need advice on used Ram

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Old Mopar Guy

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Taking a test drive this Tuesday. Found others before this one and they were gone in a day. Laramie Longhorn's too. Last one was a 2019 very low miles at $39K. It was pristine! As we flew out to Phoenix from Seattle is was sold! Been on a wild search and found this. Dealer owner said it's on its way from California. There's a scratch in the Right Rear passenger seat bottom cushion, dent in the tailgate and a rubber adjuster missing from the passenger side center console vent. Other than that from the photos and the back and forth phone calls from the dealer owner it seems legit. It has more miles than I'd like and that's the only downfall.
The dealer owner said he will take care of the rear seat, tailgate and rubber on the vent. He said he has a PDR man that will look at the tailgate and if not he will pay to have the body work done on the tailgate.

What should I be aware of and looking for when actually see and test drive it?

What am I missing???

https://www.kbb.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=649824884&listingTypes=USED&startYear=2014&endYear=2014&year=&makeCodeList=RAM&modelCodeList=RM1500&city=Phoenix&state=AZ&zip=85001&location=&distance=75&searchRadius=75&isNewSearch=false&marketExtension=include&showAccelerateBanner=false&sortBy=relevance&numRecords=25&firstRecord=25&dma=&referrer=/cars-for-sale/used/2014/ram/1500/phoenix-az-85001?year=&distance=75&dma=&searchRadius=75&location=&isNewSearch=false&marketExtension=include&showAccelerateBanner=false&sortBy=relevance&numRecords=25&firstRecord=25&clickType=listing
 
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G-Ride990

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Nothing really stands out as a red flag to me on that ad. Looks like a well-cared-for truck to me.

Just blows my mind how expensive used trucks are these days.

If you can, make sure the truck is dead cold before you start it for the first time. Pop the hood and make sure the exhaust manifolds are cold to the touch. That will help you figure out if it has the, "hemi tick."
Might want to search that term here as there are lots of videos and info about it. Sometimes it can be the manifold bolts, other times can be more serious.

Other than that, not really a whole not more to worry about. Just standard stuff, make sure the brakes feel and sound good, the bushings and shocks are okay and that the transmission shifts well. And take a good look at the headliner in the back seat around the 3rd brake light to make sure there aren't any serious water marks there as they have a tendency to leak.
 
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Old Mopar Guy

Old Mopar Guy

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Thanks to you both. I have searched carvana, craigslist, Cargurus, KKB. All the other i found were gone in a day. I asked specfically about the tick. The owner said he knows this trait and the vehicle has no tick. I WILL double check for sure!
Thanks for reemphasizing the obvious! Yes, used RAMS are very pricey. I've seen ****boxes and test driven them that were so called 'cream puffs, great finds." And they were ****.
 

Dodge 1500 4X4

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Try to get underneath it when cold and grab the exhaust manifold heat shields on both sided if they're lose you have broken exhaust manifold studs, start it cold if it does tick a bit on startup it should go away if needs the studs replaced, if it persists may be possible lifter/ Cam issue, make sure there are no check engine lights, check the headliner in the rear for stains for possible 3rd brake light leak, check rear power sliding window for any cracks around the frame, if its cracked you will have water intrusion under rear seat floor area, Take it for a good test ride, check for any vibrations or noises and check condition of brakes and tires, check everything on the test ride for proper function, check UConnect screen for any bubbles on the luminant screen for info system.
 

csuder99

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A quick check of the VIN shows this a Canadian truck originally sold in Alberta. Unless it came to the US within a year or two it will likely be either pretty rusty underneath or have a lot of black 'stuff' to cover it. I looked at a few trucks from Alberta when I was shopping and decided the savings were not worth the future headaches.

Edit: the dealership in AZ has a carfax link, it spent 5 years in Alberta.
 

Jeepwalker

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Seems like it's in really good condition. Pretty well loaded with options too. If it was from Alberta, could be the owner spent winters in AZ (not uncommon) ...but double-check the frame and underside. And if it was towing a camper, check the driveline for excessive slop.

Gray is not my particular color, but, color is individual preference ..a guy can get use to. The interior looks gorgeous ..like new. If it has the features you're looking for and you're comfortable with the price, yeah, go for it. Normally I would list a bunch of things to look for, but if it's a dealership they usually do a good job of looking them over.

Couple things you might ask about:
1) Powertrain warranty. Let's say at it's mileage it blows a cam in 9 months. Would they offer a warranty to cover that (for let's say, 3 yrs) ...how much would it cost you?
2) Change fluids. Are there service records to indicate when fluids were last replaced? If not, it might be worth paying them (can you get a reduced fluid-change rate?) on getting the fluids replace, incl the brake fluid, coolant, tranny and drivetrain's? Plugs are often overlooked too.
3) A bed cover might be nice in Seattle, to keep things dry back there. Obviously they can't throw in everything, but you might price one out if they install it. Or buy one off the internet. My truck has the simple roll-up cover that Rams came with, and that works just fine for me. Some guys prefer the hard cover though.
4) Is there a technology upgrade they can throw in (or reduced rate)? Like most current maps or updated U3 features, if any are available.
5) Make sure you get two fobs


Hope it works out for you..
 
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KoboldTaco

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Just blows my mind how expensive used trucks are these days.
Wow wow wow re: how much money the truck is going for. You can say that 10 times over and over again.

Lots of good input on this thread but I just had to pile on a few thoughts.

5 years in Alberta would be a red flag to me but it’s possible that it was not rusted to pieces underneath. The tick and manifold bolts are certainly areas to just nope yourself out of there. I’m also reinforcing cold, cold, cold startup.

Is a 3rd party warranty out of the question? For that kind of money, it might be worth purchasing one from a reputable 3rd party - I would steer away from buying it at the dealership only for the fact they add their markup.

Good luck and let us know how she looks underneath And what you end up doing.
 
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Old Mopar Guy

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Thanks to all for your great feedback!
Being from Canada is a concern.

I will get underneath and take a close look of any rust or fluid leaks and condition of the suspension and etc.

I have asked for a service history. Since being from Canada it's not available. Just the Carfax. Hoping that since it has a battery blanket and the body and interior look in good shape, that up there in Canada it was well taken care of - hope!

We are in Maricopa, AZ. This won't go to Seattle, it will be for here in AZ.
Wish we had more time here than two weeks to look further (9 days remaining). We've personally seen other basic RAMs that were not acceptable. 3 others were on the internet and were awesome and gone in a day or two after posting!

Hopefully, this ride will be the one. Fingers crossed. If it's not, we will continue our search.
These days RAMs are all over the place. It's just finding the right one for the wife and I.

Were love the Longhorn with the brown saddle leather interior.

Thanks again everyone, I will keep you posted how things go when it arrives.

Erik
 
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chopperman1

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Keep in mind there is zero warranty with any vehicle purchased from Canada, no power train, no nothing, not even if it were a 2022 with 1 mile on it. There are also issues with the U-Connect and being able to use it in the US, something to do with FCC compliance or some crap like that. Always try and purchase a US based one. The CA ones are flooding the market now due to the strong dollar.
 

Jeepwalker

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Keep in mind there is zero warranty with any vehicle purchased from Canada, no power train, no nothing, not even if it were a 2022 with 1 mile on it. There are also issues with the U-Connect and being able to use it in the US, something to do with FCC compliance or some crap like that.


That's interesting to know. I wonder how (if) it matters on an aftermarket warrranty.
 

zogg

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I’m so sorry but I’d walk away. That is far too many miles for that $$$$$$. I bought a ford a few years ago that spent three years in Michigan. It needed tires and the shop actually had to beat the rims off the hubs with sludge hammers. The salt had fused the dissimilar metals. They broke one rim getting it off.
While it looks extreme nice the miles and salt would be a deal killer for me. I wouldn’t walk away, I’d run.

I bought my 2019 big horn in southern Illinois last October with 33,000 miles for $37,000 and it’s like new. There are several here with a lot less than 117,000 miles for under $35000
 

Compu-Doc

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Keep in mind too that the speedo and mileage indicator is going to be in kilometers not miles but you s/b able to change the digital speedo to a miles per hour display
 

Joshua Collins

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Keep in mind too that the speedo and mileage indicator is going to be in kilometers not miles but you s/b able to change the digital speedo to a miles per hour display
They have to change the speedo out for a us cluster to be legit. Had one of our guys at work move from Canada. Before they would even register the truck he had to go through a fairly lengthy process which included swapping the cluster out at a dealer.

Now to the OP I would pass on this one way too much for a 2014. I know the market is crazy but something will pop up sooner than later. And stick to a truck sold in the US to start with. Regardless if aftermarket warranty will possibly cover it not worth the headache in the long run.

Expand you search out if you are that serious about buying a truck. See them for sale all over texas no issues getting something here but they are pricey.
 

Joshua Collins

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Quick carvana search in the houston area pulled 17 pages of ram 1500 crew cabs trucks up. Just saying
 
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Old Mopar Guy

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Got the truck today!
Went over it throughly inside and out.
Their was no drivetrain slop.
No tick at start up or running at anytime. Truck was dead cold in a garage when we got there.
Exhaust manifold shields did not move when I shook them before my initial start up.
I got an old bedspread and got under the entire truck underside. No leaks of any kind. Consant velocity joint boots were not torn or leaking.
Windshield had a chip in it, glass repair came on site to fix - owner paid.
Minor chips in hood (small). About 4 dings in the doors and one in the tailgate.
No rust other than slight surface on underbody.
Brakes had half a pad remaining on all fours.
Tires had half tread remaining. Spare tire is brand new.
Leather seats were in good condition. No rips, tears or excessive wear marks.
All electrical consumers worked great as well as windows and door locks and lights inside and out.
Passenger side OEM towing mirror was cracked. Found a replacement at "Auto Zone" for $28 coming in two days.
U-Connect worked perfectly! Screen was flawless.

Windshield appeared to be brand new except a minor chip (you could bearly see it and was in the center of the windshield).
Transmission runs and shifts perfect.
Brakes stop on a dime.
Truck bed had a spray in liner and was very clean. No dents or dings in bed.
Air cleaner and cabin filter are brand new.
Oil has 70% till next change.
Engine runs great.
Owner said all fluids other then oil were changed at 75,000 miles.

Besides the passenger side mirror being cracked we found a squeak in the "Air Ride System" after a long drive home. You can hear it on initial acceleration out of the hole, turning out our a driveway down hill and by manipulating the air ride system dashboard push button. We took it for a 30 min test drive our first time out with the owner this never happened to us.
I have an appointment at a local repair shop tomorrow to determine the repair and cost.

Other than that this is a very clean vehicle that drives rather nicely.

This is my first RAM and it drives like a car. Very comfortable on a long drive. Love the lumbar support and the cooled seats on these hot Arizona days!
 

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Congrats on the new Ram for you. I know prices are crazy, but you spend what you want for what you want. I'm sure you will enjoy the truck and have fun driving it for many years. Anything you buy always has something that it may need, but having it and enjoying it is what counts...things can be fixed.
 
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Old Mopar Guy

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Great news... the squeak is not "Air Ride" related ---- WHEW!!!
It is a control arm bushing that is shot! They are working on locating the bushings (they said they intend on replacing both on that control arm at the same time) and/or the control arm with bushings installed if they are not available separately.

They called and said they can only get a complete control arm with bushings locally (they called two dealers too). No bushings alone are available. I told them while they're at it to do both control arms. Why go through this again? I believe in preventative maintenance and while they are under there why not?!

I'm doing both control arms and a front-end alignment.

They said since everyone is in for A.C. work recently... they checked my A.C. temp at the center console ducting. It read 58 vs 42 degrees at the lowest setting (they said that it should reach this level). However, they can't service my 1234yf Freon there. They don't carry it. So they called the shop down the block and they carry 1234yf and have an opening for 1pm tomorrow. They gave me the other shops number and I called immediately for the 1pm slot. This shop ROCKS in customer service!!!
 
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