Buy a used Chevy S-10 pickup?

[callbay]

I am thinking about buying a used small 4 door pickup in the 2001-2004 range and thought I would like a Crewcab Chevy S-10 4wd. It would be just an extra vehicle for hauling things about once a week and driving in the bad winter weather. Looking on line they are from $6,000 on up and there seem to be quite a few in the 100,000 to 125,000 mile range.

Any thoughts or experiences?

 

[law3500]

Not a bad truck for the price range. They still had the older 4.3 v6 in those years and that is a great, long lasting engine design.

 

[45ACP]

The VIN changed the engine didnt IIRC.

Wiki lists a mew engine for 2003 but its still 4.3 so..

(btw: 4.3L engine is one of Chevy best. its amazing. Especially 1993 and 1994 Vin "W" not VIN "Z." Though "Z" wasnt bad.. "W" blows it away.)

1994–1995 4.3 L Vortec 4300, TBI 150 hp (112 kW)–165 hp (123 kW) 230 lb·ft (312 N·m)–235 lb·ft (319 N·m) Z
1992–1995 4.3 L Vortec 4300, CPI 195 hp (145 kW)–195 hp (145 kW) 250 lb·ft (339 N·m) W
1996–2004 4.3 L Vortec 4300, SEFI 180 hp (134 kW)–190 hp (142 kW) 245 lb·ft (332 N·m)–250 lb·ft (339 N·m) W, X ('03-'04)

 

[Spazdog]

The Crew Cab models are pretty rare around here.

IIRC, all the Crew Cabs were 4X4.

You can get extended cab and standard cab S10s easily. They are very plentiful. But I just don't see that many CrewCabs.

Your market may be different.

I still prefer the Dakota Crew cab from that era.

 

[The_Jeff]

My co-irker has an 02 that he neglects. It's not doing well with that neglect either, having needed a transmission, and presently needing a thermostat (throwing a code for long warm-up).

Idiot payed $26k, in 2002, for a freaking Sonoma!

People like him trade, so beware.

 

[jigen]

My dad has a 2000 S10 5-speed that besides oil changes, a clutch replacement, and one sparkplug change, received no maintenance. 250k on it and still going pretty strong.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
The Crew Cab models are pretty rare around here.

IIRC, all the Crew Cabs were 4X4.



They are all 4WD and they are pretty rare. I see S-10s every day, I do not see crew cab S-10s every day. In fact, the last time I actually remember seeing one is when a guy down the road had a spotless Victory Red 2000 model for sale. I think he wanted $6K-$7K for it, can't really remember because it was months ago. They all have the very common 4.3 V6 and 4L60E transmission though, and it's just another S-Series truck.

If you can find one that has been well maintained, go for it.

 

[artificialist]

Carefully check the front end out for failing idler arms, ball joints, and wheel bearings. The central fuel injection system can be a costly problem, also, know the condition of the intake manifold gaskets.

 

[TooManyWheels]

Don't plan on being in an accident with it, they have horrible front and side impact ratings. I worked with someone who became a fatality in one.

 

[dishdude]

We had a bunch of these in the 2.2/2wd/auto combo at an old company I worked for. They ran very well and for a very long time with minimal maintenance.

 

[ridgerunner]

I've owned 3 S-10's over the yrs. until I switched to full size trucks. I don't miss them either. U want one to haul anything, a full size one is better in everyway IMO. They are similarly priced, actually cheaper, and will out haul, tow, any S-10 with ease. They are easier to work on too. An extended cab S-10 with a tiny bed won't haul chit!

 

[hattaresguy]

Yeah unless you live in a tight city where parking is an issue get a full sized truck.

Looking at your location you don't live anywhere near an old east coast city with roads laid out for horse traffic, so you will have plenty of room to park.

 

[daves87rs]

I liked my 2000 S 10 when I had it, and it had the 4.3. Never had any issues with it either....

 

[nomochevys]

Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
I've owned 3 S-10's over the yrs. until I switched to full size trucks. I don't miss them either. U want one to haul anything, a full size one is better in everyway IMO. They are similarly priced, actually cheaper, and will out haul, tow, any S-10 with ease. They are easier to work on too. An extended cab S-10 with a tiny bed won't haul chit!


I have had three of them also. They are no full size but will do everything I need them to do. The 4.3 is not that great on gas but if you compare it to the engines of the day it was pretty decent. And it has good power in a little truck. I have towed a 3500 lb boat with 2 of them and you run out of chassis and brakes before you run out of power.

I had a 89 with a 4 banger and it drove better than the other two because it didnt have so much weight on the front end. It was bad weak but would still get the job done. These are decent little trucks imo. I still have the 96 with a 4.3. It gets about 18 or so on average mpg. I can get 22-24 on the road under ideal conditions with a 3.42 rear gear. I had a 91 with 3.08 gears and they were too high imho.

One thing I have found with all of these trucks is that the alternators suck. Cant keep them on for some reason. They fail at 40 to 50K miles on every single one of them. I think its just how the quality was back then with GM. You have to replace everything on the truck 3 times before the motor gives up.

I love these small trucks and hate to see the Ranger die off. They will do a lot of work cheap especially in 4 cylinder form. I wish I could get a S10 or Ranger with an updated 4 cylinder. You could get great mileage and still be able to do light work with them. All I tow now a days is a lawn mower or motorcycle or something like that. The 4.3 is a torquey engine and pulls good but its an antique. Its not that great on gas but it is reliable for the most part and will last a long time. I cant wait to see the new Gm small trucks.

 

[ridgerunner]

I've had a 1985, an 1988, and a 1998. All but the 1998 had the 2.8 six cylinder in them. Even with the 4.3 I lacked for power (and chassis). Never had an alt. problem. They were good for running through the woods between trees though. I'd consider a new little truck if they would sell one with a small diesel engine in it!

 

[FXjohn]

I just turned 318k on my 96 S10. few problems.
these 4.3 trucks are bulletproof.