Good First Truck?

legacy · October 7, 2007

Im looking for a truck, I'm 16 and I want to know what you guys think the best option should be.

I want a truck that will last me until about 2012-2015, when i get out of college

Price can go up to about 18K (saved up myself)

Right now I'm looking at Sierra 1500s, Chevy Silverado 1500s, GMC envoys, Chevy Tahoes, and if im lucky my dad might hand his 06 GMC yukon Denali (fully loaded) to me

i can go used, preferably no less they yr 2000

If used, how many miles should be my maximum?

also please tell me what options are MUST haves, and what add ons are must haves

I'm new here, so please tell me if i posted this in the wrong place

thanks

jhoff8487 · October 7, 2007

My truck below is my first truck. Not my first car by any means, but first truck. Depending upon where ya live, you may want four-wheel drive and I'd say a 4.8l engine. The 5.3l is a great motor but when I was buying mine, I couldn't find a 5.3l so I went with the 4.8l and haven't looked back at all. The 4.8l has plenty of power for anything I've ever done it for.

It sounds like you've got a rather wide spectrum of vehicle that you're looking at so ya may want to narrow it down a bit and decide if a truck is really for you. Overall, it's more your personal preference and I'm sure your parents will do their part to ensure you get something that will suit your needs for quite a while.

That's just my two cents...I'm sure others will disagree, or agree...it's all personal preferences.

svensk · October 7, 2007

Your 16 and have 18K saved for a truck?! You got it made man, good job.

You could buy something like I got for 10-12K.

legacy · October 7, 2007

is that an 02?

I wouldnt mind putting 5k away in stocks or college funds and getting something like that

Also how are the colorado/canyon route, i live in southern cali, and hope to be in florida soon.

buti never really liked the loook of small sized trucks though

Chestah · October 7, 2007

Well it basically looks like you can get anything you want. If I were you I would try to swipe your Dads Denali or get a GTO. Don't get a truck unless you really need to haul things.

Tucson_02Silverado · October 7, 2007

Of the postings since I've been on here, it seems like the better of years for both Silvy/Sierra is 2002 and 2005. Those two years are also of the two different front ends and tail-lights (Silverado anyways).

The general guideline for average mileage usage is 15000 miles per year. Anything over 60-70K will most likely be due for brakes, but there are a number of people here getting 90K+ on their brakes.

When you are looking, don't really disregard any really nice low miles 97-99.

The $10-12K here in Arizona is kinda of iffy for a 2002, in the local paper they are ranging from 11900 to 15500 for Z71's.

As for must have options, there are all kinds of aftermarket parts. So concentrate on a very good condition/priced one with the drivetrain you'd like. If it has cloth an you wanted leather, you could get the Katskins later. For me, unless I can reach the passenger door from the driver's seat without much effort, Power Windows/Locks is a must. And the desert, AC is also a must.

Old Fart advice alert.............

since you are starting to work, put $2000 of that monies in a ROTH IRA and start your retirement fund. If you don't really need a truck, get a sedan like a 3.8L Impala 05's are around $8K. Yea they aren't that impressive getting into them at the High School Parking lot, but insurance, and fuel costs will be a lot less that with that Goat or Denali. Operating costs is where you'd go in debt real fast if you aren't budgeting right. For light loads, you can still put a receiver on the Impala and haul a small trailer.

unit731 · October 7, 2007

Wisdom cannot be taught. Wisdom is someting obtained from experience and time.

I am still driving a 1990 Chevrolet 1500 Scottsdale model and this truck looks and drives almost like a new truck. I purchased this truck used 10 years ago.

My Golden Rule, and others may differ, is to purchase from a one owner vehicle. And look to see all the service records from this first owner.

But mandatory today is to do a CarFax. Sadly, there are too many vehicles that have had serious damage, flood, etc. CarFax is not perfect. You still have to examine the truck. Look for paint overspray - a tell tale sign of accident. Over 250,000 vehicles from Katrina, for example, that were deemed "total" lose by the insurance companies have had titles washed and are now on used car lots. The selling dealer or used car dealer may have no idea that this particular used vehicle was ever near Katrina.

If used, take vehicle to a private mechanic and have it examined. Pay for this.

Presently, there are new trucks with rebates, selling in my area for around $12,000.00. These, of course, are zero or little optioned trucks.

rogerf · October 7, 2007

is that an 02?
I wouldnt mind putting 5k away in stocks or college funds and getting something like that

Also how are the colorado/canyon route, i live in southern cali, and hope to be in florida soon.

buti never really liked the loook of small sized trucks though

Co-worker owns a Canyon 4X4 ext cab, likes the truck but the 5-cylinder engine is somewhat on the exoctic side making it as expensive to maintain as a full size. He has decided to keep it until the warranty is over and trade for a new Silverado.

One thing I would recommend is keeping your choice on the small (and cheap) side if you plan on taking this truck anywhere near a college campus. Most of the time, your vehicle will be parked in unprotected parking lots more than it is driven or being beat-on by drunken strangers or borrowed by friends (think Animal House). Have more damage from being parked in college lots than 25+ years on the road. Definately not the place for anything you value. Currently in grad school and just know better than take my new Silverado anywhere near campus. I keep an Impala for that duty.

svaiskau · October 7, 2007

is that an 02?
I wouldnt mind putting 5k away in stocks or college funds and getting something like that

Also how are the colorado/canyon route, i live in southern cali, and hope to be in florida soon.

buti never really liked the loook of small sized trucks though

Co-worker owns a Canyon 4X4 ext cab, likes the truck but the 5-cylinder engine is somewhat on the exoctic side making it as expensive to maintain as a full size. He has decided to keep it until the warranty is over and trade for a new Silverado.

One thing I would recommend is keeping your choice on the small (and cheap) side if you plan on taking this truck anywhere near a college campus. Most of the time, your vehicle will be parked in unprotected parking lots more than it is driven or being beat-on by drunken strangers or borrowed by friends (think Animal House). Have more damage from being parked in college lots than 25+ years on the road. Definately not the place for anything you value. Currently in grad school and just know better than take my new Silverado anywhere near campus. I keep an Impala for that duty.

I have never had an issue with any of my vehicles being parked around campus... I feel it has more to do with the location of the school than the fact it is a school. Go to school in the ghetto and you'll get exactly what you expect.

You haven't provided enough information. Who is paying your gas, insurance, and maintenance? What are you driving habits? How far is your commute, how far do you travel in a month? Do you roadtrip a lot? When your friends all go someplace together, are you the driver?

This will determine whether or not to get a truck or SUV, how old, how many miles, etc. There is no point in getting a single cab truck if you tend to be the driver on roadtrips.

svensk · October 7, 2007

Mines a 2000. Although mine has higher miles around 135K you can find many lightly driven grandpa trucks around for probably a good deal.

rogerf · October 7, 2007

I have never had an issue with any of my vehicles being parked around campus... I feel it has more to do with the location of the school than the fact it is a school. Go to school in the ghetto and you'll get exactly what you expect.

Nope...this is about as far as you can get from the ghetto, a major Mid-western State University campus in a relatively affluent rural area. A nice campus with high-value targets attract the scum from the ghetto. Like the ones that caused over $2K in damage to my neice's Cavalier to get a $200 Best-Buy radio. No, they couldn't just break a window and steal it...had to take a hammer & pipe to the lock cylinder and a sledge hammer to the dash. All this in broad daylight in the middle of the week...how much is that cheap radio going to fetch back in the hood?

BigJayDogg3 · October 7, 2007

There is no point in getting a single cab truck if you tend to be the driver on roadtrips.

I don't get this statement. Please elaborate.

j.roffel · October 7, 2007

There is no point in getting a single cab truck if you tend to be the driver on roadtrips.

I don't get this statement. Please elaborate.

Don't get a regular cab if you and your friends are going to pile into your vehicle to drive across the country, and SUV would be much better seated for that no? Driving across the city with 2 passengers in my truck is bad enough, I can only imagine across the country.

If you can find a GM with good body condition and service records having higher mileage isnt that bad, My truck was owned by a farmer before me and he used it to haul some stuff but mostly to drive into the city. He kept it in great shape and regular maintenance so the 300000km im pushin isn't causing any problems. I'd guess she has another 300 in her. A vehicle will last forever if it's been taken care of.

BigJayDogg3 · October 7, 2007

OK I understand now. I forgot to take into account that few people go on roadtrips by themselves.

dreman · October 7, 2007

A full size std cab shortbed with a v6 is far batter than a Canyon with the 5 cyl. My GMC has over 265k on the original engine and transmission. If you want to take more than one friend, then an extended cab or crew can is required.

The secret to long truck life is lightly loaded components. A full size truck with small engine will easily outlast a small truck with the same engine. Don't trash it, take care of it, and it will last. And with 18k you could buy a new one off the lot. Just walk in, ask questions about the 22k-25k truck you want, and then offer 18k cash on the spot. If the salesman doesn't bite, walk out. He may call you in a week and take you up on it. Or another dealer may.

Better yet is to buy the 12k truck (or car) and put the rest in your Roth IRA! You can be like every other college kid and blow the money, or you can put that money away every year starting now and you'll be a millionaire before you are 50.