Chevy S10

[clutchless]

What kind of trouble would i be getting into buying a 1996-2000 S10 4x4 with 90,000+ miles on it?

Need a 4x4 for snow, mud and hauling my bike around.

Looking to spend 5,000 - 10,000.

Aside from Toyota any other suggestions?

[hometheaterman]

Dakota or Tacoma are the two I would go with if it is going to be a daily driver.

Something about the way the S-10's look draw me to them and I would like to have one as a toy but not as a main truck. Several people I know have them and have had lots of problems. Consumer Reports also rates them horribly although I know a lot of guys on here don't like Consumer Reports.

They seem to be a lot cheaper than other trucks and get good gas milage so with what you save you can spend a little on repairs though.

[labouie]

If it has the 4.3 motor, thats a good one. Anything American at 100k miles needs: water pump, radiator, alternator, brakes, a/c, heater core, stereo, cig lighter, etc etc.... But I'd buy it over a Toyota, when's the last time you bought a Toyota part?

[Mountain Road Madness]

I think the S-10 is a good choice. They have a 4.3 liter V-6 engine with plenty of power. That kind of mileage is nothing if it has be taken care of. I would buy from a one owner that way you would know the maintenance that has been done. Hope this has helped. ?

[twoblackbelts]

When was the last time a Toyota needed a damn part?

I have a RAV Offroad that has needed:

Brake pads

Oil

Tranny fluid

Tires

in 70,000 miles HARD miles. VERY hard.

[Fred_Bear]

I love S-10's I've had 3 of them. I still have 2. one has 110,000 the other has well over 200,000. Other than not having jack for suspention travel they are great trucks. Toyotas are great too. I would rather drive a car than a ford or dodge truck.

[hometheaterman]

If it has the 4.3 motor, thats a good one. Anything American at 100k miles needs: water pump, radiator, alternator, brakes, a/c, heater core, stereo, cig lighter, etc etc.... But I'd buy it over a Toyota, when's the last time you bought a Toyota part?

The radiator was something I forgot to mention my friends ZR2 needed when I posted the problems his had in the truck forum.

[PoorLilRich]

go for dakota, probably about 8 or 9 mpg.

in all seriousness look into toyota, like 2bb said...when will you ever need to buy a part for one?

go look into any shop and there will be many many more dakotas or s10's in there than toyotas...

[hometheaterman]

go for dakota, probably about 8 or 9 mpg.

I have a friend with a Dakota now granted it is a 2wd but it has the 5.9L some special edition used as an indy pacecar and they get around 16-18 of course my friend with the ZR2 does get around 20 but it's a lot smaller engine.

I'd look at the Toyota seriously like you and 2bb suggested.

[fueler]

We had 95 ish S10's for work, beat the crap out of them, 2wd versions. I broke the rear leaf springs on it, those 25mph speed bumps can do it, hit the gas on the other side and you get a smooth landing.

I drive Toyota trucks, have for a long time. Wouldn't get the s-10 although I like the looks of the 4wd's.

[punkrock MX]

my 01 has 102,000 miles..no problems

[RideAgainstTheMachine]

my friends has a 94 s 10. 4.3L over 300,000 kms -186,411miles and hasnt put a dime into it

[fixnfly]

My 99 4.3 4wd has 147k on it. I replaced the fuel and water pump so far. A few small issues like door bushings and an alternator.The newer S-10's don't seem to take a beating like the pre 94 ones did. Never believe the so called consumer report B.S. They are very biased torwards imports.

[mikedabike]

I have owned Two Toyotas pick ups, a Honda CRX, a Acura legend, a Chevy Camaro and a 98 S-10. All of these were bought new. The S-10 has been the most reliable of all of these for me. Maybe I have just been lucky or Unlucky with the others.

[hometheaterman]

My 99 4.3 4wd has 147k on it. I replaced the fuel and water pump so far. A few small issues like door bushings and an alternator.The newer S-10's don't seem to take a beating like the pre 94 ones did. Never believe the so called consumer report B.S. They are very biased torwards imports.

Because imports are more reliable. I have a Honda with 190k on it and have had less problems with it than any american vehicle I have owned none of which had that many miles. Too bad the imports can't design an engine worth a shit when it comes to power. The engines are the only thing that keeps me liking the american made vehicles. That and the import pickups can't handle the work the american made ones can so in the fullsize class I wouldn't get a Toyota but for a S-10 the Tacoma is just as good and can do everything the S-10 can with half the problems.

[kawirider]

I have a friend with a Dakota now granted it is a 2wd but it has the 5.9L some special edition used as an indy pacecar and they get around 16-18 of course my friend with the ZR2 does get around 20 but it's a lot smaller engine.

I'd look at the Toyota seriously like you and 2bb suggested.

It is not really a special edition, it was just an option available for 4 or 5 years. I rode in one though, and let me say this. It was CRAZY! It has no weight on the rear tires, and with that big 5.9L V8, it could spin the tires when we were doing 50 and it was an automatic. As far as I know, it is the only mid size truck that has a V8. They stopped making them in like 2001 or 2002 or something.

[hondaphillip]

I HAve a 94 4.3 and treat it like complete sh*T. I drive it like a sports car and have no problems at all.

[hometheaterman]

It is not really a special edition, it was just an option available for 4 or 5 years. I rode in one though, and let me say this. It was CRAZY! It has no weight on the rear tires, and with that big 5.9L V8, it could spin the tires when we were doing 50 and it was an automatic. As far as I know, it is the only mid size truck that has a V8. They stopped making them in like 2001 or 2002 or something.

You sure? Maybe not I thought he was telling me it was used as a pace car before they got it but maybe not. Or maybe it was but not anything special about it other than that.

He says it has the stock ehxaust yet it's as loud as my Flowmasters are on my Ram with the same engine or if not as loud close to as loud did they come with a special exhaust or what?

[Chevy_Cowboy]

90k is nothing on a V6 S-10, when treated right (and often even when NOT treated right) they'll easily run 3 times that with very few problems. Very solid little trucks.

Avoid the 4 bangers if you want to use the truck for anything other than daily transportation, the V6 will hold up better and actually do alittle work once in awhile too.

[twoblueballs]

When I was a bouncer in new york I got my way with three women in the back of an S-10 once