help in choosing a daily driver

steveo2155 · June 8, 2016

I am planning on getting a 4wd truck in the near future. This will be my daily driver, going about roughly 50 miles or so everyday. I am looking at either a 1995-1998 k1500 or a 1999-2002 Silverado 1500. Whatever I buy must have less than 100,000 miles and in decent shape. I realize this is a hard find but I have seen quite a few on autotrader. The reason I have narrowed down these two year ranges are because 1. They are my favorite body styles and 2. I am on a budget. It must be an extended cab as I will be transporting my young one in an infant seat a few miles a day. Is there a right choice between the two year ranges or are both just as reliable as the other? I really don't have a preference between the two so I am looking for some input to help me decide what year range to focus my search on. Is one better than the other? Am I crazy for thinking I can use a 15-20 year old truck as a daily driver?

muddkatt · June 8, 2016

I drive my 01 everyday...its got about 308,000 miles on it and I am not afraid to head to California in it right now. Personally, I would look for a 99-02, they have the 5.3 vs the old 5.7. The 5.3 in those year models are very solid, dependable engines. My engine has never had a valve cover off, any sensors replaced, nothing....but a water pump and a new set of plugs at 307,000 miles. I will say that the 5.3 has a piston slap that sounds like a rod knocking when they are first started, especially when its cold outside. Its nothing to worry about, just annoying.

Car seat use to fit fine in it, those days are behind me. I like the suicide doors for getting the kids in and out, except in tight parking lots, then you have to weave and bob to get in the back. Some of the mid to late 90's trucks did not have a 3rd door. I had one and it was a pain in the ass to get the kids in and out. Unless it was nearly free, I would pass on one of those.

steveo2155 · June 9, 2016

I forgot to add 03-04 silverado as another choice. Are their any advantages/disadvantages to 03-04 over 99-02 or are they pretty much same besides front end?