I feel like a broken record saying this...after having bought a 4x2 (see sig) I'm realizing I have a need for 4x4. With all the hype (justified or not) over the new emission gear on the 2007.5 and up, I'm leaning towards getting a used 2006/07 with a 5.9. So....

I found a used 2007 5.9 4x4 that looks perfect and it has only 5K miles on it. While I like the low mileage, I now find myself questioning why someone traded this truck in for something different. Sure, it could be financial troubles or maybe they just didn't need the truck and decided to take a huge hit on selling it. ...or it could be that it was having a lot of issues and the previous owners saw the writing on the wall. Needless to say, I'm going in circles in trying to decide what to think ... My truck has 20K miles on it and I haven't had the first problem but that doesn't mean every 5.9 is like this.


With that said, I would appreciate getting your opinion on this!! I know it's just guessing but for some reason this would really help me out. Oh, and if it matters, they are asking $33K (edmunds=$31K).

 

i had nothing but trouble with my 5.9 07 but thats the first one i've ever had problems with. have the dealer pull a history on the vehicle

 

Go take it for a thorough test drive crawl around under and through it, take it to an independent shop for inspection if you can. After all that trust your instincts, if something doesn't seem right, then walk away. These trucks are the last of an era, I was lucky enough to get one brand new with a 5.9

 

I went through the exact same thing. I had a 06 2500 with 25000 km on it and I really wanted a 6 speed standard. I traded it in for the truck in my sig because I wanted the 5.9 it had 5000km on it and I was weary about bying used but am very happy with my choice. I,d say go for it if its drives ok and everything seems good

 

There could be a logical explanation. There was a truck at the local dealership with similar low miles.

Apparently the orginal owner and wife planned on big towable RV, then decided not to (If I recall correctly, they said they fell in love with a motorhome).

Anyhow, driving a dually when you don't plan to tow or haul anything didn't make sense so they traded for a half ton.

I would have happily bought the truck, but it didn't have some equipment that was important to me.

I ended up buying the truck in my signature with 37k on it, but it has the nav system, full laramie H with heated seats, both front seats power, jake brake already on it, B&W already on it... Not sure if that was the right move, or not...

 

You never know, they may not have liked the truck for some weird reason. I have a relative that bought a new Grand Cherokee and on his way home his cowboy hat kept rubbing the ceiling. He took it back the next day. I bought my truck used with 20k on it and it has been a great truck. Ya it makes you wonder why they traded it in but there would be a history report with dodge if it had alot of problems.

 

Run over the truck with a fine toothed comb before you buy it. Check the fluids and everything you can think of. Cycle the key and see if any codes show up. Check the oil level and if they'll let you, get a sample of the oil and test it.

My girlfriends parents always buy used vehicles that have about 5k on them and always find the reason the vehicle was sold back. Their last one was a Honda Oddessey and they found that the thing was just too big for the previous owner. They only had two people in the family and didn't need the room to carry a load of people nor did they carry enough stuff to warrant the space.

There are plenty of valid reasons why someone would return a brand new vehicle so if everything checks out I wouldnt worry.

 

Thanks for all the feedback so far! I will definitely take the advice and do as thorough of an inspection as possible and the key cycling idea is great. I will definitely ask for an extended test drive at a minimum...say one hour?

As far as history goes, is it possible for any Dodge dealer to get this even if another Dodge dealer worked on it?? It seems obvious that this would be possible given it was all done by authorized service centers. The only buy/sell history the salesman could give me was that the dealership bought the truck through some type of internal Dodge sale, so basically the reason the original owners sold it is unknown. After asking, he did say that there was nothing to disclose about the truck (ie: buy-back vehicle, etc.)

If getting the complete service history is possible, this will make my decision much easier!

 

The service manager can pull up any work done by any Dodge dealer. It all goes into the system. That price seems low for a truck with so little miles on it though unless it's a low optioned truck.

 

Some states require that dealers make previous owner's name and phone number available so that you can contact them directly. You could try asking the dealer for this information and then asking the previous owner why they sold it.

 

Have dealer print the history out and a car-fax too.

 

After looking at the truck, if everything looks good, checking carfax might be worth while. Hopefully it would show if there were any accidents, or flood damage, or anything like that.

Some dealers subscribe and would be willing to show you the report. If not, with a purchase this size paying for it yourself is probably worth it just for peace of mind.

The Dodge guy should be able to show you if there was any warranty work, and if the warranty has been effected in any way.

I think there may be a small fee to transfer the remaining factory warranty. Make sure that's negotiated into the deal.

Anyway, with that low mileage, I think a person would have to work hard to have hurt the truck in a way that wouldn't be apparent, and if you have warranty too...

Good luck. If the dually my dealer had with like 5k on it had been a H package laramie, I'd much rather have had that one than the one I have...

 

What dealer has it? As you can see I am in the same area. There is another member on her ein charleston as well he goes by 04CTD really nice guy. I second the notion to get the dodge service work history for it. 5k is a little more than a demo however it could have been like the boss's car. When my wife and I bought her Equinox it was the boss's wifes car and we got a really good deal on it and it had 5600 miles on it. Keep in mind that depending on the build date that truck could have been on the road only a few months.

Kip

 

It is under warranty, and the dealer has a list by Vin of all the service done by any Dodge Dealer to this vehicle.
Mike

 

Yes, any dealer will have access to the vehicle's warranty history and should print it up for you. Also, many new vehicles are sent to auction if they are damaged in transit. Any damage over a certain dollar amount, and they can't be sold as a new unit after repair. It doesn't explain the 5000 miles on yours, but it's a possibility.