Suspicious 05 2500HD for sale.

[beerstudmike]

I'm looking at this 05 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD for sale:

-70,000 miles -extended cab
-5 spd manual -6.0 litre
-4x4

I went down and looked at it and upon inspection of the front under carriage I found some red mud caked up just behind the skid plate ( or somewhere in that vicinity, it was 2 weeks ago ). I inquired about the origin of this truck being sold in the northwest united states and was told it came from new mexico. I also noted privatly that this truck was supposedly fully inspected but somehow they missed the mud. I asked to see the list of things that the dealer mechanic had done to this truck. The salesman showed me a replacment parts list which included a front right quarter panel and front bumper among other things i cant quite remember. The truck was also fitted with 4 brand new tires

I drove the truck and it ran nice, sounded nice and all the gearing working well ( including the 4 high and 4 low ). After some chatting I offered $10,000 for the truck ( was asking $13,000 ) and was turned down. 2 weeks later they phone me up and say they need to move this truck to make room for smaller cars and will take my reasonable offer.

What should I think about this truck. Has it been ditched? The carfax the dealer showed me was clean. Is the frame twisted or bent? Should a complete set of tires be worn out after only 70,000 miles? It seems like maybe a good deal if I can get it for 9500, but I just dont want to get burned here.

Any advice?

Thanks to all that read this!

Mike

[junior3382]

A few things here.

Tires ware out in less then 40k most of the time, so yeah, I could believe the tires were all worn. They would not have to be bald to be worn either, just marginally disputable for inspection reasons.

If body panels were replaced but the carfax shows no accident, then being a little suspicious is not a bad thing. But it there are no unsual noises, nor bent steering parts, and the allignment is not out, you may be fine.

Whether or not the frame is twisted or hurt in anyways is impossible to determine without really seeing it. It is not unreasonable for them to want to move it considering the gas crunch right now... so I would not see that as a line either.

Now as for the mud. This may only mean that the undercarriage was never cleaned right. Perhaps is has been down a few dirts roads, or maybe the guy took it mudding, hard to ever know. If the mud was more like clay chunks, then perhaps it has been abused, but most trucks have caked on dirt and mud like that under the carriage.

Now with it being as new as it is, I think the real concern is the mileage. Avearge is 12k a year, and the 2009's have not been released so it still falls only three model years old, which should be closer to only 36k. Most of the time they claim highway miles, but from the sound of it, this truck has been used. So my concern would be any offered warranties to cover the unforseen over the next two or three years.

The price is still fair considering what it is, and especially if you need a truck, this sounds like a decent ride. You can make it part of the deal to have the thing completely detailed, including underneath so they will get it all clean under there. And when you go in to take delivery, and it is clean, take another quick look, and if it reveals something you do not like, then being before you sign papers, you can still walk away.

I hope this helps a little bit. I wish you luck. Remember, if your gut tells you to walk away, trust it, there will ALWAYS be another truck, especially now! This should not be a choice you feel forced into. You can even confirm your gut and take it to a trusted mechanic to have it re-inspected, and if the dealer refuses to let you, then definitely walk away cause then you know they are hiding something.

Good luck. OOOOOO and welcome to the best truck forum on the web by the way........ LOL....

[stumpuller454]

get a purchase inspection from another dealer or shop and get them to check for incident damadge >frame and body<

[beerstudmike]

Thanks for the feedback fellas, i do appreciate it. I think I will spend the $100 and get the thing inspected.\
Now another thing I was wondering about was putting in power windows and power locks. I was thinking the easiest way to do that would be to find a driver a passenger door with pw and pdl off a wrecked truck or spare parts truck? Any advice on this matter? Know of anybody who has done a manual conversion to power?

Thanks again, god bless the internet!!

Mike

[junior3382]

They make kits to do a conversion for power windows, and locks. Most come with alarms and stuff. I am not sure where tog et them. Getting the marts from a wrecked truck would work, but you till need to remember everything, the switches, the actuators, the motors, regulators and wiring. And the new trucks fuse box should have the extra slot for power for them, if not it will take some ingenuity. Anyways, while on the subject, if the truck has no power options.... and your gut already has a squishy feeling, then perhaps finding one with all the options you want and a better feeling about would be a better idea. Just a thought. Hope it works out for ya.

[beerstudmike]

Thanks for the advice and well wishes. I agree with what your saying but finding a 05 truck with manual transmission, **** any silverado made in this decade with manual tranny has been tough. I did find the EXACT truck I want in Arlington, VA but could'nt justify risking a $500 plane ticket to go look at it. It seems that if I could get this truck for 9500 bucks I could afford to convert it to propane and hopefully add the power options. I hope the mechanical inspection turns out well.
How do you know when to take a seemingly good deal or wait for the next good deal?
Life is risky.

[leolkfrm]

Think about it the market has dropped out for heavy trucks, drop the offer and make sure all costsare included

[SilveradoTX]

I second getting the inspection, let us know what you find out. Also Beerstud, I know EXACTLY what you mean finding any Silverado with a stick. I just bought an 07 2500 Classic HD LT with a 5 speed stick. My parents could not figure out why I was so nutty about this thing. Was kind'a funny when I found it at the dealership.. I had NO idea it was a stick and just assumed it was an auto because it had power windows and some other upgrades that go along with the LT. I actually sat in it awhile before I noticed the 5 speed but when I did? I almost fell out of it. lol

Anyhows.. I started a thread with this question in it but if anyone knows who sources the 5 speeds in the 07 Classic HDs please let me know.

[beerstudmike]

Dude, 5 speeds are so much fun to drive I wont drive automatic if I can possible avoid it. I actually cant understand why anyone would want to drive boring old automatics, fall asleep. I'm going to lowball this guy on saturday and if he takes it I will get it inspected. I may be talking about MY truck come sunday.

[junior3382]

I agree. I prefer the manual shifts wherever possible myself. In fact, up until my current vehicle, they have all been five-speeds. From this single shot, the truck looks like it is in decent shape. Clean anyways. I have always been a fan of white myself too, every vehicle I own is white, so I agree with that choice too. Did you get a chance to have another mechanoc take a look at it though and settle the uneasy feelings in your stomach?