Found a 1997 F350 4x4 today. Has 200+ on the engine. Just wondering what everyone thinks on what would be a good price. The tires are worn. Other than that there isn't a whole lot wrong with it that i know of yet. I haven't driven it.

 

IMHO...I'd have to see it to make a determination. I will offer you this bit of information.

Four years ago...in a land far, far away (well, Idaho), I bought a 1997 F-350 XLT 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed with the E4OD transmission. It already had chrome window visors on all four of the side windows, chrome tubular step bars, chrome bed rail covers, fresh tires, cloth interior, AM/FM Stereo/CD player, tow package (receiver hitch, extendable side mirrors, 7-pin trailer wiring connector), slider rear window (it opens up by sliding two sections away from each other), drop-in bedliner, two fuel tanks (rear = 18.2 gallons; front = 19 gallons), only 82,000 miles on the odometer, and was able to finance in the lifetime oil change. Yes, this is a 7.3-liter DIT OHV engine.

I bought this from my local dealership. I offer you this description of my vehicle for comparison only. As I stated earlier, this is an Idaho truck. My total cost out the door...$23,000...and that includes all the taxes, dealer prep, documentation fees, and whatever else they normally add. The truck is paid off as of earlier this year.

You didn't give much information about the truck you're looking at, so I hope I haven't dampened your spirits about it. I love my truck, and I'm sure you're gonna love yours, whichever one you decide on.

 

I paid 13500 for mine a year ago. 97 f350 manual 4x4 single cab, srw. 106k on the clock. perfect condition. they're worth their weight in gold so long as they are taken care of.
for what youre describing, i would see 9-10k as quite reasonable (depending on the condition).

 

asking 7800 thought it was a little steep with the tires being shot

 

do you have any pictures of the truck? how's the condition?

 

the body and everything is awsome.....looking at the pic. looked at it lastnight has to spots where the paint is chipped. other than that it was dark out and the place was closed too.

 

red, single cab, 8ft bed

 

7800 aint too bad for the truck you describe. Offer a little less or if its at a sales lot make em put a new set of tires on for ya.

 

that is a good idea about having them put a new set on.

 

So, sounds like the truck is at a dealership. If they won't put on new tires for you, try to get them to change all the fluids and filters, if they haven't done them already. See if they have a lifetime oil change program. Basically, ask them for the moon, and you know won't get it, they might be more reasonable about the important (to you) stuff.

I was in the process of preparing myself and my family for my upcoming back surgery, so that was in my favor. I'm also a State of Idaho employee and a disabled vet.

My personal opinion about dealing with dealerships or any type of sale, if both parties walk away slightly disappointed about the deal they made, that's pretty close to the best deal you can make.

If you don't ask for discounts, they're not going to offer them. Ask for everything you want and make an offer based on their willingness to deal.

 

sorry about the disabled part. as too i am a vet so maybe i will play that card too. never thought about asking for all of that. i am glad people are on here that help.

 

Mine I baught 2 years ago in october, you can see my picture in my profile of the truck.

97 F250HD, pw, pl, pseats, a/c, cruise, tilt, tinted rear window, sliding rear window, 40/20/40 front seats, all cloth, XLT trim, extended cab, automatic, 4x4, 110 miles, 3.55 gears LSD, dual tanks, Ford Factory tow package, aux. idle controler, converted to a dually truck with air bags, all the fiberglass trim work as well as stainless steel trim work, all oil changed except front diff. I'm the 2nd owner and the dealership supplied all documentation od oil changes, the old man only used it to pull a 5th wheel, not one scratch in the box, if he needed to haul something he hooked up a trailer, documented oil changes, every 2000miles. Had 70% worn tires at purchase. Safty certified.(replaced all worn mehanical parts) Dealership was asking $22,998, baught for $18,000 plus taxes and fees which worked out to just over $21,000. the prices are in canadian funds

 

Check the front tires. If they are choppy the front end might need repairs, not just tires. And that could get expensive.

 

No worries about the disabled part. Life continues and all the other cliches one can think of.

The dealership wants the most they can get for a vehicle and the buying public wants to pay the least amount possible for the same vehicle. You just need to find the line where you get what is most important for you to get.

For me, with my back the way it was, the lifetime oil change was my deal-breaker. Without the lifetime oil change, I walk away and let someone else buy the truck. The dealer gave me more for my trade-in than I thought I would get. The trade-in amount basically paid for the lifetime oil change, taxes, dealer prep, and doc fees. It even left me with cash in my account to pay for the registration fees and insurance.

Checking the tires, all 4 of them, is a good idea. He's right about it indicating the condition of the suspension. Suspension repairs could wind up costing you more than you bargained for. Look the truck over, inside and out. Take some "grubby" clothes with you and crawl around under the truck if you can.

 

I got pretty lucky when I bought mine in an auction three years ago. There were 3 of them. The first two went for $22,000 each but nobody was bidding on the one that I wanted, so I got it for $5,000.

It is a 1997 7.3 turbodiesel crewcab 4X4 with custom flat deck and posi rear axle. It has been really good to me. I put a K&N air filter in it when I bought it. I also put in a new shifter **** because the original was missing. I haven't spent very much on this truck and it always starts well in cold weather. I bought a straight pipe for it a few days ago, so that's an upcoming project. I'd also like to change out the front and rear gears for a better highway gear. I'm turning 1500 rpm at 70kph and 2000 rpm at 90kph. These must be towing gears because beyond 90kph, the engine is working harder than it needs to.

Fuel mileage is mostly about the gearing. I used to own a 54 passenger Bluebird bus that got 14 mpg on gasoline. I thought that this was impossible when the guy was doing his sales pitch before I bought it. But he wasn't lying, it had a five speed standard with a two speed rear axle and it really did get 14 mpg on gasoline. So, with the right gearing, there is no reason that you cannot get really good fuel mileage on some of these bigger trucks. My Bluebird bus had a flat front end, so wind resistance was the worst that you could get and it still got excellent fuel mileage.