PanteraGSTK

Ok guys, I have two options. I wanted to buy a new megacab with a CTD but after doing research and looking at prices, I'm going to end up paying at least $600 mo for one. I looked into a used 03 to early 04 2500 with a CTD auto trans. and I can get almost any color i want in either year for around $450 mo or lower with about 80000mi on it. Is that more mileage than I would want on a used truck enven though these engines last for ever? The main purpose for getting an 03 or 04 is there are more parts out there for them. Also how would I tell off of the VIN what type of options it has such as gear ratios and what type of tranny. as far as the 03 47re or 48re. What would you guys do. the lower payment means more mods sooner.

Thanks in advance.

abc4yew

Panterra, If you are going to finance get the new one. If you were able to buy outright get the used. You should be able to get an 03 or 04 with 40 to 50 k miles which is good. This gives you till 100,000 miles on powertrain. I like the interior of the 04 over the 03 but the 03 has a tougher front end. I'd take an 03 with 50k miles over an 04 with 60k miles anyday. ks

Greenhornet1986

If you're looking for the options, look in the glovebox, there is a sticker there that tells you the gear ratio, etc. 47res were put in on trucks manufactured before 1/1/03, IIRC. My 03 was made in 11/02, so it has the 47re. I bought mine recently for 24K, and once I traded in my 97 gasser, and got the tax, title, tags added on, its 22,500. So, with 8.4% interest, for 60months, its $459/month. To some, that may seem steep, but I'm determined to pay it(even while in college), and the loan is all in my name, no cosigners, so that makes it a little bit more. Oh yeah, my 03 has 57,000 miles on it, and it was my stepdads before he traded it in on a toyota, and I went to the dealership and traded my truck in for it(yeah, kinda mixed up, lol). So, I know who drove it before me, and everything that has been done to it(completely stock)

Good luck

Dodgezilla

You could probably find a used 05 for about the same as a used 03 or 04. They're all good trucks so just find a good deal. If you're not in a big hurry just wait till you find a lower mileage one. Heck! You might still find a new 05 that a dealer is trying to unload cheap!!!

jtb51b

Thats what I did! Got mine for a pretty fair deal if I do say so myself. My 05 stickered for 42k and after rebates I paid 31.5k for it. I was looking at spending 25k ++ on a 03 with no 36k mile warranty left on it, this way its DC's problem for a while at least.

Jason

PanteraGSTK

See thats about what I'm trying to do. the ones i have seen in that price range(around 24k) with anywhere form 52k mi to 85k. I was just wondering how many miles is acceptible.

Thanks

Disel Dave

I feel I got a good deal I put out 27,900 It is a 04.5 325-600 48 re trans with 42K on it It is a 4X4 QC dually with brand new tires And it is in waht i would say is great shape The only thing is it was smoked in, I wish it wasnt

big red psd cc

I wouldn't worry to much about the miles. Its the "overall" condition of the truck, and the options that it has on it.

You could find a 05 with 10K miles, and it be beat to death

Or you could find 03 with 80K miles, and it be well cared for and cherry.

Also something else to look at is the "hours" meter. Low miles but high hours, not the best combination.

Look around and drive the heck out of it on the test drive. The worst thing is to have that "oh I gottta get me one of these" feeling, and end up paying too darn much.

PanteraGSTK

Thanks I diddn't know they had an hours meter. See thatswhat I thought about mileage. As long is the truck is taken care of and has highway miles I'll be fine. And I don't have that feeling, I just want a good deal on a good truck.

JJ's CTD

I just picked up my 03 right after Thanksgiving. It had 89k and about 2100 hrs on it. I had been doing a little looking around and found this one for 18900, 6k under NADA, so I jumped on it. I've put about 4k on it so far and it's doing fine. I also took it to the dealer and made sure it had all the recalls and such. Almost forgot, how many hours and miles do you guys have?

rjm022

the problem is- you are talking monthly payments. what are you paying for the truck?? never talk monthly payments with the dealer!-also negotiate the price first-then go from there-i.e.-intereste rate,etc

PanteraGSTK

I want the price to be about $25k or below with no more than 85000 mi. I just can't afford a $41k truck right now. at least this way i will have a truck that has more parts available, no CAT, and no 3rd injection event. More mods sooner.

043500QC

I was in the same boat as you last year when I bought mine. I ended up finding mine after looking for almost 4 months. Mine is an 04 3500 srw Quad cab with the Laramie package. The truck only 2,856 miles on it and I ended up giving 31K after tttl fee`s. Look around and be patient, you`ll find what you want in your price range.

PanteraGSTK

This one sounds pretty good $20500 with only 43k mi. plus sport package.

CLick to see it

PanteraGSTK

what extra info do I need to ask for? What should I try to get pix of?