What's this truck worth?

1990 Chevy 350 automatic 2WD long box with a fiberglass tonneau. Two tone blue, no cruise and wind up windows.

It's a pampered piece, no rust, dings or nicks; almost too nice for me. It's 1000 miles away and offered by a family member. It's never been used as a "truck".

What would you pay and would you travel to have it?

Thanx Dan

Realistically, its one of the more, uh, low-value trucks... TBI engines are dogs and they suck fuel to boot. It has a 4L60 trans which is good until they die, then its usually an input drum and 4 solenoids to go with the rebuild kit, plus at least a valve body separator plate, possibly the whole valve body.

Its great if you want a slow work truck, but as far as what its actually worth? Not very much. I just saw a 96 with the Vortec 350 for $800 much like you describe in the paper, except it is missing the rear bumper.

Depends on how bad you want it. How many miles on it.

69,000 babied miles on it.

I want it but add a road trip to the mix and things change.

How much would the gas cost to bring it back? That might make it worth a lot less to you.

Now not as much as a few years ago... I have a '96 C1500 that isn't worth $2500, and it's in excellent mechanical condition. I'm gonna hang on to it until the rust kills it. If you can get this truck for less than $2000, then go for it. It's a Chevy truck, so with a little TLC, it will be a useful, valuable tool for a long time.

Well you're looking at somewhere around $300 in gas driving it back, plus whatever it costs to get you there + plates/registration/etc.

I'd give $1500 for it(and it may be closer to me and I already have an '88 C1500 2wd 305 V8 with a fiberglass topper. They're good trucks, even if they're gas hogs. Drive it a little bit every month or two, don't overwork the trans, and it'll last till the rust consumes it - yeah, I know it's not rusty now, but...

depends on where you are... in my area (redneck rivera) is worth a lot more then most other places... it's a chebby after all and has it a tree fiddy motor in der...

if the price was right i'd use it as an excuse to go visit some family... it's always nice to have a truck kicking around... even more so when it's a truck you don't mind driving instead of one that you dread getting into

My MIL is down there now (Ellijay, Ga.) and heade back this week. She won't drive it back.

If its really really gorgeous, some nut would give 4 or 5 k for it. Those are classic trucks and every single one has been used up and wore out by now. Get it, it will be a fun trip and you can't lose with clean southern trucks in the north.

914Driver wrote: My MIL is down there now (Ellijay, Ga.) and heade back this week. She won't drive it back.

Dont worry about it.. I can be in ellijay in a hour ill just take it to my house for you

Depends on what the seller wants. It is a $1500.00 truck that can sell for up to $4500.00 if the migrant workers are rolling through around here.

I am under the impression that gas model chevy trucks are junk. My mom bought a used 5.7l k1500 4x4 and I'm not impressed at all by it. Most of the interior trim bits have/will break, it uses junk paint which is very thin. I guess the paint peeled off after being exposed to some snow. I guess they have issues with where the heater pipe threads into the head leaks. All the plastic bits in the interior are broken, I guess my Mom had a issue with the ignition and when the hood was popped the hood release lever broke. My father had an 1986 chevy pickup and it was also a POS with junk paint. If GM couldn't find a paint system that worked between 1986 and 2000 what else didn't they improve. The only redeeming feature is the sound of the V8!

There is a reason GM needed to be bailed out, they couldn't even make a decent pickup. My toyota is a better truck in every other way aside from size.

Mine's pretty well put together (96 GMC C1500) and I love using it and driving it. I just got a tint and a GRM license plate frame, too!

If its in as good of shape you say it is, it's close to 3k if it has working a/c. Trucks of any type sell for stupid high prices down south. A rust free, older truck will also bring good money in the north. Sounds like you can't lose. The 1990 350 w/TBI is super simple to work on and pretty much bullet proof. 200hp isn't much but you should get high teens on the hiway. With mileage this low for the age, it may have a lot of carbon and sludge built up in the motor. A good long trip will certain blow out some of it. Cruise control is a simple add-on with junkyard parts. I paid $900 for a 1989 1/2 ton 350 with a 4-speed manual. It needed front end work and brakes and tires. It's also the victim of a terrible repaint, but the body is solid for a "beater". 160k+miles and it runs like a top.

a little off topic...

I recall MOST "new trucks from the early to mid 90's all had tons of "custom" stuff done to em... the 2 tone paint fade, fender flair/step side skirts, wheels etc...

where those mods done pre sale?... was it sort of like conversion vans where a 3rd party company bought em and modified stuff and then sold em?

donalson wrote: a little off topic... I recall MOST "new trucks from the early to mid 90's all had tons of "custom" stuff done to em... the 2 tone paint fade, fender flair/step side skirts, wheels etc... where those mods done pre sale?... was it sort of like conversion vans where a 3rd party company bought em and modified stuff and then sold em?

There was a conversion place here that did them for the dealers.

donalson wrote: if the price was right i'd use it as an excuse to go visit some family... it's always nice to have a truck kicking around... even more so when it's a truck you don't mind driving instead of one that you dread getting into

QFT. When I had to let the Full Size Jeep go a few years back, I discovered very quickly that when you need a truck, nothing else will do.

benzbaron wrote: I am under the impression that gas model chevy trucks are junk. My mom bought a used 5.7l k1500 4x4 and I'm not impressed at all by it. Most of the interior trim bits have/will break, it uses junk paint which is very thin. I guess the paint peeled off after being exposed to some snow. I guess they have issues with where the heater pipe threads into the head leaks. All the plastic bits in the interior are broken, I guess my Mom had a issue with the ignition and when the hood was popped the hood release lever broke. My father had an 1986 chevy pickup and it was also a POS with junk paint. If GM couldn't find a paint system that worked between 1986 and 2000 what else didn't they improve. The only redeeming feature is the sound of the V8! There is a reason GM needed to be bailed out, they couldn't even make a decent pickup. My toyota is a better truck in every other way aside from size.

I got rid of my Toyota and kept the Chevy. The Toyota was more difficult to work on, loved head gaskets, and was underpowered. The Chevy lasted 303k before the engine needed to be pulled and the interior looks really good minus the sagging headliner. Both, however, had crappy paint.

Anyway, back to the op...around here that truck would be a deal at 2k and could probably bring 4k in that condition waiting for the right buyer to come along.

I had a 1990 Chevy shortbox 4WD 350 stick that I used to haul to the 2004 Challenge. Nice truck but it had rust issues.

I'm going to make efforts to buy this 1990. My 2001 Ranger is used as a truck which is good, but doesn't have enough ass to haul anything, which is bad. 4 cylinder 5 speed and >20 mpg nowadays is a good thing.

Maybe I'll take my financial advisor to breakfast Saturday......

Dan

friedgreencorrado wrote:

donalson wrote: if the price was right i'd use it as an excuse to go visit some family... it's always nice to have a truck kicking around... even more so when it's a truck you don't mind driving instead of one that you dread getting into

QFT. When I had to let the Full Size Jeep go a few years back, I discovered very quickly that when you need a truck, nothing else will do.

QFT^2

I've always said if you own a house, you NEED a truck, unless you're one of the country club set that pays somebody to do every little thing around your house.

I've owned my old Chevy truck for over 10 years now. It has served me well.

Buy it!

Even so, 1000 miles is a pretty long ways....

growing up we never had a truck... we had whatever car we had at the time with a hitch and a 4x8 utility trailer... most of the utility of a truck without the cost of a vehicle that couldn't double as a family car...

I miss the trailer :(...

2-4k, will get you to at least 200k not needing anything but tune ups and possibly a fuel pump.

Ah, how important is transaction for overall family relations, that you're aware of. You don't want, "^%$^%$% didn't buy my (Mom's) truck."

Unrusted truck where you are, gold.

Fly me down from CT, cover my expenses, and you can pick it up at my apt.