Well, it all comes down to what you're comfortable with. I bought my 99 with 189K miles (310k km) in November (has 316K now)and have spend about a grand on it. Replaced original shocks, tune up, trans flush, abs and o2 sensors, brakes, a few interior gremlins. Basically, some time and elbow grease. Runs remarkably well.

If the basics are solid, runs well, tranny works well, little rust, then I usually find that you're further ahead to work with what you have. Not all people feel this way. Some folks get antsy when the mileage number gets up there, regardless of the condition of the vehicle.

Buying a 10+ year old truck with an unknown history, in unknown condition, knowing you are paying the seller his profit...

Like I said, it is all about what you are most comfortable with.

 

Ok, swat, for that price ($12-14,000), I'll drive my '02 Lariat 5.4, 2WD with limited slip differential, 86,000 miles to you! Eh, from here to Anchorage, what about an additional 4,000 miles to current mileage. Kind of teasing, but, wow, trucks are high in Alaska! I've been there a few times, like it! I do think I'd maybe stay away from that one you're checking out.

Hey man, yours sounds in great shape. If you have any doubts, just go over it really good and fix her up where needed. Seems like you've done a lot already. I wouldn't worry about driving it from anchorage to PA, just have another extra spare tire, and I'd want to carry a couple of extra cans of gas with me. Keep us posted.

 

alittle insight on the truck prices guys, cost of living here is higher period. from car/truck prices to food,gas,rent,utilitys..ect ect but wages are alittle higher also.

buying down south without seeing the truck and having it shipped up (going rate is about $2,000 from Seattle on a good day) is not the smart way to go about it. hell we were going to buy a new Chrysler 300c from Dave smith in ID, they were going to give us a GREAT price on the car but after shipping or driving it up it either way it was cheaper to go down to one of the local dealers and buy one off the lot for the same price...so thats what we did.


local markets dictate prices..period. we have a good used car market at the moment. hell i just sold a '99 ranger 4x4 w/ 147k for $5,500 and thats over $1,000 UNDER book value on either nada or kbb private party value. crazy isnt it?

 

hello all, sorry for the delay, the truck I was looking at was in a shop for some reason which is out on the dealers lot today, I had a good look at it, Alaskan ex u r right, it had new ball joints and parts, no scratch on the paint seems like new paint on it, I looked at the corners felt it and it is not smooth as factory paint, so I AM NOT BUYING IT, thank you again and again Alaskan ex, thank you all for your advices, I am gonna keep my truck and now im gonna work on it to make it look sexy, ty all again. I am gonna open a new build thread of my truck, I invite you all to please advice me what can I do it my truck, thank you again and have a nice weekend.

 

i'm so glad i was able to save you from buying a possible problem truck! keep yours maintained and it should serve you well!

btw since you local theres a few of us...we might be able to try and have a get together some time?

 

sure man, that wud be great, u in fbx?

 

nope, anchorage

 

Cool, the only time i see anch is in the summer, i drive there and the turn around and start salmon fishing which is a week trip every year,

 

so your up there i take it? i try to see fbx at least once a summer.