I'm looking for a used truck I found 2002 Gmc Sierra has 180,000 miles the owner says runs and drives, well maintained, no check engine light, clean title and asking $4000. Should I buy it without having mechanic to check it out cuz I don't have someone who is mechanic and I'm not a mechanic but to me it sounds ok to buy it.
I understand you guys point but my cousin brought a used car for $1000 without having mechanic to check it out first but the car still runs good he drove for 5 years it's an old Toyota they generally last forever. I know Scotty is not really a fan of GM vehicles but these old trucks have solid reliable engine and transmission. I mean I'm not really an mechanic but I know how to check oil, fluid, read trouble codes, rust etc. and test drive since I watched Scotty's videos. Also I messaged the owner he is willing to give the truck to me for $3200.
$4000 for a 20-year-old vehicle without having it checked out... are you feeling lucky? Can you afford to lose the $4000 and more if it turns out to be a pig in a poke?
I'm not a mechanic but to me it sounds ok to buy it.
You never want to buy any used vehicle without a thorough pre-purchase inspection performed by a professional mechanic, let alone an old high mileage truck.
Ask around your acquaintances for mechanic recommendations or even try to find a service on google, which will check out a used vehicle for you.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/mechanics/
Should I buy it without having mechanic to check it out
NEVER buy a vehicle without having a mechanic looking it over. You don't know the full history of the vehicle. Even if the vehicle is well maintained, always have it checked out by a mechanic.
Canada Joe Jones' Motto
"It is morally wrong to allow a sucker to keep their money."
The owner saying it "runs and drives" is not saying much.
Regarding your cousin getting a good deal -
Even the blind squirrel gets the nut sometimes.
Is it really a nut though?
Nut, seat cushion, wiring harness, whatever. @itwt, your stuff is great, thanks.
Or, at the least, take along somebody who has owned and maintained several cars over the years.
I had a friend who I cautioned to let me look at a car he wanted to buy, but he bought it anyway. He took me along with him for a "first drive", and we got 4 miles before the "overhauled" engine blew up.
You don’t need to know a mechanic. Take it to a shop and ask them to look at it.
my cousin brought a used car for $1000 without having mechanic to check it out first but the car still runs good
he got lucky
my cousin brought a used car for $1000 without having mechanic to check it out first but the car still runs good he drove for 5 years
He must have gotten lucky.
he is willing to give the truck to me for $3200
If that's the case, test drive the vehicle. Make sure that the transmission still shifts good. Is this a gas or diesel truck?
It's a gas truck.
Ok. Also check for rust underneath the truck. Make sure that the frame is not rotting away.
Give you the truck for $3200?? What a guy!
@doc he’s the best!