My next vehicle search... could use some advice

[RazorbackH3]

Hey guys, (Sorry for the long read...)

I'm probably not going to keep the Bimmer much longer... (Having way too many problems and can't afford to keep up with/fix them...) Upper Intake Manifold is junk ($2000 fix alone), A/C is not working, Defroster is going on the fritz, electrical problem with the turn signals, sometimes won't start on the first try, plus a grinding sound coming from the passenger front when I turn the wheel to the right going below 20 mph...

Soo I'm planning on getting rid of it and getting into something else, more than likely a truck... (Wish I could do another Hummer but the one's in my price range are pretty much trashed/tapped out...)

The advice I was needing was on Reliability/Experience information with the V8 Engines and Transmissions in the current trucks I'm looking at and the typical lifespan that you guys have experience with them... Right now I've got 3 that I'm looking at, 2 F150's and 1 Chevy Avalanche...

The 1st F150 is a 2008 4x4 XLT extended cab with newer A/T tires and 1 owner... but has 200,000 miles on the clock for $7900.00, Has the 5.4l Triton, Seems to have been decently cared for and has had regular oil changes every 3000 miles since new, plus has been local (within 30 miles) it's entire life... From what I've seen, the body/Interior were in good shape for the mileage... couldn't hear it run since it is Sunday and the dealership was closed... But do these engines/trannys go terribly bad at that mileage or do they still seem to do good... I know if you maintain something it'll last "forever" but problems can still show up (Only experience I've had with the 5.4l was with my mom's old 2002 F150 that she owned since new, traded in to get my dad a 2010 F150, the 2002 had 178,000 miles when sold and the only issue was a sound coming from the Driver's front axle-ish area... Wheel Cylinder if I remember right)

The next F150 is a 2004 Supercrew FX4 5.4l with 145,000 miles on it for $9900.00, Looks pretty good, will hopefully get a closer look on Tuesday of this week to see but how is the reliability for this model year? Do the Tranny/Engine/Transfer Case run into major issues? Other than the Spark Plug fiasco...

The final vehicle, which I'll be hopefully looking at on Tuesday is a 2003 Chevy Avalanche Z71 with 128,000 miles on it for $7900.00... How is the reliability on that model year engine and trans? I figure that it's pretty much the same combo that's in the Alphas but older... Do the older 5.3's and 4 speed autos have a lot of issues? I know there were issues with the body cladding fading kind of like how the cladding fades on the H3's...

Not trying to start any brand wars because I'm fine with either Ford or GM... I just want to make sure that I'm getting something that will last longer than 7000 miles... (Total miles I've gotten out of this BMW so far...), I know trucks are meant to last but don't want to chase problems every 1000 miles...

Thanks guys... sorry for the long post, just looking for advice.

 

[skeptic]

As soon as I got to "truck" my first thought was Avalanche. You're probably better off googling or checking Avalanche forums, but this may help: http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/avalanche/2003/consumer-reviews/

 

[alrock]

If you're going to buy a 6-13 year old vehicle, you better set aside some money for maintenance. I realize your BMW may have some issues now, but you should expect at least wear and tear issues on each of the vehicles you listed.

 

[RazorbackH3]

Thanks Alrock/skeptic, yeah I figure there'll be some issues, (Slight rusting, thanks Michigan winter) what you get when you're a broke college student who needs a truck and is on a tight budget... haha, I'm just wondering about long term driveability/dependability between the 5.3l and the 5.4l... I just want to make sure that whichever vehicle/engine I end up with will last me more than the almost 1 year I've gotten out of the BMW. Probably will keep whatever vehicle I end up with for many years until I can actually afford something newer.

 

[08H3]

I have a 2003 4.8L and it has been a great engine. I've replaced the oil sending unit and a knock sensor. That is the sum total of engine maintenance in 100,000 miles.

 

[CaseyS]

I would never buy a used vehicle from up north. NEVER. Especially one 13 years old.

Extend your search to some large cities in the south. Spend the $400 you would put into rust repair and get a one way ticket, pick your two or three top choices, look at them all and make a purchase and drive it back home.

You can do much better than those deals listed IMO.

 

[CaseyS]

Also if I were a college student and needed a truck I'd be looking for a Tacoma or a mid size truck that made a little better mileage.

Local examples

http://easttexas.craigslist.org/ctd/5773914931.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5729636890.html

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5773196328.html

At the upper end if your price range, but still.

 

[GreatDaneHummer]

Depending on how tall you are Casey's suggestion on the Tacoma would be my choice also. The current model years I do not fit into at 6ft 3inch. The engines on most years are pretty bullet proof in my opinion.

 

[RazorbackH3]

Thanks guys, Tacoma would be awesome but I did end up finding a fairly nice truck not too far from home, no body rust, undercoated frame, bed cover. It's a 2007 Chevy Silverado 1500 Work truck, Birch Silver, extended cab, very little in the way of electronics that could go wrong, and has 18" wheels off of a 2015 Silverado Z71... (does have a touch screen radio also). It's got the 4.8l V8 with 80,500 miles on it. Going to trade my BMW in for it and pick it up tomorrow... (Got what I was going to get out of it if I tried to sell it privately) Total cost is $11,600.00 without taking the trade value off.

It's 2wd, which I know some won't like but I've got a vision for this truck that I've wanted to do with one for a while... It's gunna be called "The Shop Truck", I plan on an intake, tuner, and muffler swap to get a bit more oomph out of the engine, Paint the Chevy Bow ties on the front and back black and get color match bedliner for the bed... then later get a DJM Suspension 2 inch front and 4 inch rear drop (Just enough to look sexy but also keep the utility and ability to get out of places without scrapping) and end the build with a set of black 20's on high performance all season tires... keeping the stock wheels and putting winter tires on em'. Will try to get some pictures up tomorrow and start another build thread for it as well.

Thank you again guys for the help and replies... Now it's on to another Mod Money Pit.

 

[Bigunit]

Congrats!