn't been tampered with. Ask about service history. Driving it and check and see how tight the front end still is. Listen to the engine as it idles and when your drive it. Don't be afraid to get into it a little. Make sure the transfer case shifts and goes into high 4WD and low 4WD. Check the antifreeze and see if it's using any.
Other than that wheel and deal man and don't be a friend to walk.

Not a dodge guy but but i would question the fuel efficiency and power of that little v8 turning the larger tires. I know with Fords and chevys the little v8s get worse or the same mileage as the bigger v8s with larger tires and or hauling a load.

Yep a quick search of non fan boy sites reveals the two big complaints are poor fuel economy and a lack of power. It sounds like they are prone to overheating which depending on if it has aluminum heads will cause them to warp a blow a head gasket.
That for me is more than enough to make it a pass.

What do you plan on using it for? And what are your wants I.e. age 4wd seats bed size ect. We can give you some good options with a little more info.

Go Dodge Arapaho/ Autonation Arapaho was prettye asy to deal with when i bought my truck. Beat the snot out of the dealers in the springs.

If you wait until they are getting towards the end of the month they often like to deal a little better. Especially if it has been a poor month.

I got a heck of a deal and decent trade in on my current truck.

I agree with DT, it helps to have a pre determined best offer in your head before you haggle with them. Might be easier to put it into terms of the maximum monthly payment you're willing to pay. I'd say to test drive it, but I'm sure you already plan to do that. I have an '11 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 5.7 4x4 ST and I've been very happy with it. I know it's not exactly the same truck, but I just thought I'd throw that out there.

If your out west and deal with higher elevation what greaser dug up is worth noting!

mostly it will be a daily driver (I'f I end up in the place I'm looking at, daily driving will amount to a 5 minute commute...), but it will see the fairly frequent weekend in the woods. Off-roading primarily. I rarely ever haul, and when I do it's a light trailer load, and almost never put anything in the bed except sandbags for traction and my spare tire (and garbage, lol) That one in particular has the quad cab, which will be nice for my dog, as well as hauling around 5 friends, plus it'll be a lot easier to load my Kung Fu weapons in the back. I was pre-approved for $13K, not really looking to spend more than that. short bed (6'6"). Power windows and door locks are nice, but not necessary, and other niceties aren't really necessary either.