Should I buy an s10 with 170k miles?

nathanr03

I'm sixteen and looking to by my first car with around 5k. I have my heart set on a pickup truck and preferably something from general motors. I found an 03 s10 on craigslist with the crew cab and 4x4 and 167k miles for 4k. It's a 6 cylinder and the ad claims that everything is in excellent condition. I'd like to buy something that'll last at least another 100k miles. Is this truck worth considering and does anyone know how many miles s10s normally last? Also there seems to be a lot of Silverados/Sierras with somewhere in the range of 200k-230k miles (most of them extended cab with the z71 package). Would any of those be worth considering. I know I have a lot to say but thanks in advanced for trying to help me out for those who do.

nyccarguy

Absolutely not. Take your $5K, put in in the bank. Lease yourself a Tacoma SR for 2 years. Have mom & dad co-sign the lease. Use that $5K you have to make payments.

stickguy

I would risk an S10 before I would go with a miled up Silverado. But don't expect something at that age/miles to go another 100K without putting a ton of money into it. Plus, it will really help if you can DIY most things (yourself or family help).

$4k sounds a bit high for that, but I know that PUs tend to run high.

oldfarmer50

That’s a lot of miles for any vehicle. Even if the power train is in good shape that truck could end up nickel and diming you to death. You didn’t say how much they were asking, I hope not $5k. $3k or less if it’s perfect.

If you’re not an experienced mechanic have someone who is check it out first. Better to waste $100 finding out it’s junk than spending a whole lot more to find out for yourself.

qbrozen

"budget" and "heart set on" seldomly intertwine.
Where do you live and does it need 4wd?
Does it need a back seat?

mrwhipple311

I am looking at a 171k mile S10 out my window right now.

Interior plastics are horrible, you will learn how to do window regulators pretty quickly. If you are in the rust belt it is probably rusted out on the bottom.

Any transmission I have replaced has been around 175k miles

These trucks are durable and if well maintained can go a long time. If rust free and you can handle the fisher price interior might be a good as anything. Parts availability is still pretty good. In that price range anything is a roll of the dice.

nathanr03

Thanks for all of your advice. I live in southwest Virginia, once or twice every winter we get a snowfall that is impossible to drive in without four wheel drive, but the only reason I'd need to drive around in the snow would be for work. It's not like I've been seeking out trucks with four wheel drive. As for a back seat, I don't necessarily need one. I have two brothers and I suspect my parents will make me haul them around a little bit but as long as it has three seats, like a front bench seat or those small little back seats like they used to have in the extended cab s10s, or whatever it may be I don't care. Also there's a few ads for single cab short bed silverados with 150k-170k miles in the same price range. Would that maybe be a safer bet?

qbrozen

Definitely a tall order. I’d try to find the lowest mileage unit you can. I did a quick search and hit on 3.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/240188480

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/270337897

This last one is a stretch, if you can secure the funds or get a small loan, but it is a far far better vehicle with better reliability, build quality, and resale value.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/266856431

qbrozen

Alternatively, spend more wisely. Here is cheap, reliable, and useful:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/267608832

Or, since you are a GM guy, how about this:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/267625660

nathanr03

Thank you all so much. Sorry if this was a burden to any of you. I'll let you all know what I go with! I might be back in the future with more questions.

stickguy

check the frame carefully on the Tundra for rust. If that lived in the salt belt if could be bad.

stickguy

that Mazda 3 looks like a good deal actually. But pretty far from a PU truck!

qbrozen

Any of these older pickups are potential rust pits, so definitely tread lightly. A few months ago, I looked at a low mileage Ram and was surprised to see no rust on the bed. I reached under and found they had very poorly patched it up. Lipstick on a pig. Ugh.