High mileage truck

[pmurph]

I'm really thinking about buying a 97 LT 4dr, 5.7. The truck has 242k miles on it though! :eek2: What do you guys think? It looks really clean and the owner claims it's been taken care of and runs like new. He also claims there is a new pitman arm and idler arm. What should I look for and am I just asking for trouble buying this truck?


Thanks.

And yes, I've been searching and reading. I'm not new to forums, just decided to post to get some insight. I'm a first time car-buyer and very mechanically savvy.

 

[bsamoul]

I would bring it to a shop and ask them to take a look at it and see if they find any issues with it. Also if it's an original engine and tranny

 

[NYrr496]

I have 226,000 on mine. Original engine, but not trans. If it runs nice and looks nice, it's probably fine, but remember... It's a used truck with lots of mileage on it. Something WILL give up the ghost. You just gotta go in knowing.

 

[pmurph]

thanks for the reply guys.

I know if I go into this, it's going to have problems. That's inevitable. I just want basic reliablility. I'm sick of fixing my car and want a daily driver for around town, and a couple road trips. I know the trucks can go a long time, so I'm just trying to determine if 240k is too much to even gamble with.

 

[treepete]

whats the price, if I may ask.

 

[pmurph]

$3695 for the one with 242k.

I found another with 174k for $4200 though. I'm going to go look at that one today. Honestly though, I'm not trying to get into a whole lot. Does anyone feel like these trucks are money pits? I really like them.

Thanks

 

[79powerwagon]

I don't know where you are located, but this is the truck for you!

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/1046433446.html

 

[pmurph]

lol if that wasn't hideous I would check it out more. But it's a little far and very ugly to me. Both of these ones I found are black and I like that.

 

[79powerwagon]

Nothing a quick Maaco can't fix! Good price, and decent truck (despite the paint)...

 

[sasquatch094]

i like that color combo, but the scratch marks or whatever the hell they are, no thank you.. dude dont buy that one with 250thous on it for 4 grand!.. thats nuts.. youd be putting in alot more money into then if you found one with less miles say for 5 grand.. idk.. whatever.

 

[DJTricky]

man 242k is almost to its break-in point lol

 

[TahoeGoBoom]

that seems like very high mileage for the price. i paid 4200 out the door for my 99 with 105k miles..

 

[sasquatch094]

yea talk about break-in point. lol.. im not saying these trucks are sh*tty by any means. but i think you could find a better truck for the money.. keep your eyes out, something will come buy.

 

[XLDENALIXL]

yea mann hes rite dont buy it!! even if its a nice trucdk, 1500- 2500 TOPSS for that many miles

 

[Beef]

Anything you consider buying over 200k I would get a compression and leak down test...

 

[txredneckmedic]

I just bought one at a sheriffs auction with 256k on it for 2900....4x4 leather LT model ect. I couldnt be happier. I put some money into fixing some stuff and she runs great. This past weekend took my old horse to its new home in a old heavy trailer. 1200lbs horse and probably a 3k trailer and i couldnt even tell they were back there.