Should I buy it?

HereForHelp · February 8, 2016

I was considering buying a 99 1500 z71 off my cousin, but I only have one problem with it. It's got 362,000 miles on it, but its been well maintained for the last year or so. I'm just afraid that something will go wrong after a drive it for a few months or so. Any advice, tips, or words of wisdom on this?

Phillip123 · February 8, 2016

It all sums up at maintenance. If it's well kept over the years, those miles don't mean much. If it has a good price on it, I'd take it.

barry G · February 9, 2016

I say go for it..

and you can keep talking to previous owner, your cousin.

Be wary of frame.. smack things around with a hammer some nice summer day.

original engine would blow my mind.. I took one in at 342k, but the whole thing is not original.

springs actually wear down too, check the ends.

A lot of chores sometimes, but it is well wrth it. GM parts is very plentiful.

I just had ball joints done...the advice from the mechanic was to replace both even though the top one was new.

A lot of tips goes with the trucks. No mysteries.

diyer2 · February 9, 2016

Well maintained for the last year or so.

I would be concerned with these things:

Trans. Original? Proper service if it is. How much was it towed with. About $2k to have replaced, say at Amaco.

Brakes:

Front bearings, seals, rotors. New rear shoes, front pads, front bearings, rotors and seals about $400 - $500 in parts at local auto store.

U joints:

About $75.00 for parts.

Alternator $150.00 for life time warranty model.

Radiator: $300.00 for part.

Tune up: plugs, rotor and distributor cap, $50.00 or more depending on what you use.

Tires: $500.00 to $800.00

That's all I can think of right know.

My 1993 Silverado 5.7L 4L60E, TBI 2 WD has 243K miles on it and this is what I remember replacing in the last several years. This truck got the best maintenance possible bought when it had 40k miles on it but i did tow a boat with it.. The trans is a GM Good Wrench with a transferable warranty, I put it in OCT. 2013.

It has been on craigslist for over 2 months here in Colorado, started at $3k now at $2K. Not 1 call on it. It could be because it's 2 wheel drive.

This truck runs and drives great.

So to me this is a personal decision and has its risks.

Good Luck

Chopper16 · February 24, 2016

Depends on the price and if you know about working on vehicles or know a good shade tree mechanic that does. I put a crate engine and transmission in a 1991 K1500 for less than $4,000 total. That included paying $500 for labor and using a guys garage and ramps to do it with. If the body is straight and rust free and you can get it for cheap, which it should be cheap. I would think $1,500 at the very most.

When all is said and done you could have a truck, not new, but in excellent shape for under $6,000. Thats a good deal, some people pay about that in 1 year of new truck payments.