Vehicle is a 1997 Silverado. Body is near mint condition, not really a blemish anywhere. Interior is nice, but not mint. The driver's side seat power motor works, but the seat does not move. Drives great. My first ride in a chevy truck in years, was pretty much car like.
Engine is the 350. I tried putting the tranny through it's paces and drove in a way it had to keep shifting up or down (automatic obviously) - never missed a beat. From a dead stop I floored it, shifted great, only sound the engine made was a whooshing sound from gulping air - no floating valve sound etc....
Is an extended cab with the 3rd door, backseat like new. Only thing I saw that it really needs besides fixing the front seat is new tires. No play in steering at all, alignemnet about perfect as she tracks dead on if I let go of the wheel. No shimmying in the wheel at anytime.

It has around 220,000 miles on it. Would you buy it ?

I would guess I would put maybe 8,000 miles a year on it - but, I am planning on using it to pull a 19' bow rider which weighs around 2200 pounds. There is one pretty big hill I have to go up and down. Very short distance, doubt the tranny would even have time to get hot, tho I would still add a cooler anyway.

I can get it for 3300 out the door (is a 9.25 tax so cost is around 2994.

Any opinions - I would think besides the engine and tranny, with that many miles the steering parts could be going bad (pittman arm, ball joints etc), but as I mentioned, it handles like a new car.
I just love the looks, love the fact that it looks basically new and I love keeping the price under $3500.00

I will check here throughout the night and see what the opinions are. If good, picking it up tomorrow morning and will obviously seeing a whole lot more of me. If I should hold off, I will still be looking for a chevy as I really liked the ride. A whole lot better then my son's 2004 F150
thanks for any info

 

Sounds like you made up your mind already. I personally put more faith in the condition of the truck vs. the mileage. I would much rather drive a very well cared for 200,000 mile truck than a neglected 100,000 mile truck. How is the oil pressure? Those motors are known for leaky intake gaskets, so I would check that out. The last one I bought I showed up with a radiator pressure tester which will also check the intake gasket. Does the service engine light come on with the key and then turn back off? Did you get a chance to start it when the motor was cold - some will knock when cold. It sounds like you were very happy with the way it ran. You can't get much for that price range these days. I say if you like it, which it sounds like you do, and it is in your price range - buy it. If it has any issues we can help you out. Good luck!

 

Those 350 motors are known for great low end power for towing! My 99 Tahoe pulls good from a stop, but my 2001 only pulls hard from 3k on up. Plus rebulding those motors is dirt cheap! I would say go for it.

 

it started at right above 40lbs (i believe it was the middle of the gauge. After I drove it pretty hard checking everything out, motor was easily at operating temp, at idle it dropped down to maybe 36-38 , as soon as I started moving again right back to 40. Needle did not move much at all.
now I have no way of knowing if they go out and start the engines everyday (it is a small family lot), but I would be surprised if they did.
It has been fairly cold here for us, last few days in the low 20's or teens, chilly out today, around 36 and dropping.
Started right up, did not hear any noise whatsoever from the engine.
Now I did turn the key on once, turned it off and then started it. Just a habit I do when I start one of my cars that has not been started in a while to prime it......

Yes, I do like the truck, mainly due to the shape of the exterior.....BUT, if it is going to be one headache after another, I do not like it that much and there are always other trucks for sale.
I am just not used to such high mileage and at the price range I am looking at, I was surprised to see pretty much everything is 200k miles and over (except I have seen some stripped down ones with around 140k)

I did find a super nice looking 1994 with 75,000 original miles on it - super plain inside, no extended cab - I could live with that stuff, but the ride was not even in the same ball park as the chevy.....my son has a 1987 f150 and the 94 drove exactly like it - is like you have zero control over it....it is like there is too much power steering - hard to explain......u just have to really concentrate when driving, especially on curvy roads

 

Its a good deal for that truck in Michigan. Truck values are insane up here. If it's what you want and you like it, go for it. Maintenance isn't that much on these trucks even if stuff starts to go bad, and if it's been taken care of, it wont.

 

I don;t know why I thought it was a silverado, it is a GMC 1500 SLE. I bought it, I love it. After I bought it, turns out it is a one owner. I contacted him and he said he just had the transmission rebuilt, not a thing wrong with her, Has been garage kept her whole life, more a car then a truck.
No buyer's remorse

 

Good deal! Tranny's are really what to look out for as far as failure. But that shouldn't be a worry for a long while, jus keep the fluids clean, and dont be afraid to feed her some speed every once in a while! Haha If ya have any problems or questions, ya know where to come!

 

pictures of her from the lot, will get better ones later. Serious, paint is like new..
I guess I was thinking Silverado because that is what he had listed...also forgot, it has the towing package on it.....




not sure how long these pics will be up as he will be deleting the ad....

 

I have the same truck with 210,000 miles I had the tranny rebuilt and no problems for a year. I just recently had to change the fuel filter. really fun to drive with the 350

 

if you have extra money to maintain it then go for it