Update:
I ended up going with MUSASHI66's suggestion on just being upfront about my (lack of) budget. I wrote a decently long email advising that I’ve admired the truck for years and that I’d give it a good home.
The owner responded:
Hi (COFL)
Thank you for your e-mail. I really love my Ranger, but I need a larger truck to haul all the toys during summer vacation. That being said, I am having a real problem finding anything that will suit at this point. It seems that decent trucks are a hot commodity, typically sold one or two days after they are posted online . I’d love to see it go to a good home, rather than trading it to a dealer. I will certainly keep your offer in mind and let you know when I find the perfect ride.
So there we go. If it works out great, if not, whatever, it’s fall/winter anyway. I will re-assess my vehicular situation in the spring.
Original:
I really want this dude’s ranger. He is a local high school teacher, he knows my mother in law who works at the school and he knows I’ve admired the truck and it’s showroom condition for a few years (I used to live beside the school).
He’s owned it from new, it likely doesn’t owe him anything but he’s no dummy. He knows what he has.... I think.
Buuut, knowing what the retail value of the truck ($17K-$18K) is and actually getting that are different things. My budget, realistically is $12K cash. I’d estimate that to be slightly over trade in/wholesale. I’d probably forgo any PPI.
What say Oppo? Dare to dream or am I just too broke.
