looking to buy a silverado and have about 10k to spend

[98vert6spd]

thanks for all the advice guys

Im going to go look at this white shortbed now and see if i can feel them out on the price

[White Lightening]

Greetings 98vert6spd,

Calm and patience will be your friends - while a lack of patience will be your enemy in buying a used truck of your choosing. Try to remember these really important points working in your favor:

1. Dealers are NOT giving anything for trade-ins - so lots of people would like to sell their used trucks outright. The pressure is greater now than it was 2 years ago. MANY used newer vehicles are sitting looking for an owner - because the owners want new - but need to find an outright buyer.

2. GM needs to sell new trucks - BADLY - so you will find that July and August will be "promoted to death" to buy new. This will create added desire by current truck owners to want to sell theirs - and because of No. 1 above - puts you in a strong position to find what you'd like - at your price. Everytime you hear the words "at EMPLOYEE PRICING PLUS THE INCENTIVES" - that is working to your advantage. It creates a pressure in the market - Ford is doing the same thing in its own way too.

3. Gas prices are working to your advantage. Older couples often sell trucks - especially when a 4 x 4 costs them so much more with these higher gas prices. They might switch to a Colorado or just a single car. Again - they are hearing the advertising too - and seeing the pump prices every day.

Personally - I think you should be able to find a nice 98, 99 or 2000 with 75,000 miles or less in an LS Ext. Cab for at or about your $10K limit - without difficulty if you avoid "the need to own NOW". But as a couple others stated - be ABLE to make a financial decision - when it comes (that doesn't mean to hurry to make the right decision). As you drive the highways - there are cars and trucks for sale - EVERYWHERE by private party. In a recent 500 mile trip - I couldn't drive a mile without seeing a vehicle or boat for sale on the side of the road - nice - good looking vehicles. Keep thinking how this is a buyers market - and you are the person everyone wants to find.

Good Luck on a good vehicle.

White Lightening

[Nigel215]

I got my truck at a dealer auto aucton (cant spell), When every thing was said and done i paid a little over 11K for my truck, 2wd, LS, 4.8L extended cab 3 door .... with 59K on it. Their was not dammage to the body, very clean. I think i got a good deal.

[98vert6spd]

i went and test drove a white 4.8 regular cab 4x4 short bed
automatic with 106k on it

pw pl ps pb cd player
tonea cover oversize tires and towing package

the windshied has 2 pretty big chips in it

and the owners gf said the fuel pump is going to go out
i couldnt feal it and it seemed to run fine on my 30 minute drive

the 4 wd engages fine in low and high and the transmission iddnt slip on a zero to 70 run after about 25 minutes of driving

i cant really find anything wrong with the truck

the tires have about 5/32nds on them and i could only find 1 small dent on the body

I think id like to offer him 8k tonight for it
hes asking 9400
what do you guys think
also white lightening thanks for what you said its reassuring to me

[redneck45]

8 sounds cool if he'll take it.

[nineball481]

Originally Posted by 98vert6spd

I think id like to offer him 8k tonight for it
hes asking 9400
what do you guys think
also white lightening thanks for what you said its reassuring to me

Don't be affraid or self concious about throwing a low offer on the table. The worst he can say is "no". However, if you can say "I'll give you 8K cash, right now." He would be more willing to accept.

I don't know your negotiating experience. Be prepared that if you offer 8 to his 9400, that you will end up close to 8700-9000 final price.

[98vert6spd]

ive bought a number of casrs and been able to negotiate fairly well

I went to 8500 and he said no
so i played the silence game


then I told him to call me if he changed his mind

I have an auction by me so i can hold out

[98vert6spd]

Originally Posted by 98vert6spd

ive bought a number of casrs and been able to negotiate fairly well

I went to 8500 and he said no
so i played the silence game


then I told him to call me if he changed his mind

I have an auction by me so i can hold out

well its been what 4 weeks now and he called me today to say hed take 8500

i can hold out still cause im driving my vette for the summer anyway
what do you guys think should i hold out or take it?

after looking at the local auction results i think i can end up with maybe a year newer with a few lower miles for aroudn the same cash

but then i give up the test drive...
what do you guys think?
I was thinking about telling him i was goign to just look at the auctions and that when he goes to the dealer to see what theyd give him in trade to call me and see if we couldnt work out a better deal

[kenwood guy]

thats a deal in my book

[98vert6spd]

im going today to shop for a truck and so i guess ill be buying something
depending on the deal that shows up

ill let you guys know

[kenwood guy]

can you ask for a lower price at the dealer if so how much should you talk down the asking price?????

[98vert6spd]

the one for 8500 is private party

I went to a dealer to look at a 99 sb 4.8 auto

it had pl but no pw

it was 9250 with 81k on it

but it was scratched up pretty good

so i didnt even look at it

they were asking 10400 for it

i called and told them i was about to buy a similar truck for 8500 and they said theyd go 9200
but there truck was crappy

Im still debating whether or not to call the private party back and take the 99 sb for 8500

[kenwood guy]

see if you can get warrenty in the deal with the dealer

[98vert6spd]

the one at the dealer was too rough
it was all scratched up and iddi have power windows or locks