Suggestions for cheaper Pickup

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92saturnsl2

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Hi folks,

Looking for suggestions on a used pickup, looking to spend $3,000 - 5,000. I don't care if it's compact or full-size. I just need it for hauling toys on the weekends and a short commute to work and back occasionally, so fuel economy is not of huge importance. The only ones that I won't consider are the '97+ F-150's; their styling is not my thing.

I like the idea of a diesel, and I've seen some full size mid 90's Dodge & Fords for around $5,000 in decent condition. But I'm leery what kind of maintenance and repair costs I may face with one.

I'm sure a lot will come down to personal preference and opinion, but what do you guys think is the best "bang-for-the-buck" in this price range? Reliability concerns with any that I should be aware of?
 
I have a 1999 Dodge w/Cummins and am very happy with it. I think if anything its less maint. Yes it does take 11 or 12 QTs of oil. I get close to 25 MPG on the highway.
 
Four wheeler or jet-ski.. Small trailers, so yes a compact truck would fit the bill, but if I have the choice between large and small at the same price, I'd pick the one with more room over fuel economy.
 
My first pick would be the one thing you said no to already but how about the 88-98 GM trucks? Parts are reasonably priced and available anywhere. I would avoid diesels like the plague if you're looking to stay under $5k. In that price range most vehicles are probably well used and either need now or will soon need some repairs. And diesels are just more expensive to work on.
 
At your pricepoint, look for the nicest truck you can find, period. Brand and model should be determined by the market.
 
Isuzu Hombre or i-280

They are just rebadged S10s and Colorados but unlike the Prizm/Corolla, the Japanese marque is often cheaper. Perhaps because the Hombre and i-280 are a little on the spartan side compared to an LS model Chevy. Perhaps because Isuzu is an orphan brand.

Parts will be availiable as long as the GM brands' parts are availiable. They are essentially the same truck made in the same Shreveport, LA plant.

Going to be tough to skip the '97-'04 ('04 Heritage) F-150. Lot's of good trucks there. The GM 4.3/4.8/5.3s are good too. The Dodge 3.7/4.7s aren't bad either 5.7 Hemi might be a little out of reach cost-wise. (oh but a Quad Cab Dodge with a Hemi is a nice truck! It's bad....it's Nationwide... It's got an interior by Tupperware but it's still bad....) apologies to Frank, Dusty, and Billy


You might be able to pull off a 3/4 ton diesel in your market in that price range. Here? It's a Chevy/GMC 6.5 Detroit, Ford 7.3 International, or Dodge 5.9 Cummins that has seen better days. Pretty ragged below $5000.
 
Originally Posted By: cb_13
My first pick would be the one thing you said no to already but how about the 88-98 GM trucks? Parts are reasonably priced and available anywhere. I would avoid diesels like the plague if you're looking to stay under $5k. In that price range most vehicles are probably well used and either need now or will soon need some repairs. And diesels are just more expensive to work on.


This generation of GM trucks is very simple to work on and cheap to buy and repair if needed.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
RWD v6. Doesn't matter if dodge or GM. Even a dakota.


33.gif
oh yeah! Dakota! Especially a Dakota!

'97-'04 Models should be in that price range. 3.7,3.9,4.7 and 5.2 models. I like the 4.7 Quad Cabs
 
If all you are pulling is a 4 wheeler or jet-ski even most car's would pull these. When not pulling you would likely get much better fuel economy. Also beware of rwd on a wet algae covered ramp with the jet ski. It may struggle getting it out.
 
I know you might not light the styling of the 97+ F150, but they are solid vehicles. I picked up a really solid single cab long bed 97 for $650, knowing it needed transmission work, paid my friend about $1300 to do the transmission, and now I have what seems to be a very reliable and somewhat efficient work truck. It has the 4.2 V6, but you would never know it is not an 8 cyl by the amount of pull this thing has. I don't think it has had engine work, yet it neither burns or leaks any oil. Currently has ML 5w30. Have put about 2000 miles on it since the repair, and smile every time I drive it. AC is cold and compressor quiet. Here's the kicker...odometer shows 283k miles. Engine is quiet and smooth. No ticks. Decent on fuel for a full size truck. Several friends have borrowed it for a day and offered to buy it when they found out how little I have in it.
 
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
At your pricepoint, look for the nicest truck you can find, period. Brand and model should be determined by the market.


Bingo, at your price point you don't get the luxury of picking a truck you like. Just buy whatever is in good shape and not used up.

Trucks are not like cars, they get used up.
 
If I were in your shoes I'd be looking at one of these .

Properly maintained and sound I would consider it barely broken in. I've come across many owners of these PU's throughout my travels in the Midwest/West Coast and I always strike up a conversation if I catch the owner at a light or parking lot and typically ask how many miles they have. Most of the owners I questioned had more than 200,000 miles logged and still going strong.

Although discontinued, chances are a well-maintained one will outlast a current Tacoma made in Mexico or Tundra made in Texas. Planned obsolescence has decreased over the decades.
 
The old Toyota trucks are definitely rugged. But in IL there's a fair chance the area he lives in gets salt, at which point there are none left.
 
Toyota trucks only work in areas where they don't salt the roads. Up here the local Toyota dealers have piles of them in parts because after 8-10 years the frames rot out.

American trucks are more rust resistant.
 
Last edited:
Who you guys fooling?

Rust does NOT discriminate from one PU manufacturer to another, domestic or import. Chevy/GMC Ford Dodge Nissan Honda Yes even Toyota

Yes Yotas rust. I received a letter for a voluntary anti-corrosion campaign on a Sequoia(shares Tundra frame) but our undercarriage is rust-free.

Power wash your undercarriage throughout the winter season and after as well as treat your undercarriage & paneling w/ an oil based protectant and rust can't get a foothold(not everyone got the memo).
 
The simple reality is that rust has consumed nearly every single T100 in the Northeast, while lots of domestic trucks soldier on, visible on the roads every day.

I'm not making a statement about any other aspect of the vehicles other than the rust.

15 years ago T100's were still everywhere, they're GONE today. They rust out in salt areas, washing the undercarriage or not.
 
Don't get a diesel. Any repair with a part of fuel injection system or turbo can easily be more than you paid for the truck.

Occasional hauler = gas

I am looking at the same thing for my brother and my target is 2001-2006 GM with the 5.3L
 
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