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I used to drive trucks as my main transportation but have been without one for a while and feeling the itch. The thing is I don't want to go into debt to get a brand new one. My pain threshold is $10K. I can just write a check for it. Anything more, it starts to hurt. So what is out there? Yes, I've done my research and the ones I've seen are ten years old with 150,000 miles. Not sure I want to go there.
can you buy a $10k piece of junk, yes. can you buy a $10k used truck that is dependable, yes. i have done both.
the best $10 truck buy, (imho) would be a one or two owner, high mileage honda or toyota. tocamos and ridgelines, especially the 1st generation hondas are good for 300k miles with the proper care. with a little due diligence and patience, you can find the right truck.
i was looking for a 4wd/awd truck to leave at a weekend place, that would be dependable and comfortable to drive. it took several months and a statewide search, but i found it. i have had it 6 years and it is a great little truck and everything on it works!
i operate a small fleet of vehicles in my business and i can tell you that prior ownership is the key to buying any used vehicles. some people take care of their vehicles and some people don't.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,725 posts, read 58,067,115 times
Reputation: 46190
Quote:
Originally Posted by Berteau
Trucks are too expensive and get bad gas mileage.
My (<$5k) 1st Gen CTD (Dodges) 89-93 get 20+ MPG on free fuel and deliver 1m miles service (non-rust area of USA)
I only buy 1T dually 4x4. You can get 2wd for $2000 and less. No electronics, minimal plastics. Very trucky (i.e. they ride rough, but will work HARD.
Alternative..l am doing... Get a vintage cab, and plant on your 1st gen drive-train.
If you like 'trucking'... we swapped in a 13 spd RTO to a 4x4 dually 1st gen CTD. It is nice! hauls 30k around the mtns daily. (Added disc brakes and exhaust brake too).
For the trouble and expense of steering / suspension repairs... I stick with straight axle 4x4's for high mileage work-horse.
W-350
I have spent < $400 in truck repairs (except brakes ~$100 every 5 yrs) on my 1st gens during the last 10 yrs. ~ 200k miles (I have (3) at the moment)
not uncommon for my friends to spend $4k on repairs for their 'newer iron' pickup trucks.
For a REAL truck, consider a pre 1975 KW or Peterbilt, or a pre 70's Autocar. They will keep you safe! < $5k
Yes, you can buy a decent truck for $10K cash. As far as you have time to look around, know what to look for and are Ok with some exterior defects. I bought Silverado with 47K miles on it for $8500. Put 70K miles on it and still sold for $5700. And it had everything best for the year.
Private sale. Likely some body damage. truck beds go that way.
I used to drive trucks as my main transportation but have been without one for a while and feeling the itch. The thing is I don't want to go into debt to get a brand new one. My pain threshold is $10K. I can just write a check for it. Anything more, it starts to hurt. So what is out there? Yes, I've done my research and the ones I've seen are ten years old with 150,000 miles. Not sure I want to go there.
Out here in the desert I found a decent 1975 F-350 for $2250. Body is good, no rust, not just to say no rust perforations, but underneath the truck you can find only the occasional patch of superficial rust. Had a couple of electrical and mechanical issues but have fixed most. Came to me with a lot of spare parts, and about 70# of factory service manuals. Owned by another engineer, sort of a semi-restoration in progress.
You, there in the black heart of rust country, are not going to be able to pull a stunt like that off.
It could be you just have to pay more and buy newer to get a truck that's not in bad shape there. Although soon enough it will be in bad shape.
Rust never sleeps.
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