When buying a heavy beasty pickup, are you more concerned about it's age or it's mileage?Would you prefer a 95 with 75,000 miles over a 2004 with 130,000?Useful life for gas vs. diesel? For me useful life means it has no more than the occasional problem crop up and things are not falling off when I touch them (like in my old Honda). It means I don't have to think about my vehicle too much besides getting the routine maintenance and listening for things that go bump. I'm ok with checking fluids once a day - but don't mant to have to add oil frequently or pour water in the radiator or things like that.How much would you sacrifice to get a diesel over a gas engine?

Unless you are towing a house gas is fine as far as power. Diesel's can rack up twice the mileage if cared for...but you give up some payload because the engine is heavier. So assuming both have been well maintained a gasser with 75000 and a diesel with 130K are pretty comparable. For me 25K is the most miles I'm willing to bite on. I go into some places where no one else is likely to come along for a week or two, and walking out 20+ miles is not on my bucket list, so reliability is paramount. The problem with used vehicles is that you never truly know how they have been treated and maintained, not for sure.

My first thought: there's no such thing as a 'beasty pick up'. Mileage is only part of the story. Hours in combination with mileage will tell you more.I've got two trucks that are the same year; one is 140k with 6000 + hrs, the other 199k with just over 3000 hrs. There's more to the story than just an engine. Something to think about.

Interesting, watch a video that said to look for a worn brake peddle indicating that they driver had done a lot of stop & go driving which is harder on the vehicle.I guess that is in line with your comment about hrs vs. miles. You can spend a lot of hours in a commuter vehicle. Though it seems to me that would be preferable to a vehicle that has been used to tow a 5th wheel for example?Should I avoid cars with trailer brakes and 5th wheel rails in the back? It seems people are always trying to tow more than they should!

I can't afford a vehicle that new, I have a daily driver so this will be a play vehicle for weekends. I'll probably be getting something in the 100k range. People say the trucks 200k miles so that should last us a long time.

Thank you for all your help! I would love a diesel for the mileage, but the only ones I see in my price range are 6.0 Ford Powerstrokes and it seems like they have a pretty bad rep!I did find a Chevy 6.5L with only 120k miles, but it's a 95.

Pickup Decisions... | Good Sam Community

58 Replies

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
I'll never buy another vehicle used. Done that pretty much all my life. In the last 10 years, we bit the bullet and purchased new (both cars and trucks). Since then, we've traded cars twice (perfectly good ones at that). Finally traded the old diesel dully (we purchased used) for a new one too this year. The peace of mind, the warranties, the new car smell, ... well ... there's nothing like it. I've had my belly full of purchasing other people's problem. Never again.

I'll never buy a use camper either.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2014
If a truck has been for sale for too long, it's quite likely overpriced.

In general, I would prefer a newer vehicle with higher miles over an older one with lower miles. There are a lot of components that just deteriorate with age, regardless of miles. Plus newer trucks generally have better safety and convenience features, and nicer interiors.
ruthiebaby88
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
Do you feel suspicious of trucks that have been for sale for a while?

How long do you think is too long?
ruthiebaby88
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
Thank you for all your help! I would love a diesel for the mileage, but the only ones I see in my price range are 6.0 Ford Powerstrokes and it seems like they have a pretty bad rep!

I did find a Chevy 6.5L with only 120k miles, but it's a 95.
ruthiebaby88
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
I can't afford a vehicle that new, I have a daily driver so this will be a play vehicle for weekends.

I'll probably be getting something in the 100k range. People say the trucks 200k miles so that should last us a long time.
ruthiebaby88
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
Interesting, watch a video that said to look for a worn brake peddle indicating that they driver had done a lot of stop & go driving which is harder on the vehicle.

I guess that is in line with your comment about hrs vs. miles. You can spend a lot of hours in a commuter vehicle. Though it seems to me that would be preferable to a vehicle that has been used to tow a 5th wheel for example?

Should I avoid cars with trailer brakes and 5th wheel rails in the back? It seems people are always trying to tow more than they should!
Reality_Check
Nomad II
Nov 26, 2014
My first thought: there's no such thing as a 'beasty pick up'.

Mileage is only part of the story. Hours in combination with mileage will tell you more.

I've got two trucks that are the same year; one is 140k with 6000 + hrs, the other 199k with just over 3000 hrs. There's more to the story than just an engine. Something to think about.
tonymull
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014
Unless you are towing a house gas is fine as far as power. Diesel's can rack up twice the mileage if cared for...but you give up some payload because the engine is heavier. So assuming both have been well maintained a gasser with 75000 and a diesel with 130K are pretty comparable. For me 25K is the most miles I'm willing to bite on. I go into some places where no one else is likely to come along for a week or two, and walking out 20+ miles is not on my bucket list, so reliability is paramount. The problem with used vehicles is that you never truly know how they have been treated and maintained, not for sure.

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