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Truck advice?

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Started 1 year ago by lifeontwowheels
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lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Heard some good news about my job this week, which is going to give me some extra cash over the months. Getting that weird 6th sense that my car is probably going to be dying out in the next year and I would like to start looking at something "new".

With the Pedal Instead work, a pickup of some sort seems to be the best option and makes the most sense. Just need to get a good sense on what models make the best investment for something, with proper care and maintenance, that can last a good while.

Looking largely at:

1500 series type truck (though I am also thinking 2500 type with diesel)
4x4 not necessary
Looking more at the work aspect than the daily driver, so need to consider things like towing and payload

Budget: $5,000-6,500

Thoughts, suggestions? Good online sources for objective research? Good dealerships in the Columbus metro for trucks (I currently live about 15 mins out of Lancaster if there is anything good that direction.)

Thanks!

Posted 1 year ago #
chucky

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Diesel engine alone be it a Dodge Cummins, or Ford Powerstroke automatically adds $ 2,000 - 3,000 to the price of the truck used. I'm talking one with as many as 200K on the odometer still comanding that premium. Used diesel trucks in your price range are extremely rare and command a premium.

Don't know what kind of towing your doing, or hauling, but I would look at the Toyota Tundra. You can probaly find one with decent mileage for the year at a pretty good price in your range.

lifeontwowheels wrote >>
Heard some good news about my job this week, which is going to give me some extra cash over the months. Getting that weird 6th sense that my car is probably going to be dying out in the next year and I would like to start looking at something "new".
With the Pedal Instead work, a pickup of some sort seems to be the best option and makes the most sense. Just need to get a good sense on what models make the best investment for something, with proper care and maintenance, that can last a good while.
Looking largely at:
1500 series type truck (though I am also thinking 2500 type with diesel)
4x4 not necessary
Looking more at the work aspect than the daily driver, so need to consider things like towing and payload
Budget: $5,000-6,500
Thoughts, suggestions? Good online sources for objective research? Good dealerships in the Columbus metro for trucks (I currently live about 15 mins out of Lancaster if there is anything good that direction.)
Thanks!

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Thanks. I've been keeping an eye out on craigslist and lately there has been quite a bit matching largely what I want, price and otherwise.

Posted 1 year ago #
CooperGuy

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I have an '02 GMC 2500HD with a gas 6.0 that I've racked up 187K trouble free miles. Most of that mileage has accumulated while towing either a 24ft enclosed trailer, a 16ft enclosed, or a 16 ft open trailer. I use the truck everyday in our landscaping business and run it all over town. So far I have only replaced normal wear items and a $700 fuel pump. We took the truck to Florida twice last year with no issues at all. Needless to say I'm going to suggest something along those lines.

Posted 1 year ago #
chucky

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You also want to use the NADA guide. This is the guide book Banks and Credit Unions use when loaning money to purchase used vehicles.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2000/Toyota/Tundra-Pickup-V8/Limited-Access-Cab/Standard-Equipment

If you buy off a private person, you can usually score a better deal than from a dealer, usually close to trade in value. Dealers use a black book that they subscribe to, the general public can not get access to them. Make sure you have the truck inspected, it's worth the 25 bucks or so.

Kelley Blue book is worthless, nobody uses it but dealerships as the prices are so inflated they can give you the illusion they are giving you a great deal.

Posted 1 year ago #
10sun
Columbus, OH
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Buy a beater and see how you like it before making the commitment to a pickup.

If you are set on purchasing a better quality pickup then the best indicator of a pickup's future & past is the bed.
Look for wear, dents, and rust.

If there is a trailer hitch, get down there and see what the receiver looks like.

I loved my F150XL S6 even when it died (spun bearing @210k[rough miles & horrible maintenance] threw metal through the engine and I wasn't so attached that I wanted to drop a new engine in).

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Do you mean just see how I like driving a truck in general?

At my current job (security) we use a Ford Ranger for our patrol vehicle. I've been spending at least an hour a shift in that thing every day, M-F.

Posted 1 year ago #
10sun
Columbus, OH
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No, I mean how it fits into your life and fills needs, empties your wallet at the pump, etc.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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10sun wrote >>
No, I mean how it fits into your life and fills needs, empties your wallet at the pump, etc.

Gotcha.

Posted 1 year ago #
CooperGuy

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10sun wrote
If you are set on purchasing a better quality pickup then the best indicator of a pickup's future & past is the bed.
Look for wear, dents, and rust.

The only problem with gauging the condition of a trucks bed is the use of either a bed liner or the spray on bed linings - they will hide all kinds of evidence. My truck has been heavily used (not abused though) and when it's clean, you would never know it. I've worn out one bed liner and it's got a new one in it now. The paint and metal underneath are nearly perfect.

Like someone else mentioned though, getting a professional inspection is a good idea once you narrow your choices to one or two candidates. I do know of a shop on 5th Ave in Grandview that does complimentary inspections for people buying used cars. Basically, they will tell you if they think you're getting hosed mechanically. If you find something, PM me and I'll send you the name and phone number.

Curious though, what's the size and weight of the trailer that you would expect to regularly pull? Towing 500lbs vs several thousand will make a huge difference in vehicle requirements. If you are looking at the heavier weights be sure to consider a trailer with brakes and a brake controller for the truck.

And not to discourage anyone's advise, but be aware that the early 2000 to 2003 (I think) Toyota Tundras have had some frame rusting issues.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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No clue actually. It's for the Pedal Instead equipment and there may come a day where we get a trailer and use that as part of our equipment transportation. Our typically load can be done in a small Nissan pickup but Comfest and OSU typically take a full size cargo van or 3-4 loads in the mini-truck. If that's any indication of weight and loads.

Posted 1 year ago #
CooperGuy

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Doesn't sound like anything real heavy so you would probably be OK with at least a 1/2 ton truck. When the time comes, it sounds like you could get away with a small single axle enclosed trailer w/o the trailer brakes - maybe a 10x6 or 12x7. A 1/2 ton truck should be able to easily handle your needs.

Something else, if the pieces/parts that you want to carry in the bed are longer than 6.5 feet you may want to consider a full size truck with an 8 foot bed. It would make loading and securing the stuff quite a bit easier.

Posted 1 year ago #
AMEEKER
Weinland Park
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I'll sell you our 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 for $5K. Runs well, and if you really want to spend $6K, you can spend that to just do the general maintenance and get it detailed. We just want to get a four door sedan - our little girl is getting too big for the front seat in her car seat.

http://notinkansas.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/truck/ (pics).

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Damn...not quite ready yet. Just getting to the research point to see what is good and what is worth it.

Posted 1 year ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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I had a GMC Sierra 1500 extended cab (suicide doors), loaded, but no 4x4. I seriously loved driving that truck. I drove it some here in the winter & A LOT in upstate NY in the winter, and to be honest, I did miss having 4x4 abilities on a number of occasions. For the most part, I got by with 500-700lbs of sand in the bed over the winter, but there were a couple times in really big snows that I struggled with that back end swinging against no traction. Obviously, you wouldn't be hauling a ton of bikes in the winter, so this may be a non-issue.

One thing to keep in mind, if you've never owned a large-scale vehicle, is the tires. Check out the size & kind of tires on the truck - typically the OEM tires on them completely suck. Replacing them will be spendy - much more spendy than a small car's tires - so just keep that in mind.

Posted 1 year ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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^Generic tires can save a bundle vs. Goodyear or BFG, etc. too.

Posted 1 year ago #
AMEEKER
Weinland Park
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@lifeontwowheels

We've been trying to sell it all summer - I'm sure we'll have it for awhile. Everyone wants a 4x4 extended cab. We inherited our truck when my grandpa passed away. So thankful because we didn't have a car at the time, but wouldn't choose a truck for ourselves - not with a kid.

Having said that, we're not ACTIVELY trying to sell it anymore - don't have time for that madness. So, if when you're ready you'd like to check back, feel free!

@Twixlen Couldn't agree more about the sand in the back. We got stuck last winter in a parking lot in Hillard for an hour! This winter I think we'll get the sand.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Thanks, I'll keep you guys in mind. Do you happen to know what trim, engine etc.?

Posted 1 year ago #