(Might Purchase) **2001 Chevy S-10** (Any Feedback?)

[Pogwa]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/483123141.html

"Extremely clean 4 cyl automatic. 105K miles (60K on new engine) Runs great. Great vehicle for teens,2nd car, or work truck."

Good price?

He said that I can feel free to make him an offer.

He said there were regular oil changes made, nothing major ever done besides the engine swap.

Me and my dad are going to go check it out.

What you guys think?

[odie82]

I recently bought one also, 1998 2wd 4 banger 5 speed, for my work truck. my full size used to much gas, the s10 gets about 22-24mpg with 130,000 on the clock.


off topic:
I was going to by a different s10, went to go look at it with money in hand, test drove and told the guy I would think about it but I wanted it right there, he said there was nothing ever wrong with it, long story short came home did a car fax report and the truck was in a really bad accident, called the guy back and then he told me the truth after I comfronded him
I will never by another car/truck with out one.

[Pogwa]

Originally Posted by odie82

I recently bought one also, 1998 2wd 4 banger 5 speed, for my work truck. my full size used to much gas, the s10 gets about 22-24mpg with 130,000 on the clock.


off topic:
I was going to by a different s10, went to go look at it with money in hand, test drove and told the guy I would think about it but I wanted it right there, he said there was nothing ever wrong with it, long story short came home did a car fax report and the truck was in a really bad accident, called the guy back and then he told me the truth after I comfronded him
I will never by another car/truck with out one.

Regarding Carfax - Is it free ?

[kszygc]

Nope, not free, but WELL WORTH IT. $30. www.carfax.com

[Pogwa]

Originally Posted by kszygc

Nope, not free, but WELL WORTH IT. $30. www.carfax.com

Ok, sweeeet, thanks a lot for the input!

Also, the guy that I might buy this truck from said that there is a problem with the AC :

-It "Blows", but isn't as cold as it used to be.

What could that mean?
Could that be costy to repair in the worst case scenario?

[Palf70Step]

I have never driven one of the 4-banger/automatic S-10s, but I had a 97 S10-extended cab 4 banger/5 speed and it was a great commute vehicle. No power, but it is all flat around here and it got good mileage and I had a big "trunk" to haul things for the house.

I am not sure how powerful or how much that automatic would suck out of that little 2.2 though.

[72freak]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I have never driven one of the 4-banger/automatic S-10s, but I had a 97 S10-extended cab 4 banger/5 speed and it was a great commute vehicle. No power, but it is all flat around here and it got good mileage and I had a big "trunk" to haul things for the house.

I am not sure how powerful or how much that automatic would suck out of that little 2.2 though.

105K miles (60K on new engine)...........says it all for me!!!!!
And yes......5 speed would be the ONLY way to even think about buying one....

[kszygc]

Originally Posted by Pogwa

Ok, sweeeet, thanks a lot for the input!

Also, the guy that I might buy this truck from said that there is a problem with the AC :

-It "Blows", but isn't as cold as it used to be.

What could that mean?
Could that be costy to repair in the worst case scenario?

It could mean a vicious bill, or it could be as cheap as a can of refrigerant and a servicing system. There are some cans of refrigerant that have the servicing nozzle on the can. I don't recommend them because you can't tell before you put it in if the system is low or not. What you would need is to measure the high side pressure side and the low pressure side and see if the compressor is functional. If the compressor has had a catastrophic failure and the pressure on both sides is roughly the same, then you have to change the compressor, drier/accumulator, the condenser if it's a parallel system, and then purge the lines and evaporator. If the compressor is working ok and it's cooling a little bit, just not like normal it could easily be just short a can and you're in there. Oddly enough, I just did this 3 months ago to my father-in-laws 2000 GMC Sonoma. It ended up costing $650 or so just in parts from the local parts chain.

BTW, the engine/tranny combination was just fine for an around town truck, even for highway commuting as long as the terrain is relatively flat. You don't need a powerhouse of an engine just to get around.

[Pogwa]

First of all,
thank you everyone for your support and feedback, I appreciate it!

Second..

105K miles (60K on new engine)...........says it all for me!!!!!
And yes......5 speed would be the ONLY way to even think about buying one....

Does that mean that since it's a 4 Banger + Automatic, it will be hard on the engine, thus meaning that this truck will not be reliable in the long run (or even at all)?
Sorry if that was a stupid question !

BTW, the engine/tranny combination was just fine for an around town truck, even for highway commuting as long as the terrain is relatively flat. You don't need a powerhouse of an engine just to get around.

What do you mean by "ENGINE / TRANNY" combination mean?
Sorry again if that was a stupid question !

[PhilaTruck]

Hey, welcome to the board!

There's no such thing as a dumb question when you're buying a vehicle. The power question (engine/tranny combo) really comes down to your expectations. This truck will not be fast. You may find it adequate. I wouldn't expect that speed or power would be a concern if you were even interested in this vehicle. It'll get you around and you'll be able to haul some stuff, just don't try a bed load of stone. This vehicle got 4 out of 5 stars from www.cars.com users.

Given that everything else checks out (including the CarFax) I would pay attention to the engine. New engine at 45K? That's unusual. I've known people to beat little engines because they're used to V8s.

That price looks okay to me, you might be able to get it a bit cheaper. Check the blue book value (www.kbb.com) and see what other local sellers are ASKING for similar vehicles at www.cars.com, for instance.

That was good advice regarding the AC. Do that or take it to a mechanic or just expect that the AC might not work.

Good luck-

-Todd

[Pyrotechnic]

My friend has a 2.2 automatic. It aint got much power, and when you put a load in it, you can really feel it and it will start to struggle to maintain 75 MPH. It's probably just enough to get you around though. His is an extended cab. I imagine a regular cab with the 2.2 auto would do better.

Thats not a bad price for a 2001 truck provided everything checks out. If I was gonna get an S10 I wouldn't settle for less than the 4.3 V6 but at that price level for that new of a truck it's hard to be picky.

[72freak]

Originally Posted by Pogwa

First of all,
thank you everyone for your support and feedback, I appreciate it!

Second..



Does that mean that since it's a 4 Banger + Automatic, it will be hard on the engine, thus meaning that this truck will not be reliable in the long run (or even at all)?
Sorry if that was a stupid question !



What do you mean by "ENGINE / TRANNY" combination mean?
Sorry again if that was a stupid question !

Not a stupid question.........I would avoid anything that had the engine replaced that early and I would not own a 4cyl automatic. Pig, slug, no power, cant climb a hill.....etc.

[speed]

I had a 99 with the 2.2/auto tranny. It was gutless but I never had a problem with it other than the cat convertor went bad. Had 75K on it when i traded it off.
Used it for pulling a snowmobile or utility trailer and a work truck.
As for the A/C not working like it should most likely it needs some freon added to the system, but could be as serious as a leak somewhere in the system. Def have a AC shop check it out first.
Personally I think the price is a little high for a standard cab, closer to 2k-$2500 but also depends on how popular these trucks are in your area.

[RANDYC]

I have a 98 4.3v6, 182,000+ miles. I purchased from a retired guy at 50,000miles, Alot of small repairs, rear end, water pump, alternator, radiator, ball joints, head gasket, fuel pump, injectors to name some, plus normal maintanence, brakes, calipers, wires 1 set plugs, 3 batteries, lights door, hinges filter many many oil and filter changes (mobil 1) etc...