used truck question

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FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Jan 15, 2013 2:39 PM
I'm looking at a used 2003 truck with 53k miles and a clean carfax. I'm not thrilled about it being 10 years old but the price is right and the miles are low. What should I look for to make sure it isn't a POS? Does anyone know of a decent place in the brook park area to have it checked out? (I live close to Columbus so I'm not really familiar with the cleveland area at all.)

Thanks!
Jan 15, 2013 2:39pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jan 15, 2013 2:49 PM
Just curious, what kind of truck and how much? I'll be looking to sell my truck this spring after some house projects. I've got an '05 F150 with 52k miles.
Jan 15, 2013 2:49pm
Raw Dawgin' it's avatar

Raw Dawgin' it

Just Ain't Care

11,466 posts
Jan 15, 2013 2:51 PM
Form and function, boom!

Jan 15, 2013 2:51pm
S

sportchampps

Senior Member

7,361 posts
Jan 15, 2013 2:53 PM
I would stark by checking the tires. You can make sure they are not the same tires from 10 years ago that are rotten. Also check out the condition of the bed. Make sure these no cracks in the hoses and that the radiator hose is hard. Check the ac, heat, and radio. See if they have a service history? When you test drive it make sure the breaks are good by going about 25-30 and pressing the breaks so you stop pretty fast and hard. Look for leaks where it has been parked. If you want check the transmission fluid if it's real dark it probably means it hasn't been flushed in a long time. Check the timing belt because they are only good for about 70-100k miles and are expensive. Let someone look over the engine.
Jan 15, 2013 2:53pm
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Jan 15, 2013 3:02 PM
justincredible;1366731 wrote:Just curious, what kind of truck and how much? I'll be looking to sell my truck this spring after some house projects. I've got an '05 F150 with 52k miles.
It's a 2003 F350 XL (manual windows and locks) and they currently have it priced at $13k. I need something to pull a horse trailer.
Jan 15, 2013 3:02pm
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Jan 15, 2013 3:06 PM
sportchampps;1366735 wrote:I would stark by checking the tires. You can make sure they are not the same tires from 10 years ago that are rotten. Also check out the condition of the bed. Make sure these no cracks in the hoses and that the radiator hose is hard. Check the ac, heat, and radio. See if they have a service history? When you test drive it make sure the breaks are good by going about 25-30 and pressing the breaks so you stop pretty fast and hard. Look for leaks where it has been parked. If you want check the transmission fluid if it's real dark it probably means it hasn't been flushed in a long time. Check the timing belt because they are only good for about 70-100k miles and are expensive. Let someone look over the engine.
Good ideas. The carfax has some of the oil changes, but it seems to be missing some of them. It looks like they changed the oil every 5k, but there is no record for the 30k oil change. I'll definitely drive it but I have no idea who is reputable in that area to have it checked out.
Jan 15, 2013 3:06pm
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Jan 15, 2013 3:06 PM
Raw Dawgin' it;1366732 wrote:Form and function, boom!

I like it!
Jan 15, 2013 3:06pm
derek bomar's avatar

derek bomar

Senior Member

3,722 posts
Jan 15, 2013 3:18 PM
I will sell you my 2007 F-150 for less than 13k. 66k miles.
Jan 15, 2013 3:18pm
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Jan 15, 2013 3:24 PM
derek bomar;1366745 wrote:I will sell you my 2007 F-150 for less than 13k. 66k miles.
Thanks but I need something to pull a 6 horse trailer. I'm looking for Diesel (not required) and 4 wheel drive.
Jan 15, 2013 3:24pm
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
Jan 15, 2013 3:35 PM
FatHobbit;1366753 wrote:Thanks but I need something to pull a 6 horse trailer. I'm looking for Diesel (not required) and 4 wheel drive.
Have a mechanic check over the drivetrain really well. That is where money can pile up fast in a 4x4 truck.
Jan 15, 2013 3:35pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jan 15, 2013 3:46 PM
FatHobbit;1366738 wrote:It's a 2003 F350 XL (manual windows and locks) and they currently have it priced at $13k. I need something to pull a horse trailer.

Diesel and 4x4? If not, that seems a bit over priced. Pay attention to ball joints and injectors. Notorious problem areas in the '03's.
Jan 15, 2013 3:46pm
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Jan 15, 2013 3:47 PM
GoChiefs;1366762 wrote:Diesel and 4x4? If not, that seems a bit over priced. Pay attention to ball joints and injectors. Notorious problem areas in the '03's.
Yup. Everything in my area that is Diesel and 4x4 has 100k miles and is $20k.
Jan 15, 2013 3:47pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
Jan 15, 2013 4:43 PM
Take my word for it..

Just sell the horses
Jan 15, 2013 4:43pm
derek bomar's avatar

derek bomar

Senior Member

3,722 posts
Jan 15, 2013 4:50 PM
in a bit of sad irony, my drive shaft went out today.
Jan 15, 2013 4:50pm