All right my fellow Pimps, I may have a chance at upgrading my old '93 Nissan single cab beat to heck up hooptie with 200k+ miles on it. I need some advice from the folks that know about GMC/Chevy S/10 type trucks. I am looking at possibly getting a '98 GMC/Chevy extended cab V6 ride in almost pristine shape, driven and well maintained by a Baptist Deacon. (That is actually true, it is a good friend of mines Dad's old ride, tons of maintenance records.)

I am looking for reliable transportation for a couple of years. Mine might work out, I have done a lot of work on it but it is ugly as heck. I can most likely pay cash for this truck, $3500. Good deal or not? It has around 100k miles on it, and has an auto transmission. I think I can learn to drive an automatic transmission...

Any advice/info greatly appreciated. I have been driving the old Nissan since 1992, don't know much about these newfangled used trucks!

Thanks for your time.

E

A 98 with 100K miles on it is normal. The deciding factor is how well it was taken care of. If he did the oil changes and other required maintenance, it is a good deal at $3500. Small pickups get a premium, believe me. I have been looking for one for my son and haven't found anything drivable under 5K. Sounds like a must buy to me, and if you don't get it let me know.

Thanks for the info BigAkita. The deal breaker is my friend. He wants the truck also, and it seems that his Dad will give him first choice. Can you believe that? Small trucks around here are at a premium. I can have mine totalled from a wreck last summer and get $2500 for it.

My friend just bought a new house, so I have a bit more spare change right now. And it has been kept in a carport, maintained like freaking clockwork! I like this ride.

Thanks.

E

i've gotta '98 f-150 with 190k on it and its just starting to rust (live in michigan).

go to New Car Prices | Used Car Values - Official Kelley Blue Book Site and punch it up

here's what it says about mine

Vehicle Highlights
Mileage: 190,000
Engine: V8 4.6 Liter
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: 4WD

Selected Equipment
Change Equipment

Standard Air Conditioning AM/FM Stereo
Power Steering Dual Front Air Bags

Optional XLT Tilt Wheel ABS (4-Wheel)
Power Windows Cruise Control Bed Liner
Power Door Locks Single Compact Disc

Fair
$4,170

"Fair" condition means that the vehicle has some mechanical or cosmetic defects and needs servicing but is still in reasonable running condition. This vehicle has a clean title history, the paint, body and/or interior need work performed by a professional. The tires may need to be replaced. There may be some repairable rust damage.

and believe you me there's a helluva lot more miles left in my baby!!!

edit- rock and a hard place man. lets just hope he doesn't want it.

If my friend does not buy this, it is mine! Thanks donsoules

Kelley Blue Book - Suggested Retail Pricing Report - Chevrolet, S10 Pickup

6K! Holy C######

E

NP.
thats the dealers asking price. try it again with the private party option.
still s/b around $4900

shines a little light on what the dealership asks huh?!

I guess it depends on where u live, Here i can get a older mustang, a bronco, and a toyota truck for $3500.

Look for some more small trucks in that area to compare from sites like:

Used Cars, New Cars, Buy a Car, Sell a Car, Car Dealers - AutoTrader.com

craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums

Used Cars for Sale, Sell a Car, Research Cars, Find Used Car Dealers

Collector Car Trader :: Buy and Sell Antique Cars, Classic Cars, Muscle Cars (always a steal on there)

Also if you don't have to have a truck i'd look into something like a jeep Cherokee.Very reliable, economical, easy to work on, and u just can't kill them.

Main problems with the 98 S-10 ,GMC S-15 etc etc small trucks with the Vortec V6

1 - Intake leaking , check for water stains where the intake meets the block valley area. Fairly simple yet time consuming to replace.

2 - Coolant sludging up clogging up the whole system, if it hasent been done FLUSHand CLEAN the cooling system. **good indecator of sludge is A-brown gooey stuff just inside the rad cap area B - heater dont work good , but the water still curculates good , means the heater core is clogging up**

3 - Chevy tranny's tend to give up the ghost around 120k or so unless VERY well maintained.

4 - Rear main seals (trans) leak , front seal on the diff leaks , if its 4x4 check the axles for grease loss * axles are $$$**

5 - Suspension parts at this milage will most likely be worn , check for uneven tire wear


Even if some of these things are needing done its still a good truck and worht the $3500


MC&C , YER NUTZ!!!! do you know what JEEP stands for???????????????????

JUST-EMPTY-EVERY-POCKET ** cuz a Jeep aint worth crap till you replace ALL the parts **

Quote: Originally Posted by HigHTecHReDNecK JUST-EMPTY-EVERY-POCKET ** cuz a Jeep aint worth crap till you replace ALL the parts **

Naw - you can rebuild em with upgraded internal parts too. Jeeps - great play things, but unless you're buying new and have a warranty... think "toy" not "main vehicle." Regular ol' cherokee's can be very reliable... if you find the magic combo between years, transmissions and rear ends. They can be a nightmare with the wrong combo too.

Quote: Originally Posted by HigHTecHReDNecK JUST-EMPTY-EVERY-POCKET ** cuz a Jeep aint worth crap till you replace ALL the parts **

Naaa i rolled my old jeep twice and it had less damage than backing a s10 into a light pole.

Thanks for the info! Musclecars&Comps, I tried the links, found a simular truck that was wrecked for $4k! $3500 for a nice looking ride looks better now.

And Thanks for the heads up on the transmission Mason! If my friend does not get it I will buy it and save up some cash for a transmission and such. It will take me a while to put 20k miles on it, so I should be ok.

E

Ahh well. My friend got the truck today . I will have around $5or 6k this summer to find a car or truck of my liking...

E