Beater Truck

[Basement Paul]

So I'm slowly starting to begin my quest for a beater truck. This was always in the plan after the acquisition of the Golf. For normal commuting and hauling stuff to the post office, the Golf has it's place, but when it's time to get dirty and haul somewhat size-able and dirty items, I still need a truck periodically, and the S-10 will only work in that role for nice days and certainly no winter duty. I'd like to stick closer to $3k if possible, but would go up to $4k if the truck was right.

I'm envisioning a smaller truck like another S-10, Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, Colorado, Canyon, etc, and with 4wd so I don't need to buy snow tires for the Golf. A regular cab is preferred, but would consider the right extended cab, and a V6 is a necessity. A full size is just too big IMO for a vehicle that's going to get used once every couple weeks as I have to store it. I'd rather have a little higher miles than deal with rust issues.

Here's a couple that I found interesting so far:

https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/ ... 45919.html

https://sandusky.craigslist.org/cto/6506854015.html

https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/ctd/6497577385.html

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/6512602033.html

Out of this batch, I believe for my money that the red Frontier would be my choice, but I do really like a reg cab 4x4 Colorado.

-BP

[Maverick]

BP, check out the NC listings. Here's one that just needs a road trip. We'd get it ready for the trip home.

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/20 ... 89816.html

[Basement Paul]

That would be the cleanest one in Ohio, that's for sure. Unfortunately, the bed isn't big enough on that one. I've looked around your area and also Charlotte where The Rookie is, and all the trucks down there have way over 200k miles on them in my price range. I'm not in a big hurry, so I'll wait awhile and see if something pops up in the meantime.

-BP

[TheRookie]

This one's a little higher than your budget but I'm sure you can beat down the seller.

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/81 ... 50212.html

[Basement Paul]

I'm not sure he would come down as low as I would need him to. Plus, I'm not sure I could put 1400 lbs in the bed without feeling guilty about it. Plus leaving it sit outside.... couldn't do it.

I am finding it difficult around here to find ANYTHING under $4k that isn't a complete piece of shit. Either it has MAJOR rust issues or relatively significant mechanical problems. Since it's only a month away, I'm thinking it might be fun to wait for Carlisle and see if I could score a cleaner Ranger / S-10 or other truck-like vehicle from the swap meet. It's been a long time since any of us took a car out of there.

-BP

[Maverick]

What's wrong with this? https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/91 ... 29752.html

Too old? Too many miles?

You can even offer MORE than the asking price.

[Basement Paul]

HaHa! Not sure I'd offer more than the asking price, but I'd say if that truck was here, I'd definitely go take a look and most likely offer him close to or what he's asking. I'm not that concerned about the outside of the truck too much. It just needs to be decent enough to sit in my driveway without the neighbors complaining. The year and the mileage would be fine with me because being from down there, I'll be able to take stuff apart for at least the next three years before it gets too rusty.

Good find.

-BP

[Basement Paul]

Here's three more potential candidates on Raleigh Craigslist (or close area):

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/6513309629.html

https://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/6515936862.html

https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/ctd/6517690168.html

My pick of the litter would be the '02 truck. Almost a twin to mine with extended cab, but I like the reg cab and all the maintenance that has already been done and the price.

-BP

[TheRookie]

This looks like a strong candidate:

https://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/d ... 19224.html

[Maverick]

The red '02 S10 is RWD. Didn't see a 4WD shifter in the red Greensboro truck either.

If you find something down here, maybe WXO and I could drive it half way to Cleveland. We like road trips.

[Basement Paul]

I've given in to the fact that I've survived this long without 4wd, and I could do it again. The '91 does check all the boxes though and I like the square body design. If I did buy one down there, I'd just fly in and attempt to drive it home. I hate to inconvenience anyone over a vehicle, but the potential offer is appreciated. I think I'll really wait until Carlisle at this point unless something falls in my lap. And then if I can't find something reasonable there, I'll start my Southern search. Between you guys in Raleigh, Matt in Charlotte, and Matt in Atlanta, I should be able to track something down.

-BP

[Maverick]

Probably best to see it yourself before you buy. I know.

[Basement Paul]

It appears that I've found the official beater truck of BP. It's a 2004 Ranger, 2wd, longbed from West Virginia. The guy drove it up here to a small car lot in Chesterland not once, but twice to trade it in on a Toyota Tundra. I saw the Carfax and the story seems believable as every posting about it is from WV. It's a solid work truck in white, has a 3.0 V6 and an auto trans. The only option besides the auto trans appears to be cruise control. The air seems to work well, and so does everything else.

The issues I'll need to address immediately is the hole in the original muffler, the tailgate lever is broke on one side so the gate won't open, and the HVAC fan is only good on High. The tires all match and look real nice, the body is super solid if not a little beat up, and the underside looks real nice too, without any of the rot found around here. I drove it a few miles and it seems real solid and tight. Tomorrow I'll be paying for it and I'll work on getting it home after that. Once I get it home, I'll post a few pictures as the dealer already took the ad down.

So much for waiting for Carlisle. The good thing is that it's close to home and it's from the South. I paid extra for that, but after looking at many a rusted truck with the same type of issues, only MUCH rustier, I decided to pull the trigger.

-BP