What is a good first truck?
Posted by General_Perception24@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 35 comments
What is the best first truck I can buy with a budget of 10k or less. but must be 2000 or newer mileage don’t matter and what engines and transmissions should I avoid also what years are best and what years to avoid?
Appropriate-Animal89@reddit
If you need light duty hauling/towing. Good enough gas mileage, and a fun little truck i would reccomend a 1st or preferably a 2md generation tacoma. The 4.0 is the best tacoma motor ever and it can haul a decent ammount. You can usually find a good deal for around 10k on one in good condition.
ripped_andsweet@reddit
“good deal” on a tacoma?
lol. lmao even
Icy-Role2321@reddit
It'll be 25 years old with 300,000 miles.
Appropriate-Animal89@reddit
Hey🤷🏻 if it’s got no rust, a clean service record I’d absolutely consider it.
ajoyce76@reddit
I think the only answer is Ford Ranger. I mean, it has its own song...
dylan95420@reddit
Song??
ajoyce76@reddit
https://youtu.be/aRiGn8s498s?si=t_Rlh9Tjx3saFbwP
Warning, salty language.
coyotll@reddit
I know that truck, I ain’t a stranger.
I know that truck, it’s a ford fuckin ranger.
idontevenlikespam@reddit
99-06 GMC or Chevy 1500s. If higher miles and has the 5.3 beware of the auto transmission. If its been rebuilt, has a manual, or a 4l80 trans you are good.
Natural_Ad_7183@reddit
What are you doing with it?
Historical_Judge1810@reddit
GMT800 all day every day. I personally have a 8.1L 2500HD but I do “truck stuff” with it. As a commuter car it sucks (~10mpg) but it has been dead nuts reliable and modern enough to be comfortable but not overly complicated with crazy amounts of electronics & computers. If I just did occasional truck stuff with it, I’d probably look for a 2wd manual trans 1500 for fuel mileage purposes.
Slappadabike91@reddit
Get a Tacoma because there's no reason your first truck cant also be your last.
Icy-Role2321@reddit
It don't matter the age but those things never sell for less than $10,000 it seems.
Substantial-Set-8981@reddit
GMT800
7empestSpiralout@reddit
Sierra
Oldjamesdean@reddit
I'd recommend a 2012-2016 F150 with the 5.0 engine and the 6 speed transmission. Based on the pricing, most likely a 2012-2014. I have a small fleet of trucks, and that one is a really reliable and durable model, so much so that they are still in service now at my company.
Ragnar-Wave9002@reddit
You vam get something good that's 10 years old. But it will last 5 years.
PassengerOk7529@reddit
The one you can afford and not regret after two payments and you can’t afford McDonalds
AlibiTarget@reddit
I recently sold my 08 Ram that was in pretty perfect condition for $9k. To a friend of a friend though.
Iamthewalrusforreal@reddit
1992 Chevy Silverado with 200K miles.
Comfortable-Lack-866@reddit
In my opinion 1500 silverado extended cab it’s to simple and so many mods and definitely project friendly
ThirdSunRising@reddit
The early 2000s were a high water mark for Chevrolets. Great engines. Transmissions, well, you don’t sound like you’re towing anything heavy so it’ll probably be fine. As far as getting a good reliable truck for cheap I’d probably go that route.
Fords were hit or miss. Good ones were fantastic. Just be careful which engine you get, there’s a good engine and a problematic one, and guess which one will be cheaper.
Dodges were tolerable in that era as well. So were Nissans. It’s really hard to get a bad truck from the early 2000s.
Toyota has the best reputation but unfortunately that comes with the highest resale value. A Toyota will be either a lot more expensive, or so much higher mileage that there’s no reliability advantage to be had. Just get the Silverado and be happy.
breakffast@reddit
02 Silverado
General_Perception24@reddit (OP)
Good to buy or good. To avoid?
xXCodfishXx@reddit
Full sized GM pickups pre 2008 and are generally all pretty good if you can find one that isn't rotted. As the other guy noted the 4l60 automatic transmission is known for having some issues, especially if they were used for towing, get the stick if possible.
Total-Improvement535@reddit
Any 5.3 Chevy or GMC, though the transmissions are known to have some reliability issues.
A 4.6 F150, do not get a 5.4. They’re known to have cam phasers that fail and a whole engine replacement is usually cheaper.
Can never go wrong with a Toyota Tacoma or Tundra, though at $10k they will be high mileage.
I think the Nissan Frontier is a solid truck though it’s very “no frills”
haus11@reddit
Dont some of the 5.4s also like to launch their spark plugs?
Total-Improvement535@reddit
they do! or they like the break off in the head because they’re two piece plugs
onetenoctane@reddit
GMT800 with a 5.3, just find one that isn’t rotted to death. They’re reliable, parts are cheap and plentiful, and they’re pretty easy to work on
40thAE@reddit
Mazda
STLrep@reddit
Old rangers, or a GMT 800 Silverado
Lordofpineapples@reddit
Nissan frontier
MagicGator11@reddit
Depends what you plan on using it for. I'd personally go for an early 00s ranger and save most of that 10k for repairs or maintenance down the road.
Klutzy_Concept_1324@reddit
Might find a Toyota pickup, taco, T100 Or Nissan frontier or Titan older ofc Liking the T100 but a lot of rattles, squeeks on old trucks
worstofalloptions@reddit
obviously take the 10k and put that down on a brand new DODGE RAM POWERFUCK350000
nothing else will compare amd the $2800/month payment will be a steal considering all the pussy you're gonna obviously get driving such a massive, powerful, masculine truck!!
don't do that, find you a 4cyl Toyota or Nissan