How many miles is too many?

"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
11/06/2015 at 11:18 • Filed to: None

So I’m looking at this 2001 GMC Sierra 1500. It looks immaculate. I can’t believe how nice it looks in the pictures.

It’s not a ton of money, but it’s got 161,000 on it. With how clean it is I imagine it would have been well taken care of. Which equates to about 11,500 a year mileage, so it hasn’t been crazy worked.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Thoughts? I knew these trucks have long lives I just don’t want to get into something I shouldn’t. I do fully plan to tow 5-6000 pounds with the truck.

(hopefully I can trust OPPO’s to not snake it out from under me if I decide to go for it)

DISCUSSION (74)

Party-vi > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:22

You need to be looking for rust under the fender lips.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Party-vi
11/06/2015 at 11:23

Rockers and cab corners are common trouble spots on these.

crowmolly > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:25

BRAKE LINES.

Well taken care of or not, they are a big problem with this gen.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:25

Good for another 80-100k at least. What engine is it?

Watch the rockers and cab corners on these. If there's no rust there, then (unless they've been replaced) the rest should be rock solid.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/06/2015 at 11:26

great tips guys thank you!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Party-vi
11/06/2015 at 11:26

great tips guys thank you!

BigBlock440 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:26

If it’s not rusted, the odometer reading is almost meaningless.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/06/2015 at 11:26

5.3L V8 aka Vortec 5300

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > crowmolly
11/06/2015 at 11:27

Fascinating. I wonder how expensive it is to get new ones put in.

I suppose I could bend my own too if needed.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > BigBlock440
11/06/2015 at 11:27

Hahaha, that’s the impression I get about GM 1500’s

Party-vi > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/06/2015 at 11:27

I’ve only seen the fender lips start to go on my parents’ 2000 model.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:29

Solid. As a bonus, it will be worth more when you’re done with it. There are waaaaaaaaaaay to many 4.8's floating around. I'd check the VIN, anyway—some people don't know what they have. I ran into a couple supposed 5.3's that were 4.8's when I was shopping.

crowmolly > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:30

Depends. If it’s just the lines and you get copper/nickel it might be $1000-$1200. I don’t recall exactly what my friends (yes, plural) had to pay.

Not saying the lines will always rot out, but to me it’s a bigger issue with these trucks than mileage.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/06/2015 at 11:30

oh you know what I assumed 5.3L. I thought all the Sierra 2001’s were 5300’s.

EDIT: double checked the listing, he says it’s a 5.3L, I’d check though.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Party-vi
11/06/2015 at 11:31

When I was shopping, nearly all of them needed/had at least cab corners done, and many of them needed/had rocker panels done as well. Where are you located?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > crowmolly
11/06/2015 at 11:32

No that’s a strong point, 1000 bucks is a huge junk of money giving how much the truck costs.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:33

Yeah, I'd never even heard of the 4.8 until I started shopping. I thought they were all 4.3's or 5.3's myself.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/06/2015 at 11:34

and if you can get a good 1500HD it’s a 6.0L.

I haven’t been able to find a 4x4 1500 HD that isn’t rusted out or torn up inside.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:36

I didn't even know those were a thing until HammerheadFistpunch posted it a few days ago. I would have looked for an angryface one.

Nobi > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:39

Rot is the killer on these trucks. Rockers, cab corners, rear brake backing plates. The drivetrain is solid. I’ve seen a 2wd Short cab longbed version of this truck used as a parts delivery truck, so it got loaded with stuff constantly. it had the 5.3’s little brother, the 4.8 in it. That truck is still running around with over 300,000 on the original engine and to my knowledge aside from a timing chain replacement, it’s never been torn down. There’s a reason these things get pulled at the junkyard all the time to be used for dragstrip and high horsepower duty. The transmissions are decent as long as they’ve never been beat on, and the rear ends and driveshafts are’t bulletproof, but not bad. As a daily, it’ll serve you well for years.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/06/2015 at 11:40

Hahaha.

Yeah, and I mean I found some and I’d love to have one of those but they either cost too much, or are too destroyed.

I’m planning on pulling a pretty big ass camper with it which is 5000 pounds empty so put the battery propane, some camp gear, some water and oops we’re around 6,000 pounds.

So, this 1500 would be rated to around 8k pounds towing, the 1500 HD with the 6.0L is at around 10k.

8k is probably plenty though. I like to have “bonus room” when towing.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nobi
11/06/2015 at 11:41

great input, thanks!

Party-vi > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/06/2015 at 11:41

DC Metro area.

BigBlock440 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:41

I feel that way about most vehicles, especially trucks. The general condition usually matters way more than the number on the odometer. If it’s clearly been neglected, the “too many” number will be much lower than if it’s been well cared for. It just varies between vehicles so much that it’s hard to put a number on it.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Party-vi
11/06/2015 at 11:43

You probably see less salt than Canuckistan then I'm guessing. That could be it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 11:55

Lets put it this way, aside from the transmission, the truck will rust away before the powertrain stops working.

In other words, GO NOW, BUY IT.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/06/2015 at 11:56

Now I gotta sell the wife on it...

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 12:08

You could buy my 1995 F-150. It has 98K miles on the clock and will tow 6000 pounds. For far less than that GMC.

Downsides? Well, it’s RWD (with a tractionlok 3.55), and the factory radio was recently replaced. Oh, and you’d have to come to Georgia to get it (although I have driven it to and from Chicago from Georgia).

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
11/06/2015 at 12:09

Well, I’ll be in the Hilton Head/Savannah area in 2.5 weeks, and it’s most likely not rusted.

BUT it’s ruined by the lack of transfer case.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 12:10

You can’t have my GMT800 Duramax 4x4. I’m keeping that one...with 311K miles on a 2005.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
11/06/2015 at 12:11

Nah, don’t want diesel. Higher cost to buy them and it’s always like 80 cents more a gallon up here.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 12:12

The price difference on a RWD truck would buy a lot of salt to keep in the bed during the winter...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
11/06/2015 at 12:14

Nah, 4x4 or bust.

If I’m buying a truck I want all the capability of one. And it will make it down some trails at some point. It’s really popular to go out on Sand Dunes on the west side of the state too...

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 12:20

My dad has an 04 z71 ext cab, trans went out at 183k. It was never serviced and was mostly a work truck before if that makes sense. Just ask if the transmission fluid was regularly changed. The g80 posi in the rear tends to go out so try to test if you can. By the way the g80 is great in the snow, we only needed the 4x4 when mud and snow were involved. The 4L60e can tow 7k, but I wouldn’t do it for long distances. You might needed a new cluster too. Everything else is solid.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 12:22

This thing looks like it’s in great shape, and it’s definitely a NP if it’s as clean as it looks. If you’re going to tow that much weight, I’d budget for a trans rebuild.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/06/2015 at 12:34

Fair points. And yes it will be towing that much, I’m not sure how often and it’s mostly flat out here, but guaranteed once a year, most likely up to 5-6 times (or more) in the future.

GordonBombay > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 12:56

Kinja'd!!!

Not only is that thing clean but having the window sticker too?! Impressive. I found a lot of helpful information on this forum when I was shopping for this bodystyle of truck (I’ve got an ‘06) - www.gmfullsize.com - you have to put up with some brodozer trucks, but there’s still plenty of good info including how-to’s on these models.

Ryanator122 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 13:07

Dude, maybe you could find one that had the 4-whew steering option? I saw one working the other day and was immediately intrigued

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > GordonBombay
11/06/2015 at 13:16

That’s what I’ve been thinking about how clean it is.

The sticker is a proving point on that too. The truck is on it’s 3rd owner and the sticker has survived. I think everyone has taken care of it!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Ryanator122
11/06/2015 at 13:16

No thanks!

very expensive suspension when that system goes out!

(It IS cool though!)

functionoverfashion > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 13:17

I had a mechanically-same 2001 yukon xl that I always just called a suburban... anyway it was flawless for the 3 years I had it (~80k - 120k), and I checked recently and the guy who bought it from me still has it, with over 200k now. But I sold that rig for about $9k over 5 years ago. $7k seems a little high. Maybe not if it’s in really nice shape?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > functionoverfashion
11/06/2015 at 13:18

the 4x4 drives it up, even with those miles.

I can’t find any nicer for cheaper.

functionoverfashion > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 13:20

That’s interesting, I guess it makes sense that a 4x4 truck in good shape kinda bottoms out in value in that range... Part of why people will pay over $50k for a new one. They are very desirable just about everywhere in the US except for the densest urban areas.

MRFrankster > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 13:21

As a GM Parts Manager; shock mounts, backing plates, crossmember, center console lid if it has the split bench.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > functionoverfashion
11/06/2015 at 13:23

Yep, and I’m in the Midwest in Michigan. Not only are there farms all over, there’s suburban guys like me who want to haul a camper and snow to deal with so everyone wants 4x4. there’s a ton of RWD’s available, but I’m not interested in those.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MRFrankster
11/06/2015 at 13:25

now there’s some insight!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MRFrankster
11/06/2015 at 13:25

Hey mods, get this guy out of the Gray - he knows things!

qbeezy > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 13:27

For truck and some suvs, 100k isnt the same as a cars for the most part. besides the body rust potentially, if the engine is in good shape, it can last upwards of 225k+.

yamahog > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 13:31

Gotta search for the actual invite thread now :)

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 13:43

I wouldn’t pre-emptively rebuild it or anything, I would just be prepared to do so. My buddy has an ‘03 Yukon with the same drivetrain as the this truck. He tows a 5500 pound boat. The trans started slipping aroun 70-80k miles, so he had it rebuilt and beefed up “like a plow truck would.”

Luckily for us flat-landers, towing isn’t so bad. Unless you’re heading to the mountains. I don’t dare tow with my truck through the mountains, because mine has the 4.8.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/06/2015 at 13:45

Haha, yeah I imagine we’ll be hanging out around Michigan/ohio/indiana for the most part, so all flat. We go to ohio once a year guaranteed after that who knows.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 13:51

That makes it a lot easier!

It takes everything my truck has to get up to 55-60 merging onto an interstate when I’m towing our camper, which is about 4000 pounds loaded up. Not only does my truck have the 4..8, but it also only has a 3.20:1 rear gear. I look at the people I see towing 5-6000 pound campers with minivans, and I just can’t even wrap my head around it. They’re crazy!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/06/2015 at 14:17

My in laws were pulling the above camper with a RWD V6 Mountaineer with a 5000 max tow. It’s 5000 100% empty. They never towed it empty, I can’t believe the Mountaineer is still surviving, but it was only temporary, they switched to towing with a V6 Ranger w/ tow package ( had like 6200 max tow rating and trailer brake controller added on), once the ranger was totaled (totally unrelated) they now pull with a 99 Chevy Classic (not really a silverado haha) RWD with a 350. They finally have the right truck pulling it.

I’ve towed it with the Ranger and it was hell. Maxed on the highway at about 65 mph.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 16:38

This Sierra will tow like an absolute dream, compared to a Ranger! Ugh, that sounds like torture!

qbeezy > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/06/2015 at 17:16

Can confirm about tranny. Whole job was about 3k. Got an entire replacement. Tows my 20ft boat like it’s not even back there, with the cabin loaded up with gear and people. But the transmission is definitely a concern to keep a budget for.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/09/2015 at 08:58

Yeah, and for the record it would have never been my choice to tow with, it was a borrowed camper and a borrowed truck and it was the combo they used.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/09/2015 at 09:06

I gathered that. Don’t worry, I wasn’t judging you :)

The auto shop teacher at the first high school I worked at used to tow a steel car trailer (with whatever car he was hauling) with his ‘97 S-10 extended cab. It was rated to tow 6500 pounds, but I had a nearly identical ‘98 S-10 and the brakes on that thing alone would make that a seriously butt-puckering experience.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > qbeezy
11/09/2015 at 09:11

Good info, thanks I’ll keep that in mind!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/09/2015 at 10:03

God I hope it had trailer brakes....

I have to say the Ranger was a fun little truck. It was lifted with slightly oversized tires, was fun to drive around...when it didn’t have a giant trailer on it.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/09/2015 at 10:37

It did have trailer brakes, and he kept a very rigorous maintenance schedule for the truck.

I love my Sierra, it’s a better truck in every way ... But I miss that plucky little S-10!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/09/2015 at 10:43

Only vehicle I’ve ever missed was the 88 S10 Blazer 2 door that was my first car.

I’d love to have this Sierra, but it’s looking like the wife wants me to hold off on buying. If I could do it at a dealer so I could get rid of my Milan right away it might be a different story. She’s afraid of 3 car payments even if it’s for a shot time (I’d price Milan aggressively to sell it)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MRFrankster
11/09/2015 at 11:44

hey bro:

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/so-you-want-to…

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/09/2015 at 11:45

People really dog the S-series vehicles, but they were solid little trucklets.

3 car payments is a scary thing. You also may not be able to finance something as old as the Sierra.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/09/2015 at 12:37

Meh, my Credit Union will do pretty much anything for me these days hahaha. Benefit of “banking” at the same place for over 10 years and having really good credit.

That benefit is they’re all small payments. The Milan is actually under $150. Commander is under 250. Sierra would have been around 150.

So, anyhow, only way I can really do it is to use a dealer who will take my car right away.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/09/2015 at 13:34

Gotcha. Yeah, at least those are small payments.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/09/2015 at 13:44

I was thinking, man I spent $150 on 5k’s/race events in the last month... if I could do that, I should be able to handle the Sierra until I can get the Milan sold. Oh well, listing got taken down on the Sierra anyhow.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/09/2015 at 13:50

You’re paying just a few bucks more for the Milan and the Commander, as we are for my wife’s CX-5. That’s the downside of buying new, but we keep our vehicles for a long time.

I’m not surprised that Sierra is sold already. It’s not often you find those that clean. I had a 2000 Silverado Z-71 that was optioned exactly like that one, except it was all silver instead of two-tone. That was a nice freakin’ truck. I traded it in on the ‘04 GTO I bought in early ‘06 that turned out to be a lemon of monumental proportions (31 days in the shop in the 3-1/2 months I owned it). I traded the GTO in on the new ‘06 Sierra I’m still driving.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/09/2015 at 14:34

Man that sucks about the goat.

But yeah it’s the big benefit of buying used. The Commander was actually a Certified Pre-Owned too so we got some warranty on it (expired and un-used, but at least we had it for a year and a half of coverage).

You can get a lot more vehicle with a lot less of a monthly payment if you know what to look for when checking out the car. I also have put 50k miles on the Milan in 3.5 years.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/09/2015 at 17:36

The goat was also CPO, as was that Malibu I had last year. They both sucked (I loved the goat, but man what a piece of crap that thing was). I’m 0 for 2, so I’m done with late model used. From here on out it’s either new, or old beaters.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/10/2015 at 09:35

I typically try to buy around 40-45k miles. You get a lot of car for your money (unless you’re pickup shopping) with that range of miles. So far it’s worked out fine, I normally don’t see anything start popping up until I’m at or around 100k miles.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/10/2015 at 11:02

Yeah, that is a nice sweet spot. The statistics are in your favor for sure. I’ve just had shit luck. I took a bath on both my CPO cars, so personally I’m out.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/10/2015 at 11:11

Man.

My Milan wasn’t even a CPO. Crazy good deal on it though. I just pick cars that everyone knows don’t have major issues. Milan’s are solid (and it has been, first real part replacement was a rear brake caliper about 1000 miles ago at 95k.). The Jeep is just a bigger Grand Cherokee with a small engine (stupid 3.7L).

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/10/2015 at 12:59

Like I said, the statistics are in your favor. The goat was what it was, but I thought I was being super responsible buying that ‘11 Malibu, as those are also known to be very trouble free. Alas, it was not to be.

I did actually look at a Milan, but the center stack impinged on where my right knee wants to go, making it rather uncomfortable for me. I have ... shall we say ... a “wide stance”. The center stack is a problem for me in most modern cars actually.

As much as it hurts making new car size payments, we’ll get at least a decade out of that CX-5 and likely more. Five plus years of no car payments will ease the pain :)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
11/10/2015 at 13:57

Yeah it would.

Thankfully our car payments are small since they keep on going. That big of a monthly commitment is too much right now though. Maybe once my son is in actual school and out of daycare. God daycare is expensive.