Thinking of buying a used truck soon and could use some advice

[Atroxus]

Right now I am leaning towards a 2002-2007 Silverado 1500 crew cab, and want to keep total purchase price below $10k. I have never owned truck though. I have driven several, but not enough to form any accurate opinions on them.

I want something very reliable that I can use for hunting, and work around the house, and eventually maybe some light to medium towing. I know this will spark the ford vs chevy vs dodge debates, but I would like to know what truck models and/or model years are most reliable, and which to avoid.

I only ask that any feedback given be based on *firsthand* experience. Please, no stories about how "My sister's, boyfriends, 3rd uncle's, Sunday school teacher drove a *** and  she said it exploded every time she shifted into 4th gear."

[DoubleJ]

Tagging.  I will be in the same boat soon.  I know we have a few mechanics that see particular vehicles in their shops more than others.  Hope they chime in

[firefighter4607]

  This is going to be a thread to watch.

I think first you should set up a couple "factors": Cab style? Regular Cab, Extended Cab or Crew Cab.
What are you hauling in the cab? Yourself, family, kids.
I would assume 4 wheel drive.
Size of truck wanted? Small like Tacoma, rangers. Or 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton.
Engine? gas or diesel
Transmission? Auto or manual.
Are you open to Toyota or Nissan?
I feel you will have many replies that say buy a diesel, that seems to be the common response here. But it might cut down on useless replies if you answered some of the items above. Hope you find the information you are looking for. 

[Mudman]

In those years 01-08 and price I would give hemi ram #1, chev 5.3-4.8 #2 and f150 last.  We have used all three at work and the ford 150 was in the shop often and mpg sucked.  5.4tritons and diffs.  Chev had some steer suspension issues.  Ram big horn perfect, just oil and gas.  Engines are far superior.  We liked the chev too but a little lightweight for work.  Now running a cummins 08.  Great but in the shop few times early on.  More truck then needed.

[jackelope]

This is going to be a thread to watch.

I think first you should set up a couple "factors": Cab style? Regular Cab, Extended Cab or Crew Cab.
What are you hauling in the cab? Yourself, family, kids.
I would assume 4 wheel drive.
Size of truck wanted? Small like Tacoma, rangers. Or 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton.
Engine? gas or diesel
Transmission? Auto or manual.
Are you open to Toyota or Nissan?
I feel you will have many replies that say buy a diesel, that seems to be the common response here. But it might cut down on useless replies if you answered some of the items above. Hope you find the information you are looking for. 

Right now I am leaning towards a 2002-2007 Silverado 1500 crew cab, and want to keep total purchase price below $10k. I have never owned truck though. I have driven several, but not enough to form any accurate opinions on them.

Looks like he wants a Chevy.

[Atroxus]

This is going to be a thread to watch.

I think first you should set up a couple "factors": Cab style? Regular Cab, Extended Cab or Crew Cab.
What are you hauling in the cab? Yourself, family, kids.
I would assume 4 wheel drive.
Size of truck wanted? Small like Tacoma, rangers. Or 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton.
Engine? gas or diesel
Transmission? Auto or manual.
Are you open to Toyota or Nissan?
I feel you will have many replies that say buy a diesel, that seems to be the common response here. But it might cut down on useless replies if you answered some of the items above. Hope you find the information you are looking for. 

I thought I had. I'll add some more details though.
Need to haul family including a 3 year old(so needs to have room in the back seat for a kid in a booster seat), and some light yard/construction waste for work on my house/landscaping.

4-wheel drive would  be nice, but not a deal breaker.

Full sized, probably no need for anything over 1/2 ton.

No preference on gas vs diesel. Reliability is my highest priority.

No preference on transmission. If it's manual I don't have to worry about my wife driving it though.

I am open to any brand full size pick up, that is highly or extremely reliable and meets rest of my criteria.

Right now I am leaning towards a 2002-2007 Silverado 1500 crew cab, and want to keep total purchase price below $10k. I have never owned truck though. I have driven several, but not enough to form any accurate opinions on them.

Looks like he wants a Chevy.

That's just my current inclination. I am open to other models if they are more reliable.

[cohoho]

I have my son's 2006 4x4, GMC truck with 8 foot bed, standard cab.  Has the 5.4, seems to have plenty of get up and go.  1500, auto, very nice shape. Miles are 61K or close to that.  He wants a car....  Probably ball park of 10K...    I realize you wanted crew cab, but never know...  It gets 16mph..

[jackelope]

I drive a 2002 Silverado 1500 Z71 with a 5.3L v8. Not a crew cab.

I bought it with 30k miles on it a little over 7 years ago. It now has 180k miles on it. It is a little cosmetically beat up but it is mechanically great except for the front axle seals that have been leaking forever(common problem). I am OCD when it comes to maintenance.
So far in 150k miles I have replaced the transmission, I've replaced the knock sensors(common), I've put 2 new front wheel bearing/hub assemblies on each side(common). I've put a water pump in it because it was making a squeaking noise on cold start, it was not leaking and probably didn't "have" to be replaced. I've put brakes on the front twice and once on the rear. I've replaced the shocks all around one time at about 100k miles because I wanted an upgrade. They were not leaking or otherwise failed.

The engine makes a tapping noise on cold start which is normal. It lasts about 30 seconds then goes away. This "normal" noise is no longer present in the '03's and newer models if I remember correctly.  The noise has been exactly the same for the last 150k miles. I used to work for GM and I know this noise is normal, although tough to explain to a customer the "normal" noise that sounds just like piston slap.

I pull a 16' Lavro driftboat all the time which is very little weight. I've pulled a 21' Bluewater cuddy cabin boat a bunch with it. The mountain passes beat up on it a little with that boat which is probably 4000 lbs. maybe? I run about 50mph up snoqualmie pass just so I don't abuse it. I could pull 60mph but I'd be hammer down and I don't want that.

The Chevy trucks are very comfortable. Mine is like driving a couch down the road. I'm surrounded by trucks all day long in my job and that year range trucks, the Chevy/GMC trucks are the most comfortable out of all of them by far.

As far as reliability goes....with your budget you're going to be buying a truck with some miles on it. There's likely going to be some needed repairs to it. I wouldn't hesitate to jump in mine right now and drive it across the state without thinking twice, but I know exactly where it's been and whats been done to it over the last 150k miles.

Good luck with the truck search.

[vandeman17]

I am doing the same thing as we speak but for the price range you are looking at, you are going to either need to go 2wd or look for something with pretty high mileage. I am trying to decide if I try to save money, go with something higher mileage and risk having to do more and more repairs or spending the extra money for something with lower miles and hopefully less repairs.

[jackelope]

You'll save money not buying a crew cab. My daughter is 5 and is a very tall 5 year old and rides comfortably in the back seat in a booster seat in my truck. We slide the passenger seat forward a little so the kid's legs arent squished, but she's a really tall kid.

I personally think if you want a truck to use for hunting and camping and general outdoor stuff, and don't want it to be completely useless in the snow, get a 4x4.

You won't get a diesel in anything 1/2 ton or less...not in your price range. Aside from a really old Isuzu.

I'd look at a 1/2 ton extended cab shortbed truck. Not too big, not too small and room for your kid in the back seat.
Something like this:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/3711565800.html
Just pulled that ad for the picture. Don't know anything about the truck.

[mossback91]

I had a 2002 Chevy 1500 extended cab 4x4.......Was a great truck replaced the rearend at about 170k but I drove it fairly rough in some nasty areas Other then that no real problems with it ever. It had the 4.8 liter vortec and got about 18mpg highway. Was one of my favorite trucks......

Also it had plenty of room in the back

[Buckmark]

Every truck has problems, find the lowest mileage you can and go from there.
Since you did metion you want a GM truck, up thru 2003 the most common problem i see that is not caused by lack of maintinance, abuse, towing etc is fuel pumps. Common enough it would worry me if i bought one, if it was me and i bought a 2002 i would probably replace it for my peace of mind.
A quick search of the most popular part# shows i bought 13 of them last year.

[swanny]

I'll throw I another vote for the 2002 silverado. I bought mine with 70k on it and am right about 170k now. I've put a fuel pump in it, new shocks, plugs and wires, and a set of hubs the past fall. Beside that its been an amazing truck. It needs new ball joints(I think) but other than that its an awesome truck that I plan to get another 70k or so out of.

I too how've towed a19ft Bluewater and a 21ft Malibu over the pass many times and up the Vanatge hill with out issue. I've traveled with a full cab several times, all adults and nobody complained too much about room in the back, I have the extended cab.

[Hilltop123]

I have a 2000, 1500 Silverado,  extended cab, 4x4, 8' box, 5.3 liter. I have put 237K on this truck. I have had to replace/repair the rear end, more having to do with where, I drive and haul, than a mechanical issue. U joints about every 20k, again more with the treatment of the vehicle, than a chevy problem. It gets about 15-17 mpg, depending on use. I am sold on the 5.3 Vortec, change oil, filters and keep up on routine maintenance, the damn things are bulletproof! The damn thing doesn't even burn a drop of oil, even with 237K on it and alot of those miles were pretty hard on a half ton truck!  

[washelkhunter]

The late '99 - '02 5.3lt silverados all have that engine knock at startup. Its due to a design flaw in the heads. Doesnt cause damage but sounds bad. Got 110,500 on my '01. I think the trannys acting up. Ive run this truck hard on the dirt. Hell half the miles on it are on the gravel. Its been a good rig. Hoping for a diesel tacoma next year so if i can just keep her moving along without having to stick a samll fortune in it i'll be very happy. The dodge 1/2 ton ram is coming equiped with a 4cyl diesel. 

[ghosthunter]

Well I would go and look at a Nissan Frontier used. Four door short box.
Will do light towing, has room for the family. Nice for hunting. Easy on the gas.
I had a 2000 for many years bought it with 50 grand and put another 120 grand on it.
Would still have it excpet for a gal running a red light.
I now own a 2012.
Great little trucks.
And cheaper than Tacoma.

[Hilltop123]

The late '99 - '02 5.3lt silverados all have that engine knock at startup. Its due to a design flaw in the heads. Doesnt cause damage but sounds bad. Got 110,500 on my '01. I think the trannys acting up. Ive run this truck hard on the dirt. Hell half the miles on it are on the gravel. Its been a good rig. Hoping for a diesel tacoma next year so if i can just keep her moving along without having to stick a samll fortune in it i'll be very happy. The dodge 1/2 ton ram is coming equiped with a 4cyl diesel. 

You should hear that knock, when it's 0 degrees out, sounds like a diesel!

[firefighter4607]

I have had 2 Silverados one 2003 1500, 4.8L, extended Cab, I traded it for the 2 nd Silverado that I owned. The main reasons for the trade were 1) the cluster panel keep messing up. It would sometimes read 100 mph while in park then 0 while driving down the highway. Common problem with that year. 2) My step daughter was out growing the back seat. I bought the truck with 18000 miles and traded it in with 70000, other than the cluster I never had problems with it. The 4.8 seemed to lack some power when going up the passes and towing. Didn't really notice the power difference until I started driving the new Chevy.
My 2 nd Chevy was a 2007 new body style 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L. Bought it with 12 miles on it. Traded it with 38000 miles, the reason for getting out of it was simple my wife lost her job and we couldn't afford to stuggle monthly with the payment and filling the 26 gallon tank @ 4.00 a gallon. The only problem I had with that truck was every once in a while the traction control and another light would light up while I was driving out of our property, pushed the on start button they did a test on the system and found nothing wrong. It did it twice one year apart for each other. Not sure what it was but it never caused any problems. I loved the space in the crew Cab seemed to fit my family better than the 03. The engine had the active fuel management system which wasnt very effective in fuel consumption. I would average about 15-16 in city and 18-20 highway.

Silverados are great trucks in my opinion and they ride well.  If I was looking at an extended cab I wouldnt buy one that has the third door. I think it was 01 or 02 when the extended Cab had the 4 doors. I would also stick with the 5.3 engine. I hope you find a great truck for yourself.

[Atroxus]

Wow, I am surprised. So far plenty of mostly positive feedback on Silverado but almost nothing on any other make or model. 

I do expect an older used truck to require more maintenance/TLC than a new truck. With that in mind though, if I get a truck with 100k+, 150k+ or 200k+ miles on it, are there any expensive/semi-expensive items I should expect to have been replaced/repaired already, or that I should plan on having to replace/repair soon after purchase? What things should I consider red flags when looking for a higher mileage used truck?

[Bean Counter]

I drove Ford's, Chevy's, and Dodge trucks for a few years for work. Of the three I'd go with Chevy for comfort and Ford for durability. Dodge would be my last choice of the three. If you need some heavy duty hauling then a domestic is probably the way to go. Any small boat or RV can be pulled by a Toyota... which is the only truck I'll ever own myself 

[jackelope]

Wow, I am surprised. So far plenty of mostly positive feedback on Silverado but almost nothing on any other make or model. 

I do expect an older used truck to require more maintenance/TLC than a new truck. With that in mind though, if I get a truck with 100k+, 150k+ or 200k+ miles on it, are there any expensive/semi-expensive items I should expect to have been replaced/repaired already, or that I should plan on having to replace/repair soon after purchase? What things should I consider red flags when looking for a higher mileage used truck?

Anything you look at to buy with those kind of miles on, I'd take to a shop 1st and have a pre-purchase inspection done. I'd look real hard at fluid conditions like transmission, differentials , etc. I'd want to see maintenance records for sure. If there are none, id walk away. Also look underneath. Make sure it's not a rust bucket. Just a couple ideas.

[Igottanewknee]

If you want to save some money, try the auction website that the state sells their vehicles. It is "Public Surplus.com". I bought a 2004 Ford F-150,4x4 with a canopy, 160k on it for $3800. Love the truck. See the same rig on car lots for 8,000 to12,000 dollars. State rig, so it is maintained on a regular schedule.

Of course, I still have my 1998 Chev with 287,000 miles on it. Purrs like a kitten.. Just not 4x4.

[Alchase]

Ok here is 2002 Dodge Ram for comparison, 4.7L, 1500, quad cab, 211k miles,
have replaced fan clutch, radiator, thermostat, water pump, timing cover, tensioner, belt,  Wheel bearing driver side, front rear end seal. Brake lever switch twice. Brakes of course. Just had it throw a code for No. 6 cylinder misfire, had a tuneup, replaced the No. 6 coil, and EFI cleaning done, back to normal. Has an irritating vibration at 65 MPH, I have not identified yet. It has been a good truck. I totaled out my maintenance and repair cost of the 12 years I have had it, $524.00 a year.
Not to bad.

[fish vacuum]

If you want to save some money, try the auction website that the state sells their vehicles.

I would NOT buy a state vehicle. They were driven by people who did not own them. Maintained regularly? Yes. But were they driven like a rented mule? Maybe.

[Sliverslinger]

At least consider a Tundra in the older body style -2001-2006 I think. I have an 01 and absolutely love it.

[hillbilli]

I drive a 2003 ford supercrew, with the 4.6L. It is a 2wd, highway mileage has been about 18, city about 15. I've had it since new, and other than routine maintenance ( fluid/oil changes, tires and brakes, tuneup&plugs at 100k) - I've done nothing but drive it. It's at 135k. I dont pull anything heavy, and never had anything heavier than an elk in the bed. it is a 4 door crew, and I've had 6 adults in it. Only negative thing I can say is it's not a 4wd.. but in OK & FL I didnt really need 4wd. I've seen a lot of these trucks, especially the 4.6, with 150-200K+ on them. The little V8 will not have the power of the bigger engines, but it's been enough for what I do. Someone above mentioned the nissan frontier- If it has enough room for you (their max bed length in the crew cab is 5ft, and cab room isnt much compared to a full size), these are good little trucks, you see a lot of these, (and the pathfinder, which is the same powertrain) with 200k on them. With newer trucks I wouldnt consider 100k high mileage.. but to my mind theres a lot of difference between buying a truck with 100k on it, and one with 160k.. Also keep in mind most of a trucks depreciation happens in a vehicles first 8 years- so I'd look for one 8years or older with around 100k..