Update: The Search For The Perfect Small Truck In The Midwest

"revarthurbelling" (revarthurbelling) 07/13/2015 at 22:35 • Filed to: None

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A few months ago, I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that I’d soon be in the market for a small truck. Well, the good news is that I paid off the Hyundai! Got a shiny title from my Credit Union (Highly recommend CUs) and all. The bad news is that the pickings for small pickups are sort of “meh” atm in the middle of Illinois. I could go to Chicago and find something (scoured craigslist and all), but that’s kind of a hassle I’d rather not deal with (3-plus hour drive to and back, and all).

I’ve found some sweet looking manual rides for around $2K, but I’ve also found some people who are WAY too proud of their 20-odd-year-old trucks.

Here’s a case in point. Here’s the description:

Rear Wheel Drive,Temporary Spare Tire,Power Steering,Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes,ABS,Daytime Running Lights,Automatic Headlights,Intermittent Wipers,Variable Speed Intermittent Wipers,Engine Immobilizer,AM/FM Stereo,Driver Air Bag,Passenger Air Bag,Passenger Air Bag On/Off Switch

It’s blue, and manual. Sounds sweet, right. Hell, the photos even look good:

It’s priced at $2995, which isn’t a bad price. A little more than I want to shell out for what will basically be a beater I can tinker with.

Oh, wait. I forgot something. The mileage: 235,294 miles.

Now, I don’t know about you other Jalops, but that seems a little high of an ask for that many miles. What are your thoughts?

Also, this is the first time I’ve used carguru.com. Anyone used it before?

TheOnelectronic > revarthurbelling 07/13/2015 at 22:41

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Someone did an article on a few car shopping sites and comapred them. I don’t know if Carguru was one of them, though... Might be worth looking up.

Brickman > revarthurbelling 07/13/2015 at 22:46

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I have a 2000 S10. Excellent truck, great fuel economy, have the 2.2 4cyl manual. Rev happy truck :D. It went though all it’s bad quirks. Rotten vacuum hoses, broken defrost vent, seat recline broke, fuel gauge is not to be trusted when low, and slave cyl replaced. All under 30k miles :P

I say go for it. Easy to work on and parts are plenty and cheap. Not to mention customizing.

revarthurbelling > Brickman 07/13/2015 at 22:47

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Nice! That’s sort of the area (years) I’m looking for. I might daily drive it during my 2 mile work commute, but mainly just something to tinker on and haul stuff.

XJDano > revarthurbelling 07/13/2015 at 22:59

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Where is middle of Illinois?

https://bn.craigslist.org/cto/5119007563…

revarthurbelling > XJDano 07/13/2015 at 23:02

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XJDano > revarthurbelling 07/13/2015 at 23:07

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Ok, some folks have different definitions of “southern”

I’m from StLouis so & try not to cross that river if I don’t have to.

(Currently working in Galesburg, IL. )

Is Bloomington CL too far?

revarthurbelling > XJDano 07/13/2015 at 23:16

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Bloomington CL? or do you mean Bloomington, IL? Bloomington’s not too far. I’ve been focusing around the Champaign-Urbana area atm.

XJDano > revarthurbelling 07/13/2015 at 23:18

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Well Bloomington, il CL.

I'll take a look around Piora, il CL too. I'm stuck in a hotel and been looking for things to spend money I don't have on.

XJDano > revarthurbelling 07/13/2015 at 23:35

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https://peoria.craigslist.org/cto/5115606956…

That's kind of rare if you don't mind some cancer.

boxrocket > revarthurbelling 07/13/2015 at 23:36

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Do you mind coming to Saint Louis? I got a buddy with a late-'90s Ranger XLT for around $4K and a neighbor with a ‘93 F-250 XL extended cab with the 7.3L diesel for $3K.

JGrabowMSt > revarthurbelling 07/13/2015 at 23:53

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Just a little S10 to tinker with?

shop-teacher > revarthurbelling 07/13/2015 at 23:57

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That’s overpriced by about double. If that’s the best you can find, I think the drive up to Chicago would be worth it. Or maybe over to Indianapolis.

revarthurbelling > XJDano 07/14/2015 at 00:34

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Holy shit! That’s only the second Jeep I’ve come across in my searches so far. And that’s a sweet price. I’ll check it out. Thanks!

revarthurbelling > boxrocket 07/14/2015 at 00:35

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Awww, man. I’d drive to STL, but $4k is a bit out of my price range atm. If I hit the lottery, I’ll look you up. :)

revarthurbelling > JGrabowMSt 07/14/2015 at 00:37

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Not quite THAT much tinkering. lol, but I have an itch to get my hands greasy on a car that’s not the primary, if you know what I mean.

revarthurbelling > shop-teacher 07/14/2015 at 00:39

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I’ve found a couple of bargains better than this. I was just struck by the mileage/price and thought it would be a good excuse to post and let people know how the search is going and get some info from the Jalop/Oppo crowd.

shop-teacher > revarthurbelling 07/14/2015 at 00:40

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Fair enough! Good hunting!

mcseanerson > revarthurbelling 07/14/2015 at 00:51

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I found your truck.

Sinanigans > revarthurbelling 07/14/2015 at 01:22

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This:

revarthurbelling > Sinanigans 07/14/2015 at 02:40

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There will be no stance-ing in my garage! Also get those whitewalls back on a 50s era car where they belong. ;)

revarthurbelling > mcseanerson 07/14/2015 at 02:42

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LOL “was going to combine the two and make one or could fix both.was going to combine the two and make one or could fix both.”

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > revarthurbelling 07/14/2015 at 02:58

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i was looking for a small truck originally. then i got this

because i can get 20-21 mpg on highway and haul a lot more stuff

Sinanigans > revarthurbelling 07/14/2015 at 11:16

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I know I shouldn't, but I still love these rat rod inspired trucks.

revarthurbelling > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 07/14/2015 at 12:36

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I’m assuming you’re not talking about the Miata LOL

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > revarthurbelling 07/14/2015 at 14:10

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nope. 7.3 diesel. went four hours to illinois two weeks ago and averaged that with my 650 atv in the rear

revarthurbelling > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 07/14/2015 at 14:42

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Nice! I really don’t need that much hauling capacity. The mpg is good, though. Have fun with it!