Lookin to get a beater truck... advice please

Full Lock · 09-21-2013, 06:33 PM

Ok I'm looking to get winter beater. I found 2 trucks that I'm interested in. Both are about the same price and are in the same condition. I don't have a whole lot of cash to work with so they are kinda old (I know) and high mileage. I just need some opinions and hoping some of yall have some experience with each model and can provide some input.

1999 Silverado Z71 5.3L with 177k on it

2000 S10 ZR2 4.3L with 127k on it

Angrybird 12 · 09-21-2013, 06:39 PM

Check Craig's list for your area, I found a 96 S10 with only 63,000 miles on it pretty cheap. I have had it since April, So far it's been a good little truck.

canecorso69 · 09-21-2013, 07:34 PM

I like both of them. I dont have much to add other than I am looking for a beater truck myself. Did you find these on CL or your local paper. Those in my area would go for ~ 4-5k; maybe a bit more if there was documented maintenance done recently.

shank0668 · 09-21-2013, 11:24 PM

Out of the two I would go for the 1500. Never been a fan of the S10 platform. Do you absolutely need a truck? Or just 4 wheel drive?

45thCamaro · 09-21-2013, 11:38 PM

Do you often have people in the back seat?
Is gas mileage important to you?
Would have have any issues with less power?
Both cars are high mileage, but the silverado has 50k. I'm leaning towards the s10 because of the mileage. If the silverado had 10-15 more, no brainer.

IMPERIALBLUE2SS · 09-22-2013, 06:11 AM

Get the Silverado , 4x4 S10's while great when they're new tend to have a lot of suspension problems as they age. I work as a ASE master tech at a vehicle repair chain. Routinely see silverados with 300k+ coming in purring like a kitten. 4.3's are usually ragged out at anything approaching 200k.

PHXLT1 · 09-22-2013, 02:32 PM

I own a 99 blazer with 207k on the clock and it still purrs. Gets great gas milage and the ac still works. Asure,it leaks a little oil and a dent here and there but still runs good. Either one should be ok so long as they were well maintained.

45thCamaro · 09-23-2013, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHXLT1

I own a 99 blazer with 207k on the clock and it still purrs. Gets great gas milage and the ac still works. Asure,it leaks a little oil and a dent here and there but still runs good. Either one should be ok so long as they were well maintained.

This is the perfect DD. I REALLY wish they would bring the blazer back. Perfect size, nice little truck.

LStick · 09-23-2013, 07:22 AM

I'd go for the full-size V-8. I've owned several of both and put plenty of miles on all of em.

The V-8s last, whereas the V-6s I've had became noisy just over 100k miles. The V-6s also are more sketchy with Dexcool issues.

And after you're done with the full size , some scrapper will still want it. The S-10? Not so much.

Full Lock · 09-23-2013, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canecorso69

I like both of them. I dont have much to add other than I am looking for a beater truck myself. Did you find these on CL or your local paper. Those in my area would go for ~ 4-5k; maybe a bit more if there was documented maintenance done recently.

Here's the link to the Silverado,
http://www.kentcountymotors.com/

I actually just got offered my dads 03 sierra ECSB while it only has the 4.8L with118k on the clock, its in pretty good condition.... And ya can beat free. So I'm going to use the purchase$ for small lift, wheels, tires, stereo and tune up ext...
I'm getting ready to move out to Colorado for a few months and need a truck for winter and to haul some things and in the spring tow my boat. Unless I really like it out there and iI'll be towing the 1LE back out there.

NASTY99Z28 · 09-23-2013, 08:09 PM

There's only 20hp difference between the 4.8 and 5.3 so it's not huge. The biggest thing is the gearing your truck has when pulling. My buddy just picked up a 04 Tahoe with 140,000 mikes with a 4.8 and it runs like champ doesn't leak and makes ZERO NOISE. Plus if it pops the motor it's almost cheaper then a 4.3 plus you could drop in a 6.0 with no problems at all for some more pulling power.

Full Lock · 09-24-2013, 02:04 AM

sweet yeah, if it ever pops it'll definatly be getting a newer 5.3 or maybe even a 6.0

after a quick search it looks like GM upped the power in 2000, 2003 and then again in 2005.
the 2003 LR4 4.8 is rated 270hp/285tq and the 1999 LM7 5.3 is 270hp/315tq so the HP differences are actually closer than I thought. 30tq is abit more than I though but nothing that can't be made up with a couple bolt ons. (don't hold me to the HP/TQ figures cause they are kinda all over the place depending on year, engine code, ect....

)
it already has a pretty good sounding MBRP duel catback on it. little intake and a tuner should be a nice gain for a beater rig. but with stock HP/TQ is rated to tow 7300lbs so that'll be plenty to pull the 1le.
I never thought I'd be so excited about a GM truck ha. I got a leveling kit, bilstein 5100s, black wheels, 33" tires, head unit, speakers/tweeters, and a under rear seat sub box on the way for it so should be pretty fun.

big hammer · 09-25-2013, 11:02 AM

you won't find a cheaper truck to drive than a 2wd TBI chevy 1\2 ton.

09-21-2013, 06:33 PM	#1
Full Lock Evasive Maneuvers Drives: SIM '15 1SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: PA Posts: 234	Lookin to get a beater truck... advice please Ok I'm looking to get winter beater. I found 2 trucks that I'm interested in. Both are about the same price and are in the same condition. I don't have a whole lot of cash to work with so they are kinda old (I know) and high mileage. I just need some opinions and hoping some of yall have some experience with each model and can provide some input. 1999 Silverado Z71 5.3L with 177k on it 2000 S10 ZR2 4.3L with 127k on it

09-21-2013, 06:39 PM	#2
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,546	Check Craig's list for your area, I found a 96 S10 with only 63,000 miles on it pretty cheap. I have had it since April, So far it's been a good little truck. __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

09-21-2013, 07:34 PM	#3
canecorso69 run ur car not ur mouth Drives: 2013 1LE Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Middletown, DE; Mayfield, NY Posts: 1,220	I like both of them. I dont have much to add other than I am looking for a beater truck myself. Did you find these on CL or your local paper. Those in my area would go for ~ 4-5k; maybe a bit more if there was documented maintenance done recently. __________________ TSP headers, cat delete, x-pipe, atak, RPM custom cam and tune, Phfadt 1.25 springs, 15" Carlyle conversion, Nitrous Outlet, Procharger F1A-94, Meth inj

09-22-2013, 02:32 PM	#7
PHXLT1 Drives: black Z28 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: el mirage Posts: 1,323	I own a 99 blazer with 207k on the clock and it still purrs. Gets great gas milage and the ac still works. Asure,it leaks a little oil and a dent here and there but still runs good. Either one should be ok so long as they were well maintained. __________________ My family 1994 Z28 (mine) 2015 Camaro (wife's) 2015 Silverado (mine!) 54 Belair (wife's) 2004 silverado (daughters)

09-23-2013, 08:09 PM	#11
NASTY99Z28 Drives: 99z28 with bolt-ons and a mwc fab 9 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 1,277	There's only 20hp difference between the 4.8 and 5.3 so it's not huge. The biggest thing is the gearing your truck has when pulling. My buddy just picked up a 04 Tahoe with 140,000 mikes with a 4.8 and it runs like champ doesn't leak and makes ZERO NOISE. Plus if it pops the motor it's almost cheaper then a 4.3 plus you could drop in a 6.0 with no problems at all for some more pulling power. __________________ I like my woman like my milk shakes, THICK!!!!

09-21-2013, 11:24 PM	#4
shank0668 Drives: '14 LML/'06 LJ/'76 Trans Am Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,438 View My Garage	Out of the two I would go for the 1500. Never been a fan of the S10 platform. Do you absolutely need a truck? Or just 4 wheel drive?

09-21-2013, 11:38 PM	#5
45thCamaro Drives: 2012 Camaro 45th Anniversary RS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: New York Posts: 2,421	Do you often have people in the back seat? Is gas mileage important to you? Would have have any issues with less power? Both cars are high mileage, but the silverado has 50k. I'm leaning towards the s10 because of the mileage. If the silverado had 10-15 more, no brainer.

09-22-2013, 06:11 AM	#6
IMPERIALBLUE2SS Drives: 2010 imperial blue LS3 M6 2SSRS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Virginia beach Virginia Posts: 210	Get the Silverado , 4x4 S10's while great when they're new tend to have a lot of suspension problems as they age. I work as a ASE master tech at a vehicle repair chain. Routinely see silverados with 300k+ coming in purring like a kitten. 4.3's are usually ragged out at anything approaching 200k.

09-23-2013, 07:22 AM	#9
LStick Drives: 2021 Shadow Gray 1LS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Streetsboro Ohio Posts: 1,370	I'd go for the full-size V-8. I've owned several of both and put plenty of miles on all of em. The V-8s last, whereas the V-6s I've had became noisy just over 100k miles. The V-6s also are more sketchy with Dexcool issues. And after you're done with the full size , some scrapper will still want it. The S-10? Not so much.

09-24-2013, 02:04 AM	#12
Full Lock Evasive Maneuvers Drives: SIM '15 1SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: PA Posts: 234	sweet yeah, if it ever pops it'll definatly be getting a newer 5.3 or maybe even a 6.0 after a quick search it looks like GM upped the power in 2000, 2003 and then again in 2005. the 2003 LR4 4.8 is rated 270hp/285tq and the 1999 LM7 5.3 is 270hp/315tq so the HP differences are actually closer than I thought. 30tq is abit more than I though but nothing that can't be made up with a couple bolt ons. (don't hold me to the HP/TQ figures cause they are kinda all over the place depending on year, engine code, ect.... ) it already has a pretty good sounding MBRP duel catback on it. little intake and a tuner should be a nice gain for a beater rig. but with stock HP/TQ is rated to tow 7300lbs so that'll be plenty to pull the 1le. I never thought I'd be so excited about a GM truck ha. I got a leveling kit, bilstein 5100s, black wheels, 33" tires, head unit, speakers/tweeters, and a under rear seat sub box on the way for it so should be pretty fun. Last edited by Full Lock; 09-24-2013 at 02:43 AM.

09-25-2013, 11:02 AM	#13
big hammer Drives: 2002 ws6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: manitoba Posts: 1,202	you won't find a cheaper truck to drive than a 2wd TBI chevy 1\2 ton. __________________ Bolt on 2002 ls1 Trans am--- 11.5 @ 121 (1.72) 2000 da