Can I hear from people who have had good experiences buying used trucks, and what did you do that made it go well? I’m considering trying to buy an older fleet truck 350/3500 to haul with while I’m saving for a newer model instead of picking up a car payment for a newer truck that may be in better shape. My friend is a diesel mechanic and would likely go with me to check out trucks, but what else did you do that you feel helped you get a good truck that lasted for a reasonable amount of time?
Definitely find a mechanic you can trust, to give the truck a thorough going-over before you consider buying.
I bought a 20-year old Chevy 3/4 ton pickup from Craigslist, and I was lucky enough to have a very good and trustworthy mechanic (coincidentally, the husband of a good horse friend of mine) who was able to look it over. He spotted a radiator leak which allowed me to knock another couple hundred bucks off the selling price; that leak was able to be dealt with via a $15 bottle of stop-leak and has lasted for 2+ years.
Other than routine maintenance, I’ve been lucky to only have to spend about $1200 on the old truck since I’ve owned it; it needed some exhaust work, and a new distributor. So far, that’s been it. Not bad, for a 20-year old, $2600 truck!! 
We bought a 2001 F250 diesel that was / is pristine and a beast. We love it and we did spend about $1,000 in various “fixes” with the diesel mechanic, but we got such a deal on the truck it was well worth it. Since those first fixes, we have not had to do anything else.
I checked here and on the Ford forums for advice and narrowed down the engine and the year that would be the least risk. Then I scoured Craigslist every day. When this one came up on a dealer’s site, I called immediately. We drove 4 hours to take a look and bought it with cash (well, a check, but no financing) on the spot.
What I learned was – do your research and be ready to pounce and buy fast when you find your ideal truck. If you snooze, you lose!
Each make has certain things that wear out around certain milages - front end, tranny, etc. Your mechanic friend should be able to point you in the right direction on what has been done or might be on the horizon for what ever truck you decide on. Having a trusted mechanic to work on things is the most important part of older truck ownership!
I’m right there with you shopping for a deal…I’m looking to upgrade my 98 3/4 ton gasser for a 1 ton diesel. I hate shopping, but am so,looking forward to a (new-to-me) truck!
We bought a 7.3 liter F 250 from a dealership in SC off the interweb. It was delivered with damage to the tailgate that was not disclosed. A few bucks knocked off. ( Indents in the shape of a chain along entire tailgate.). Our mechanic looked it over, apparently had been driven through DEEP mud and was delivered without an important part over the air intake (forget the name, but was a major nono). We kept it for a couple of years and then sold to by a newer, fewer miles Dodge 2500 crew cab. We bought that one through a private sale. Awesome truck. My husband bought his sport track from a dealership in Ohio through the Internet. It was due for some scheduled maintenance, but has been a great truck as well.
After buying a few brand new cars and a few used ones, when it was time to get a different vehicle, we looked at prices and didn’t feel like we were getting our moniesmworthnfor a brand new car/truck. We have been buying used since.it sure is nice to not have a car payment!!
Well, I consider a new vehicle pretty much the worst financial investment of all time, LOL, so everything I’ve bought has been used, from 50-150k miles. Warranties are basically designed to last juuuust as long as you don’t really need them, heh.
To avoid a novella, I’ll just say do a lot of research (truck forums, truck forums, truck forums!) & if you are not experienced, take a friend who is (just like buying a horse, LOL) or get a trusted mechanic to inspect it. OWNER MAINTENANCE IS KEY.
I’ve only had one bad experience, in which I learned NEVER BUY A VEHICLE IN GA, sigh, you can get a new, clean title for anything in two weeks…I still kick myself for that one, all the signs were right in front of me, but I let myself get sucked into a hurry. I got a little lucky & at least was able to flip it about a year later (with full disclosure!) & get most of my money back. ('98 Expedition w/ 5.4L V8, bought in '06, it had power, but I HATED driving it, chunky, felt disconnected from engine, I like to feel & enjoy my trucks…uhhh, not the way that sounds)
The rest:
'98 Explorer Sport straight-drive w/ 50K, bought in 2000 (obviously not for towing, fabo, owned for 8 yrs without a hiccup, sold at 130k, still looked new, sigh, I miss it, it was fun, but once I had a horse…)
'96 Tahoe LT auto w/ 150k, 5.7L V8 w/ tow package, bought in 2007 (loved the old styles, loved that little truck, sold at 170k b/c those little 1/2-ton trannies/engines just aren’t strong & heavy enough for 9k on the tail, even though I had a ONE HORSE ONLY rule)
'01 7.3L diesel F250 XLT SD w/ 109k, bought in 2009…my preccciousssssss. It’s at 175k now & still runs like silk & has only lost $4k in value over six years. I shall never give it up!!
All bought off craigslist except the F250, which I literally stumbled upon 6 days after it had been traded in at a local dealer (& I’m a mad negotiator).
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My neighbor found my '78 Suburban sitting on the street with a sign on it 15 years ago. It’s an old park truck, so must be over 300,000 miles. Like everyone said, get a good mechanic you trust. Your friend sounds like gold.
This thing can tow four horses up a steep hill in the rain, and I paid $2,000 for it. Everything else in it is trashed now, but I keep it checked and it is a good truck. I’m really unsure whether to look for something with a radio, a front grill, a headlight that doesn’t fall out if the light isn’t wired in.
I know I can buy something for about $5,000 used that would be golden. I really want something covered, so I like the Suburban, Expedition, etc. I’ve been thinking lately about maybe a work or camping van with a tow package. That would be a perfect show set up as my four horse trailer is a stick trailer and I need somewhere to store my stuff. I could maybe also use it for camping. I’m researching. Suggestions appreciated. (Sorry to hijack.)
I bought a 2010 Silverado 2500 (so, a 3/4 ton) that was coming off a 3 year fleet lease. It’s a bright orange work truck that had seen pretty light use – the bed was clean and in perfect shape, and since it’s 2wd, it never plowed snow, and had never had a hitch installed, so it hadn’t towed either. That was enough info for me. It was half the price of the other trucks I was looking at, and I knew I’d be buying a new house pretty soon, and it was the right move. It’s not my last truck, but it’s doing the job.
2004 Dodge 2500 Ram 4x4 for $7000 three years ago. Think it had 90K on it. Bought from a little dealer about 60 miles from me. Best truck ever. Has 150K on it now. Tows a 2 horse Adam without even knowing it’s back there. No major repairs needed so far. Knock on wood. Used the site car gurus to find it. Good luck.
[QUOTE=Beentheredonethat;8207506]
I know I can buy something for about $5,000 used that would be golden. I really want something covered, so I like the Suburban, Expedition, etc. I’ve been thinking lately about maybe a work or camping van with a tow package. That would be a perfect show set up as my four horse trailer is a stick trailer and I need somewhere to store my stuff. I could maybe also use it for camping. I’m researching. Suggestions appreciated. (Sorry to hijack.)[/QUOTE]
I’m a bit negative on my 5.4 L Expedition at the moment and it’s coloring my feelings. I finally gave up with independent mechanics and got it to the dealership last night. Maybe when Ford finally gets to it today and tells me what their take is, I will be more pleasant–or not. 113,000 miles and well maintained. I’ve spent $2,000 on various issues in the last two months and it’s not right. I fear we may be looking at an engine replacement (or new truck). I’ve never had problems driving a vehicle to 200,000 miles before. My SIL had to replace her axle AND her transmission on her Escape (117,000 miles). So ya, I’m a bit sour on Ford at the moment. My Impalas have been so much better over 100,000 miles than our Tauruses were too.
It’s pretty meh on towing. I feel the same about a 5.3L Chevy engine too though in a smaller (Yukon/Tahoe) SUV, although it is just a much better engine and ride, imo. [For fun run a comparison on an XLT package Expedition in 2007 and then a Yukon or Tahoe with the same package–the price difference is huge]. That’s what I’m currently using to tow (2007 Yukon). The power is sufficient in both for my purposes, but both vehicles are a little soft in the rear (using a WD hitch) and I just creep along fearing death. Go for the bigger body (XL or Suburban). I’ve posted about it before. Others will have different opinions and all I can say is REALLY watch the years and towing package if you are doing towing–there can be pretty big differences based on these discussions with other COTHERs in their threads.
Just my opinion–all anecdotal and based on towing a 3,000 lb two horse trailer without a dressing room. I hope if you are towing a four horse you meant Excursion, not Expedition!
Beau’s mom–that is a crazy good deal. Most of the stuff I see with 90,000 miles is $19,000 range. I’m terrified of buying anything with any mileage now, but I would do that.
I picked up a cherry red 1996 F250 diesel with the 7.3 L diesel engine. Bought it from the elderly original owners and had my diesel guy check it over. Paid $6k and put $2k into it. It had only 118k miles:) Great tow vehicle!
I bought 2002 Toyota Sequioa (SUV not truck, but close) w/ ~140k miles on it in 2010 for ~$9k, 5 years, 125k miles and several minor accidents later its still going strong! I love it.
^^^
If you can find a 7.3 Diesel Ford, grab it.
Bought an '87 diesel Suburban from a family member in…1998? Towed locally with it for years and years without any issues. Sold it with 265,000 miles to someone SUPER excited to get it.
Upgraded to a 2000 GMC 2500 gas truck in…2008?..when I wanted to do more stuff further afield. Had over 200,000 miles and a filthy interior, but was otherwise a solid truck. Huge commitment at $1500. :lol: I’ve towed thousands of miles with it now, gone on 5+ hour trips, and it’s been great. Never the prettiest thing in the parking lot, but whatever, it was $1500.
The 2000 GMC is still around the farm, but my current truck is a 2005 GMC 8.1L 3500 SRW monster, bought with 130k. I got a steal of a deal for it on Craigslist ($10k) a few years ago, because the guy just flat out couldn’t afford to drive it at 11mpg. :lol: Doesn’t matter to me, it’s not my daily and I just wanted a big truck that could tow whatever I wanted to tow. Even now, two years after purchase, it’s still worth more on trade-in value than what I paid for it private party.
[QUOTE=GoForAGallop;8210011]
Bought an '87 diesel Suburban from a family member in…1998? Towed locally with it for years and years without any issues. Sold it with 265,000 miles to someone SUPER excited to get it.
Upgraded to a 2000 GMC 2500 gas truck in…2008?..when I wanted to do more stuff further afield. Had over 200,000 miles and a filthy interior, but was otherwise a solid truck. Huge commitment at $1500. :lol: I’ve towed thousands of miles with it now, gone on 5+ hour trips, and it’s been great. Never the prettiest thing in the parking lot, but whatever, it was $1500.
The 2000 GMC is still around the farm, but my current truck is a 2005 GMC 8.1L 3500 SRW monster, bought with 130k. I got a steal of a deal for it on Craigslist ($10k) a few years ago, because the guy just flat out couldn’t afford to drive it at 11mpg. :lol: Doesn’t matter to me, it’s not my daily and I just wanted a big truck that could tow whatever I wanted to tow. Even now, two years after purchase, it’s still worth more on trade-in value than what I paid for it private party.[/QUOTE]
GoForAGallop, you’re my truck buying hero.
[QUOTE=Frog Pond;8210185]
GoForAGallop, you’re my truck buying hero.[/QUOTE]
:lol: And that’s just my Craigslist truck list, I have a whole one of cars too. Love a good deal.
There’s a ton of Facebook groups for trucks too, for anyone who’s shopping, that are worth taking a look at. The sole thing to watch out for is trucks that have been beat on by stupid teen boys. 
[QUOTE=GoForAGallop;8210200]
The sole thing to watch out for is trucks that have been beat on by stupid teen boys. ;)[/QUOTE]
Those damn kids and their lift kits!
I bought my '99 F250 PSD almost 10 years ago after a long-ish search. I really wanted one of the much-vaunted 7.3L’s and I also wanted a long bed in very good condition, and that is exactly what I got. It is still in fabulous condition and runs great with only routine maintenance needed; it hauls like a beast and is also great for all the landscape stuff we use it for on a regular basis.
I heard good things about the Ford 7.3L diesels, so I went looking. Found a 1995 F350 with 100k for $2400 (December last year). The hilarious part? It’s attached to an ambulance body. When I finish restoring it, I’ll have a great place to rest, with a/c. My mechanic has had to hide it behind his shop because people kept stopping by to try to buy it from him. Could have quadrupled my money…
And the lights? THEY STILL WORK. MuHAHAHA.
I just saw a 2001 7.3, but I think they wanted almost 9k for it. 195,000 miles.
