I am needing a used truck on a limited budget and this one is priced around 4K
with 165 K. Can anyone comment on this era of Chevy?
I am going to take a look at it and may then have it checked out by my mechanic.
Thanks in advance.
Looks like blue book on this is less, around $2500.
sounds like a good deal. Biggest problems with them are things that cannot be diagnosed no matter how good the mechanic is. That is to say sensors.
Now is it a gas job or diesel? 4X4 or 2WD? Do take it for a spin because you are getting into the era of most comparable vehicles being pretty much the same and operator comfort is different in different makes…for example. no way can I get comfortable in a Ford…seats are all wrong for me.
It comes down to price, your comfort and the mechanical check. Try for the sweet side of 4K because more than that is overpriced
Blue book isn’t for you…that is for insurance and wholesale prices.
It’s gas and not 4wd. But I may just have to deal with that- I was really wanting 4WD but at this point I may just need to compromise. Part of test drive should be to find a big patch of snow and see how it does with two horses in the trailer. Oh wait- we aren’t going to have any snow for a few months. It’s very local to me so that makes it appealing.
We have had really good luck with both of our 90s-era Chevys.
Our current is a 1996 (or 1995, I forget) 2500 Silv. Dually, and we love it. As with any older car it has some complaints but is easy and cheap to fix and is our #1.
4,000 sounds like a good deal… Where are you because SO has been wanting one too… :lol:
I wouldn’t buy gas at that mileage even with a newer year. Diesel I would consider.
[QUOTE=BellaMia;8860217]
I wouldn’t buy gas at that mileage even with a newer year. Diesel I would consider.[/QUOTE]
Well I think I would be happy if I can use this truck for a few years- I am assuming it would at least make it to 200,000. Ultimately I want something 4WD and newer, however, I am going through a divorce and feel the need to be financially conservative at this point hence looking at this price point.
[QUOTE=beowulf;8860210]
We have had really good luck with both of our 90s-era Chevys.
Our current is a 1996 (or 1995, I forget) 2500 Silv. Dually, and we love it. As with any older car it has some complaints but is easy and cheap to fix and is our #1.
4,000 sounds like a good deal… Where are you because SO has been wanting one too… :lol:[/QUOTE]
I’m in California.
[QUOTE=Mukluk;8860231]
Well I think I would be happy if I can use this truck for a few years- I am assuming it would at least make it to 200,000. Ultimately I want something 4WD and newer, however, I am going through a divorce and feel the need to be financially conservative at this point hence looking at this price point.[/QUOTE]
If you are going through a divorce and he makes more than you/has a much better vehicle, have it written into the decree you are to be bought a vehicle of _________ value to be able to do what you need to.
[QUOTE=BellaMia;8860273]
If you are going through a divorce and he makes more than you/has a much better vehicle, have it written into the decree you are to be bought a vehicle of _________ value to be able to do what you need to.[/QUOTE]
I wish, it’s the other way around. I’ve been the breadwinner. He has been on disability. However, he does own the truck which is also his personal vehicle.
If it’s the 6.0 liter engine, it might be a good buy. I have the 2000 version of that truck. I’ve had to replace break lines, thermostat, fan clutch, radiator and brakes since I got it in 2010, but the thing is a beast. I love it. The bigger issue is going to be rust on the body. Make sure it is still in good shape underneath and can safely tow a trailer.
Check it out. The 1997 was one of the better years according to this.
For real, I know several mechanics who own this “era” (engine, body style) and love them. Not fancy, not so much bells n whistles, but durable.
Go see it, talk to the owner. Ask what’s been replaced on it, it’s a 20-year-old truck so some things will NEED to have been done. Thankfully not a gazillion sensors on these, but belts, hub assembly, etc, those things tend to need to get done.
I have that truck in the 1995 version. It has been a good truck but I just replaced it with a 2014 Ford diesel. I just feel like I was on borrowed time hauling with it. For short distances it is OK but it doesn’t like 3 hour trips. Also it doesn’t have as much power as it used to. It only has 104K miles on it. The mechanic that last worked on it said it was in good shape, especially considering that I used it primarily to haul but that it was an old truck and had old truck problems.
I am not a mechanic and it could have been maintained better but I have pretty much taken care of it. Just don’t trust it anymore to haul with.
Went to take a look and was underwhelmed. I think this model of truck could be fine but not this particular truck.
We have a 1995 2500 Silverado long bed that we bought used for under $4k with less than 100k on it. It is 2WD + gas, but it is a very strong truck (has extra low gearing). Worst thing on this model year is the paint—it chips off terribly. Apparently that was fixed in later years.
I think I am going to rule out anything that is not 4WD.
We have a 2000 Chevy 3500 dually (not 4WD). We’ve had it for about 10 years, really good truck, a few issues but mostly due to age and expecting things to wear out. Much cheaper to fix those things than pay for a new truck! It still only has 58,000 miles on it so it doesn’t get a lot of use. We’re hanging on to it.
I have a 95 GMC 2500 (basically the same truck) and love it. However, I don’t think I would love it if I were in a hillier or snowier region (I’m in FL). It has under 150k miles on it, and I have a mechanic nearby who keeps it in good shape very reasonably. I’ve had to have coolant or AC something fixed about every 2 years (2 years ago I had all new AC system put in, just due to old truck-itis), but not the type of thing that will leave me or the horses stranded on the side of the road. I also had it repainted as, yes, the clearcoat was starting to peel horribly. The dash is cracked from years of UV exposure…I actually think that issue is going to determine the lifespan of my Bessie.
If you regularly park in pastures and/or have to deal with snow, go for 4WD. If you have hills/mountains to traverse regularly and pull more than one horse in a light 2H trailer, get a newer or 3500. That era of 2500 are good, but their power up hills with 2-3 horses in a 3H trailer leaves something to be desired.
Oh, and pretty sure mine wouldn’t pass an emissions test at this point! I’m hoping to nurse mine along until my 18-month-old is done with daycare/preschool, and then I’ll start looking for a new(er) truck. I’m kind of fond of mine, though I don’t really get attached to vehicles!
On the price–I bought mine 10 years ago, so no input there. However, I do think the ‘clunker buyback’ pushed prices up a bit for a while. Not sure if that had ripple effects this far out.
I had the same budget you did. In that price range you are going to find either lower miles, 4x4, crew cab, or minimal rust but not all four. I sacrificed a crew cab and fancy things like cruise control and automatic windows and got the other three.
You want a truck that is low frills and made to tow but not some guy’s boy toy that has gone mudding.
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