Hey Scotty, huge fan. I was given a 02 Chevy Silverado from my grandpa for college. (he was divorcing his second wife and didn't want her getting a thing so he gave me his truck which was sitting in Florida for a few years collecting rust.) Anyways, I was estatic either way! This truck did need some good work on it. It ran fine, no lights on the dash, until it didn't. I got the wheelbearings changed, rack and pinion, battery, starter, keep up on oil changes religeously, gas lines replaced, I do have to put coolant in it maybe every month and a half. The truck seems to be in good working order now (I hope). It also has 180k miles on it (I got it at 160k). Do you think this truck is worth keeping to help me save money? (I just started my nursing program, so I don't make those big bucks just yet I need this thing to last!) Or should I maybe sell it, and take that money and get a toyota or honda older used car? Thanks!
If you can't do the work yourself get rid of it and buy something newer. The key to an old high-mileage beater being economically viable is the ability to service it yourself for the ongoing minor and mid-level repairs that will be needed to keep it on the road. Even then you'd want to get rid of it when really costly repairs are finally needed. That is the essence of the practice the Brits refer to as bangernomics.
thanks!
Where is the rust on the vehicle? If it's on the frame, get a hammer and bang against it. If it goes "clank", then you are ok. If it goes in or it falls apart with your hands, then get rid of it.
Hmmmmmmm, keep a free truck or spend a bunch of money?
What to do?????????????????????
Go with what Kester said.
well so far it's been a money pit. Pretty far from "free"
you consider those few things a money pit? We have different parameters. Any vehicle requires thing to be fixed as time goes on,
wheelbearings changed: both fronts $1,000
rack and pinion: easily over $1,000
battery: $100
starter: $250
gas lines replaced: that's a lot of labour. $hundreds
I do have to put coolant in it maybe every month and a half: now there's recurring cost.
And you know it's not going to stop there ....
Those are some big ticket items. As for "any vehicle" ... I don't know about you, but I've never had to touch a R&P or my fuel lines.
Some of your costs are IMO way too much. Wheel bearings? that's an easy job. All you need is a puller. Gas lines? Maybe in Canada. Starters are around $165 from Rock out and are another easy fix. Any of those for someone going to school is WAY better than a new car loan. Sure it's a beater but He's kept it alive so far.
I bet the bearings are integral to the hub. Hub assembly + ABS sensor can cost $500 a piece (+ labour).
If you buy the cheapest parts (like starter), you'll be doing the job again soon.
This truck is now into the "money pit" zone. I would get rid of it. It's better to put all that part money into a newer (not brand new) used car.
He said he "got the wheel bearings changed", so he's not doing the work himself.
I am going with Joe on this one.
hey everyone thanks a ton for the advice! Yeah I am a woman, so I don't know a ton about cars I been trying to learn from Scotty. I do get the work done from a mechanic right by my apartment. I do think I will keep it so long the rust isn't too bad. i am gonna try that hammer trick someone mentioned. Also I wouldn't take a loan out as I have a good amount of money saved up in savings, I would instead probably just buy another cheap used car. I guess saying this out loud it makes sense to just keep the truck, since I am gonna have to put money into any other used car I buy. Yeah total I would say I prob spent 2k so far on the truck-rough estimate. Rack and minion was about 1k, that really hurt. Wheel bearings I think was 600 maybe? Pretty sure I am gonna have PTSD once I get outta school from this truck lol.
Hopefully the truck gives you a break for a while now. Good luck.
Thanks I sure hope so!