What should I expect if I buy...

[eldorado99]

I want to get a used pickup and I have noticed that there are some available for very little money ($800 or less) where the sellers claim that they run. Now I have VERY little experience in this market and I have not even gone out to look at one of these trucks yet. This will be my first vehicle and I plan on spending my available funds for the next few years solely on it. I also plan to spend a lot of time working on it. Whenever I show my dad one of the ads; for instance a 1978 F-250, gas, 460 CID, auto, C6 Trans, runs and drives etc. $600, he sort of gives me a stupid look and says "Save up more money and get one that you won't have to waste thousands of dollars on and then not be able to get that money back." I really like the older model ford pickups and I don't have a lot of money to spend. Is my dad right? would it be impractical to buy one of these junkers that does run for a first vehicle even though I plan on spending all my cash on it?

 

[eldorado99]

bump, come on guys I need some help here...

 

[KLin]

save up your money, buy a better truck.

 

[drum]

if you're planning on spending a lot of cash on it, and plan on working on it, i don't see what the difference is. with that 460, expect about 8 mpg. i think you should go drive it at the very least to see what kind of shape its in. that and look it over real well to look for things that are going to need replaced right away such as brake lines, shocks, exhaust... stuff like that

 

[SociallyChallenged]

You can expect a cheapo-used pickup truck.

 

[eldorado99]

hmm, anything else?

 

[eldorado99]

bump

 

[PingSpike]

If you want a truck you have to be working on all the time, then a 20 year old Ford is probably a good bet. But if you want to drive the pickup, you might want to look elsewhere.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Your dad is correct.

 

[amdskip]

Aren't those trucks pretty rusted out from the salt? It's just not practical to buy one. Do you realize how bad of gas mileage the truck will get?

 

[Kaido]

it's all about how you want to spend your resources.

yes, you can buy an old truck for cheap. but, you will have to spend a lot of money fixing it up and buying parts. it's not like they make parts for 25-year-old trucks anymore. parts get harder to find and more expensive. also, you'll have to spend a lot of time fixing it, if you're going to do it yourself. also if it breaks down, it will have to go to the shop - more time, more money.

on the other hand, you can buy a newer, safer car that works well, maybe one that has a warranty. get something reliable, and something with airbags. safety features + reliability > *.

waiting is hard tho. my dad taught me a good principle for owning things that you enjoy - have one for fun, one to run. for example, if you have a computer, and use it for school, don't do a bunch of crazy modifications and overclocking and stuff - if you fry your cpu, you can't do your homework, and you're screwed the next day. you have to ask yourself if you really want to invest in another computer. same thing with cars - you will probably be relying on your truck, and you'll need it day to day, and if it dies, you're screwed.

 

[Vette73]

If looking at a Old truck try and get a GMC/chevy with a 350 engine. Plenty of power and very easy to fix and keep going.

Big blocks sound cool, but eat a lot of gas and parts cost more. A small block 350 you can get parts anywhere from and very easy to work on and have fun with decent gas mialge at the same time.

it's not like they make parts for 25-year-old trucks anymore

Your joking right. You can rebuild a old GMC/Chevy truck fromthe ground up if you want.
Old truck = easy to fix and very cheap to keep going.

 

[MetalMat]

Originally posted by: eldorado99
I want to get a used pickup and I have noticed that there are some available for very little money ($800 or less) where the sellers claim that they run. Now I have VERY little experience in this market and I have not even gone out to look at one of these trucks yet. This will be my first vehicle and I plan on spending my available funds for the next few years solely on it. I also plan to spend a lot of time working on it. Whenever I show my dad one of the ads; for instance a 1978 F-250, gas, 460 CID, auto, C6 Trans, runs and drives etc. $600, he sort of gives me a stupid look and says "Save up more money and get one that you won't have to waste thousands of dollars on and then not be able to get that money back." I really like the older model ford pickups and I don't have a lot of money to spend. Is my dad right? would it be impractical to buy one of these junkers that does run for a first vehicle even though I plan on spending all my cash on it?

Well, in my experience you get what you pay for. However, I did buy my current minivan for 500$ a little over a year ago. Its a 1989 ford areostar, 5 speed manual, rear wheel drive. I have to say that I am impressed it has lasted this long with the small amount of problems it has had, put 4 new tires on it & winshield wiper motor went out (still havent fixed). It is the bottom of the barrel as far as fords go though, everything is manual and there is no luxuries whatsoever. I took out the backseats pretty much permantly so I could hall stuff (moving, for my band, etc...)

Overall I am happy, but I have been through 5 other cars before this (1990 Mazda RX-7, 1992Mitsubishi Mirage, 1982 Dodge Omni, 1980 Oldsmoblie Cutlass, 1990 Ford Tempo, 1988 Nissan Stanza Minivan), and 5 out of the six of them broke down (I wrecked the dodge), and these were cars I each payed under 1300$ for, the RX-7 being the most expensive. So, I would recommend to save your money and plan on getting a car at or above the 2,000$ mark unless you want to take a gamble.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Your joking right. You can rebuild a old GMC/Chevy truck from the ground up if you want.
Old truck = easy to fix and very cheap to keep going.

Especially if you are willing to do some work yourself.

 

[eldorado99]

how much would I be likely to spend before it becomes a fairly reliable vehicle?

 

[myusername]

Define "reliable".

For a truck like that, reliability will occur when either

a. you are mechanically inclined enough and keep enough baling wire and JB weld behind the seat that any malfunction short of frame failure is something that will add 15 minutes to your trip.

b. you replace every single mechanical component on the truck.

 

[eldorado99]

I suppose "b" lol

 

[Kilgor]

The thing about Older trucks is they are simple you forgo alot of the problems new cars come with, there is alot less electronics no computers. When you open the hood what you see is what you get.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: eldorado99
how much would I be likely to spend before it becomes a fairly reliable vehicle?

Depends on the truck, you may well just luck out & not have to do anything.

Likely though @ that price, it'll be well used, and either need a new transmission or a rebuilt engine, and new tires...

Figure $200+ for tires, $1k for a new engine/tranny.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose

Originally posted by: eldorado99
how much would I be likely to spend before it becomes a fairly reliable vehicle?

Depends on the truck, you may well just luck out & not have to do anything.

Likely though @ that price, it'll be well used, and either need a new transmission or a rebuilt engine, and new tires...

Figure $200+ for tires, $1k for a new engine/tranny.

dont forget a complete brake overhaul.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Brakes aren't that expensive if you do them yourself...

 

[Ly2n]

Most of my vehicles cost less than $500, usuall $200 or less. I do most of my work myself, so I know what to look for. And I drive over 20,000 miles a year. most cars last over 2 years, but if I get a lemon, who cares.
Old trucks are good, easy to fix, and not as much to go wrong. Around here, older Fords are the ones most available. I've had god luck with straight 6's, with a manual transmission. Usually last for about 3 years, with minimun repairs. Expect that they will burn some oil and leak some too. Gas milage isn't great, about 14-16 mpg. In fact I have one for sale that I've run for 3 years and it has a lot of life left. Go for it. Lynn

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
If looking at a Old truck try and get a GMC/chevy with a 350 engine. Plenty of power and very easy to fix and keep going.

Big blocks sound cool, but eat a lot of gas and parts cost more. A small block 350 you can get parts anywhere from and very easy to work on and have fun with decent gas mialge at the same time.

it's not like they make parts for 25-year-old trucks anymore

Your joking right. You can rebuild a old GMC/Chevy truck fromthe ground up if you want.
Old truck = easy to fix and very cheap to keep going.

you serious?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
If looking at a Old truck try and get a GMC/chevy with a 350 engine. Plenty of power and very easy to fix and keep going.

Big blocks sound cool, but eat a lot of gas and parts cost more. A small block 350 you can get parts anywhere from and very easy to work on and have fun with decent gas mialge at the same time.

it's not like they make parts for 25-year-old trucks anymore

Your joking right. You can rebuild a old GMC/Chevy truck fromthe ground up if you want.
Old truck = easy to fix and very cheap to keep going.

you serious?

DEAD ON!!!!

All you need is a frame and a cab and the rest you can buy NEW. From doors, dash, hood, fenders, carpet, engine, tranmission, etc... Were not talking about a Jap truck/car.

 

[myusername]

Very true, but the problem for the OP is that he will have $0 for rehabilitation after actually purchasing the vehicle.

It would be a good learning opportunity, particularly if he had the space and time to work on it. Quite frankly though, this is the sort of thing you won't get into unless your father is into it. Sounds dorky, but it's pretty accurate.

If your goal is to fix up a car and gain mechanical experience, and you know that you will stick with it, you may want to see if you can squeeze some money out of pops for that (assuming you can in good conscience be sure that pops has the money to spare).

If you want something to get you from here to there, and really aren't interested in getting your hands dirty - or know that you won't stick with the project, the truck is not a good idea .. keep saving.