So I have been thinking about purchasing a used truck for around $6,000 – which after looking might be wishful thinking. What are your opinions on 10 year old trucks with about 150,000 miles. It would be used for fishing(winter & summer) and just basic use. It would not be a vehicle to commute to a job. Our only other option is to buy a suburban/expedition and trade our van. Any input on trucks with high miles? Thanks!
Chad
Currently running a 2001 Chevy 1500 HD (6.0L) with 147,000 miles on it. No issues other than routine maintenance and some small mechanical failures that would be expected. I have no intention of getting rid of this tuck until I see over 200,000 miles.
Do research on the engines. You’ll hear about an awful lot of ford 5.4L and Chevy 350’s out there running around with 200,000+ that are in the 10 year age range. I recently sold my 2002 f-150 with 165,000 miles and I wouldn’t have hesitated to drive that thing to Alaksa and back. Provided you can do or learn how to do the maintenance on the front end and other parts that wear out, chances are you’ll do OK.
Chad, I would do my research BEFORE you end up with a certain engine… check out the Dodge 5.9L also, they have been known to go awhile 
In fact, pictured here is a 2001 with 204,000 miles that we have on our lot at $5995… 
You can find a truck with under 150k miles that is under your price.
Bought this 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport 4×4 3.9 V6 140k miles last week for $3300 
Keep looking around on craigslist, carsoup, and autotrader. Also don’t be afraid to low ball 
In my experience the pick ups retain their value better than Suburbans. I would expect you would get more truck for your dollar with the Suburban. I sold a 10 year old Suburban with 115k miles in decent shape for $5k. It was a loaded version with heated leather seats, rear air and 4WD. Had it advertied on Craig’s for quite a while at a higher price but no takers.
I was looking for the same thing, and found a deal on a 1998 f-150 4×4 (4.6). It now has 290,000 on it and it’s been a great truck. A couple things to look for on the older Fords.. The rear exhaust manifold bolts can break and cause manifold leaks.. the later models switched to stainless steel studs and no longer have this issue. Mine were broke when I bought it (which is why I got it so cheap) I installed a set of headers while I was in there and haven’t looked back.
Another vote for craigslist. I sold my truck to the dealer for $5,500 after listing it on craigslist for $6,000 and getting just a couple of flaky emails over two weeks. I would have taken $5,500 cash from a buyer, no problem.
The company I work for has two chev. 1500s with over two hundred thousand and they get run every day.The big thing is reguler maintinance.
Food for thought… when we get someone trading in a high mileage vehicle (whatever it is) we check em out and alot of times, there is a reason (something major) people are trading… when we tell em what we found wrong (to their amazement) 
& tell them what their trade is worth… they decide to list it on craigslist and sell themselves… 
Not that you can’t find a great deal, but I guarantee you they will not give you any kind of warranty (which you only need, when you need it) 
On a high mileage vehicle, pricing can’t vary that much, good advice is for $500 more from a dealer, if it comes with at least a 30 day powertrain warranty, that’s money well spent Or if you can buy from someone you personally know and trust. 
Depends on how lucky you feel 
JAKOB, love it . We had an 1987 Dakota (first year). Did the break in miles then went to California in it. No troubles 2wd 3.9 v6 5 speed. Wil
My first truck was a 1993 Dakota with the 5.2 Litre 
I went through tires with that baby I sold it with 165K on it back in ’02…
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
