I’ve done most of the necessary research (except manually inspecting each truck ha!) for you, so you can find the best used trucks – 4×4 of course. Whether it’s your first truck or you just need something else. Trust me when I say it’s been a process.
The criteria I used was a price range of $2,400 to $5,000, 4×4, low mileage (below 150,000 miles), and reliability. I also used owner ratings since they’re the ones who drive them daily and abuse them. Trucks are in order by Overall Owner Rating.
1994 GMC Sierra 1500 – Overall Owner Rating 5/5 stars
94,011 miles $2,990
- Very reliable and dependable
- Great vehicle for new drivers
- No major repairs needed, so long as it’s maintained
2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS – Overall Owner Rating 4.8/5 stars
250 miles $2,400
- Great value for the money
- Reliable and dependable
- Good for mudding and off-road
1995 Nissan Pickup SE V6 – Overall Owner Rating 4.8/5 stars
30,193 miles $3,999
- Automatic locking hubs
- Very dependable and reliable
- Great for a first 4×4 truck
- Handled mudding like a champ
1996 Dodge Ram 1500 – Overall Owner Rating 4.4/5 stars
82,000 Miles $3,600
1996 Dodgee Ram 1500 Club Cab – Overall Owner Rating 4.4/5 stars
98,570 miles $5,000
*I put these two together because they have the same owner comments and rating, but more to show the price and mileage differences*
- Lasts through a lot of miles – 200,000+ if maintained
- Great truck for new drivers
- Great for towing
2002 Ford F150 Lariat – Overall owner rating 4.23/5 stars
10,600 miles $2,400
- Overall great truck
- Expected/normal fuel mileage is 18-19 mpg
- Reliable and dependable
- Great first truck
2000 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab – Overall Owner Rating 4.2/5 stars
123 miles $5,000
- Smaller size perfect for new drivers
- Reliable and dependable; can last over 200,000 miles with regular maintenance
- Great for off-roading or just snow
- Great fuel mileage
2003 Dodge Dakota – Overall Owner Rating 4.1/5 stars
Unknown Mileage $5,000
- Locking differential
- Gas mileage not all that great
- Can be good for mudding
- No major problems, so long as you keep up with maintenance *PHOTO UNDER*
1995 Ford F250 XL – Overall Owner Rating 3.7/5 stars
Unknown Mileage $5,000
- 19 highway mpg/15 if pulling a loaded trailer
- Tows well
- Reliable; good value for the money
Overall findings of the best used trucks, make and years:
- Chevrolet years 1994-2002
- Dodge years 1996-203
- Ford years 1995-2002
- Nissan years 1995-2002
Looks like trucks were more reliable and dependable from the mid-1990s to early 2000s.
DISCLOSURE: I searched within a few hundred miles of where our office is located, so prices, vehicle conditions, and other factors could be different that stated above.
Here are some things to consider when buying a used vehicle:
1) How many owners has the vehicle had?
2) You may want to get a CarFax or something like it so you don’t get taken advantage of; frame damage, etc.
3) Make sure you’re doing your own research, too. It can always be a big help, time consuming, but helpful. Double check reviews, too – always.
4) If you happen to not know much about vehicles, take a friend who knows a lot or even a mechanic to check it out so you don’t wind up with a lemon or pricey repairs.
5) Find vehicles in your area! This generally helps with more accurate pricing and vehicle condition. Example: I live in a snowy area and absolutely do not want to buy anything from any other snowy areas due to possible salt erosion or damage to the frame or other metal mechanical parts underneath the vehicle.
6) Contact the seller and test drive that baby! If you notice issues or strange noises, you then have a bargaining chip for them to lower the price or fully repair it before you buy it.
7) Beware of dealerships trying to rip you off! It’s common and happens to a lot of people. Always shop around and if you choose to go through a dealer, get offers on paper because, again, you can always use this to your advantage.
If you have any other 4×4 trucks you’d like to recommend, feel free to comment or email me at amandab@4wheelonline.com and I’ll be sure to post updated articles (and let you know when your suggestion is posted)!
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