Someone in Santa Ana, CA willing to look at a truck for me?

[Tom '74 911]

Hello,

I have found a truck that I'm interested in, but it's located a ways away from me. I'm in Idaho and it's in Santa Ana, CA. I am planning a trip down there in a few weeks anyway for some business and could easily fly down and drive it back if it checks out.

Any chance someone in or close to Santa Ana would be willing to swing by and kick the tires for me? I'd be happy to buy you lunch when I come down!

Thanks!

Tom

[Brando]

Sure!

[sammyg2]

Depending on the address, most OC locals won't set foot in Santa Ana if they don't have to.
It's almost as bad as LA.

Brando is putting his life at risk for a fellow pelican and that deserves a medal or something.

[BeyGon]

ah Sammy, as long as you go in and out during daylight it's not so bad. Or, put a spanish obaama sticker on your car.

[sammyg2]

Many, many moons ago I worked as a parking lot attendant at the santa Ana courthouse for the summer.
I was getting ready to be a junior in high school and it paid $2.35 an hour, decent scratch back then.

Anywho, at least once a week we'd hear an exchange of gunfire and that was during the day.

[Tom '74 911]

That's not reassuring to hear! Brandon was THE MAN! He went down and checked out the truck for me only hours after I posted the thread. . . Pelican is the best group of people, hands down.

He didn't mention anything about dodging gunfire, but he did take some additional photos for me and check a few things out etc... I really appreciated his help and can't say enough of his willingness to burn some of his "Sunday time" for me - not to mention the fact that he apparently risked his life venturing into that neighborhood. . .

I did end up buying the truck too.

After the descriptions of the neighborhood, I'm wondering if it's wise to let it sit parked on the lot for a few weeks until I can fly down to drive it home. . . are you guys being real, or just jokin' w/an ignorant Idahoan from the wilderness?

I owe Brandon a huge thanks and lunch when I come down in a few weeks!

Thanks again!

Tom

[Tom '74 911]

Oh, and a photo of the truck - not really that exciting or extravagant, but it'll work well for me. . . '98 Dodge 2500 - last of the 12 valves diesel engines (it's a late '97, first of the '98's).

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Tom '74 911

That's not reassuring to hear! Brandon was THE MAN! He went down and checked out the truck for me only hours after I posted the thread. . . Pelican is the best group of people, hands down.

He didn't mention anything about dodging gunfire, but he did take some additional photos for me and check a few things out etc... I really appreciated his help and can't say enough of his willingness to burn some of his "Sunday time" for me - not to mention the fact that he apparently risked his life venturing into that neighborhood. . .

I did end up buying the truck too.

After the descriptions of the neighborhood, I'm wondering if it's wise to let it sit parked on the lot for a few weeks until I can fly down to drive it home. . . are you guys being real, or just jokin' w/an ignorant Idahoan from the wilderness?

I owe Brandon a huge thanks and lunch when I come down in a few weeks!

Thanks again!

Tom

LOL, Near John Wayne airport is a nice area, near Costa Mesa around south coast plaza is ritzy, the east side near Orange hills is very nice, downtown santa ana and west side near stanton not so much. It's a dump but still nicer than most of LA. IMHO of course, others may disagree.

there are portions of Santa Ana that are very upscale with houses in the $+ million range, and a few miles away from there are full on barrios.
Lots O'that in So Cal.

[Scott Douglas]

Is it at a dealer that will secure it as if it's still theirs?
Looks like a nice truck.
Have you taken possession of it or won't that happen until you come down to drive it off the lot and home?

[Tom '74 911]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Is it at a dealer that will secure it as if it's still theirs?
Looks like a nice truck.
Have you taken possession of it or won't that happen until you come down to drive it off the lot and home?

It's on the dealer's lot. I have paid a deposit on it, but need to pay in full w/in the next week or so. I assume I won't take possession until I physically come pick it up if it stays parked there. The dealer has been great on the phone and has offered to keep it on his lot for a few weeks - but he's still 850 mi. away and who knows. I have business down there right after the first of the year and was planning to fly down, pick it up then, and drive it back.

Brandon has kindly offered to pick it up for me and keep tabs on it for a few weeks, but I hate to trouble him further! Ahhh logistics.

[vash]

man..that thing is a beauty!!

before i bought my tacoma..i searched long and hard for a 2002, white, extra cab, 4x4..unmolested. it was like a unicorn at the time.

great find!! i wish i were closer, i would test drive that thing for you. is that 2wd?

[vash]

well done BRANDO!!

[Tom '74 911]

Originally Posted by vash

man..that thing is a beauty!!

before i bought my tacoma..i searched long and hard for a 2002, white, extra cab, 4x4..unmolested. it was like a unicorn at the time.

great find!! i wish i were closer, i would test drive that thing for you. is that 2wd?

It's a 4X4 - I live where it's winter for 5-6 months of the year and I'm not man enough to drive a 2wd truck in the snow. I'd have loved a Tacoma, but I got this to tow with, so I needed something bigger. . . I debated a few other options with some friends that are keen on trucks, but for my budget and needs, this seemed to fit best. Still nervous about doing a deal like this long distance - I guess I'm a glutton for stress! Wish I could fly down tomorrow and drive it back, but I have to go down in a few weeks anyway, so it makes sense to wait.

[vash]

tom. i did the same thing.

got some buddy to look at my current truck. got his blessings..sent the private seller a deposit, non refundable just in case - if i never ever show up. he agreed to hold it till the weekend. i flew down, with a wad of cash..and bought it.

i drove it home on the baldest tires that i have ever driven on..(slicks not included)

and i am quite possibly the most nervous, paranoid, skeptic person on this forum. i survived it.

4x4..!!! really really nice find.

you mind PMing me the price so i can kick myself? funny, i was looking in IDAHO for my 2002 dodge.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Tom '74 911

It's a 4X4 - I live where it's winter for 5-6 months of the year and I'm not man enough to drive a 2wd truck in the snow. I'd have loved a Tacoma, but I got this to tow with, so I needed something bigger. . . I debated a few other options with some friends that are keen on trucks, but for my budget and needs, this seemed to fit best. Still nervous about doing a deal like this long distance - I guess I'm a glutton for stress! Wish I could fly down tomorrow and drive it back, but I have to go down in a few weeks anyway, so it makes sense to wait.

The nice thing about 4x4s from So Cal is, most have never been off-road.
Many of em have never even had the transfer case engaged.
That might be good or bad from a blown seal stand-point. No I was just eating ice cream.

We call em 405 4 wheel drives ('cause of the freeway).