I am thinking of getting a truck so I have a method to haul wood; the Buick is a bit limited in that category. I have managed to save a few pennies and I am looking to get one direct pay; which means it will have to be an older truck. I don't want a small truck like a S-10 or Ranger; I want something I guess would be a mid-size truck. One of my concerns with buying an older truck with mileage is that the transmission may be at the point of needing replacement. I am guessing a '99 or 2000 model is about what I would be able to afford in a truck if I can get a good deal. My Buick is a 98 and I did have to replace the transmission on it; I haven't done any major engine work on the Buick yet. I can't drive a stick; I could learn but not sure I really want to learn mainly due to the hills around here and having to do the hill holding; I never could get the hang of hill holding on a stick when I was trying to learn and would usually kill the engine etc. I have also thought about just getting a banger truck and not worrying so much about the looks; I just want something to haul wood, mulch, fertiliser etc. So what are the recommendations on getting an older truck?
Well down your way rust should not be a big problem- Right now is about the worst time to buy a used vehicle, mostly because of the pandemic and a fairly low inventory of used units. Prices are up across the board by 15-30%. I would not look at 1/2 tons, 3/4 or 1 ton would fit your use better. Do not know what Buick you have but my suggestion would be a trailer. Eliminates Insurance, registration ( mostly anyway) and maintenance is very little. You can get a very nice 6ft x 10ft trailer for under $2000. The 99 series ford F150 had basicly 2 trany options in Auto. the smaller tranny is one to stay away from as at apx 100k miles it will fail due to poor lubrication of the tail shaft bearing and no good way to correct that ( that is a quote from trany shop when mine went south at apx 130k) ( 2k repair) . In that time period Variable timing, timing chain system failures were/are a problem across all makes. Chevy & GMC 1/2 tons of that period liked to break the frame just under the fire wall. Do not have much info on Dodge. Gas units are a lot less spendy maintenance wise than diesels.
Yes, used truck pieces are crazy high now. I think you have a LeSabre, or one of those bigger Buicks that has the 3.8 v6. I agree on the trailer, your Buick should be able to haul a 4x8 trailer with a decent hitch. How much wood do you burn a year? If it's not a lot in comparison to others, you could easily get away with less capability.
Make me an offer!! Just put out front with a For Sale Sign on Sunday...She has some rust, a tranny leak and some other minor issues.
I'm on board with the trailer being the path of least resistance. You already have a decent driving vehicle, you're just looking to haul wood more efficiently. The Buick should do just fine with a small trailer. I used to tow my dirt bike and an ATV on a 4' x 8' trailer with my old 2005 Chevy Cavalier and it did just fine. Be mindful of braking is about it, give yourself plenty of time to slow down. You'll need to mount a hitch and splice into the tail wiring but there's no voodoo involved there. The problem I've had with 20 year old trucks especially is that you end up inheriting someone else's problems. You don't know if they plowed with it and the drivetrain is on its way out, the suspension, ball joints and steering could be clapped out, exhaust about to fall off, any number of things. Of course if you come across one of those rare gems with low miles that was owned by an elderly person, well maintained with service records etc. then its another story. Used vehicles can be a real crapshoot and its hard to part ways with a decent running car and take a gamble that the new truck will live up to your expectations as both a workhorse and daily driver.
Rust is also a major issue with used trucks, at least in MA. I got a S10 from a town auction. Old DPW runaround truck. It only had 60,000 miles and was a model year 2000. Only paid $300. This was about 5 years ago. Anyways, Even though it sat for about 10 years and wasn’t used the frame was pretty bad. Not from road salt, but from sitting in a moist field. Had to replace a large portion of the frame, as well as a bunch of other parts. Brake lines, spring shackles, struts, axle housing cover, etc. Point is I Did the work myself and just parts were still a few hundred bucks. Used trucks can be money pits especially if you pay others to do the work. I do miss the little S10 though. Finally got it to the reliable daily driver stage and ended up getting my Frontier.
Best little truck I ever had was my 2000 s10 stepside. 230k on the clock and still going. The clown that ended up with it packed it with an amp and huge speakers, installed it all himself and the truck caught on fire as he was driving down the road. He got out in time but the fire destroyed everything.
I really enjoyed the ninth gen F series Fords. They had great looks with their square hoods and great engine choices. Hard to believe they stopped making them 23 years ago. I’m really not a fan of the 98-early 2000’s models. I wish I could transport my 93’ F150 with the 4.9 inline six 300 and 5 speed tranny to 2020. Lots of memories with that truck.
It is a Buick LeSabre, 98. It does have a receiver and I have an adapter (got it so I could use one of the HF carriers) but it is only a class A hitch.
I’ll bet a lot of people feel that way. New vehicles are overpriced pieces of chit. Far too many electronics that make the vehicle less reliable and more difficult to repair. I’d be willing to bet if a manufacturer were to make a simple easy to repair no frills vehicle they would do quite well. Then again most people care more about gps and bunn warmers than reliability for the long haul.
I may should wait before getting a truck then; I can save up a bit more. I was thinking of a trailer for the tractor anyway so I guess I could get one that would be highway suitable and it can do dual purpose.
Already done including the light hook up. I just didn't know if the Buick was capable of hauling much of a load.
I will second this.....I still have an 89 F150 for my wood and mulch truck. The 4.9's are like the Energizer Bunny. I looked for another clean one before I bought my 99 from Carolina.
Sounds like you're already in a good spot then. I doubt you'll have any trouble with a small trailer, especially since you already replaced the transmission. Load it up accordingly and it'll be a decent setup for you that won't break the bank.
