Help! Need a used truck

[PrettyPaisley]

I'm in the market for a pick up-and don't want a payment. I know nothing about a used vehicle, I've *always* had a car payment and we just paid off the van and my car will be paid off soon and the last thing I want is another payment.

I also know nothing about trucks. I've always had a warranty on a car so the idea of not having one is scary-so I need to learn what the best route would be.

What's the most dependable truck? - I guess there will be a lot of different opinions-but I know I want something that will last with minimal out of pocket expense-or at least one that doesn't cost too much when it's time to fix it.

Thanks!

[NamasteMama]

We love our old 91 GMC. they are easy to get parts for and easy to do a lot of the work your self.

[shanzone2001]

We have always had good luck with Toyotas.

[pheasantplucker]

I've got a Ford F150 I absolutely love.

[southfarms]

I don’t know what you plan on using it for, but the small GM trucks are relatively inexpensive but pretty dependable. Either the old S-10 or S-15, or the Colorado depending on your budget. Good luck and happy hunting! Also, congratulations on getting the debt monkey off of your back!

[geo in mi]

Pay the fifty bucks to your local mechanic when you find one that looks reasonable. He/she will put it up on the lift and give you solid advice on the condition, condition, condition.

Brand doesn't matter so much as condition and what you intend to use it for.

geo

[sticky_burr]

well good luck getting a consistant answwer, i am OLD ford... people but the new indian maharia diesel picks ups are nice.

so what do you need the truck for?

[Ramblin Wreck]

I've had good luck with Fords, GMC's, Nissan's, and especially Toyotas...with Dodge, not so much.

[MO_cows]

Do you REALLY need a truck, or would a trailer you could tow with the van get you by?

[Ross]

Ditto on the old Chev GMC. I can replace pretty much anything on that truck for about half what it costs on newer ones. Complete front brakes on my GMC2500 including wheel brearings, under $300. Rad for my buddies 04 Chev 3/4 ton van..... $300 ish, for my 89 GMC? $189.00. Not that it breaks down often; but, I might look at a newer truck if I was going to pull a large trailer alot.

[Cabin Fever]

Originally Posted by Ross

Ditto on the old Chev GMC. I can replace pretty much anything on that truck for about half what it costs on newer ones. Complete front brakes on my GMC2500 including wheel brearings, under $300. Rad for my buddies 04 Chev 3/4 ton van..... $300 ish, for my 89 GMC? $189.00. Not that it breaks down often; but, I might look at a newer truck if I was going to pull a large trailer alot.

This!

[mountainwmn]

Any brand truck can be dependable and any truck can be a hunk of junk. you pay more from a dealer than on cragislist or someone's lawn, and you don't get a better truck always. I would have your garage inspect anything before you buy it and stay away from the smaller trucks or anything with a plow on it. I paid $2500 for a dodge 1500 4x4 with high miles last year and haven't needed anything but a water pump.

[PrettyPaisley]

Wow-lots of info! I plan to haul hay in it as well as the occassional goat. I could put a trailer on the van but I tend to miss things, like trash cans and mailboxes, and I'm scared to extend the length of my vehicle. Plus-I can't put the goats on the back of a trailer, even in a really big cage because I would hate for the trailer to get hit or let go and see my goats flying down the highway.

I like the GMC idea-I like how they look, too!

Thanks!

[TripleD]

I like the older gm trucks too ! Dads got a 92 gmc one ton that he retired in 04. I sold my 05 ford diesel in feb. I started driving it , and alls well. Then just by chance my grandmother called and gave me a 90 silverado that my granddad bought new. 86k miles everything works now . All I spent was 80 bucks for a new belt and some freon......

[CarolT]

We got the big dog carriers and haul our goats in the back of Cheryls' van... And pigs and calves, and.... LOL It's nice having a friend with a van LOL

[PrettyPaisley]

Would getting a diesel truck be a good idea? I could turn it into one of those that burns vegetable oil for TEOTW!

[indypartridge]

Originally Posted by PrettyPaisley

I plan to haul hay in it as well as the occassional goat.

How much hay?
Years ago I had a great little Toyota truck that worked fine for hauling random stuff and my St. Bernards.

If you're only gonna haul goats and maybe a dozen or so bales of hay, a small truck may work out for you. On the other hand, I can get between 40-50 bales of hay on my '96 Silverado while pulling trailer loaded with hay.

Gas is too expensive to be filling the tank of a truck that's bigger than you need.

[roachhill]

If your looking for an additional farm work vehicle and not a daily driver to replace your existing car you could consider a short school bus. They haul like any good comercial diesel truck but can be had cheap. If you get one with a wheelchair lift it will even save your back when loading. Just thinking outside the box to save money. A 10 year old bus with maybe 100,000 miles can be had for $2000 or so.

[tallpines]

Our parochial school is raffling off a '91 totally refurbished Ford, 1/2 ton pick-up.

$10 a ticket---only 500 tickets being sold.

Drawing in early October..............

[dragonjaze]

I've never had a new car in my life, I just can't imagine having a car WITH a warranty...just seems odd to me. Cars are supposed to break down, that's what they're for, right?

Having a good mechanic come and look at whichever truck you are looking at is worth the money. And do NOT use the one the salesman recommends. My entire family is in cars. And my grandfather, though I love him dearly, is the EPITOME of the stereotypical smarmy used car salesman. The man could sell you a skateboard wired to a trolling motor and you'd think you got a good deal!