It will be my first truck and I need help on deciding what to get. More than likely it will be a F150. I have 2500 to spend, so not to much. Here is some links to some trucks I was thinking about. What do you guys think about them? Also, a 4WD would be nice, but I am having a hard time finding one in my price range :/. Thank you in advance for help though.

Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com


Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

 

Personally, I'd keep looking until I found what I really wanted. Check craigslist and try to be patient. Eventually, you'll find a 4x4 that fits your needs. Of the trucks you've listed, I'd look at the first one (newer 2wd supercab in good shape) or the last one (6 cylinder with high miles). The hard truth though, is that only you really know what you really want. Check them over well and bargain hard. There are enough of these trucks out there. Good luck and feel free to ask specifics if you need to. Lots of knowledgable folks here.

 

Couple of things to keep in mind. Trucks of this vintage will almost certainly have some issues. You need to have a cash reserve to fix the problems that show up after getting it home. These trucks are going to be hard on gas budget. Doesn't matter how gently you drive, they are not going to get the miles per gallon that a small car would get. Not trying to discourage you from getting a truck, but if this is going to be your dailey driver, it might not be the best choice. Nothing like having a broken, out of gas, pretty truck sitting in the driveway when you need to go somewhere.
Good luck Frank

 

Hold out for one with a V8 and four-wheel drive. Don't buy one with too many miles on it. There are plenty of these trucks without super-high miles. Look for one with under 150,000 miles on it and do not buy one with more than 200,000 miles.

These trucks will run for a long time with good maintenence, but you cannot know everything about a rig's history when buying it used. My truck has 140,000 on the clock and I have no doubt that it will make it past 200,000 without requiring any serious work, but I know how this truck has been treated since it was bought new.

Also, buying from a private seller instead of a dealer will find not only better deals, but more low-mileage trucks. Good luck.

 

I second not buying from dealerships. Try to go private if you can.

 

agreed! even though i work at a dealer looking for a good deal on an older truck like that is best left to a private sale more often than not. picked up my 92 reg cab long box 4x4 6cyl for 200 bucks, only had 140,000 miles on it. keep looking you will find something! oh and where are you located, if i see something i can let you know

 

Okay, thank you guys. I really appriceate all of the help. My dad would help me, but is almost always to busy. Anyways, my dad had said he found a chevy s10 that is in good condition and had our mechanic look at it. it also is newer and has alot less miles. So would you guys suggest I get something smaller such as a ford ranger or chevy s10 for my first truck because of gas and insurance and hopefully less problems? I kind of wanted a bigger truck, like a 4x4 so i could get a lift kit and bigger tires, but I have realized that, that is out of my price range . Oh and I live in Columbia Missouri.

 

rangers and s10's are fine little trucks but unless you get a rwd 4cyl your gas mileage is still going to suck, but you can get lift kits and the like for smaller 4x4 trucks too

 

I've had chevies all my life but I'd take a Ranger over an s10. Those small Chevs had quite a few problems.

 

There is certainly nothing wrong with a ranger or an S-10 if that's what suits your needs. The 4.3 chevy motor is pretty solid and gets decent mileage too.

 

Okay, thanks. And I actually get to drive a chevy 2500 untill I buy a truck. And gramps correct me if i'm wrong, but isin't that kind of pointless and actually might look kind of dumb to do that and put bigger tires on a ranger? Oh, and will a ranger/s10 be able to pull to dirt bikes and possibly 3 (Possibly on a trailer, just depending on how you arrange it.)? I am assuming this is a dumb question and they would, but I am just making sure. Because I go out to a track alot with my friends and bring them to my friends house quite often too. That is probably the heaviest thing that I would be pulling with that truck though lol.

 

Lots of people lift compact pickups, but it's all a matter of taste. They sell lift kits for rangers for a reason.

Almost any pickup is going to be able to tow that light of a load.

 

Rangers are fine look good lifted with some 33s underneath them. Just don't go too tall, they are narrower than full size trucks and get tippy a lot faster. Also don't go too big on the tires as you will not be able to turn them with any authority. As long as you don't get the 4 banger towing a small trailer with a few dirt bikes won't be a problem. One warning, lifts and big tires will make towing performance suffer. Good luck finding a truck.

 

Okay. I see. I think for my first truck I will probably start with a s10 or ranger, but probably a ranger. Then later down the road when I am making more money and have more avalibale, then get a full sized truck. Thank you for all of your help. I will def be around on these forums once I learn more about em

 

Get the 4.0L in a Ranger or the 4.3L in an S10.