Faults:
I replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and distributor cap at 115,000 miles. The cost for the parts needed to make these repairs was about $100.
The tailpipe needed a new clamp ($3.99 at NAPA).
The air filter seems to get dirty quicker than most vehicles, and I replace it every 3,000 miles. These cost about $6 at an auto parts store or Wal-Mart.
There is some minor rust on the door bottoms, but this is by no means uncommon for a truck that's been used in a few New Hampshire winters.
General Comments:
This truck is the first vehicle I have ever owned, and I must say that I've been very impressed with it's overall reliability and low ownership costs.
My truck's engine started to run roughly about 1,000 miles after I bought it, fortunately, the problem was an easy fix (see the section marked "What things have gone wrong with the car?" for the particulars). Since that time, I've run it daily and, besides regular service such as oil changes, a rotation, and lubrication, this truck has needed nothing fixed. It starts right up on even the coldest mornings (-35 F), and will run 8 hours straight on the interstate on a 90 F day and not even touch 210 on the heat gague. Repairs for this truck are simple and the parts are dirt cheap. You can work on it yourself, or if you choose to take it to a garage, the repair costs should be comparitivly cheap.
Shifting this truck is very easy. It took me about half an hour to learn it. You can take off in second, as the low gear is very, very, very low.
The four wheel drive is nice to have during the winter, and the low gear on the 5 speed is torquey enough to get you out of just about anything.
The interior is spartan, but the bench seat isn't uncomfortable for long rides. The heater works very well, and the defroster is one of the best I've ever seen in any vehicle. The Delco sound system isn't spectacular, but it is a truck, after all.
The vehicle handles pretty well for a truck with regular 16 inch tires.
The only feature I wish this truck had is air conditioning, as it gets very hot.
This vehicle is a bit of a "hog", as it gets around 14 mpg, and it isn't fast (the speedometer only goes up to 85 mph!). However, I feel that these small annoyances are more than offset by its many good points, especially its reliability.
18th Apr 2003, 21:35
Me too, a most excellent truck. Mine has 192,000 miles. Replaced: 2 alternators, 1 radiator, 1 brake master cylinder, 1 AC fan blower motor. Other items-normal wear and tear; belt/hoses/ brake pads/ etc.