As rockets take to the skies, the practicality of owning them as part of a small business or for personal use diminishes. High-end used trucks aren’t much cheaper because recent supply chain problems are affecting new truck production, making the late model very desirable. But is buying an old used truck a good idea?
Is buying an old used truck a good idea?
Buying an older truck, especially one under $5,000, presents a greater risk of problems, including unreported accidents or breakdowns, and offers less safety technology and fewer convenience features.
Calculated to be $100 less than paying $600 or more per month for a new base model truck. If your old truck keeps running for a year, you’ll be in front of the money.
What are the best used trucks under $5,000?
Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 pickup truck is incredibly popular with a wide variety of drivers. Used by small businesses involved in construction, landscaping, and delivery services. However, families enjoy easy access to the rear seats on crew cab models and the security they provide due to the solid tires and large size.
Start your search for an F-150 under $5000 in the 10th Gen range starting in 1997. Finding a truck with a V8 engine, 4WD, and a recent modification that included new spark plugs to avoid the two-piece plugs that were fitted in the Factory is easy in this range.
Bonus tipShop the southern part of the United States for trucks with less rust than driving on treated winter roads.
Ford Ranger
As modern pickup trucks grow larger and compact unibody trucks offer reduced towing capacity, the throwback to the ’90s offers a practical package at a lower price point.
Car and Driver says other older pickups display excess tire rust and calls the Ranger “basic and frugal.” Look for a Ranger with the 4.0-liter V6, extended cab, and all-wheel drive for the most functionality and resale value, but be aware that some models don’t have ABS or only offer it on the rear brakes.
Ram 2500
Look to the second generation for the most capable truck for the money. You will have to search to find one without excessively anodized paint or a defective 4WD vacuum actuator. For less than $5,000, it would have a gasoline engine instead of a Cummins six-cylinder diesel.
However, it will also carry its weight around the job site, the campsite, or as a family bus to the soccer fields and the grocery store.
Are trucks under $5,000 worth buying?
While trucks under $5,000 usually have 100,000 miles or more on their odometer, they still have plenty of miles left, provided previous owners performed proper preventative maintenance such as oil changes and tune-ups. As a result, it is not uncommon to see vintage trucks on the road every day.
Of course, there is a risk of breakdown, as with any vehicle of any age, and no truck in this range will have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, they will have airbags, decent safety ratings, and maybe Bluetooth or an auxiliary input for listening to music from your phone or iPod, if anyone still has an iPod.
