Which truck would you buy

Joined
Oct 16, 2023
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I am very torn on which route to go and figured I’d ask for guidance

2000 Silverado 194k minimal rust rockers are still pretty solid no rust holes etc. minor damage to the front grille (cracked). Spot on front fender that is rusty about the side of my thumb. Rear bumper has some rust to.
Interior is 7.5 out of 10. Couple minor tears and wear
Typical 5.3 oil leaks (oil pan, rear main etc)
4x4 works everything works as it should.
Asking 7200 it’s a little car lot in town.

2006 f150 single cab but has the access doors (weird)
184k miles
needs tires like now!
No leaks
Runs good drives good.
4.6L which is kind of underpowered. 4x4 works good.
Private party when I looked at it ac was short cycling he said a shop charged it a couple years ago and it never really worked. He figured it was just because it was an older truck. He then said after I looked at it that he took it in and it was overcharged and they charged it correctly and now it blows cold.
He’s asking 6k
Very minimal to hardly no rust at all

Doesn’t have leather or heated seats etc like the Chevy but does have power windows and locks.

Then there is a 96 f150 single cab short bed 2wd that’s in beautiful shape fresh paint 300 i6 manual trans, haven’t seen it in person yet but supposedly no issues at 200k
New exhaust lights mirrors etc lowering kit has the shaved rear bumper. Very clean but I’m hesitant because I’d feel bad I think using it as a daily driver truck. Asking 9k

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None at those prices. The 06 can be a bear to work on with part of the engine under the windshield.

The Chevy is easier to work on but is prime for a transmission failure.. that's a $3500 truck all day long


The 96 is the best choice but unlower it please and $9k is sky high priced.
Not sure where you live but $3500 isn’t getting you a decent running driving truck especially not a 4x4 around here. All of these prices are pretty much standard around here. They aren’t out of line with our current market.
 
The chevy has a tendency to rust out in the rear tubular crossmembers. I think the ford frame can rust out somewhere along the internal side portion. Honestly all seem pretty overpriced unless they are southern trucks.
 
I have an 06 F-150 that I bought new. It has 127,000 miles on it. I wish I had bought a Chevy. I had a Chevy work truck and it was a better vehicle in many ways.

My Ford is on its 3rd transmission.
There is a vibration in the drive train that they have never been able to resolve.
The 6 cyl lacks power
Front springs had to be replaced. Failure of them is a common problem.
Check the cross members under the bed for rust. Mine are deteriorating.
 
You buy what you like. None are better than the other at that mileage and price range. The 300 cubic inch Ford is a good engine but the truck is underpowered and will use more fuel. I’ve owned one in an F150. It also leaked oil everywhere. The 4.6 Ford is as tough as they come. Not as underpowered as the 300 but can seem underpowered when merging in traffic etc. The 5.3 is ahead in power but it’s still not robust power. As said already, the 4.6 F150 can be a double barrel son of a biscuit eater to work on. Especially doing spark plugs and coil packs as it’s likely to need….not to mention having to heli-coil some spark plug threads. Just another opinion however I’ve owned all three mentioned.
 
At those price points I'd be spending money for a one way flight to a cherry version that has lived in the south all its life.
 
A 2 valve 4.6 paired with the 4R70/75 transmission is one of Ford's most reliable powertrains. You won't win any races but it'll keep going and going. Those GMT800s were the last good truck GM made, IMO. But I don't like shortbed trucks.

For me it would be the 06 > 00 > 96
 
You buy what you like. None are better than the other at that mileage and price range. The 300 cubic inch Ford is a good engine but the truck is underpowered and will use more fuel. I’ve owned one in an F150. It also leaked oil everywhere. The 4.6 Ford is as tough as they come. Not as underpowered as the 300 but can seem underpowered when merging in traffic etc. The 5.3 is ahead in power but it’s still not robust power. As said already, the 4.6 F150 can be a double barrel son of a biscuit eater to work on. Especially doing spark plugs and coil packs as it’s likely to need….not to mention having to heli-coil some spark plug threads. Just another opinion however I’ve owned all three mentioned.

Run from all of them
Why?
 
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