I know 100k+ on a diesel engine is nothing. But what about on a gasoline engine since say 2000?

When does milage become an issue? Talking chevy Silverado 1500 or 2500; Ford F-150 F-250

J

Shouldn't be a problem if vehicle is taken care of well.. My 2003 Camry is running strong as hell just hit 100k a few days ago... No issues other than tires, brakes, the norm..... Car is SOLID !!

There is no reason with good maintenance you should not be able to get 250-300,000 now days.

When I was at a previous job I had company cars- 3 GMC trucks with the 5.3l. We only traded them when they got to 250,000 and none of them ever had anything major happen. Worst was a leaky water pump on one.

My friends dad had a 2002 chevy 1500 that he used. Or work. Got to 350k mi and hr now has a 2010. Of course his buisness always kept all maintainence up to date. Iirc the worst thing was engine mounts. But that was noticed at like 330k mi. O they didn't replace thm.

Anmy 1994 Camry has 373k mi now. need engine mounts bad. But that's about it.

Our work Silverado has like 260K + on it. Runs like a champ. It's been beat on too and still manages to work just fine

Mileage means nothing to me, but I use it for resale. Most people will prefer a low mileage car thinking it's been used less so it will be in better condition and last longer.

can find some 03 SS 1500 Silverado's for under 5 grand.............Trying to debate gas versus diesel here too...........

Any input guys?

J

"White Lightning" (1997 Chevy Silverado 1500 Extended Cab) has just over 307,000 miles on it with a rebuild (almost stock) engine and transmission about 100,000 miles ago ... She runs great !!! I just wish I could get her painted !!!

Keep the info coming guys.

J

There is no reason with good maintenance you should not be able to get 250-300,000 now days.

I agree

Mileage means nothing to me, but I use it for resale. Most people will prefer a low mileage car thinking it's been used less so it will be in better condition and last longer.

So I'm assuming from your statement that this isn't true, or not always true?

Make sure it's a real SS.......

I'm still not convinced on big diesel trucks. The mileage doesn't offset the fuel cost difference. The performance potential is there, but the required funds and skills to pull it off is ridiculous. To be honest, I really don't need the capability of such a vehicle. I've got a co-worker with one, a f-250. He's not really mechanically inclined, but then some of the stuff that has gone out on his truck I don't think I try to take care of myself in the drive way. The ring gear gave out and had to have it replaced. Parts and labor scratched $2k. The truck had just over 100k miles and the only heavy towing he did was a 20ft boat twice a month during the summer months. He also had trouble when he had his fuel filter replaced. It wasn't done right and the thing leaked diesel on to the clutch. Although not his fault he did get the shop to pay for it all. Needless to say the shop was out about $3k in parts and labor. Unfortunately my co-worked had to go through this hassle which dragged on for a couple of weeks. We lived near each other so I was giving him rides hear and there. Heck even oil changes are nuts. 15qts of synthetic don't come cheap. These trucks are work horses meant to make money and be written off on business taxes. For the average joe these are endless money pits. Don't get drawn into the hype. A very small few might pull off owning one of these trucks on the cheap, but that is a rare rare occurrence. Good luck and keep us posted.

Make sure it's a real SS.......

^ THIS.

Easiest way would just run the VIN. But

If u can find a silverado SS for under $5k... I will come down and buy them all. That's unheard of.

Remember. If its to good to be true, it is.

I use mileage as an indication of what probably needs to be replaced, not how long it is going to live. Somewhere around 100-140k I would expect the suspension/steering to need work, water pump to need to be replaced, plugs/wires/tuneup, and general maintenance. If a modern vehicle has been maintained I don't see any reason it won't run past 200k miles without major difficulties. That being said, some engines are just on borrowed time, and some will never die. Just hope you get lucky.

Remember to google the crap out of the vehicles to find common problems with them. Example is pre 2000 Cadillac Northstar engines, if they make it to ~140k miles without a head gasket failure, you can almost make a sure bet that it won't ever have a problem.

My Silverado was retired at 130k and was by far the most expensive repair vehicle I have ever owned. Not saying that is the norm, but it was absurd how much bs went wrong with it. Considering at that it fetched used still more than 2x what you are seeing a year newer SS's for obviously those are either trashed like hell or something is fishy. I'd expect to pay $12k for a clean 03 SS with less than 120k miles and for that I wouldn't be interested. Lower priced ones I'd be wary of though as that truck attracts some not so savory followers.

As with any used vehicle, service records are paramount and are the single biggest value adder IMO. 2nd biggest is to see the inside of the sellers house. A pig can't escape himself and if you live like a slob at home I'd bet you treat your vehicle like shit too. 3rd is a good inspection, but that I normally just do myself in particular if the first two pass.

I'm still not convinced on big diesel trucks. The mileage doesn't offset the fuel cost difference. The performance potential is there, but the required funds and skills to pull it off is ridiculous. To be honest, I really don't need the capability of such a vehicle. I've got a co-worker with one, a f-250. He's not really mechanically inclined, but then some of the stuff that has gone out on his truck I don't think I try to take care of myself in the drive way. The ring gear gave out and had to have it replaced. Parts and labor scratched $2k. The truck had just over 100k miles and the only heavy towing he did was a 20ft boat twice a month during the summer months. He also had trouble when he had his fuel filter replaced. It wasn't done right and the thing leaked diesel on to the clutch. Although not his fault he did get the shop to pay for it all. Needless to say the shop was out about $3k in parts and labor. Unfortunately my co-worked had to go through this hassle which dragged on for a couple of weeks. We lived near each other so I was giving him rides hear and there. Heck even oil changes are nuts. 15qts of synthetic don't come cheap. These trucks are work horses meant to make money and be written off on business taxes. For the average joe these are endless money pits. Don't get drawn into the hype. A very small few might pull off owning one of these trucks on the cheap, but that is a rare rare occurrence. Good luck and keep us posted.

ALL great points. I am carefully weighing options as I know what I need for me to get it:

Pickup 2002 or newer

Under 50k on the ticker

Extended cab or 4 door

Automatic

4 wheel drive

Power windows.

Color is of little consequence to me, and the body has to be good with only a minor accident at worst.

J

My Silverado was retired at 130k and was by far the most expensive repair vehicle I have ever owned. Not saying that is the norm, but it was absurd how much bs went wrong with it. Considering at that it fetched used still more than 2x what you are seeing a year newer SS's for obviously those are either trashed like hell or something is fishy. I'd expect to pay $12k for a clean 03 SS with less than 120k miles and for that I wouldn't be interested. Lower priced ones I'd be wary of though as that truck attracts some not so savory followers.

As with any used vehicle, service records are paramount and are the single biggest value adder IMO. 2nd biggest is to see the inside of the sellers house. A pig can't escape himself and if you live like a slob at home I'd bet you treat your vehicle like shit too. 3rd is a good inspection, but that I normally just do myself in particular if the first two pass.

You were who I wanted to hear from most on the Silverado.

I am asking for service records, and I am taking one of my military mechanics with me to inspect it. I figure the more opinions the better for a purchase like this.

The SS was just something I am throwing out there, but its not a 'seller' for me. I would prefer the 4 wheel drive over the SS anyday. I would like to think about raising it a bit provided the SS isn't the choice.

Also, I never EVER thought about the house comment.........I knew when going into a mechanics shop in BFE the bathroom is the best place to look. You see racing trophies you know they can fix anything. You see bowling or fishing and GTFO as quick as you can.

J

Make sure it's a real SS.......

^ THIS.

Easiest way would just run the VIN. But

If u can find a silverado SS for under $5k... I will come down and buy them all. That's unheard of.

I think this may have been it. Can't see the pics at work.

http://tucson.craigslist.org/ctd/2282324578.html

J

Thats spam.

$2,700.00 huh ...

The SS was just something I am throwing out there, but its not a 'seller' for me. I would prefer the 4 wheel drive over the SS anyday. I would like to think about raising it a bit provided the SS isn't the choice.

All the ones in this neck of the woods are AWD pretty much.

Thats spam.

$2,700.00 huh ...

Yup... spam 100%. If they don't have a phone#, I don't even bother...

Send them an email. I bet almost anything that they will say something with one of the following:

husband died,

Something about being in iraq

Etc. ALL of which will require shipping of the vehicle with payment, or half payment up front.

Anyways

/rant

I was 95% sure of as much.

Eh I'm just window shopping right now.

J

Mileage means nothing to me, but I use it for resale. Most people will prefer a low mileage car thinking it's been used less so it will be in better condition and last longer.

So I'm assuming from your statement that this isn't true, or not always true?

I was just stating my opinion. I have had several low mileage vehicles that were more problematic than high mileage vehicles. Remember, cars have moving parts and seals and gaskets everywhere. These parts are designed to move and to go through heat cycles andexpand and contract many many times throughout their lifetime. When you start letting your vehicle just sit around, what do you think is happening to these parts.

I'm still not convinced on big diesel trucks. The mileage doesn't offset the fuel cost difference. The performance potential is there, but the required funds and skills to pull it off is ridiculous. To be honest, I really don't need the capability of such a vehicle. I've got a co-worker with one, a f-250. He's not really mechanically inclined, but then some of the stuff that has gone out on his truck I don't think I try to take care of myself in the drive way. The ring gear gave out and had to have it replaced. Parts and labor scratched $2k. The truck had just over 100k miles and the only heavy towing he did was a 20ft boat twice a month during the summer months. He also had trouble when he had his fuel filter replaced. It wasn't done right and the thing leaked diesel on to the clutch. Although not his fault he did get the shop to pay for it all. Needless to say the shop was out about $3k in parts and labor. Unfortunately my co-worked had to go through this hassle which dragged on for a couple of weeks. We lived near each other so I was giving him rides hear and there. Heck even oil changes are nuts. 15qts of synthetic don't come cheap. These trucks are work horses meant to make money and be written off on business taxes. For the average joe these are endless money pits. Don't get drawn into the hype. A very small few might pull off owning one of these trucks on the cheap, but that is a rare rare occurrence. Good luck and keep us posted.

I can tell you right now the reason his ring gear failed was due to the towing of the boat, although indirectly, but you know when you back the trailer down the ramp and the rear axle is submerged in water, well, guess where water goes? And guess what 99% of people never check or change. . . That's right, rear gear lube, and brake fluid, and tranny fluid. . . You get the point. Granted diesels are aimed more for towing people, but don't let the one bad experience be your basis for judging. My uncle has an 87 F-250 diesel that has towed pretty much everything from horse trailers to his farm and heavy equipment and it has also been used out in the field all it's life and he had to do nothing more than change the fluids regularly. Granted, it's rusting to shit, but it gets abused just as well. One of the guys I work with also runs a diesel shop in Southern Indiana and I am pretty certain he would disagree with you as well.