Nissan 85 king cab 720

[maursipan]

Hi! I'm considering buying this truck as my FIRST truck! It's listed on craig's list for $3900 and has 156,000 miles on it and according to the owner runs well as a daily driver. From the photos it appears to be in great condition with no exterior rust or paint deterioration. I haven't seen the underside yet but will definitely check that out when i look at it in person.
does anyone have any advice? is this a terrible deal?? i'm not so experienced with this.

Thanks so much!
Moira

[OriginalWheelman]

Welcome to NICO! The price seems high to me, but it depends a lot on what kind of shape the truck is in. It would have to be pretty nice to justify that much out of a 720, but it's not unheard of.

Please don't take this the wrong way. Since it is your first vehicle, I would recommend something cheaper. Everyone kills their first car. I'm not saying it to be mean, but cars are complicated and new drivers have no experience with them to know warning signs. It is likely that inexperience or ignorance will kill your first car.

If you are dead set on the 720, post some pics and some more details and we can help you decide if the price is right. For the record though, I recently saw a 720 on Craigslist for $1500 in nice shape.

Here is a not so nice one for $800
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/4630762998.html

Here is a rare, working diesel 720 for $3400.
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4626143672.html

[maursipan]

Thanks you for the reply! Don't worry, it's not my first car, just my first truck! I've been driving for almost 15 years but i've always had small cars (subaru impreza and a honda civic) and i'm ready for something bigger!

here is the link to the original craigslist ad: http://delaware.craigslist.org/cto/4626675043.html

he has also sent me other pictures showing close ups and the exterior really looks rust free!

What do you think?

[OriginalWheelman]

Ah, thanks for clearing that up.

That is a fantastic looking 720. In my opinion, he is still asking too much for it. The automatic really limits his potential buyers, so use that to barter. Most of us who would be interested in a truck that old would walk away from an auto unless it was very cheap. Personally, I would pay no more than $2,500 for that truck.
I'm willing to bet that
1. He doesn't have a lot of interest.
and
2. He doesn't have a lot of money into it
and/or
3. He has owned it for a long time.

Any of those should give you a good amount of haggle room. $3,900 is just too much. I'd offer him $2,500 cash. If he says no, walk away. I've had people call me after I walked away an accept my offer. You may miss out on this particular truck, but if you don't, you will have saved $1,400. It's worth the risk in my opinion unless you have a burning desire to get this truck. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that either, I've been there myself. Just want you to make an informed purchase.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

^I agree. $3900 is just too damn much. You could probably find a nice hardbody for that though.

[maursipan]

thank you guys so much! this is exactly the kind of advice i was looking for! i'll probably give him a lower offer and then if he doesn't accept i will be asking your expert advice in the near future!!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Good luck!