Trucks within the 15 to 20k range, Full-size?

[myrockfight]

Hey guys. I'm looking for a truck that runs in the above price range, or possibly a little over. We can depreciate it through the farm, so I was going to get a new truck or one that is less than two years old. It doesn't have to be a 4x4 necessarily, but it sure would be nice. I'd love a crew/extra cab of some type, but it isn't needed. I'll take the xtra cab over 4x4 option though. It needs to be a V8. I'm not driving a truck that produces 100hp less but only gets 2-3 mpg more. 

Oh. And no Fords. It's a legal issue that I can't talk about, but an issue all the same.

I literally started looking yesterday, but I was hoping you guys could shed a little light on the subject. I did a search on APS for "new" "trucks" and couldn't find any threads. But I thought I remember someone looking for one recently too.

[Northwoods]

Oh. And no Fords. It's a legal issue that I can't talk about, but an issue all the same.

If that's related to their support of gay causes, I seem to recall that they'd changed their stance on that.  Could be wrong though.

Any of the 1/2 ton trucks from the Detroit 3 can be had within that price range anywhere from new to 3 years old.  It all depends on the options.  When I was truck a year and a half ago, I could have bought a brand new F-150 extended cab 4x4 for $13k.  Granted, other than the 4x4 it was a stripped down model that were just trying to get rid of.  If I didn't have 2 kids I might have taken that one, but I needed a crew cab.  At that time there were TONS of 0-3 year old 4x4 crew cabs for under $20k.  Gas isn't $5/gal anymore like it was then, and the new trucks aren't in such an oversupply, but I'd still think that there'd be plenty of options among GM and Dodge that would fit your bill.

Stay away from the Laramie packages on Dodge and the GM equivalent if you want to keep the prices down.  I got a Laramie equipped '06 Ram Mega Cab in '08, and it is a great truck.  More comfortable on long drives than my wife's '97 Camry.  The kids can't kick the seat in front of them.  I don't regret it at all.  $22k for it when it was 18 months old with 24k miles and also a fair amount of aftermarket goodies.

Try Craigslist for your city.  That's usually a good place to start.

[Brad Johnson]

If it's a farm rig and all you want is the basics, you might be able to get a Chevy W/T series only a year or two old for that.  Maybe even dealer-new if they have one left in old stock.

Brad

[Jamisjockey]

My 3 year old 1/2 ton is valued about $20k.  I'm light on the mileage side, only have 30,000 miles racked up, but it meets pretty much everything you're talking about if that helps any.
I prefer Ford, Toyota, and Nissan, in that order.  Not much for Dodges and Chevys, the ones I've been in over the last 5-10 years haven't been much on quality.

[charby]

For a guy "me" who has been truck shopping for the past year I have not seen any extended cab or crew cab trucks 4x4 within 5 years old for under $20k granted I live in a ag state but you may have to go older if you want to stay under $20k.

I have seen a few 2wd drive crew cabs under $20k that are under 3 years old.

[MechAg94]

A guy here at work bought a Chevy Tahoe for what I thought was a pretty good price (~$14K).  He got from a used car place that buys foreclosed and auction vehicles.  I don't recall the name right off.  You might find something similar in your area. 

[myrockfight]

A guy here at work bought a Chevy Tahoe for what I thought was a pretty good price (~$14K).  He got from a used car place that buys foreclosed and auction vehicles.  I don't recall the name right off.  You might find something similar in your area. 

Just out of curiousity, what year was it? I will look around for a place like that.

The Ford thing has nothing to do with "the gay thing." Actually, I have never heard of that. Unfortunately, I can't take advantage of their discount plan through my granddad's employment there. It is due to a product liability suit though.

Yeah. I can't believe the crew cabs are so friggin' expensive. I mean, ten grand more? Ugh. 

[MechAg94]

I thought it was at least 4 or 5 years old, but it was in pretty good shape. 

I was thinking of that route since I like Tahoe's yet I don't want to buy from govt motors.

[Brad Johnson]

Yeah. I can't believe the crew cabs are so friggin' expensive. I mean, ten grand more? Ugh. 

Not really.  I just bought an 07 2wd Supercrew for just over $18k. Same thing in a standard cab was about 16k.

Brad

Brad

[Gewehr98]

Yeah, but there was a reason yours was on discount, Brad.   

[charby]

Yeah, but there was a reason yours was on discount, Brad.   

BAWWWAAAHAAAHAAHAAAHHAAAAA  Derp!

I don't think I'd ever buy a 2wd pick up truck ever again, it's ike a fat mumble mumble, um I mean pig on ice in the winter time.

[Brad Johnson]

Yeah, but there was a reason yours was on discount, Brad.   

Yeah, but KBB puts it at just over $19k in super-duper shape.  Still comes under his $20k limit.

...and I like the truck more every day.  Wish I still had the Vic, though.  *sniff*

Brad

[myrockfight]

Yeah, but KBB puts it at just over $19k in super-duper shape.  Still comes under his $20k limit.

...and I like the truck more every day.  Wish I still had the Vic, though.  *sniff*

Brad

My condolences to you on the Vic. I know you loved her so. I mentioned I would be alright trading the 4x4 option for the extra cab space. We have other 4x4s that operate just fine, but I need something to just run around town sometimes, pick suppies up, and tow light trailer (no goosenecks or anything) sometimes.

I wanna try to keep it a little nicer for at least a while, so I could still take it town in the evening without stepping into the thing and instantly saturated with the smell of manure and covered in the oh so slight dust created from the churning and drying of said manure. Such a wonderful infusion of sensations, of which I can't imagine why someone would shy away?!

[Ryan in Maine]

Just checked a few local dealers.

Few questions for you:
Scale of 1 to 10, how important is
the v8 engine? (could a v6 do job if price is right)
a legit 5 or 6 liter engine? (a lot of the Chevy/GMC models use the 4.8)
a model from the past couple of years? (go back '05-'07 and prices look sweeter)
standard vs. automatic? (preference for either)
the interior space you'd get with extended/crew cabs? (could regular cab do job if price is right)
the truck bed? (do you need that open storage or could a truck-based SUV work out)
brand? (Chevy, GMC, Dodge, Nissan, Toyota)

The first few to jump out at me using the original criteria were these (all extended cab):
'08 Chevy Silverado 1500
4x4 auto
4.8 v8
31,680 miles
$21,605

'08 Chevy Silverado 1500
4x4 auto
4.8 v8
46,668 miles
$21,645

'08 Chevy Silverado 1500
4x4 auto
4.8 v8
69,187 miles
$21,845

Keep in mind, those are posted prices. I didn't make any phone calls. Getting them for $20,000 off the lot, all fees included, isn't impossible. Not even up here in truck country.

There's always that deal to be had, too. In last weekend's paper, a dealership 3 hours south of me started advertising an '05 GMC Sierra 1500. Extended cab. 4x4. 4.8. V8. A/C. Auto. 9500 miles. $18,990.

If you've got an eye for trucks I'd definitely look at private sales as well. Another amazing deal was in the classifieds of the same paper. '05 GMC Sierra. Extended cab. 4x2. 5.3. V8. A/C. Auto. 36,000 miles. $15,000. With a whole lot of extras included (LED exterior lighting and lots of chrome additions). Nearly flawless condition.

+shrug+

I'm trying to make a truck/car (preferably truck) purchase this spring for under $16,000. '03-'05 has been my sweet spot.