I'd like some input to see if I'm crazy or not

I currently own an 05 F150 extend cab, purchased new and now have 113k miles on it. Although it's been a decent truck it has had it's share of problems. I have planned to keep it another 4-5 years at which time it will have 160k+ miles on it. I just don't have confidence in my truck going past 150k miles without major issues, it's been too prone to small problems over and over again since the day I bought it.

The other day I stumble across a 2005 crew cab, a true 4 door would definitely be nice since I have a 1 and 4 year old kids. Truck is very similar to mine options wise, actually it has a few more options. The truck only has 50k miles but has a rebuilt title.

The truck was fixed 2 years ago and the guy selling it has put 25k miles with no issues except for front wheel bearings this summer. He says he has purchased 5 vehicles from the shop that did the repairs and his family has purchased 3 more from this shop and none of them have had any issues with the repairs they have done. The truck was hit pretty hard in the driver side front, frame was bent so they replaced that section of frame. By looking at the truck you'd never know that it's been in a wreck.

He's asking no less than $14,000 which seems to be a fair price but definitely not a bargain. I think I could sell my truck for about $11,000 so I would only be looking at a $3000 difference I would be getting the same age truck but with 63,000 less miles. Maybe then I could get another 8 years before buying another truck and only be out $3k up front.

Currently my wife and I are not in a place now or in the next few years to be spending a lot of money on vehicles so this seems like a decent way to hopefully get more vehicle life with little money up front.

Oh by the way the truck is a GMC So aside from the Ford vs GM issue do you think I'm crazy for considering this?

 

If you think your truck has had problems just wait until you get in that GM..

Also i wouldn't buy a rebuilt title vehicle thats already 9 years old (UNLESS it was a stupid cheap price). I know my insurance wont put full coverage on a vehicle with a rebuilt title. Also when you get ready to sell it in a few years down the road you will be lucky to give it away.

I just dont see how it would be a good deal.. Selling your truck that has a CLEAN title for a truck with a rebuilt title and 3000 dollars extra

Id keep looking and maybe you can find a f150 supercrew or something for about the same price difference

Good Luck

 

"Frame was bent" = don't touch it, especially when it was bad enough that they had to replace that portion of the frame. My old Suburban (purchased brand new) had frame damage in an accident, which we had fixed, and it chewed through tires, couldn't keep an alignment, etc.

It could've been fixed properly, but I wouldn't touch it. Too sketchy. For what it's worth, that 2000 Suburban was an excellent vehicle until it was messed up . . . and other than the factory trans going out at 120k, it had very few issues.

Also, like Coy said, and I second most of what he said, it's very difficult to sell rebuilt title vehicles. Unless it's a steal, which this isn't, it isn't a good buy.

 

No way I would touch it unless it was so cheap I could salvage the driveline and come out.

 

The guy is outa his mind. The truck in fair condition KBB for 10 grand, and that's not a salvage title or rebuilt. I wouldn't be afraid of the truck mechanically if the work is done right. But he's off by a lot about the value. Maybe 8 grand tops and I do mean TOPS. You might also chat with your insurance company. Some will not write policies on rebuilt or salvage titles. From your story line, this guy is trying to unload this truck that has little to no value and hard to sell to somebody that's unsuspecting to get himself out of a jamb. Like it's said above, not many folks are game for a rebuilt/salvage title anything. He's fishing in an awfully small bucket. Don't be the sucker that bites on it.

 

I understand stand what you guys are saying. I don't know the guy real well but on all accounts he seems like a stand up guy. The Kelley Blue book value of the truck is a little over $16k if non-rebuilt title. My parents have had some experience with wrecked cars with frame damage and all was well as long as they have been fixed correctly.

Even with saying that I'm still hesitant on this. Part of it is that I don't know how long the truck was sitting in the salvage yard. Even though my truck has had it's problems I know the entire history of it. Also I've done a little more research on my trucks value and $11k is probably on the high end of the price bracket and would probably be closer to $10k. That right there would make $4k price difference plus tax. That's more than I can live with. I could be wrong but I don't forsee that much in repairs on my f150 in the next 4,5,or 6 years.

Thanks for being a voice of reason. My wife and friends are far from car people and couldn't offer any good advice.

Hopefully this post turns out normal, first time posting from my phone.

 

I think you have my f150 and his girlfriend confused.

 

I say pass........ he's way too high on his price. Last year I bought a year old Nissan coupe with 5K miles for my daughter to drive to college that had a rebuilt title. No issues with the insurance and the work was all cosmetic which the guy had before and after photos as well as doing the work himself. Booked for over $20K and I purchased it for $11.5. Like the others have all said and I knew going in, I'll eat it on the back end when it comes time to trade or sell but for a college car it's practically new and a solid car. Be patient, there has to better deals out there.

 

The bold is, again, reason enough to keep it. $4k can buy a LOT of repairs.

 

Sorry dude but that truck in pristine condition with a clean title is no where near 16 grand. Any used truck that's 10 years old is only going to rate at best "fair" condition. Then you can deduct for the iffy title. I've checked it twice at KBB and can't get any where near yer numbers. Regardless, he's selling a junked truck and trying to unload it on a fool. Don't be one.

 

I agree but blue book is still $16k at fair condition, maybe your not changing the mileage to 50K. Usually for most rebuilt titles you can count on around 10% reduction if value, So his asking price actually isn't bad according to the numbers. But at the value of my truck I don't see a pay off in my favor.

About 8 years ago my parents dealt with a couple rebuilt vehicles with good success. But in the last couple days of research it seems that rebuilt truck values seem too high to keep my attention. There seems to several rebuilt trucks going for dang near $30k+. I just cannot fathom paying that kinda money for wreck. But I guess that's what we get when truck prices keep going up. I cannot see paying new prices for trucks anymore. My XLT stickered for $34,000 in 2005 which I thought was absurd even though I only payed $24 or $25 for it. I guess more power to the people willing to pay that much for a truck. I just cannot justify it as I would rather put money towards my kids education or something of more value to me.

 

I'd say pass also....it's been sectionally repaired...cheap quick fix....run away and don't look back...imo

Now if the frame was completely replaced then that would've been a different story


Be wise

 

Props on your idea. I see where you are getting at, but the price is too high and I think you would be better off in the long run with the F-150. Now you say you have problems with yours, I'm not sure its a lemon, but it might be better just to keep it. I have over 400,000 miles on mine and I just have to replace small things from time to time, and my truck just turned 17 years old I plan on driving it for at least another 2 years until I can get a new DD and restore it.

Maybe if you talk him down to 8K, it might be worth getting. But not for 14. You could find an immaculate 10th gen SCrew for much lower (and its still a Ford).