Buying a car/truck

  • Thread starter Thread starter Speedy_E
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Speedy_E

Speedy_E

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hey im to the point where im thinkin about buying my first car. I have been searching around autotrader just to feel out the prices. So far im leaning toward a 1998-2000 chevy S10 for around 6-8K. I would like the 4.3 vortek with a 5 speed but i will take an auto aswell. Either way i want the 4.3 and not the 4 cylinder. And if it means anything i want one in black. Just wondering what you thoughts are and weather or not my price range is reasonable. One more thing, i live in Ontario Canada, just wondering if anybody that drives a truck this size and is relatively young could give me an idea of what insurance is like. Thanks.
 
I have a Blazer which is about the same thing. I pay around $900 a year for insurance which isn't bad, but I have full coverage and a rider for my sound system. If you drive decently you'll get 18mpg in the city and 23mpg on the freeway.

You can get S-10's dirt cheap, they don't hold their value what so ever so you should be able to pick one up in really good shape with low miles for your price range.

You'll have a hard time finding a 5spd 4.3L, they didn't make to many of those.

If you have any more questions I know quite a bit about S-Trucks.
 
As Joey said, GM sold the large bulk of the 4.3L S-10s with slushboxes. My insurance (in an older, but 4WD Blazer) is around $480 for 6 months, so they are pretty cheap. I also have full coverage, so prices don't really vary too much.
If you are going to get an S10, be prepared to pay $6,000 for a pre-2000 2WD standard cab model and about $8,500 for a post 2000 4X4 extended cab. Crew cabs stubbornly hold their value, so those are out.
I'd personally go for a Blazer, as lower spec 4WD models can be had for far cheaper than lower spec 4WD S-10s, and are more practical.



Fun fact. This is an S10 Blazer. What an idiot.
 
Agreed, when I was looking at vehicles I was going to buy and S-10 but I am glad I got the Blazer, I can fit more stuff in it and during the winter you at least have weight over the rear axle. Also if you can't find and S-10 or Blazer you like remember the Sonoma, Jimmy, and Bravada are all the same thing.

The Sonoma and Jimmy are more or less the same thing as the S-10/Blazer combo, but the Bravada is AWD and only comes with four doors.

If you are into off road there is the ZR2 model which comes with bigger tires and it's lifted, also of course it comes with 4x4 and more then likely a 4.10 rear end which sucks if you plan on getting any kind of fuel economy. This package came on the Blazer, S-10, and Jimmy.

If you are into street trucks, the Blazer and S-10 came in Xtreme models (that's what I have) and the S-10's and Sonoma could come with ZQ8 suspension which is like the sports package for the trucks. These are all 2WD and are lower then normal height by 2 inches on the S-10's and 1.5 on the Blazer.

I can't think of any major defects with the S-Trucks you need to look out for, they are pretty sound vehicles. But keep in mind they aren't fast, powerful, or overly fun to drive. But if you like to modify there a hundreds of parts out there for the trucks.

First gens are fine as well but I don't think you want to go that old.

If you were going to get an S-10, this one is for you, it's the SS model which isn't super rare, but it's rare enough to warrant a look. It's a little older but it's a 5spd with the slightly powered up engine.
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=381011&adid=6016953

And here is a Noma Sport with a 5spd.
http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details...bcategory=203&CAT=2&ADID=5982431&ADS=5982431|
 
If you're willing to spend a couple of more thousand dollars... you can get into a used reg cab Canyon/Colorado, 5-spd, 2.8 4-cyl (lots of power and good mpg).

You have any experience with these Joey?
 
hey thanks alot joey. That red S10 you show'd me is almost exactly what i was looking for. I had actually never really thought about getting a blazer, i dont know why now that i think about it. Ill do some more searchin around for blazers to this time, i could see myself getting blazer. But thank you everyone this was helpfull.
 
Canyon's and Colorado's are trash. They would be fine if they cost the same as S-10s, but for the price they usually go for it is better to get a loaded S-10.
 
No problem speedy, like I said if you have any questions ask away. You would be better off with a Blazer since they hold more people and more things. But if you do end up going with a Blazer you might want to think about a 4 door since trying to get in the back of my 2dr Blazer sucks.

The Colorado/Cayon isn't a bad truck, but there are better choices. Like Toronado said, they are overpriced for what they are.
 

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