Help me decide - need advice. Pics + Carfax attached!

1500 Views 18 Replies 13 Participants Last post by CanRam, Jan 13, 2012

CanRam

Discussion Starter · Jan 10, 2012

4

Looking to buy a 2005 Ram 1500, but after getting the carproof I am not so sure any more. Reason why I am not sure is a: it's been stolen and the repairs were quite high and b: the odometer was higher in 07/2007 than in 11/2007 which is kinda weird. The truck itself looks really sharp though, no dents no scratches nice leveling kit and rims/tires installed.
A Dodge dealership is selling the truck and the guy told me "The unit belonged to one of our better customers, one owner unit, It is on our lot as a consignment unit for him, he wants to move it price recently dropped 5,000. I would recommend unit to anyone."

When I asked him about the repairs done he said "I talked to our service writers and the non collision claims sound like the engine and transmission would have likely cost the 7919.00 engine/ 4601.59 transmission."

What do you guys think? Attached the carproof and some pics of the rig!

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1 - 19 of 19 Posts

BlueJet

· #2 · Jan 10, 2012

Nice looking truck but the accidents scare me. Is the frame ok?

Stump3r

· #3 · Jan 10, 2012

Great looking truck but those claims scare me! Any chance of getting an outside mechanic to take a look at it? If it's mechanically sound and not a lemon I'd jump on it.

SnoopyIsMyHero

· #4 · Jan 10, 2012

I've seen errors in Carfax reports before. If it belongs to 'one of their better customers' they should have the service records. I'd ask to see them, not just a service writer's estimates.

CanRam

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 10, 2012

Dealer said there is no damage to the frame or anything. And regardless of what the accidents were, the truck has run over 120,000 km since it was stolen in 2007 without any incidents since. The guy figured it's the engine and tranny they replaced but he can't be for sure.

CanRam

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 10, 2012

SnoopyIsMyHero said:
I've seen errors in Carfax reports before. If it belongs to 'one of their better customers' they should have the service records. I'd ask to see them, not just a service writer's estimates.

Good call I will ask him tomorrow.

SnoopyIsMyHero

· #7 · Jan 10, 2012

By the way...Nice lookin' truck

hemiv8dodgeram1500

· #8 · Jan 10, 2012

its a very cool truck but what scares me more then the accidents is the theft. people will really abuse a stolen car (driving it like a rental) hey its not theres. id keep looking there are 1000's upon 1000's of Rams out there

CanRam

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 10, 2012

Keep in mind it was stolen and repaired four years ago / 60k miles an the carfax tells me there hasn't been an issue since. So whatever the thieves did it seems like it has been fixed.

Blackzilla

· #10 · Jan 10, 2012

good looking ram but..... i'll pass if were me.

ShawnC13

· #11 · Jan 10, 2012

CanRam said:
Dealer said there is no damage to the frame or anything. And regardless of what the accidents were, the truck has run over 120,000 km since it was stolen in 2007 without any incidents since. The guy figured it's the engine and tranny they replaced but he can't be for sure.

If it was one oif heir better customers you think he would be able to be sure about what is replaced as if it was a great customer they probably would have all their service done at the dealership.

GTyankee

· #12 · Jan 10, 2012

Take it for a test drive, tell the dealer that you are taking it to an mechanic
Pay the $$ to get it checked out
If it doesn't pass inspection, your only out a couple $$
If it does pass, it was a good investment

SnoopyIsMyHero

· #13 · Jan 10, 2012

Dunno, depends on how cheap you can get it. I'd really push on the inconsistencies if you like the truck and see how low you can get the price. If he's dropped it $5000, he's tired of holding onto it and knows there's resistance to buy. IMHO, it's all about your comfort zone, can you get it low enough that if there is a problem you can either afford to fix it or flip the lump and not get creamed. If the title wasn't clear, that would be a different story. Sounds like the big stuff (motor, transmission) was replaced after the theft so yeh, it was probably hammered on, but what's left? T-case? Diffs? factor repair costs of those into your offer, toss it out there and see what happens. It doesn't hurt to have a few other trucks offer prices to use in bargaining.

Butter

· #14 · Jan 11, 2012

All used vehicles have their issues, before carfax we just didn't know about them. These are non collision no frame/structure damage and they happen a long time ago, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Like mentioned above get it check out by a good mechanic and go from there.

CajunDodge

· #15 · Jan 11, 2012

Butter said:
All used vehicles have their issues, before carfax we just didn't know about them. These are non collision no frame/structure damage and they happen a long time ago, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Like mentioned above get it check out by a good mechanic and go from there.

Agreed. Were it me, I know those claims would make me think twice but I agree with the advice so far, get it checked out, buy it for the price YOU are comfortable with so that if there are any residual problems it would hopefully be more manageable but nice looking truck, good luck and keep us posted!

- Cajun

2011 ASSAULT 800

· #16 · Jan 11, 2012

a few years ago I had a toyota camry, I got rear ended, needed a new trunk, bumper and 1 tail light, I wasnt at fault and it went through insurance, the repair company billed the other guys insurance for just under 5 grand, it is was all used parts too boot. In conclusion the number you see for repair is often infalted especially if its an insurance job.

Looks like a very nice truck on the outside! wish mine would look like that, haha

Qgijoe69

· #17 · Jan 12, 2012

The best advice I can give is if you have any doubt in your mind then just go with your gut instinct. It has always been right by my book. I will agree with everybody it is a good looking truck. I know I wasn't much help but maybe I offered some.

bahouse3

· #18 · Jan 12, 2012

Man that is a sweet looking truck, but I would have to pass!

CanRam

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jan 13, 2012

I went with my gut and passed on it. Talked to the dealership once again, they did NOT want to do the inspection. They said I could have it done once I purchased it. Or pay 100 bucks up front to have it done. WTF! I said they can keep it. Like one here said, there are thousands out Rams there.

I am looking at a 2005 Hemi on the weekend now. Super clean Carfax and just 60k miles on it, for just three grand more. It's bone stock though, which might not be bad after all.

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