Sometimes, transparency is the best policy when selling a used vehicle. If you’re parting ways with your Dodge Challenger after an accident, it might be wise to include photos of the damage in your advertisement—after all, potential buyers will find out eventually. However, if I accidentally drove my truck into a pond while trying to retrieve my mower, I’d probably refrain from showcasing images of the truck submerged, unlike a seller on Facebook Marketplace who is doing just that.
This scenario is playing out with a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD for sale in Clarksville, Arkansas. The seller describes how the truck “fell into my pond while I was attempting to rescue my zero-turn [mower] (I was not drunk when it happened). Yes, the zero-turn was rescued and runs fine.”
While it’s good news that the mower is operational, potential buyers might be more curious about the extent of the water damage to the truck. Were it submerged? Oh, just “under 9 feet of water for a few days”? That’s certainly noteworthy.
One would think that in advertising a water-damaged vehicle, the seller would use a picture of the entire truck on solid ground as the main image. Instead, there are not just one, but three photos featuring the truck’s front end emerging from the water, much like an alligator awaiting its next meal.
On the positive side, the asking price of $1,700 for a heavy-duty pickup—even one that has suffered water damage—might seem reasonable. However, this vehicle will require extensive work: its interior will need gutting, the cabin must be treated with ozone, and every upholstered surface should probably be ditched. It will also need the wiring harness and computer modules placed in a bag of rice, alongside fluid and filter replacements.
If that sounds like too much effort, there might still be value in salvaging the frame and drivetrain, especially since it houses a 6.0-liter Chevy V8 engine that reportedly still turns over and shows “no signs of rod knock.” On a side note, it seems something peculiar is dangling from the rearview mirror.
To give the seller credit, $1,700 isn’t a bad price for a heavy-duty pickup, even in its current state. And according to the seller, it carries a clean title! While it’s likely some parts may have emerged in better condition than before their underwater experience, potential buyers should consider the risks of black mold exposure. Still, I have seen worse candidates for parts cars, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the price is negotiable..
