possible (used) truck -- advice sought

mhardy6647
mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
I know there are folks on this forum with deep knowledge of the subject, so I figured I'd ask here.

My son-in-law discovered a nice looking GMC Sierra pickup for sale that is literally minutes from their house. Walking distance (on a nice day).

He and I went over to look at it this evening. It is a 2012 GMC Sierra 4wd, and it is a "work truck". Minimal frills (no frills); rubber floor mats, steel wheels. It has an extended cab & looks like a long bed. 84k miles; they're asking $13.5k.

Here's a not particularly good photo of it.

vo86ozoosgm4.png

No idea what engine is in it. Looks to be in good shape (no rust, even on the rear bumper).
Other than that, as of now I know nothing about it. Interestingly, it's got Vermont plates on it.

So... before I even call the person who's selling it, are there any particular red flags about this truck model/year that I should know about? I.e., is it worth even a call?

Thanks!

Comments

  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    I can run the warranty data when I get into the office tomorrow. Most of the issues for any used vehicle are usually electrical and powertrain.

    A test drive would certainly would tell the tale. If you do take it for a spin, make sure you poke around on all the electrical functions. Infotainment, HVAC, Driver information center, any and all electrical switches, to ensure they are all working properly. A VIN would enable an precise history of that vehicle too. Let me know.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,124
    That's below market in my area
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    Looked like a pretty reasonable price for a 4x4 pickup that's not too old, reasonable miles, and doesn't look like it's been abused. That's what piqued my interest.

    I suspect any "infotainment system" on board would be pretty bare-bones ;)
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,124
    I think all the 4x4's were 8cyl
    2012 6cyl...hmmm, not a great motor for that truck...that's what I'd confirm

    Down here you're looking at the minimum an additional $1500, but probably $2500 more
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    as I now I definitely do not know what engine it has -- other than that it's not a Diesel.
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Long bed? Check. 17" wheels? Check. It's a 1500 or LD 2500 (likely the latter). HD would get 8 lug and a different steel wheel. If it has a vacuum booster for the brakes, 4.8 or 5.3. hydro boost? 6.0L (unlikely). Drums in rear? Most likely the 4.8.
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,042
    No way there's a V6 in there.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,042
    Wow. You really could get a 4.3L V6 in those. 195hp 260tq
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 2,987
    I don't know if that engine has a timing belt vs chain, but even if a belt, that's a year or two down the road (@100K miles) to be replaced. Definitely look or crawl underneath, looking for oil (or other) leaks AFTER it has been running for a bit...let it idle a few minutes after your test drive, and then look. It will be HOT! Take a pen flashlight with you, and wear clothes that are good for laying on the ground/pavement. Shine the light up into crevices of the transmission housing and engine block, looking for any leaks...particularly around pans, and connecting points like the main rear engine bearing into the tranny. Of course if the A/C is running, there will be water condensation dripping from the accum/dryer, which is fine and normal. You're lucky it's already raised a bit, so easy to crawl underneath :p Leaks can look like a coating of grease/dirt, not necessarily a drip, drip, drip.

    Under the hood, while running, listen for a quiet engine with no knocking/clicking/whining. Have someone rev it, and listen more...or flip the intake lever yourself by hand if you want to really impress/scare the seller.

    During the test drive, stomp on the brakes pretty hard a few times to test them out. I would recommend wearing your seat belt for this test, and making sure no one is behind you. See if the truck pulls right or left when you hit the brakes hard, or stops straight. If it stops straight, you're okay. On the highway, see if it drives straight with no hands, or pulls one direction...alignment issue.

    Of course, STEP ONE is to turn off the radio, so you can actually hear the engine, and listen for any odd noises during the test drive. Many folks want to tune the car's radio to their favorite station and test the sound system, instead of actually listening to the car mechanically while they test drive :(
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  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Yeah, but they were turds. It would have to be special order to get that combo (lb, x-cab, v6) in blue no less. Lb and v6, with a single cab? No prob, even with the 4wd, but the x-cab nearly always got a V8.
  • tonyp063
    tonyp063 Posts: 1,044
    edited May 2018
    No run-away-screaming red flags I know of.
    I'm in agreement with the folks above. Run the VIN; look for drips/leaks/schmoo.
    See what petrol ingestion source it has.

    Appears to be worth that level of effort.
  • jeremymarcinko
    jeremymarcinko Posts: 3,785
    edited May 2018
    Looks like a 3/4 ton to me with those extended mirrors. But I guess they could be had on the 1/2. I’m betting a 4.8L also. I would offer $11k.
    Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    The mirrors were part of the tow package, so the engine is still suspect especially since the 6.0 was typically part of the HD package, which means 8 lug.

    But all of this is speculation. The VIN reveals all.
  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,009
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^ I agree.
    I know you're asking about THAT perticular truck but after I got my FORD, my neighbor went out and bought one just like it. He has 2 now. He got a 4WD with extended cab too. Same year or one off.

    I have had pretty good luck with my 95 FORD F150.
    p5y2apvbxrar.jpg
    There might be a garage kept truck somewhere in your area.

    For 13,500, you have a lot to choose from I would think. There's 500 trucks around here in that price range... ;)

    I wonder how many you have to choose from where your at. :)

    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,042
    edited May 2018
    I learned to drive a manual transmission in that body style F150 with a straight 6 in it, bench seat, maroon inside and out IIRC. That thing was probably slower than my current 90hp Civic. Perfect for a 15 year old.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    edited May 2018
    I'd bet it's a 5.3L Vortec V8 under the hood. being from Vermont and not showing any rust for making it through 6 winters is a good sign, if it was a Ford it probably would be rusted out by now. If it is a 5.3L V8 at 84K, that engine is barley broken in. Offer
    him 12,000 for it if you like it. I just bought a 1999 Silverado with the 5.3L single cab 4×4 long bed with only 134K miles on it for my Grandson to drive, damn thing runs like a champ.

    I own a Nissan Titan and a Toyta Tacoma, truck, and perfer those over any GM or Ford truck, but that Silverado surprised me. If it appears to be in great shape and low miles for a Used 6 year old truck, that's a good sign most that old have 150, 180k on them and show that they were a work truck. I would ask yourself this how many 6 or 7 year old trucks have you looked at with only 84,000 miles on them?
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,009
    edited May 2018
    My 95-F150 is getting on up there...

    It's about to hit 35K any day now. :#:p
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
  • Dabutcher
    Dabutcher Posts: 2,588
    Seems like a good price. I love my ten year old Tundra. Paid 19K with 97 K on it. So that price seems good. Peace. Dxnfjlufxscbk.jpeg
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    The Tundras are great trucks.
    Our son-in-law has an '02 that's served admirably.
    The "modern" ones are soooo huuuuge, though :( -- as are all "full sized" pickups nowadays. Don't get me started...

    ;)
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    So I had a colleague of mine run the analysis on this year truck. Good news is nothing major out there in terms of warranty. Typical minor stuff you might find. Being in the business of course, nothing really stuck out that would preclude a purchase.

    Again, taker her for a test drive. Make sure all of the mechanical systems are functioning properly.

    PM if you need more specifics.
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  • aprazer402
    aprazer402 Posts: 3,087
    I bought this unit last May 2017. It had only 56K miles on it. One owner, mint condition in and out. It has the small GM V8 300hp. could have a similar engine to what your looking at, that's why I posted this. Plenty of power for it's size. I didn't want to spend 40K+ on something new. I've only put 2K miles on it in the past year and keep it in my garage. It should last me a long time. Last four vehicles previous were either Nissans or Toyotas. Took a little chance here on US made. I like it! Mileage is not so good 14-15 in town. Haven't had it on the road much yet. Good luck.
    emd68swrtbvc.jpg
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Very nice! One of the last body on frame SUV's in that size! I owned the GMC Envoy back in the day. Nice find!
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,009
    There are some GEMS out there. You just have to root them out! B)
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.