Chevy Silverado

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chriscreags

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Aug 18, 2009
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Hi all,

I just wanted some input from other members:

One of my friends is selling his 1998 Chevy Silverado. It's a 3 door, 5.0 liter V8 model. He added a K&N air filter, a Flowmaster exhaust system, a lift winch in the bed, and a tanneau cover. It's at 160,000 miles. The exterior is in great shape, and the interior is extremely clean (carpet and seats, and headliner). I had the chance to drive it the other day, and was very smooth and comfortable with plenty of visibility. To sum it up: it seems to be a clean and well taken care of truck.

My questions are:
Is this a dependable truck? Is it a vehicle that is relatively easy to work on? My biggest worry would be gas consumption. I'm only a student, so the majority of my driving is to school and work (both are in the same city as each other) which is only 6 miles from my house...

Thanks for the time!

On a side note: I want to apologize if I posted this thread in the wrong section.
 
That year truck is known for fuel pump, egr and lower intake manifold problems. Yes it is easy to work on and expect 18MPG or less.
 
Originally Posted By: PT1
It's a gas hog....get an economy car.


Yea, economy cars make great substitutes for pickups.

As previously mentioned, the lower intake gasket and fuel pump could be issues. Other than that, check the transmission fluid and coolant. For the most part these are really good trucks. You may encounter minor electrical issues, broken interior parts, etc, but that's about it.

I'd ditch the K&N, but then again one K1500 5.7 ran up over 1,000,000 miles with a K&N.
 
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Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: PT1
It's a gas hog....get an economy car.


Yea, economy cars make great substitutes for pickups.



Yes they do when you are a student in Southern California. Who wants to be fuel poor when gas is $6/gallon? What you don't understand is people in Cali pay about $1-1.50 more for a gallon of gas than people in NC/SC. If he wasn't a student...well fine. But at 14-18mpg he can lease and economy $15k car that gets 30-35mpg for the amount he will dump down the gas tank.
 
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Originally Posted By: PT1
It's a gas hog....get an economy car.


That was not his question. I beleive he can make the choice himself on gas, i'll take my gas hog truck over a golf cart anyday.

It is a good truck, keep an eye on the LIM gaskets and keep your fuel fitler new to extend the fuel pump life. It is an older truck so anything can go wrong like water pumps, alternators etc..

Other than that enjoy.
 
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Are you using it as primarily a commuter vehicle is what we all want to know.If so,there may be a better choice,if it will be used for its intended utilitarian purpose (haulin' stuff and gettin' around)great .Trust your gut and know that most used vehicles will require repair from time to time.
 
If you're into this type of vehicle, the price is right and the vehicle has a well documented service history, go for it.

Is your friend the original owner of the truck? Any accidents?

Are you going to replace that '90 Legend you have?
 
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i am on my second silverado-expect lots of little things to break but nothing big. typical detroit build quality-poor-but a good basic desighn-just made from cheap parts
 
Originally Posted By: PT1
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: PT1
It's a gas hog....get an economy car.

Yea, economy cars make great substitutes for pickups.

Yes they do when you are a student in Southern California. Who wants to be fuel poor when gas is $6/gallon? What you don't understand is people in Cali pay about $1-1.50 more for a gallon of gas than people in NC/SC. If he wasn't a student...well fine. But at 14-18mpg he can lease and economy $15k car that gets 30-35mpg for the amount he will dump down the gas tank.

His commute is 6 miles each way from his house? I don't think leasing a $15k car is a smart decision to save a few bucks in gas. JMHO.
 
I have a 98 GMC Sierra z71 3 door. Similar to the one you're thinking of buying, but mine has the 5.7 V8. I love it. It sounds like you'd at least know some of the history of the truck with your friend being the previous owner, and that's always good to know.

If it gets to be too expensive for you with the bad mileage, you can always put a for sale sign in it. I say if you like it, go for it.
 
Originally Posted By: mcrn
His commute is 6 miles each way from his house? I don't think leasing a $15k car is a smart decision to save a few bucks in gas. JMHO.

Sure if that is all he drives...but when the US economy comes back you can be sure gas will be $4 in So Cal. so he will be paying the cost of a lease car if he drives the average US driver mileage per year. Do the math.
 
Thanks for the input!

Let me try to address all of your questions and comments:

-Yes, it would be replacing my '90 Acura Legend. The Legend has been a good first car, but had not been taken care of by the previous owners, and now I am enjoying the results of that. However, since I took ownership it's been pampered. I plan on letting my younger brother use it, he is about to start driver's training, so it will still be around if I ever had to use it as a backup or something. I would give it a "beater" status.

-Yes, if I do end up purchasing the truck, it will be my main commuter. And like I said, the college is only 6 miles (one way) from my house, and my work is less than 3 minutes down the street from my school. Yes, I do run errands and drive to local stores too, but it is very seldom that I go outside of that more than that distance from my house. I'm not one of those punk lead foot kid drivers either, I'm very cautious and always cruise at the speed limit and don't push or thrash my car.

-My friend is the original owner and has all maintenance records etc. It's clear that the truck has been taken care of, and it leaks nothing at all.

-The truck has a clean title, no accidents.

-No, I'm not interested in dealing with a car dealership with a sale or lease of any type of car whatsoever.

-In my 20 years of being alive, I don't remember gas hitting $6 a gallon, however I could be wrong. If I remember correctly, I think it peaked about two years ago at around $4.20 in my area. But then again, if it ever were to hit $6, I would dust off my bicycle, regardless if I'm driving a gas guzzler or economy car.

I think I've hit everything for now. Thanks again for the feedback, I really do appreciate it.
 
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PT1 - all your static aside, the poster wants a truck so he can have a truck. Last time I checked this was the USA and freedom of choice is alive and well.
 
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
PT1 - all your static aside, the poster wants a truck so he can have a truck. Last time I checked this was the USA and freedom of choice is alive and well.


amen
 
Originally Posted By: chriscreags
1998 Chevy Silverado. It's a 3 door, 5.0 liter V8 model.

I had one of those but it was a 95 with a tbi. It did okay gas mileage in the summer but I got horrible gas millage in the winter. Though it gets much colder here.

In the 8 years I had it only left me stranded once and that was when the start died out of no where. Check the rear main seal for a leak. Mine started to develop a little one around that mileage. Not enough to cause a problem but enough to drip a bit where it was parked.
 
My previous vehicle was a '98 Z71 with the 5.7L. Like others have said there are some common repairs, but they are pretty straightforward jobs. I bought the truck with 70k, and put another 75k on it. Other than the rearend going out(previous owner blew it and the genius that repaired it did a poor job) it was good to me. Had to put a fuel pump and alternator in, but nothing else major. All in all, it was one of the best vehicles I've ever had. Only reason I traded it in was it was time for a bigger truck. I'd say I got about 14-16 mpg unless I was towing, then it was a constant 10. If the price is right, buy it and enjoy!!
 
It sounds like this truck may be a good opportunity that came your way and you want to take advantage of it.

With your driving pattern, gas mileage is just one concern. Repairs and insurance can be a big part of the cost of ownership. If this truck is not needy and cheap to insure it may be a good deal for you.
 
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