Updated: I'm Buying an Old Truck Today. But don't know which to buy?

"Luc - The Acadian Oppo" (luc5)
05/16/2015 at 10:17 • Filed to: None

I was driving around last night and I saw this sweet sweet 1982 GMC Sierra 1500 in Baby Blue that was completely rust free and was mildly done up. Centerline wheels, hooker Headers,Edelbrock 4barrel carb,spray in box liner,and more.

The bad it has 233,000kms (145000 miles) ,tires are pretty worn out and it is just a 305ci. I took it for a test drive and it drove just fine. I forgot to take a pic of it. Asking price? $4000.00 considering I’ve seen these in worst shape sell for quite a bit more than that it is a NP.

BUT

I get home and I hop on the Classifieds and I spotted this one.

This 1986 Chevy C2500 is an EX park Rangers truck. It has only 106,000 kms (66000 miles),350ci & BRAND NEW Goodyear tires. Asking price $2500.00 I haven’t seen this one up close yet so it could be a heap who knows. But from what the ad looks like it seems like the better buy. The problem? The guy has no phone number on the add so I can’t call him.

I emailed him hopefully he replies since I have an appointment to buy truck #1 at 1pm today but I really want to check this one out first.

UPDATE: I was able to get in touch with the guy and I’m going to check it out at 11:30am. I sure hope it checks out as I’m now heavily leaning towards this truck.

Truck #1 is definitely the better looker but truck #2 is significantly less money and mechanically probably the safer bet.

Which would you pick? I really wish I took a pic of truck # 1

DISCUSSION (23)

RallyWrench > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 01:15

$ 4500 seems a bit steep for number 1, and 2 sure looks like something I’d drive for the money.

Big Bubba Ray > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 01:18

Truck 1 sounds sweet. Bring 3,500 CASH and nothing more. Money talks and people mark prices up on classified adds cause they know buyers are going to low ball. If you throw the offer his way, even though it is less than asking, he may spring for it.

They’re pretty much the same truck besides the engine displacement (someone correct me if I’m wrong please). I would imagine the GMC has had “easier” miles on it because it wasn’t a park ranger’s truck.

Either way, good luck finding a truck!

boxrocket > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 01:29

Negotiate both down $1K each, buy both, no dilemma.

Or buy an F-Series.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Big Bubba Ray
05/16/2015 at 01:36

truck 1 wasnt in the classifieds I just saw it for sale in the owners drive way. He told me 4k was his absolute bottom dollar.

but I get you about truck number 2 might of had a harder life but is has half the miles.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > RallyWrench
05/16/2015 at 01:37

I’m strongly leaning towards truck 2. the owner just texted me. I’m going to check it out at 11:30am tomorrow.

Birddog > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 01:38

I’m not sure I like you anymore.

That Brown truck is better than my Blue truck.

How are old Chevies in better shape up in Candinadia than down here in the “States”?

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Birddog
05/16/2015 at 01:44

in Alberta they don’t use salt on the roads so stuff can be in good shape. but honestly its hit and miss. most of the ones I see in this price range are crap. just turns out I found 2 great ones in one night. yet in the last 6 months I did not see one worth it enough to go see.

Wacko > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 01:52

Number 2 all day long, and it’s a 2500

Birddog > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 01:59

I’m just messing with you. I just want more land barge stuff.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Wacko
05/16/2015 at 02:01

thats sort of what I’m thinking. going to see it in the morning.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Birddog
05/16/2015 at 02:04

There will be one for sale here real soon. I’m still gonna “finnish” it before unloading it. Its still going for a buff job tomorrow.

Dsscats > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 02:28

Good. It’s a much better deal and you’ll have some project money

Birddog > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 02:30

I’ll shut my Maw, throw some good music on and wait for Luc in the Buff.

shop-teacher > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 08:16

Another vote here for #2. This is my favorite body style of pickup trucks. I can’t believe you found two in such good shape. These trucks rusted FAST. My dad had a new ‘79 K10, and it popped it’s first body rust after only 3 years.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > shop-teacher
05/16/2015 at 08:56

I haven’t seen truck 2 in person yet so it could be rusty who knows. But from the not so clear pictures the fenders look mint! As long as the rocker panels are good and the underside is clean I think we have a winner.

I will update later today.

Wacko > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 09:47

Keep us posted.

I’m jelly, can’t find anything in that condition over here.

I just bought a used 6x10 enclosed trailer instead of buying a pickup

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 10:21

Option 2.

bdinger > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 10:24

I’m an old truck kind of guy, and I’d go #2 all the way. 350 instead of the blaaah 305, 2500 instead of 1500 and best of all it’s a clean slate. Nobody has dickered with the thing and done the bubba speed upgrades route. That 350 is going to lend itself better to upgrades than the 305, and it’s likely more fresh anyway.

Also, ranger truck is cheaper.

Man.. That ranger truck all the way. Take the cash difference and have some fun starting on it for yourself!

jkm7680 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 10:32

Frame rust!

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > bdinger
05/16/2015 at 10:33

That is 100% what I was thinking. That is sort of what I disliked with truck #1 is that it isn’t original. I don’t like my cars original but I want to be the one choosing my own parts and doing it my way.

As long as truck #2 is as clean as I hope it is, the last thing I need is another rust heap, it is the one I’ll be buying.

And yeah 305 blaaah!

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > jkm7680
05/16/2015 at 10:36

That is the first I’ll be checking for. My Lincoln the body is mint but the underside is a rust heap. I won’t be doing that mistake again.

Truck #1 the frame and underside was MINT! I just hope Truck #2 is as good.

crowmolly > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
05/16/2015 at 11:08

$4000 for a truck with an early 305? That thing better be in awesome shape.

I’d say #2 for the better chassis and powertrain alone.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > crowmolly
05/16/2015 at 11:14

#1 was beyond awesome shape. When I saw it for sale I thought for sure it was way more money than $4K. From 15ft away it looked like it just came out of the showroom. Oh and I should mention that in Alberta trucks command a huge premium since they are so desired. Normally for 4K you would get an old rusty truck that has 300000 miles and barely runs. Both of these look like a fantastic purchase for the price in my area.

This ‘64 C10 with a 305 is $3900 bucks.

Kinja'd!!!

I just hope #2 doesn’t disappoint me because that’s the one I really want.