Used Pick-up truck (?)

[oldfella]

Would you believe that I have never owned a truck? Do I need one, not really, but there have times (plenty) I wished I had a truck. I’ve been paying friends with trucks for their use of their sevices, to haul things for me. I have been looking for an older truck, mechanically sound, and not bad looking. I want a soft riding truckm 2-wheel drive, automatic transmission, with back seats. Well, I think I found one, looks great, with a covered bed. It’s a 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 with extended cab with 105,345 miles on the odometer; it has a 5.5L V8, automatic with overdrive - the dealer claims it is a one-owner truck. The dealer wants $7,927 and I talked him down to $7000 out the door. I have not yet driven it, but if I do decide to buy it, I’ll drive it to my trusted mechanic for him to give it good going-over. Wha I need here is your advice, base on the info I have given you. What can you tell me about this particular model truck, and is the price OK? Thanks in advnce for your help.

Pete

 

[cp1969]

That seems like way too much. I saw a 2001 Dodge on craigslist for $2300. I thought that was cheap but I looked it up on Kelly Blue Book and the price was about right.

edit: It was a 2001, not a 2003 as I previously wrote.

edit 2: I looked it up on Kelly's. High value=$4640 Low value=$3665

 

[oldfella]

My bank gave me this report:

Clean Loan: $3,975
Clean Retail: $6,600
+ Doc DC Fee, Tax, Title and license.

NADA Official Used Car Guide

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Be careful. A 1998 is 13 years old. Don't matter the miles. Take it to a mechanic you can trust & have him check it out, body damage, rust, etc. Then act suspicious around the sales man. I went back to my dealer 4 times last year before I bought my truck. Never returned his calls, this was over 10 days. Price on my 2007 was 24,995. Got it for 18,250.

 

[Goldstar225]

I traded in my 1998 Chevy Silverado extended cab last may with 154,000 miles on it. All the problems I had with the truck occurred between 50,000 -100,000 miles. Loved the truck and have second guessed trading it for the 2007 Silverado that I bought.

IMO the price they are asking is a bit high. With that said, with proper maintenance, you can easily get another 100,000 miles out of the truck. Have a shop go over it thoroughly before you buy.

 

[ACP230]

I was truck shopping last summer. I wouldn't have paid that much for a truck with than many miles on it.

 

[m657]

IMHO you're thinking along the right lines BUT:

that is a lot of miles for a lot of money.

Depending on how ansy you're getting, you can probably find more truck for less money.

Along toward that kind of mileage they all start eating money eventually.

 

[mhakel]

Truck info, any vehicle info

Go to "edmounds.com" best info out there in my book.

 

[doublesharp]

I expect it's a 5.7l engine, the 350 cu in v8 and one of Chevy's best. That is top money but the miles are low. I don't like a 1 piece bed cover. Fabric is a pain and fiberglass limits what you can haul with it. I'd offer $5500 if I wanted it and I'd stick to my guns.

If you pay 7k and decide you want to sell in a month how much you think you'll get back? Not near 7k. Cash is king so, if you've got it, you can get some very good deals.

 

[m1gunner]

I will never be without at least one truck. Always buy used.

My experience is no matter what shape the truck is in, I always spend about $1400 on a truck after I purchase it. Not always the same thing, but items like carpet, seats, brakes, hoses, belts, radiator,tires, engine gaskets, you get the idea.

If someone (dealers included) is selling something, they won't spend money on it to make it right. They get it "good enough" and pay to have it detailed. If it looks good it will sell.

That said, my favorite truck is my 33 year old Chevy shortbed with 533,000 miles on it. It has a 350 4 bolt main engine and a turbo 350 tranny, bulletproof! It is my goto truck in bad weather, mud, ice, etc. Always starts, and always gets me home.

I have other trucks, but I like that old Chevy.

 

[oldfella]

Thanks, friends. Since I seem to have rotten luck, and not knowing what could go wrong and when, and be out of pocket when it does, I've decided to start thinking NEW. I'm thinking this type of mew:

New 2011 Sierra 1500 Pickup Truck | Model Overview | GMC

Thanks for your comments and advice.

Pete

 

[old bear]

Sir,

Oldfella, Old bear, we are just to senior to be standing along the side of the road trying to fix a busted whatever. We paid our dues, let the young guys enjoy the adventure of buying used. Be good to yourself, buy new.

 

[oldfella]

Sir,

Oldfella, Old bear, we are just to senior to be standing along the side of the road trying to fix a busted whatever. We paid our dues, let the young guys enjoy the adventure of buying used. Be good to yourself, buy new.

Sounds good to me!

Pete

 

[ridewv]

Thanks, friends. Since I seem to have rotten luck, and not knowing what could go wrong and when, and be out of pocket when it does, I've decided to start thinking NEW. I'm thinking this type of mew:

New 2011 Sierra 1500 Pickup Truck | Model Overview | GMC

Thanks for your comments and advice.

Pete

I think you're on the right track now. All I can say is check around, I've seen some huge discounts and financing deals on trucks at some dealers. Looks like your set on GM so find the GMC or Chevy dealers in your region that sell the most trucks. Around our area you'd have difficulty even finding a 2WD truck on the lot.

 

[DeadAye]

Sir,

Oldfella, Old bear, we are just to senior to be standing along the side of the road trying to fix a busted whatever. We paid our dues, let the young guys enjoy the adventure of buying used. Be good to yourself, buy new.

Worse piece of junk I've ever owned was a BRAND NEW Bronco II.
Ford couldn't even get parts for it and when they finally did the problem was the same. I owned that thing for a year and had it for 2 months - Ford had it for 10.

No more new cars or trucks for me.
I prefer 2 year or even 3 years old vehicles - The BIG depreciation is over with.
It's an even better deal now - now that you can get a Car Fax - any probs with a 2 or 3 year old truck will most likely have been handled by a dealer and reported.

 

[Capt Steve]

Gotta agree on getting a truck, don't know how I ever got by without one. Best buy in town will always be a 3 year old, lightly used and well maintained. Let someone else take the big hit on depreciation that is often as much as 50% in the first three years. If you buy from a dealer it should still have the extended warranty but you will probably pay a little more than from a private party. Good hunting! (o;

 

[cp1969]

"Buying used" is good advice...that not everybody can take.

Somebody has to buy new; otherwise, where will the used ones come from?

 

[ErnieDeBord]

Heck Just buy a new Harley............

 

[ridewv]

Worse piece of junk I've ever owned was a BRAND NEW Bronco II. .....

No more new cars or trucks for me.

Bronco II's were pretty sad vehicles. As an example they were at the bottom of the reliability ratings in Consumer Reports. But what does that have with buying new vs used?

 

[DeadAye]

Bronco II's were pretty sad vehicles. As an example they were at the bottom of the reliability ratings in Consumer Reports. But what does that have with buying new vs used?

Mostly -- You really don't have any idea what you're getting when you buy a new vehicle.

With CarFax and a thorough checkout, BEFORE you buy, you actually do know what you're buying with a used vehicle.

Sure *most* new cars are just wonderful. But a new lemon is a real headache and not as easy to get straightened out as it should be.