2003 Chevy Crew Cab Long Bed???

[Jedi1]

I'm about to pull the trigger on the above truck. It has the 6 liter Vortec engine and is indeed a 2500. I can buy it for $12,000 with 85,000 on the clock. New tires, fluids, and a High top shell that cost $2,500ish.

Does this sound like a decent deal? Does anyone know if these things have any problems other than the piston slap issue that John pointed out? This truck has been checked out and does not have the piston problem.

Any enlightenment is greatly appreciated.

Sean

[Cholewa]

Can I just ask why exactly are you buying a monster truck when gas prices are on the up and up?

That seems like an awful lot of money for an awfully big truck. Are you planning on towing the mini and the mercedes? Just seems like a lot of truck.

[chuck schultz]

You can't be too rich, too good looking, or drive too large a truck.

If I'm towing and can't afford to drive a big-enough truck to tow whatever load I have, I should get out of the towing business. On the other hand, this may be a little high for the age and miles, although I'm completely out of touch with the market for used vehicles.

[chuck schultz]

You can't be too rich, too good looking, or drive too big a truck.

If I can't afford to drive a truck big enough to safely tow whatever I have on the trailer, I need to get out of the towing business, for my safety and the safety of others. Way too many people try to get by with not enough truck.

On the other hand, this may be a bit high for the year and mileage, although I'm completely out of touch with the car market, these days.

[Jedi1]

I'm looking at buying a business and this is the truck that comes with it. It has the added bonus of being able to tow the Mini, Mercedes and LeMons weapon of choice.

KBB Says it's worth $11,000, but that's without the camper shell. Just looking for some insight into the issues that it may have and it's true worth. Hard to find other Crew cab long beds to compare it to.

[Cholewa]

Think of it like any other modified vehicle. If you throw nice suspension and wheels on the mini, and then try to sell it to someone, the value will not go up notably. Modifying a car for an average buyer is always going to kill resale. The camper shell adds no value to the truck. The owner may think so, but it doesn't.

For an 03 with 85k on the clock, I wouldn't pay more than 10,000. And that's still a stretch.

[JohnW8]

But you could sell the camper top and recover some money. Look at it as a built in cash back program. I wouldn't go over $10,000 either. Tough economic times right now. Sellers are gonna get hosed.

[Jedi1]

The Camper top has to be on there in order to use the truck in the business I'm buying.

[chuck schultz]

6-packs are relatively rare, so this may be a fair price for you, especially if you need it now and there's nothing much else available in the area. It would be smart to check the local market for availability and pricing of similar rigs. Don't rule out full-size vans, either, unless there's something very business-specific about a pickup. A good van can tow very nicely, too.

The long wheelbase should make for some relaxing long-distance towing, but will be a little tough to use to back up a trailer or to park.

If it's part of a business purchase, and the rest of the business is a bargain, or if financing is included in the business financing, those are other factors.

Of course, personal use of a business vehicle can have complicated tax implications.

Or not.

[Jedi1]

Thanks folks. All advice is being taken in and used.