Help with buying a truck

**Vols Fan** · 01-07-2007, 09:11 AM

Hey guys I sold my SS this weekend. I want to buy me a used 4x4 truck. I have norrowed it down to the big 3 Ford, Chevy or Dodge. I don't want to spend a ton of money (13000 or less) which one of these do you guys think would be the best? How long do the V-8's in these things tend to last is 100000 to many miles? If any of you guys own one of these have you had any problems that are reoccuring? This will not be a daily driver but will be driven quite a bit. Thanks for any suggestions or comments guys.

**SexOnWheels** · 01-07-2007, 09:39 AM

I own a 1500 chev with the 5.3l in it for hauling the Sow to the races.

So far nothing major it has been a rock (70kms)

**toneloc60** · 01-07-2007, 09:53 AM

just bought the wife a '00 Z71 with a 5.3 for $13,500 back in July. It has 84,000 on it now and we've had no issues. It truly is a great truck!

You can get a Ford or Dodge cheaper, but we wanted the auto 4 wheel drive which only GM has. We live in Minnesota and that feature combined w/ ABS makes that truck sure footed in anything mother nature has thrown at us so far.

Plus, with it in 4 low, it had no problem yanking my sister's '93 Lumina out of a ditch. So there you go.

**Vols Fan** · 01-07-2007, 10:13 AM

How does this sound.....
Late 99 Z71 (with rounded front end) 92,000 miles extended cab two tone paint LS package asking $12,500 is this a good deal?

**toneloc60** · 01-07-2007, 10:52 AM

Not a bad deal, but you can find better. We bought our '00 w/75,xxx on the clock for only a thousand more. A year newer and less miles for only a thousand more, it doesn't add up. Find another deal.

**Daniel P.** · 01-07-2007, 03:17 PM

go chevy they will run forever, I almost bought an 01 with 130k on it for 10,500 last week, but changed my mind decided to save my money for college

**Daniel P.** · 01-07-2007, 03:39 PM

well, I don't know, I am gonna go into business for myself this summer and cut would with my dad's portable sawmill. I will have to pull it with my s10 and will be makin $50 an hour so I figured I might be able to justify it, but changed my mind.

**air force vm** · 01-07-2007, 07:26 PM

well you should get a V-Max 4x4. They are sweet and have a nice 6.0 in them. I want to say that they are running about 360 HP. Go to chevy.com to see them.

**bobcat24** · 01-07-2007, 07:44 PM

i've driven all three of the big three and used them all for serious ranch work, hauling, etc. heres my take:

Chevy- awesome gas engines in all models, smoothest ride of all, i dont like the seats in the 99+ and the 4wd IFS is weaker than the others but only if your doing serious offroad

Dodge- 2002 and up. decent gas engines. kick ass diesels. personally, i dont trust a dodge with an auto cuz i've seen to many with problems, but most of those were under a heavy load. realtively smooth. to me, not the best in any category, but good all around

Ford- 99+ where i live, everyone and their dog has a ford truck in some model. in 1/2 tons, i like the way they ride in 4wd, seem to be tough. 3/4 and up. th 5.4 feels slow in that heavy truck and the v10 can pass everything but a gas station. the p/s diesel is awesome also and a big plus is a solid front axle which is very stout. My good friend drives a 02 F250 FX4 ext. cab SB with the 5.4. its light enough to be good in mud and not sink and the solid axle lets you hve the piece of mind you probably wont break it.

i'm sure people will add in on this cuz these are only my opinions, drive them all and see what you like.

**toneloc60** · 01-08-2007, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by Daniel P.

well, I don't know, I am gonna go into business for myself this summer and cut would with my dad's portable sawmill. I will have to pull it with my s10 and will be makin $50 an hour so I figured I might be able to justify it, but changed my mind.

It seems to me that you had better get the most out of working for yourself seeing as you probably not going to be winning any prizes with your spelling and grammar.

**SexOnWheels** · 01-08-2007, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by toneloc60

It seems to me that you had better get the most out of working for yourself seeing as you probably not going to be winning any prizes with your spelling and grammar.

Zing!

**whitelightnin99** · 01-09-2007, 06:24 AM

ive had (3) 99-03 Z71's and they are extremely nice trucks ( i hate IFS suspension, lift kits are a bitch) but they have lots of power and much nicer interior than most of the other comparable trucks

**Agent13** · 01-10-2007, 06:30 PM

I had a 96 Silverado Z71, good truck, traded it on a 99 Z71 Extended cab 5.3 Silverado LS. The 99 was a really good truck, good on gas & outpull any Ford in it's class (year for year). The 99 handled my car trailer like there was nothing there (5500lbs loaded). The only issue with the 99/00 & maybe 01's was the rear disk brakes, my 99 was on it's second set at 30,000 miles & I seem to remember a lot of guys having trouble with the ABS motor/units. I have an 04 Avalanche Z71, it's not as good on fuel as the 99 & not nearly as useable as a truck. You have to be carefull putting stuff in the back of it.
I'd definitely own another Silverado XCab 5.3. I towed my car trailer many times to Carlisle PA & back over the mountains on I-81 & the 5.3 has lots & lots of power with decent fuel economy.
I rented a Dodge Hemi 4X4 a few years back for company use, what a friggin PIG on fuel, nice looking truck, but you can't keep gas in it & the seating position isn't near the comfort of the Chevy for long distance trips.
Chevy

**Tyler_LS1** · 01-10-2007, 06:43 PM

Chevy and nothing else!

I currently drive a 1999 K2500 Crew Cab mods in sig.

is a great truck with NO problems and its got 80,000 miles on it.

not the greatest on gas mileage but it runs beautifully!

not to mention the power

300hp give or take and around 450Lb.

**air force vm** · 01-10-2007, 07:03 PM

get what you think you can afford

**joerockhead** · 01-10-2007, 09:14 PM

THis last summer I sold my 95 K2550HD 4x4, it was an XtraCab longbed with the 454.
11MPG in town and 13 on the Hwy. 10.5 pullling a heavy trailer with the Camaro.

I loved it.
The advantage of the Long bed was hauling anything and everything, includeing almost 3 ton of rock.
And I love the look of the long beds over the Short box.

The disadvantage was turning radius and mileage.
I could go 4-wheeling most places, but some where tight, and a K-turn turns into about a 5k turn.

When you look for a truck, seriously consider Diesel. Good mileage and longer life.
Pick the style you like. I think CHevy had uglyass 01-06. Ford was pretty good and Dodge was OK.

Good luck and have fun