Buying a Chevy??
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Buying a Chevy??
I'm not in the market for a new truck but I ran across this truck and couldn't resist.
I was out kicking tires last week and ran across a 1996 Chevy 2500 4x4 with only 14K miles. First I thought the odometer broke or possible fraud. Carfax came back all clear. Didn't do an OASIS report on it.
Check this out. The truck is plain jane. Vinyl interior, bench seat AM/FM radio and Auto OD tranny and the big gasser 454. I called the previous owner of the truck and got some info about it. The truck was used buy an older gentlemen who used it to tow his boat twice a year, that's it. The rest of time, it sat in his barn. He legitmately only put 14K miles on it. He traded it for a diesel to use for the same purpose.
The truck throughout is in cherry condition. It pretty much looks like it was never driven, pun intended. I drove the truck for a good 10 miles and it's solid. No noises, drives perfect, tranny is perfect. Alignment is alittle off, no biggie. The tires are new as of last year and the brakes have never been touched. It is a reg. cab long bed. Blue on blue. The dealership is asking $8995 for it.
Chevies aren't my first choice personally but this one is a rare one! Should I pass it up or no?
I was out kicking tires last week and ran across a 1996 Chevy 2500 4x4 with only 14K miles. First I thought the odometer broke or possible fraud. Carfax came back all clear. Didn't do an OASIS report on it.
Check this out. The truck is plain jane. Vinyl interior, bench seat AM/FM radio and Auto OD tranny and the big gasser 454. I called the previous owner of the truck and got some info about it. The truck was used buy an older gentlemen who used it to tow his boat twice a year, that's it. The rest of time, it sat in his barn. He legitmately only put 14K miles on it. He traded it for a diesel to use for the same purpose.
The truck throughout is in cherry condition. It pretty much looks like it was never driven, pun intended. I drove the truck for a good 10 miles and it's solid. No noises, drives perfect, tranny is perfect. Alignment is alittle off, no biggie. The tires are new as of last year and the brakes have never been touched. It is a reg. cab long bed. Blue on blue. The dealership is asking $8995 for it.
Chevies aren't my first choice personally but this one is a rare one! Should I pass it up or no?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Sounds like a great rig!, low miles and outfitted like a real truck. Not a real fan of GM products, but that is a good solid truck. Be advised though, in my experience the 454 doesnt put as much power to the ground as the 460, and if possible, gets worse mpg. But let your gut feelings prevail........Still sounds like a great truck, just get them to knock $1,500 of the price, after all it is 13yrs old!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 238
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From: Ohio
Thanks Old93! If I do this deal, I will not be trading my F150. For my purposes, I will use the Chevy for the work stuff and the F150 for my daily driver.
Only problem I see is the dealer will be less likely to come down on price. I really like that Chevy alot but I'll only buy it if I can get it outright. Couple weeks back, I was out kicking tires, didn't see the truck sitting there at the time which makes me think the dealer here again won't be willing to negotiate all that much.
Only problem I see is the dealer will be less likely to come down on price. I really like that Chevy alot but I'll only buy it if I can get it outright. Couple weeks back, I was out kicking tires, didn't see the truck sitting there at the time which makes me think the dealer here again won't be willing to negotiate all that much.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Area, Illinois
Thats a nice truck, but i think you are right about that dealer and the price. Ive ran across theese kinds of scenereos before. I wanted to buy this 85 Chevy impala from a local dealer. It was mint, had less than 20,000 on it and they wouldn;t budge off the 5,995 price at all. Even though i kept telling them its OLD all they kept repeating was "but its got such low miles" and "its in mint condition". Chances are the dealer will take that stand and wait for someone to think like them and hand over the "$8995". But you never know untill you ask though... personally i would offer them $7,000 and tell them to take it or leave it.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
Likes: 0
From: Marion, VA
I once made the mistake of buying an older vehicle because of the very low miles. It was a motor home that was apparently used like this truck was for towing. When they sit, they deterioriate. The rubber rots, the plastic goes bad, the brakes seize up, the tires go bad. Every time I took my motorhome out, something seem to happen that was caused by it sitting around. A hose would spring a leak, a caliper would lock up, a berlt would break in a tire, a plastic clip holding the WS wiper arm would break etc. Also, the 454 engine will kill you at the gas pump and some tended to overheat under a heavy load.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,462
Likes: 2,942
From: Reed Point, MT
I once made the mistake of buying an older vehicle because of the very low miles. It was a motor home that was apparently used like this truck was for towing. When they sit, they deterioriate. The rubber rots, the plastic goes bad, the brakes seize up, the tires go bad. Every time I took my motorhome out, something seem to happen that was caused by it sitting around. A hose would spring a leak, a caliper would lock up, a berlt would break in a tire, a plastic clip holding the WS wiper arm would break etc. Also, the 454 engine will kill you at the gas pump and some tended to overheat under a heavy load.
Most seals fail due to non-use. Condensation buildup in gearboxes causes rust spotting if the vehicle is not used.
Just because it has 14K miles on it does not mean it's "like new". It's OLD and chances are one good trip will expose a lot of leaks. It might be nice, but the dealer is going to rest on it's laurels with the "mint" and "low miles" routine.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
I agree completely.
Most seals fail due to non-use. Condensation buildup in gearboxes causes rust spotting if the vehicle is not used.
Just because it has 14K miles on it does not mean it's "like new". It's OLD and chances are one good trip will expose a lot of leaks. It might be nice, but the dealer is going to rest on it's laurels with the "mint" and "low miles" routine.
Most seals fail due to non-use. Condensation buildup in gearboxes causes rust spotting if the vehicle is not used.
Just because it has 14K miles on it does not mean it's "like new". It's OLD and chances are one good trip will expose a lot of leaks. It might be nice, but the dealer is going to rest on it's laurels with the "mint" and "low miles" routine.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
whoa nelly....is this a Vortec 7400? 96 was the first year for this MPSFI motor and its not your fathers chevy....
290-365hp and 410-415lbs T depending on RPO. Plus since its a true SFI, it gets as good as gas as this size motor is ever gonna get.
also, it should have a 4L80E tranny which is a pretty tough tranny to snap in 2.
the fact that its a 96? Uninteresting longevity wise.
the fact that is has 14K - not even broken in.
290-365hp and 410-415lbs T depending on RPO. Plus since its a true SFI, it gets as good as gas as this size motor is ever gonna get.
also, it should have a 4L80E tranny which is a pretty tough tranny to snap in 2.
the fact that its a 96? Uninteresting longevity wise.
the fact that is has 14K - not even broken in.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
OMG.. red flag!! The first year for anything is usually something you want to avoid, and since GM is the industry leader in bandaid engineering you just know this thing will have issues.. sooner or later.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Only problem I see is the dealer will be less likely to come down on price. I really like that Chevy alot but I'll only buy it if I can get it outright. Couple weeks back, I was out kicking tires, didn't see the truck sitting there at the time which makes me think the dealer here again won't be willing to negotiate all that much.
You're not planning on trading in the truck, that will make them MORE likely to deal. Especially if you're gonna pay cash.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
If i recall...the 454's of those years were next to bulletproof.....and they'd tow down a frickin house if you could find a chain strong enough....but i'd check a chevy board for some added peace of mind...
Those low mileage trucks do show up...my parents have an 05 F150 thats got 8000 miles on it (400 miles was from the dealer trade)....and they've owned it since day 1..
Those low mileage trucks do show up...my parents have an 05 F150 thats got 8000 miles on it (400 miles was from the dealer trade)....and they've owned it since day 1..
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
I'm not in the market for a new truck but I ran across this truck and couldn't resist.
I was out kicking tires last week and ran across a 1996 Chevy 2500 4x4 with only 14K miles. First I thought the odometer broke or possible fraud. Carfax came back all clear. Didn't do an OASIS report on it.
Check this out. The truck is plain jane. Vinyl interior, bench seat AM/FM radio and Auto OD tranny and the big gasser 454. I called the previous owner of the truck and got some info about it. The truck was used buy an older gentlemen who used it to tow his boat twice a year, that's it. The rest of time, it sat in his barn. He legitmately only put 14K miles on it. He traded it for a diesel to use for the same purpose.
The truck throughout is in cherry condition. It pretty much looks like it was never driven, pun intended. I drove the truck for a good 10 miles and it's solid. No noises, drives perfect, tranny is perfect. Alignment is alittle off, no biggie. The tires are new as of last year and the brakes have never been touched. It is a reg. cab long bed. Blue on blue. The dealership is asking $8995 for it.
Chevies aren't my first choice personally but this one is a rare one! Should I pass it up or no?
I was out kicking tires last week and ran across a 1996 Chevy 2500 4x4 with only 14K miles. First I thought the odometer broke or possible fraud. Carfax came back all clear. Didn't do an OASIS report on it.
Check this out. The truck is plain jane. Vinyl interior, bench seat AM/FM radio and Auto OD tranny and the big gasser 454. I called the previous owner of the truck and got some info about it. The truck was used buy an older gentlemen who used it to tow his boat twice a year, that's it. The rest of time, it sat in his barn. He legitmately only put 14K miles on it. He traded it for a diesel to use for the same purpose.
The truck throughout is in cherry condition. It pretty much looks like it was never driven, pun intended. I drove the truck for a good 10 miles and it's solid. No noises, drives perfect, tranny is perfect. Alignment is alittle off, no biggie. The tires are new as of last year and the brakes have never been touched. It is a reg. cab long bed. Blue on blue. The dealership is asking $8995 for it.
Chevies aren't my first choice personally but this one is a rare one! Should I pass it up or no?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Well, I had a big long post, but, the databased crashed.
Basically, even though I am a Ford guy, I would buy it without regret. It sounds like a super truck, almost brand new, and some rich old guy paid for the depreciation on a heavy duty truck that can tow the wee out of anything. The 454 is a great motor.
I would change all the fluids starting with the brakes and tranny before I used it much.
Go buy the thing, it is a good price for an almost new heavy duty truck.
Basically, even though I am a Ford guy, I would buy it without regret. It sounds like a super truck, almost brand new, and some rich old guy paid for the depreciation on a heavy duty truck that can tow the wee out of anything. The 454 is a great motor.
I would change all the fluids starting with the brakes and tranny before I used it much.
Go buy the thing, it is a good price for an almost new heavy duty truck.