A Good Day...Sold My Truck
nunn
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I reckon I took a little advantage of the high price of used vehicles, but I sold a 1997 Ford F-150 XL, standard cab pickup for $4200, and the buyer was happy to get it.
Here is the ad I ran on the C-list, and the ad the buyer answered:
Offered for sale here is a 1997 Ford F-150 XL pickup, in EXCELLENT running condition.
VIN is 1FTDF1727VKB70154, and title is CLEAR.
It has the 4.2 liter V-6 engine and automatic transmission. It runs great.
It also has air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, tilt wheel, cruise control, manual door locks and manual windows.
Body is straight, with no rust, and only a few dings and scratches. All windows are sound and free of cracks.
Cargo box is 6 1/2 feet. There is no component of this truck that does not work. Air conditioner blows cold as it should.
I REALLY like this truck. It is very reliable. I would trust it to take me to either coast and back without trouble. I have driven it all over this area, and I've made two trips far into Arkansas and back.
If it had 4 doors and a back seat, I would not be selling it. The ONLY reason I am selling it, is that I have bought another truck that has 4 doors and a back seat.
Here's the history of the truck:
I bought it in April of 2016. At that point, the mileage was 188,432. That sounds like a lot, doesn't it? But I drove it, and was favorably impressed, so I bought it.
The mechanically inclined previous owner rebuilt the engine during the preceding year, at somewhere around 170,000 to 180,000 miles. The mileage is now 213,090, so I have driven it a total of 24,658 miles in the 5+ years I've owned it. That figures out to less than 5,000 miles per year on average. I get a discount on my insurance for driving so few miles.
By my reckoning, the engine has around 33,000 miles on the rebuild. It uses no oil, and as previously stated, it runs strong.
Also, before he sold it to me, the previous owner completely overhauled the suspension components, and upgraded the brakes. Front brakes now take 1997 Ford Expedition parts, and there is a reminder fastened to the inside of the glove box door.
About two years ago, the transmission developed a leak. I took it to Buck's Greenville Transmission, owned and run by a good friend and man of integrity, Don Buck. Rather than just replace the seal and repair the leak, I had him to go ahead and completely overhaul the transmission. I told him to do the job as though he were doing it for his mother, and he did.
About a year ago, I had four new tires mounted at Crawford-Smith in Greenville. They are Toyo "Open Country H/P II," size P265/70R-16. I wanted P255 tires, but the shop didn't have that size, so they installed the P265 tires. The P265 size is slightly oversized for this truck, but they work well and look good.
On account of the oversize, there is a little speedometer error. If the speedometer indicates 65 mph, the truck is actually traveling at 70 mph. It also throws the fuel mileage numbers off a little. Not a big deal. You can expect an actual 14-18 miles per gallon, though the oversized tires may cause the numbers to be artificially lower.
On the topic of fuel, I have NEVER put any alcohol-adulterated gasoline in this truck. I use PURE gasoline that I buy from Daniel's Best Buy in Greenville, or at Buc-ee's, or at some Murphy Express stations.
I have the oil and oil filter changed, every 3,000 miles at Valvoline Express Care in Greenville. Records are in their computer system.
Factory radio has been replaced by a SONY AM/FM/CD stereo. It works and sounds good. I downloaded a copy of the instruction manual and it will be included with the truck. There is a remote control for the radio, but I've never used it.
The original seat has been replaced with a power adjustable seat. It matches the interior, it is comfortable, and it works.
Windows are coated with dark tint film. Behind the seat is a tool/accessory holder/organizer, included with the truck.
Also included is a pair of matching WEATHER-TECH floor liners, a $130 value, for FREE!
Also included is a Magellan GPS navigation device, a $120+ value, for FREE! It works well, and I have another one just like it for my other truck. It's a great navigation device.
There is a Ford factory option drop-in plastic bed liner in the cargo box. There is a receiver hitch and wiring for pulling a trailer. I have pulled a small trailer with this truck, hundreds of miles, with no problems. The previous owner used it to pull a car trailer, with no issues.
There is a string of LED lights around the cargo box that come on with the cargo light when a door is opened.
I had new brake pads installed recently, and I also installed two new gas struts for the hood.
The truck is in Wolfe City, Texas, and I am not interested in meeting up at another location. You may come here, and examine the truck, and test drive it, and if you want it, you may pay me for it in cash, and I will assign the title and bill of sale to you.
I am not a car dealer. I will not/cannot sell this vehicle with a lien.
If you want to "make payments," to me, layaway is OK, but not credit. The truck will remain parked and the title will remain open until the full amount is paid.
Asking price is $4200. I may consider an offer, but I will not negotiate over the phone. Come and drive it, and you will see it's worth every penny.
I would consider trading for firearms, or firearms and cash, of equal value.
I do not have to sell this truck. If it sells, fine. If not, I have a spare truck.
NO TEXT MESSAGES PLEASE! CALL OR EMAIL INSTEAD. THANKS!
You may call Nine-Zero-Three, 450-3943, or email me through Craigslist, but PLEASE don't send a text. If you send a text, I will presume that you are not interested in buying this item, and I will not reply.
Also, I speak and understand English only. If you are not conversant in English, you should have an interpreter to speak on your behalf.
Thanks!
Comments
The buyer showed up, looked it over, drove it, and decided to buy. He did not offer to haggle, but he did offer two nice pistols in trade. He said he'd been looking at trucks all over the area, and in each case, he found that the truck had undisclosed defects. Mine was accurately described.
He paid me $3400 cash, and two pistols he valued at $400 each. I figure his valuation of the guns was a little low, but that's OK.
Five years ago, I paid $2300 for the truck. I drove it around 25,000 miles during those five years. I spent $1500 having the transmission overhauled, around $700 for a set of tires, $200 for a bypass hose, $200 for brakes, $130 for floor liners, and $50 for the GPS. So, outside of gas, oil, and insurance, I had around $5080 in the truck.
I've never made money on a vehicle sale, and this was no exception, but I think I did OK.
Well written and described sales add.
There was a lot of value for the money in that truck beyond the accumulated miles on the odometer and your buyer recognized that.
Like the way that you attempted to ward off the low ballers and scammers with your clear terms.
I think the buyer got a good deal.
$1000 a year to drive a vehicle isn't bad, way cheaper than renting, and much cheaper than buying new..........
$5080 minus the sale value of $4200 leaves $880, so the truck cost me $176 a year, outside of gas, oil, and insurance.
Nunn, if items on the Auction side were as accurate and complete as this i would buy them all.☺️--------------------------------------Ray
What guns you get??
I am surprised C-list let you list an item with Firearms in the body. Mine gets auto-flagged every single time I use that word or guns.
I am like you. I will list everything I know about a vehicle (and most everything else I sell) both good and bad. I live ~25 miles from the city, out in the country. A good description saves a lot of time of people coming out and looking at stuff that turns out not to be what they are after. I know here on GB, pictures sells items. On C-list, it seems both pictures and descriptions help a lot. At least I don't end up with many tire kickers.
I have learned to NEVER list anything on there for free. You will be inundated with responses. Years ago, I bought a new mattress for our camper. So, to avoid getting mobbed with responses, I listed it as $10. It was in great shape with no marks on it anywhere. Anyway, this kid shows up wearing his NRA hat and camo t-shirt. Come to find out, they needed the camper mattress for their deer camp trailer. Not only did I give him the mattress, I ended up giving him some bow hunting/fishing items I no longer used. We went fishing a few times at local lakes as well.
Thats actually cheap for a truck around here, people are listing and selling broken trucks for 3K easy!
To many, people seeking old vehicles means America's middle class is dead. Or New vehicles with EPA mandates are new junk, and probably both statements are true.
With four cats on an exhaust system now days then to replace them is most likely four grand at least now. I would buy a 1975 or older car or truck and drive it or find a model with a six cylinder with one Catalytic converter.
serf
I think that is the most comprehensive and straightforward ad I have ever seen. The new owner got a good deal!
HAHAHA! Well...generally, the guns I sell I don't have for 5 years!
I read your ad and wanted to drive to Texas with my son to buy your truck. That is an ad that says "Buy me, buy me!!!!!"
Thanks. I try to describe my stuff completely and accurately. Sometimes it pays off.