Chevy S-10 a decent truck???

Docsknotinn · Sep 10, 2003

Re: Test driving impressions

The Dodge seems like a clear winner on the financial scale. Add the 0% financeing and youve got a real bargain. Heres another little trick that might save you $$$ on a Dodge. Call several dealers and tell the sales person what you are looking for. Then tell them you neighbor has offered you the friends and family discount but he's out of town and you want to buy this week. Some one will have that discount number available and pass it on to you. Thats 1% below dealer invoice. Review your financial options closely. If their are rebates you will likely be better off with that and paying low interest Vs the 0% offer. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Dave

Gary_in_Indiana · Sep 10, 2003

darnit, a man deserves a truck! 

Wow, I must be a manly man, then. I have dozens from S-10's to Peterbilts. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I feel better now. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Pete, one unsaid advantage of a full size truck...

More Golden Retrievers can ride along with you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Golfgar4 · Sep 10, 2003

( And lastly, darnit, a man deserves a truck!
)

Pete,

There have been a number of really good arguments for just about every one of the trucks you've mentioned. They all have their advantages.

But unless I missed it, no one has mentioned one of the most often offered piece of advice here on TBN.

Get the largest truck (tractor) that you can afford!

I know, I know...there are different considerations for a truck compared to a tractor. But I think the basic reasoning is still sound. If you buy the smaller truck, whether in actual size, or engine size, or whatever, you'll probably find yourself at some point wishing you'd bought the larger truck.

Just some more food for thought for you! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RobertN · Sep 10, 2003

351C is a good engine. Aren't they still made in Australia? For a Ford though, it's hard to beat a dual qaud 427 side oiler!

For a great engine, you gotta look a different direction...

The 426 Hemi is what all big blocks past and present are compared to, for good reason. The 440 6-packs we're excellent runners too!

And, you can not dismiss the Mopar LA engines. Multiple magazine test have been done, with the LA motors making more power, cheaper, than a Chevy small block. This discounts chrome; only internal type go fast items.

Chevy made a zillion small blocks. But, the Ford and Mopar small blocks can hold thier own!

Anyone seen Vanishing Point lately? Did you know, they crash a Camaro at the end, instead of wasting a fine Mopar? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Oh, I had an '86 S10. The 2.8 was wimpy, but it was a solid truck.

bgott · Sep 11, 2003

I had a new S-10 in '97, 4.3 V-6, 5 spd, 2WD regular cab. I had it 11,000 miles and traded it for my Dodge Ram. Nothing wrong with the S- 10 other than it being too small. As far as driving it was like an MG with a bed.

Egon · Sep 11, 2003

Pete:

Trucks is handy.

Egon

fivestring · Sep 11, 2003

Re: Test driving impressions

Pete, watch that 3.9 in the Dodge. I have two friends with that setup and they hate it. If they had it to do over, they would have gotten the V8 (although it is small, too... 318 C.I.). One pulls a pop-up camper and in the NC mountains, it works hard climbing those hills.

fractal · Sep 22, 2003

I bought an 89 s10 about 8 years ago for 5k. sold it last year for 1500. It had 89k on it when I bought it and 96k on it when I sold it. Needless to say, I did not drive it alot. It was what it called a "weekender". I used when I needed plywood at the box store. I used it when I had stuff to go to the county yard. I drove it to work every couple of months just to remind it that it had a motor. The only service I performed on it was to change the oil every couple of years (yeah, I am bad).

I upgraded to a F350 crew cab earlier this year. Partially because I wanted more cargo room. Mostly because I wanted a place for 3 kids to sit. Kinda in the back of my mind was a chance that I would want to go camping. My main complaint is THE SUCKA IS BIG! The s10 drove and parked like a car. I have to park in the back 40 with the f350 since it is longer than most spaces and won't fit between the lines.

The S10 is was a good truck. Empahsis on TRUCK. The radio was busted when I bought it and when I sold it. It blew cold air in the vents in the winter even when closed. The U-joints were shot when I bought it were still shot when I sold it. It kept on running. It drove like a truck, pulled like a truck and rode like a truck.

Given that you are not going to be driving it often, only when you need its cargo capacity, I join the others who suggest you consider a second hand full size truck. Fuel economy is not a whole lot worse, but if you are ever in a case where you are volume limited instead of weight limited, a full size truck may have some advantages.

Before I bought this last truck which is 4x4, I would have given you the standard speal of how a 4x4 costs 2x the cost of a 4x2 over the life of the vehicle due to increased insurance, maintence and decreased milage. Now that I own a 4x4 and have removed 4 fruit trees in one afternoon simply by trimming the branches into the truck, attaching a chain and driving slowly away, I can say that 4x4 is a necessary feature on a "ranch truck". I did slip on the first tree till I noticed that I had not locked the front rotors. Once locked, the truck simply drove away with the tree behind it.

I don't know you or your priorities, but seems to me that if you need a ranch truck, you might get more value for your money if you looked at a used full size truck. Won't be as purdy, and may not have as many "nice features" as a new tonka truck, but the money you save will buy a heck of a lot of petrol.

Oh, and not to start a brand war, but your list never included the best selling vehicle in america for some reason. Do you have some aversion to ford? The f150 has been the best selling vehicle in america for untold years in a row.

KenNTx · Sep 22, 2003

I love my S10's (2), and i am a Ford tractor man!!

Tonester · Sep 23, 2003

Just bought a used '98 F250 4X4 for 6700.00 never plowed, AC, Reese hitch, heavy shocks, big **** tires - the works. Figure at 60K miles it's still got some life in it....

Now that's a farm truck, even has that gen-u-ine faded ford red paint...and holy cow it's a powerful beast...

I'll put that 30k I saved in the gas tank!! Go for a bigger truck, you'll be happy you did...

had to put in my usual $0.02 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif