I am looking into a 06 Dodge ram 2500 mega cab. It has 71,000 miles, 4x4, auto trans. I have always has dodge 1500's but need something bigger to pull camper. There sticker price is $29,999. If everything checks out with the truck what is reasonable price to pay? Should I be concerned about truck having 71,000 miles? Any thing I need to look for while test driving? I am new to the forum and I appreciate any input on this!

 

Welcome to the forum! As for paying sticker price, NEVER pay sticker price. That truck, in my opinion, should be closer to the 25k range. I bought my 06 mega 2 years ago and paid right at 27k. Make sure you research 06 megacabs on here. Seams like everytime something would go wrong with my truck, it turned out to be a problem with the 06 model year (blend door, tachometer). The 5.9 is bulletproof though and 71k isn't many miles at all. Good luck with the purchase.

 

Thank you for the info! I looked at the pics of your truck! That is a great looking mega cab. The one I am looking at is the same color. It just needs everything else you have done to yours done to it! I am going to look at the truck in the next day or 2 when it has gone through service at the dealership. Is there a way to tell if a truck has had a chip programer on it other than just feeling it when you drive? It dosnt have a monitor like some chips have.

 

You can check the manifold to see if it's been tapped for gauges, but not really any way to tell about a downloader that I know of.
Scott

 

71000 sounds like low miles. try to find some history on the truck. check for any signs it has been wet, as in flooded. not many of these avaliable. the 5.9 is desirable. might come down a little but not a whole lot. check the Kelly Blue Book price at a dealer for a good cry. Looks to me like the Blue Book is showing about a $6000 premium for the low milage, as compared to a similar truck with 120,000 on it.

 

I Have been looking for this color combo and mega cab for a while and I searched the entire US on autotrader for the last couple months and this is like the only one I could find. They must have not made many of them or people are just holding on to them not selling. Only thing I wish it had was manual trans but i guess i cant be picky cause they are so hard to find. Hopefully carfax will turn up to be clear. thanks again for all the input it is very helpful

 

Not sure what you are pulling. I pull about 7000 lbs and am happy with the auto trans. Bonus to the auto is my wife drives the truck as her everday.

 

@ Woodperson
Well went to see the truck for the first time on the inside and what did I find?? It looks like water spots and stains all over every seat in the truck! I dont know how you knew to look for that but you got it right!!!!!!!! Looks like there has been a lot of water in the truck at one time or another. Thanks for the heads up. I think I will be passing on the truck and hopfully being able to find another one similar soon.! Just though you would like to know haha.
Thanks again

 

06 issues, TIPM module, Cluster and tach, Multifunction turn signal switch, Transmission TC, Governor solenoid and presssure sensor, fuel filtration impacting injector life, possible incomplete fuel tank venting, and one steering linkage recall.

If you buy, change the fuel filter to a Baldwin BF7977 and when you have a chance add a 2 micron filter after the OEM (with the Baldwin) one.

Check the fuel tank and make sure the barbed vents have extension hoses.

Change the fuel filter with every oil change or at min, every 2nd oil change.

When you change tranny fuild and filter, replace the Gov solenoid and pressure sensor with a Borg Warner type.

Get a new multifunction switch warranty installled before 150,000 miles.

Make sure the steering recall has been addressed.

Get the TIPM module reflashed at a dealer.

If your tach acts up, follow the DIY here to fix the cluster before spending $$ to replace it.

Baby the tranny when you are towing, use 4LO on inclines, use tow haul.

Good luck.

 

My 2006 with 60,000 books around $31,000

 

That's about the neighborhood ($27k-$30k) they were in last fall when I was looking, they're sure holding their value well. Almost bought one and then realized for only $8k more I could get a brand new one with zero miles, a full warranty, lower interest rate and longer terms (if desired). So actually the monthly payment on the new one can be lower, if that's a factor, and no surprises in the form of expensive repairs.

 

May 2011 I found my daughter a 2006 3500 SLT 5.9L 4x4 auto, mint inside and out, with rear air bags and a tilt up tonneau box cover with 91,000 km (55,000mi) for $24,000 tax in. Roads got icy and she rolled it 5 hours later on the way home. Write off, they paid her $29,000.00, so she made $1,000/hr on that truck .

Feb 2011 I found my 2006 3500 SLT 5.9L 4x4 auto dually, mint inside and out, 41,000km for $35,000 tax in. I looked for other duallys near to that and they all had 100,000km + mileage and were going in the high 30's to low 40's.

 

I paid $34,500 for my 3500 Mega Cab brand new from the dealer, loaded except no leather.

Looks like it's holding its value....

(Disclaimer---- I had a green sheet )

 

Ya they are holding value well it seems. Any good condition decent miles megas are still well over $25k up here. Crazy since I paid $30 K for mine 5 yrs ago with 10k mi on it, 100k mi now.
Personally I wouldn't spend 30k on a 7 yr old truck but look at the new ones $50-60k!
The water spots on the seats are normal. That fabric sucks. It comes out though. Eithr use some seat cleaner and vac up or wet the whole seat and vac the water out.