*UPDATE...

Sounds a little shady (or the guy has no clue about the process of selling a vehicle). I asked him for the VIN # so I can run a Car Fax and get an exact insurance quote and add the car to my policy now for effect tonight. He is telling me he won't give me the VIN #. Then he's telling me cash only, no money order or cashier's check. The whole thing went south and it doesn't sound like it's going to happen. I think it's just because he's 'juvenile' in understanding buying/selling a vehicle, but just in case he'e playing a game I think I'll opt to balk. He told me 'I can't make it tonight, can we reschedule for a day or two from now' (after last night we had plans to meet tonight with my mechanic). Ugh, just another tribulation of dealing me people in California- non committal and 'flaky'.

X10

I would not have a problem with cash if he has no problem going to the DMV to sign over the title. My 97 4.6 was a similar truck. It had all but the Lariat pkg.. Leather justs cracks in Texas anyway. I had the tow pkg. and limited slip. I really liked that truck. One of my GM owning buddies called it a Mustang with a bed.

Pulling a tracker you can use your car. If you just want a truck to have a truck, a 6 cylinder 1/2 ton will be more than ample.

The deal wound up not going through because the guy would not give me the VIN # and sounded real sketchy during the sale. Very strange - almost like he was hiding something, so I decided to balk.

Anyway, these people out in CA are off their rocker. I am trying to find a 1998 or 1999 F150 V6 Auto or V8 Auto XLT package with tow hitch and the KBB and Edmunds EXCELLENT Condition Private Party Value for a truck with 150-170K miles or so is maxed out at $3,300. These people are listing their trucks for $4,500 OBO and I call them and offer $3,000 and they say o no no way, maybe $4,250 or $4,200 I can take, but NO WAY $3,000. Meanwhile the KBB is showing $3,300 for EXCELLENT (which a 12 year old car will rarely be excellent) and Edmunds shows $2,500.

Where do these people get off trying to sell a 12+ year old truck for over 30% of the KBB value?!?!

Yeah that's high for sure. You should definitely move to Texas!

I have a pro team 160 which would only be about a foot shorter than your boat and I pull it with a V6 but it really struggles up hills. I have a 25 HP motor too which I'm sure you have a bigger motor which will make it even heavier. I am looking for a V8 to pull mine with and I would recomend you get a V8 too.

No one is off there rocker when it comes to used truck prices. If it runs and drives fine with no check engine lights after 15 miles its probaly a solid truck. Cash for clunkers has absolutely killed the less than 5k market for used cars. In 2009 it removed over 1.5 million due to this so called program. (ie helping the democratic unions) Used car prices are up 28% since 2009 and projected to increase another 8% this year. Its simple supply and demand. The 4.3 chevrolet the 4.9 and 4.2 are all solid motors. PM me any questions if you like I am a used truck buyer for a dealer.

I'd go with the V8. A V6 is going to be underpowered and you will get no better gas mileage.

You're only using this for towing right?

My 5.4l V8 gets better gas mileage than my old 4.6L V8 while towing my 18ft boat.

Guys,

I wound up getting this little pickup truck. I THINK I did well. Stats...

1999 Dodge Dakota Sport
V6 Magnum 3.9L
71,000 miles!
Runs excellent
Looks great (paint/no dents/blems, etc.)

What ya'll think? It's working out well. Picked her up for $3,400 Cash. (Realize this is out in California, where everything is 20% more expensive than Texas haha) In TX I coulda did much better I'm sure.