Hi everyone! I am new to this forum, but I am also unfamiliar with GM trucks (being that I or anyone in my immediate family hasn't owned one), and am now currently in the market for a newer truck. Now when I say I'm unfamiliar with GM trucks, I do not mean I'm completely clueless, because I work a bit around vehicles, I just have a few questions that I thought would be better answered by actual owners of GMC vehicles.
Now I currently own a 1997 Dodge Dakota Ext. Cab, with the 3.7 Magnum V6, and the 6 1/2 foot bed. The vehicle is okay, and gets me where it needs to, but is very problemsome and underpowered. I am able to work on my own vehicles but it is hard to keep up with fixing things around my schooling and busy work schedule, especially when some take longer than others; ex. replacing the water pump. In the last year, I have had to get the roof and hood repainted because all the paint oxidized, replace the very rusted out rear quarter panels, replace both very rusted out bumpers, replace a water pump twice (first replacement was faulty), replace the power steering hose and reservoir, fix the E-brake cable, fix a broken tie rod, replace the fuel sender, and fix leaks in the radiator. Even still, I need to replace the A/C compressor with will be costly. I have no heat or air conditioning and dread the upcoming summer months. It also recently started making a buzzing sound coming from the left dash area when the truck is turned off.
So with all the issues, I had recently got the idea of buying a new truck, one I would like more, because I see no point in paying an arm and a leg on a vehicle that I don't really care for, and that's also too small for me (Being 6'5"). I've had enough.
A week ago, I was in a shop doing a regular oil service on a truck and really liked the look of it. It was a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD Single cab with an 8 foot bed and the 6.0 L Vortec V8. I just about fell in love with it. So I started looking around at Sierras and doing research.
My main question I have really is what people thing about a Sierra I have found and am interested in buying.
The truck is a 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab 4-door, 6 1/2 foot bed, and has the 6.0 L Vortec Gas V8. It's got 138K miles, has the cloth interior, the upgraded Bose sound system, steering wheel controls, and power windows and mirrors. The pictures on the dealer web site show the truck to be pretty clean and in pretty good shape. The truck looks to be completely stock. It's currently for sale for $13,000.
Is this deal probably a bad idea? What are some of the life spans of your 6.0L Vortecs? Is the mileage or price too high? And when I go to look at the vehicle if I do, what are some common things to look for, ask, or watch out for? I really like the stance of the truck and the looks as well as the more room. What's a realistic life span I could reach with this truck with regular maintenance and taking care of it? I'd be using the truck for regular transportation to work and school as well as occasionally towing our boat, rv, dirt bikes and atvs in the bed.
Thanks so much for all of your input and hopefully I can call myself the owner of a nice GMC Sierra.
Now I currently own a 1997 Dodge Dakota Ext. Cab, with the 3.7 Magnum V6, and the 6 1/2 foot bed. The vehicle is okay, and gets me where it needs to, but is very problemsome and underpowered. I am able to work on my own vehicles but it is hard to keep up with fixing things around my schooling and busy work schedule, especially when some take longer than others; ex. replacing the water pump. In the last year, I have had to get the roof and hood repainted because all the paint oxidized, replace the very rusted out rear quarter panels, replace both very rusted out bumpers, replace a water pump twice (first replacement was faulty), replace the power steering hose and reservoir, fix the E-brake cable, fix a broken tie rod, replace the fuel sender, and fix leaks in the radiator. Even still, I need to replace the A/C compressor with will be costly. I have no heat or air conditioning and dread the upcoming summer months. It also recently started making a buzzing sound coming from the left dash area when the truck is turned off.
So with all the issues, I had recently got the idea of buying a new truck, one I would like more, because I see no point in paying an arm and a leg on a vehicle that I don't really care for, and that's also too small for me (Being 6'5"). I've had enough.
A week ago, I was in a shop doing a regular oil service on a truck and really liked the look of it. It was a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD Single cab with an 8 foot bed and the 6.0 L Vortec V8. I just about fell in love with it. So I started looking around at Sierras and doing research.
My main question I have really is what people thing about a Sierra I have found and am interested in buying.
The truck is a 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab 4-door, 6 1/2 foot bed, and has the 6.0 L Vortec Gas V8. It's got 138K miles, has the cloth interior, the upgraded Bose sound system, steering wheel controls, and power windows and mirrors. The pictures on the dealer web site show the truck to be pretty clean and in pretty good shape. The truck looks to be completely stock. It's currently for sale for $13,000.
Is this deal probably a bad idea? What are some of the life spans of your 6.0L Vortecs? Is the mileage or price too high? And when I go to look at the vehicle if I do, what are some common things to look for, ask, or watch out for? I really like the stance of the truck and the looks as well as the more room. What's a realistic life span I could reach with this truck with regular maintenance and taking care of it? I'd be using the truck for regular transportation to work and school as well as occasionally towing our boat, rv, dirt bikes and atvs in the bed.
Thanks so much for all of your input and hopefully I can call myself the owner of a nice GMC Sierra.