The 02 on the platinum site ^ don't look like too bad of a deal if it truly has a NEW engine and not just another high mileage from a junker. I noticed with all of the pics they posted of it none are of the NEW engine? Probably a new to that truck USED engine?

 

It's all in the records surely, just ask to see the original receipts for the new engine and installation. If they give you a load of BS and no receipts you know it's a ringer.

 

Wait a second....

Does anybody live near this seller of decent looking trucks? Fancy the task of scouting out a couple? For a reasonable little fee?

What's stopping me organizing a deal with these guys, getting a cheap flight over, and driving it back to NY?

They seem to know what they are on about, have an actual inventory, and has to be better than the **** shoot that is NyC Craigslist.

Plan, no?

Edit. Grumpo, fancy the job?

 

You should call them and get them to scan and email you or fax you the paperwork supporting the new engine and install with the name and number of the shop who did the work and the company they bought the motor from.

or find out if it's just a used engine and new to this truck.

You have to pick those ads apart.

He could mean that LR installed a new engine under warranty at 5-10K and that could mean the new engine now has 140K.

Some sellers, not all but some, play around with words to take your mind to a different place. Their ad makes you think there is a bright and shiny new engine sitting in there but, I bet that's not the case at that price. Maybe you can get to the bottom of it.
Good luck and remember trust no one!

 

I was actually more looking at the 04, green, with 100k.

Might call them tomorrow, see if it's got a decent service history.

 

I'd start off when talking to them showing interest in the 02 with the new engine and see if they can get you the paperwork or if they even have the paperwork/history and that would be a good way to find out what kind of seller they are.

Then when you find out the engine is not actually new, you will know who you are dealing with.

And if still interested in dealing with them you may be able to, with total disappointment, shift the conversation over to the other one and get a much better deal since you had been kinda mislead on the first one.

or if it did turn out that the 02 really had a new engine, like brand new or new long block, and papers to support it, then I would say that they are probably good people... offering a truck with a new engine and proof for that price they couldn't be all bad.

 

Spoke with Darrell at Platinum. Nice fella.

Very few of the vehicles have service records. Seems they are either trade ins, or from auctions. If it has some records/receipts in the glove box then that's that. Sometimes they sell something they worked on for years, not right now.

The 02, with a new engine, has an unknown engine in it.

The green 04 has gone.

Its not ideal, far better to have a folder full of invoices.

That said, doesn't mean they are all bad cars. Just unknown. They have a shop and offer to put it on the lift and let me take as long as I like scouting it out.

I don't think I would venture over there without someone checking things out first...

 

oh well, keep shopping, the right one will turn up.

 

unless you are willing to gamble, stay away from auction vehicles. Dealer send vehicles to the auction for a reason, sometimes it because its to old to finance but usually because they don't ever want to see them again. JMO

 

I know Nate and Darrel pretty well now from buying the truck, some door lock parts, a steel bumper and help here and their with some things on my 04.


You never know what your going to get from any used vehicle paper history or not. Best to set your price point and plan on doing the entire list within 60 days of purchase. That's what I ended up doing. Best vehicle I have ever owned.


Let me know if you want me to go drive or look at something for you. They are about a half hour north of me from my work but fairly close to my home. It's the kind of place you can stick your head in the shop and learn a few things so I don't mind stopping in their from time to time.