Is it worth the price?

[Qdriver]

'98 Silverado; 1/2t 4X4 Z71; 350V8; Ext. cab; Sht bed;106Kmi: Black/Beige lthr; $12k

I would like a 3/4t truck but , will this one handle the daily towing required over the long run for this biz? (since it is a 4X4)

I think the retail on it is $12,750

Any help will be appreciated!:)

[Qdriver]

5.7ltr engine w/pasgr side 3rd door; Under rail hard plastic bed liner; 5K receiver hitch.: GVWR 6200: New alt: Clean int & ext


anybody have an opinion on the price?

c'on this site is full of people with "opinions".
:p

[landscapingpoolguy]

dont buy a half ton

[SHOW ME STATE RIDER]

bought a 3/4 ton ,81000, 4x4 extended cab no 3 door, hd 8 lug 2000, old grill (the best)6 ft bed for 13000. Wouldn't buy a 1/2 ton. Almost need a one ton.

[Qdriver]

OK. maybe I need to add that I will only be towing a 5X12 open/sngl axle w/a 36"wb, a 21" push, pole equip and minimal tools.

I know I will need a 3/4t later but, I need a starter truck for now. If you are saying "DO NOT BUY A 1/2t" even for a start-up biz., (keep in mind money is not overflowing) please explain why.

And what about the price?

[LAWNPROzII]

Sorry I can't give you a price, but look up kbb.com.
But in my opinion this should be a decent truck to start with especially if your just going to be pulling such minimal equipment.
Just remember, if this is going to be your everyday driver as well as your landscaping truck that this truck is going to get beat up.

[hole in one lco]

I would look for something with less miles for 12,000.

[greenback]

Originally posted by landscapingpoolguy
dont buy a half ton

get a 3/4 ton, do not buy a 1/2 ton. i just bought another truck. a f250, 90,000 miles for 3,000.

[Barkleymut]

After 80K miles you are going to be paying a lot of little stuff that will really add up. Tires, exhaust, cv boots and joints, tranny, stuff like that. Around here you can get a new 1500 for under $15000 if you don't care about power windows, etc. I'll bet in the long run a new truck would be much much cheaper.

[Gravel Rat]

I second what these guys say if your looking for a starter truck get a 3/4 ton a 1/2 really is more of a daily driver and carry the groceries home. With a 3/4 ton you can carry and tow more if your looking at Chevs make sure you get the heavy duty version with the 14bolt full floating rear and 8 bolt wheels.

[Qdriver]

That is great if you can get a 3/4t w/low miles for those prices where you are. I have looked (and will continue to look) but I have not found deals like that in my area.

I can not afford the going rate in my area for a new 1/2t or used 3/4t w/low miles and not getting a truck unless it is a 3/4t is NOT an option.

I have budgeted a certain amount for a truck and I have to make that work. I need to have a truck by the end of February.

[Premo Services]

Originally posted by Qdriver
'98 Silverado; 1/2t 4X4 Z71; 350V8; Ext. cab; Sht bed;106Kmi: Black/Beige lthr; $12k

I would like a 3/4t truck but , will this one handle the daily towing required over the long run for this biz? (since it is a 4X4)

I think the retail on it is $12,750

Any help will be appreciated!:)

All of the replies are right about the 3/4 ton truck.
I bought a 1994 gmc serria sle 4x4 1/2 ton pickup w/leather and all the bells and whistles. and shortly started lawn care.
I used the turck to pull a 6x12 trailer, 52 inch lazer, 48 inch tthp and the bed full of all the tools i needed to do this work.
I used this setup for 8 years and it was still working well, but want to do more so I traded it on a 3/4 ton deisel.

I think the setup is ok for what you are starting with, but you will grow, get new equiptment, etc. and will need bigger. I don't know about the price, that would depend on the maint. records and other things.
The key is how was this truck maintained. Mabey ask for maint. records. I used my 1/2 ton for 8.5 years and racked up 138,000 miles on it doing this work. It held up quite well. In fact I believe I got a good trade in for it on my bigger truck. I think it would work for a while but the past maint. record and your maint. habits will tell. It don,t look like you have a lot of equipment now but you will be needing more as you aquire more customers.
Good Luck On Whatever You Purchase....;)

[twins_lawn_care]

I am in the same boat now, looking for a truck.
It sounds to me that $12,000 is a bit too high for all those miles.
Why not take what you have budgeted for a truck, and make a nice down payment on something you can really see using for 5 years. That way your payments will be low, and you won't have to go through this again in 3 years when you need another truck.

[Randy Scott]

That truck will be fine for the little weight you will be towing. Of course a 3/4 ton would be better. A one ton would be even better. A medium duty 26,000 gvw would be even better. When does it end? If it's the best deal in your area and it's what you can afford, buy it. Seems a little high to me, but that may be what your region is bringing in for that truck.

[buttaluv]

I agree with Randy Scott, I'm looking into get a trailer and a friend of mine keeps trying to get me to buy a damn gooseneck, because I'll just out grow a small utility trailer. I finally told him it would look kind of funny with a damn push mower on it, I don't even have a decent mower to put on it. I'm getting something I can afford and I'm getting a walk behind when I can afford it. I'm not rich, if I was.. I would have a 1 ton, gooseneck and 4 ztr's, until then, I will build as I go.

[PeachState]

If you haven't tried yet go to autotrader.com and search up to 100 miles away from your zip code. You might find better deals in places like Valdosta.
I did that last summer and bought a 2001 1/2 ton v8 extended cab F150 with 106K miles for $8000. It doesn't have power windows or locks but for that price I don't care.
I think you can get a good truck for your opperation for less than 10K.
Good luck! PS

[Bigfoot]

Sounds a little high for a 98 with a 106k miles. I think 3/4 ton truck would be better for towing. Buttaluv, if you have never towed a gooseneck, try one if you can. The load sets over the truck axle, no more jack knifes, much easier to back up, much easier to hook up for one person and the trailer tows smoother with heavy loads.

[Qdriver]

Update:

He came down to $11,500. (not much I know)

I also took a trip to some small town dealers. The furtherest one was 1.5hrs away.

I found a nice '01 F250 XLT crew cab V10 w/105,262kmiles for $12,500.

I also found a dealer who only sells fleet retired Asplundh (the tree service Co.) trucks. '98-'01 2500 ext cabs (most 2x4 but a couple 4x4's) for $9- 11k. (high miles ie 132-155k miles)

I am now looking more for a 3/4t. I am wary of very, very high miles.

I was told by a trusted source that It is best to have 4X4 no matter what size truck you have p.e.r.i.o.d. but esp if you are towing all day every day.

I have a little time to look. (not like I have to buy one this week)

So, we will see what happens. Thanks for all the advice.

[Barkleymut]

By Qdriver "I was told by a trusted source that It is best to have 4X4 no matter what size truck you have p.e.r.i.o.d. but esp if you are towing all day every day."

This makes absolutely zero sense to me. You live in Jville FL. It never snows there. What difference would 4wheel drive make when towing????

[Lux Lawn]

100k miles is alot. I have two Z71 half tons one works great a 94 GMC Serria works great, 99 Chevy extended cab loaded just doesn't haul as much weight backend sags a little.Last August I bought a 95 Chevy 2500 work truck with 85000 miles on it for $7000.00.In the future I can't see myself buying anything but 3/4
or even 1 ton trucks unless I get an S10 for snowplowing tight driveways.

[Qdriver]

Barkleymut,

If you NEVER, ever get your truck tires off the dry paved surface, I can understand why 4X4 would be a question.

However, I am planning for the possibility that may come in the future where my tires will go off a "dry paved surface" (IE unloading equipment for landscaping jobs. Towing the trailer for other reasons than the business.)

I am not clairvoyant enough to foresee all the places I will need to go with my trunk over the years I have it. I may never need it. I may need it a lot. I would rather have it than not. The odds are higher that I WILL someday need it.

Hey, maybe (my crystal ball is a bit fuzzy here but,) I may be driving through Richmond, Virginia one dark rainy night. I may come upon a woman and her two children. The woman skidded off the road and got stuck in the ditch. (no injuries or damage)

Hey BTW, you have a wife and two children don't you.....

Anyway,... I would hate not to have the ability to pull them out because I did not buy a 4X4 since I thought I would never leave a "dry paved surface" or go outside the state of Florida.

;)

[Qdriver]

PeachState,

I actually lived in GA for a period as a young man. (Alma/Blackshear/Waycross)

I have two uncles who are lifelong car sales men. They are looking for a truck for me as well.

Sometimes I miss the peace of the country.

:)

[Barkleymut]

My wife drives a SUV w/2 wheel drive. I drive a chevy 2500HD with 2 wheel drive. I have been stuck once in my truck at the dump. Front end loader there pushed me out in about 10 seconds. I can't see spending 3-4K bucks on something I "may" use once a year. If you are plowing snow then by all means get the 4WD.

BTW: if my wife and kids are in a ditch then my last concern is the car. A wrecker can pull that out after I get them home.

If you want 4WD then go for it, but I thought money was tight???? Do you want power windows and an auto trans. too? Well get them. I've learned to do without the unneccesary things and it has paid off for me.

[Qdriver]

Barkleymut, I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. You asked for an explanation, I gave mine.

Anyway,. Thank everyone for their advise. I will continue to search for a truck. Auto trans is a must,.. power windows are an option.