O/T Chevy 1500 Pickups

Re: O/T Chevy 1500 Pickups

Glenn Madsen in the SF Bay area


>I bought a 'new style' 1999 in July of '99 (GMC Silverado 1500 3 door), and it's been a really nice vehicle.

After 246 miles, the transmission blew up, and it took the GMC dealer almost a month to replace it, but I drove a nice rental convertible at their expense until they got it done.

I hauled a cord of firewood to my dad's place today in that pickup, now with 153k miles on it. 180 miles round trip, and it's still a nice ride.

God loves a paid for truck...

Re: O/T Chevy 1500 Pickups

Bob Hutchins in central Texas


>Howdy Todd O!

I had a '97 Suburban 1500 which I think differed only in the body work. Don't know if any of the newer stuff is the same; however, FWIW, I had problems with alternators burning out (4 of them), and the AC compressor went within the first 3 years. For the first 8 months, I commuted from here in Bell County to Sugar Land (near Houston) every weekend. After that, I drove about 75 miles a day (highway commute with no significant start-stop driving like you'd do in a large city). GM made all this good but it was a PITA having the d@mn thing quit and leave you on the side of the road in a coat and tie on a Texas summer day then have to fool with the local dealership service department for 3 or 4 days to get it fixed. It was an excellent road trip vehicle. I got about 17 mpg commuting and 20+ on the road, depending on how much lead was in my shoes on any given day. I will not buy another Chevy based on that experience. By comparison, the Explorer that I drove for 4 years before the Suburban never failed me and never had anything done to it other than regular service (just like I have done on every vehicle I've owned since '58). I would buy another Ford based on that experience.

Not trying to start a Ford/Chevy debate. Might just as well argue Stanley vs Millers Falls or bevel-up vs bevel-down. Just answering your question from my experience.

BobH

Re: O/T Chevy 1500 Pickups

Victor P


>What does Consumers Reports Used Car Buyers Guide say? I haven't checked lately, but I'll bet it isn't the most dependable.

We (my company) sold both of our Chevy's the same day and bought new Dodge dielsels. These are/were all 3/4 ton crew trucks. The Dodge interiors are falling apart and they won't hold aliegnment, the brakes don't last, but boy that engine is nice. Could problems be the result of employees driving? Very likely.

Personally I'm on my second Toyota (Tacoma V6) the first Toyota a 1994 4 banger made it to 258,000 miles before I sold it to an optimist that was only commuting 180 miles RT to Port Arthur twice a week. I was just nervous about it stranding me in my shirt and tie somewhere in this horrid Texas heat. I used to haul all kinds of stuff in it. Had it overloaded many times. Even pulled a concrete pump with it a couple of times that must have outweighed the Toyota by a bunch.

The Toyota I have now uses a bit more gas (around 18.5 mpg), goes like a stripped @ssed ape and has been maintenamce free for about 120,000 miles now. Should be up for sell in October '07.

Victor

I'll second that!

Todd Hughes


>To me a Toyota would be the no brainer choice, I have had 3 and all were great trucks with very little trouble.I really feel you can't beat a Japanese vehicle , I put 225,000 miles on my old Honda with no trouble till 210 when had to put a radiator and alternator on. Have never put that many miles on a Toyota Truck but I am sure it would be no trouble.

One thing is that it is very hard to find a good second hand Toyota for sale because people hold on to them and they hold thier vaule. Think about how many you see on the road and then look in the paper and see only a few in there for sale. I was very lucky when I bought my old '88 4WD which only had 65,000 on it 3 years ago for $3,000 I thought......Todd

Re: Seems the same around here

Mike Hamilton


>Looking for a small pickup, ostensibly for my 16 year old son. Lots of S10/Sonoma, Ranger, Dakota listings in the 85,000 to 140,000 mile range. Absolutely no Tacomas with less than 250,000 miles under $7000 within 100 miles on the standard websites.

Regards,

Mike Hamilton

Plainfield, IN

3rd it!

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond, CA


>Got mine Toyota 4x4 new in 1992. No problems. Never has stranded me or let me down.

Re: Seems the same around here

Todd Hughes


>I was lucky when I got mine, saw the add for it in the Sunday paper, first day it had come out and I had the cash on hand. Drive over to Baltimore after the guy told me he could do a bit better then the $3,500 he was asking if I had the cash. Get there and I offered him the $3,000 , tells me he doesn't know as some other guy was there that morning and real interested but didn't have the cash. I took the green out of my pocket and showed it to him and went and got back in my car. He runs over and says OK he sell it. Go inside and do the paper work for about 10 min. Go back outside just as this car pulls out and this guy jumps out saying he got the $3,500 and hope the truck hasn't been sold! The truck seller looked like he swallowed a toad as my grandfather would have said. I thought about making a quick $500 but glad I didn't now......Todd