Thinking about buying a truck

[cdacda13]

With my Dakota pretty much dead, plus the parents not trusting it as a reliable mode of transport, I've talked them splitting the cost of a newer truck. (First time they are paying for anything auto related for me, YAY)
Anyways, I'm kinda stuck. I really like the Dakotas. The idea of a mid-sized truck is really appealing to me. But, at the same time I have hear some questions were raised about reliability.
Next up is the Silverado, K1500 or GMC Sierra. I love the fact its a GM, love the looks. Don't like the fact its a full-sized truck, but I think I can go over that.
Anyone with experience dealing with these trucks? Opinions? Thoughts?
Budget is 6k-10k, depending on how much money I feel like taking away from my Camaro re-build fund.

And it must be a 4x4. I'm sick of fish tailing in the snow.

[Knipps]

I have my dad's 05 Dakota sitting in the driveway and I know it'll be for sale eventually I just don't know if it is yet.
I've driven it a bunch of times and it's a good truck. Definitely a step up from the S10 he had.

[trashman01]

get a 2000+ 1500 GMC or Chevy(same truck, just different badges) dont go near the dodge rams, i got enough horror stories with mine to keep me away(unless its a 24valve 6spd cummins) one thing me and my buddies learn, the S10s, Dakotas, etc get maybe a few miles more per gallon in the city then the full size versions and u can haul more crap in a full size. just make sure if u get a GM truck, that the rear backing plates arent rottin out, and u dont go below 1/4 tank of fuel too much or kiss the fp goodbye

[Slo86Bird]

http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=34498

[sweetbmxrider]

gotta love the 00 and up silverado's 1500 series. they are a nice truck. no complaints here cept what trashman mentioned. great, dependable truck.

[alamantia]

yeah, oil went up another $30 a barrel today, i think a truck is a wise investment, hell, buy mine, its for sale 4,000

[trashman01]

^ those older tahos and 1500s are great truck, just make sure the brake/fuel lines arent rusty, same problem wit fuel pumps and the intake hose connectors tend to fail but the updated plastic ones arent hard to install(maybe 30 mins start to finish)

[alamantia]

no, its a good truck no doubt, i take care of it, is like driving a lazy boy is so comfortable. I may not have my CTS but both my cars are PAID FOR and thats worth not having a car payment. People at work with 400 - 500 car payments on their saturns tease me about my gas milage, i say whatever i still pay abiut 200 - 300 less a month than you. They laugh and say how so, i say cause my chit is payed off you have some sucker car loan. Too bad when bessy dies I woll probably inheret another car loan. Good thing she still runs strong

[Z28Justin]

when it runs right i love my blazer.

[badzracing]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

gotta love the 00 and up silverado's 1500 series. they are a nice truck. no complaints here cept what trashman mentioned. great, dependable truck.

What's wrong with the 1999's? I know a guy who has one and it was the fastest lsx based truck in NJ for a long time.....as a matter of fact it's in my avatar!

[camaroracer1992]

if you can find a used diesel truck id go that route. nothing like diesel power and youll get better mileage out of it too.

[trashman01]

Originally Posted by badzracing

What's wrong with the 1999's? I know a guy who has one and it was the fastest lsx based truck in NJ for a long time.....as a matter of fact it's in my avatar!

i couldnt remember when the did the body still swap. my bad

Originally Posted by camaroracer1992

if you can find a used diesel truck id go that route. nothing like diesel power and youll get better mileage out of it too.

yea u may get the distance but mileage is marginal better. my buddies power joke only got 3 mpg better then my ram did(17 vs 14) his fill ups were 120 when diesel was cheaper then gas(ram was 50$)

[cdacda13]

I know a truck isn't a wise investment with gas prices right now, but the truck with mostly be used on the highway and in the winter. I just need something that will haul all my college stuff to and fro home. There's really not much storage room in a Camaro.

Found a nice one. 04 Silverado Z-71, 45k miles, pick-up cap. Slight damage to passenger side cab, 7,995$. Sound good?

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally Posted by trashman01

yea u may get the distance but mileage is marginal better. my buddies power joke only got 3 mpg better then my ram did(17 vs 14) his fill ups were 120 when diesel was cheaper then gas(ram was 50$)

My brother's '05 3500 quadcab CTD gets 22-23 city and 25-26 highway. Bone stock with the exception of his Predator programmer.

Any newer diesel is gonna be well out of the OP's price range though.

- Justin

[BigAls87Z28]

If you are looking for new, The Colorado now comes with a V8 in crew cab.
Drove it this past weekend...plenty o power.

[trashman01]

Originally Posted by cdacda13

Found a nice one. 04 Silverado Z-71, 45k miles, pick-up cap. Slight damage to passenger side cab, 7,995$. Sound good?

run, i dealt with a truck like that when i was a mechanic, they seller never told our customer the frame was bent and off by 2 "

[cdacda13]

Originally Posted by trashman01

run, i dealt with a truck like that when i was a mechanic, they seller never told our customer the frame was bent and off by 2 "

There's no dent, just looks like someone swiped it in a parking lot. I haven't looked at the truck in person yet, I'm just going by pictures. So you may be right.

[nj85z28]

i have a 2005 silverado 4x4 extended cab. the gas prices arent really hurting me that bad, and i spend alot of time driving to and from work. most of the time im working in the Jersey City/Holland Tunnel area. it looks good and drives good, mechanically it has been sound, and i have plenty of room for any crap i want to through in the back seat like tools, etc. and when the snow comes, no more hours of burning out to get out of the driveway

[mc73nova]

Right now with the gas prices the way they are, it is the best time to buy a full size vehicle. Pick up an Auto Shopper they have a lot of good deals right now. Good Luck.

[Slo86Bird]

mid summer is best time to buy a big vehicle. noone wants them cuz of the high gas prices. now the value is starting to go back up.