Buying Used Truck Pt. 2? Max mileage and red flags?

[Crippledsledge64]

Okay so many of you were pretty helpful in given me some direction into the brand and expectations for my first half ton here...http://www.rokslide.com/forums/general-discussion-forum/94172-hunting-truck.html

But I still have a few questions as i'm narrowing down my search. For most of you what would be the max mileage you'd considered in a well maintained used truck with a gas engine? 40k, 80k, 100k, whatever as long as it runs? Also what are some major red flags that cause you to walk away? A little rust okay or a deal breaker? Are accidents as long as no frame damage okay or rebuilt engine?

Still pretty new to looking at vehicles on my own and am looking at a half ton mostly to daily drive but also for hunting and light towing, currently looking at f150s, toyota tundras, and a few Nissans with gas engines with a current budget of 18k max but hopefully under.

As always thanks for the help.

 

[Elite7]

A rebuilt engine is a red flag for me. In my experience there are good trucks and bad trucks. It seems that the good ones never have any issues and the bad ones have problem after problem.

A little rust now equates to a lot rust fast unless fixed correctly

My automotive teachers always told me they would take a interstate driven vehicle with 150,000 and clean car report over low miled vehicles driven short distances or on rough roads. I would take the vehicle history into account when looking at mielage. I wouldn't want to buy my trucks after 150,000 miles on it. The gravel roads, mud, and cow manure do a pretty good job on aging everything.

Also make sure you don't buy the bad years of each model. A reputable dealer should be honest and tell you what years to avoid. I learned this the hard way with 2004 5.4 liter F150. The bad years are usually when they release all the new fancy motors and styles. I now try to buy the models a year or two before they made that switch. It does suck spending the money on a newer truck and then they release a new style within a couple years, but the old one should have all of the kinks and quirks worked out of it.

 

[Iron pig]

For gas vehicles, there are a lot off units out there with excess of 200k plus miles that are still good usable vehicles. I wouldn't be scared of buying one with over 100k, wouldn't really be looking for one over 150k though.

Toyota, you cant beat. The 2006 pre tundra's are nice, though a bit small, the 2007 post are nice, 5.7 engine is good, lots of power. Nissan Titan are nice, but mainly 5.5 'box, which is useless. (which i currently have, i would buy 2007 and older)

For Chev, you go 3/4 ton, the 6 L engines are good, trans are good, Have a work truck with 580K, never been touched. All highway miles.

For ford, the 5 L is a good engine, i would stay away from 5.4L too many VVT problems.

whatever you get, climb under it, look for leaks, rust, cleanliness etc, It will be pretty evident if the owner kept it clean and looked after it. Some rust is fine, Not a deal breaker, but if you have to start doing brake work, brake lines, Exhaust, it wont take long to eat up a few grand, better to hold off and find a good one. With the way people trade off vehicles now days, there are a lot of god ones out there.

If the door hing pins are loose, it rattles, steering is loose, etc, it was rode like a rented mule.

I am not a dodge fan, Except for the 12 Valve Cummins, which if you can find a good clean one for under $12K i would buy it, especially if you plan on pulling.

My $0.02 IP

 

[CorbLand]

I haven't bought a ton of used vehicles but I run by the 10000 mile per year rule. Basically, look for one that has about 10000 miles per year of the vehicle. Its more of a personal thing than a hard and fast rule. Take it to a tire shop and have them shake the front end down. Those can get pricey in a hurry. Find a hill, stop halfway up and start out at a good pace. This should tell you any transmission issues. Lock the brakes up at a good pace and let go of the steering wheel, it shouldnt wobble to much. Things like that are always good things to watch out for.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

My only problems with buying a used vehicle with 100,000 miles on it is the price difference between it and new doesn't make sense when the new is only $10,000 more. It takes 2 years of serious highway driving to get that mileage on a vehicle. No way I'm going 80% in on price for a vehicle that is way over average mileage by half it's age. Regardless of not being scared of that mileage. People get rich when they screw other people. And, most people simply do not understand financing and, their dirty tricks. So, the used vehicle market is as hot as a fire cracker right now. Buy carefully if you go through a dealer.



The biggest red flags I have on used vehicles is their appearance. If they have been bubba 'ed up, then I ain't buying. Big tires always means excessive wear and tear. If the under side of the hood has obviously had people in it working that didn't pay attention to details, I ain't buying. If things aren't tightened back up right, hose clamps are crooked, etc... and the vehicle has had a history of having motor work, I walk away. Just use your head. if it feels right then go for it. If it feels wrong, walk away. And, if the car salesman ask "What kind of payment you looking for?", kick him in the nuts and go to a different dealer.

 

[Crippledsledge64]

Thanks for the replies guys, I didn't think about checking out the smaller things like hose clamps and door pins. Also good to know that gas engines will make it over 200k and still be in good shape with the right maintenance. If I could afford new I would but my wife's condition on me getting a truck is that the current car payment won't increase. I'll be keeping my eye out for the right one.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Thanks for the replies guys, I didn't think about checking out the smaller things like hose clamps and door pins. Also good to know that gas engines will make it over 200k and still be in good shape with the right maintenance. If I could afford new I would but my wife's condition on me getting a truck is that the current car payment won't increase. I'll be keeping my eye out for the right one.

I've had good luck buying my trucks used. I bought an '85 4x4 Suburban with 75,000 miles and sold it still running good with 215,000+ miles on original engine and tranny.
I have a '97 Ram I bought with 48,000 miles on it and is still running great with 267,000+ miles on it. Still has original engine and tranny as well. There is a lot to be said for proper maintenance.

 

[bivouaclarry]

Acceptable milage is dependent on proof of maintenance. All the records for required maintenance included?

For any used vehicle I would pay for a Pre Purchase Inspection along with compression and leak down tests. It will be the best money you spend on a used vehicle. In most cases, a PPI will give you negotiating leverage because a good inspection will find things that need to be fixed.

 

[M-Wig]

A lot of good info above. If I was you instead of looking at multiple makes and models I would try to narrow it down to one, two max. It's hard to know the ins and outs of too many different vehicles.

To reinforce what was said above; avoid years where engines were introduced, they tend to take a year or two to work out the bugs. Also, I'm a guy who likes to do some modifications to my vehicle but they are a red flag when buying used.

Something I haven't seen mentioned, (may have missed it) look for signs of excess towing. I'm a diesel guy and know they're made to tow but I wouldn't buy a used diesel if it had a fifth wheel or gooseneck installed. I know it's far less common on a half ton but I worked with a guy that towed a travel trailer with his F150 all over the country. If you see holes in the bed where a hitch was removed or an aftermarket plug on the bumper just take that into account. It doesn't tell you it was used to tow often but it may have been.

Good luck on your search.

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[Copen1822]

I bought a used gmc 1/2 ton last year with 94000 on it. I looked for over a year before buying it. My best advice is that if you don't "need" the truck don't buy anything until you find one your completely comfortable with. Some of my buddies thought I was crazy for taking so long, when they decide they want a new vehicle they have something within a couple weeks. Take your time and find the truck you want, not the truck a salesman tells you you want or a truck you can "settle for".

Research the specific model and year for any common issues prior to looking at a truck so you know what to look for and can ask the right questions to the seller.

I also agree with not buying anything that has been "bro' d out". Stay away from lifts, levels, big tires, aftermarket stereos, loud pipes, etc. If you want that stuff you can do it after it's yours. I would also try to go through private sale vs a dealer, you will pay at least a couple grand more from a dealer.
I would put more emphasis on the number of owners the truck has had and the overall condition than the mileage. I'd rather have a one owner well cared for truck with 150000 than a passed around bubba' d truck with 100000.

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[Whitetaildown215]

As far as Toyota they are rock solid, with that said I have a customer with one and he has a love hate relationship with his tundra. Loves the power and room but with the 5.7 gets horrible gas mileage. Says it's to light for the amount of horsepower he has. He's a truck driver and babys everything he drives. Even though he babies it he cant help but spin the tires due to weight and hp. Maybe something to think about.

 

[mtmuley]

I've had good luck buying government rigs. More colors than green these days. Just don't buy a warden truck. mtmuley

 

[wind gypsy]

If you know anyone who works for a company with a bunch of nice fleet vehicles it's worth asking what happens to them. I work for a contractor and we get new company pickups when they hit 70k. I used to feel bad for anyone who ended up with my old trucks. They would be 2 years old with 70k and most of it was on gravel with a ton of off roading. Now days I spend most of my time in an office and pile on 45k highway miles a year. I'm thinking I'll try to buy my current f150 that I've had since new- dealer sticker price was $45k, it will be less than 2 years old, 70k miles, and I'm hoping to get it for $20k.

 

[Gr8bawana]

You might look at lease return trucks since they are usually serviced by the dealer who sold it and probably have all service records.

 

[Crippledsledge64]

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice. I've narrowed it down to a f150 with ecoboost and am looking now. I currently have two in my price range, one with 126k and another with 148k and we'll see if the wife likes either. Couldn't find any decent government rigs for my price but i'll be keeping an eye on those too. Thanks