Chevy pickup truck 96-02 opinions

I'm in the market for a used pickup. I've narrowed my choices to an extended cab 4x4 Silverado/Sierra, either 96-98 K1500/2500 with the Vortec 350 or the 99-02 model with the new style 4.8 or 5.3. I like both body styles equally, and clean used trucks have between 70-110k miles, with the older trucks with low miles cost about the same as the newer ones. What are the strengths/weaknesses of the redesign besides appearance? I owned a '93 that had the old style TBI 350, sold it with 300k on it all original 5.7 TBI engine but the engine was weak and sucked gas.

I know that the 99 and up models had rear brake problems. I don't know that they ever got it fixed. I believe they were the ones with disc brakes on the rear. The 92-98 models had problems with the water crossover in the intake leaking (350 v8). I own a 93 that I bought used in 1999 and it has been a very good reliable truck. It has 179k on it and is my daily driver. I have fixed the intake water leak right after I bought it with 80k miles on it and has not given me a problem since.

C'mon Ed, get a real truck! You need a '97 to '02 dodge 2500 with a Cummins, they ain't even broke in till 300K! Then you can fire up the bio-diesel plant and make your own fuel for 50 cents a gallon.

Ed, I would agree with Matthaus . Go with the Diesel. I also believe if you can find a nice older model you can avoid NY State's emissions inspection. The Dodge/Cummins set up is one fine unit but if you look at Fords pm me I know quite a bit about them and what to look for. (There is a nice looking 99 Dodge in Honeyeye listed in RochesterNY craigslist )

I do like diesels, but my wallet doesn't. When gas was more than diesel it made sense, now that diesel is over $4 forget it for a daily driver.

Thanks for the input, I think that I might buy a 01-03 Tahoe instead. The Tahoe can tow 7000 pounds and can carry 2000# in the back and with the price of gas they are popping up for sale all over. I don't really care for all the luxury features but I do need a way to haul 6 people, 2 dogs, and all the related camping stuff cross country this summer to visit some relatives. Normally I would have just gone out and gotten another minivan but I like the option of being able to gather my own coal.

e.alleg wrote:I do like diesels, but my wallet doesn't. When gas was more than diesel it made sense, now that diesel is over $4 forget it for a daily driver.

$4.00 per gallon divided by avg 19 mpg = 21 cents per mile
$3.15 per gallon divided by avg 12 mpg = 26 cents per gallon

Sometimes the more expensive fuel is not the more expensive option.... of course if you are buying the Ford or GM V-8s then forget the avg 19mpg. The Dodge 5.9L 6 is the mileage king especially with a little after market work (my truck gets 22 to 23 highway with a little restraint on the go pedal). But then they aren't going cheap anywhere right now because they don't get poor mileage.

Best wishes for a successful hunt, just be careful that you figure the total cost with the gas guzzlers, there is a reason they are popping up for sale everywhere.

Common sense prevailed once again and I bought another minivan. 26mpg and it holds the whole family. I couldn't justify owning a vehicle that gets an average of 15 mpg, that equals at least $1500 a year more in gas. As much as I hate driving a mommy-mobile it is the most practical for a large family. Now all I need is to find me a beater Cummins pickup for "work"