Why spend money on a new truck that will just break down when you have a used one that will last forever?
One of the most important reasons to buy a new truck every few years is to make sure you always have a pickup that runs well. If you always trade in your old car for a new one, you’ll never have to pay for expensive repairs, unless you get a model that’s having a bad year. But what if a better way existed?
Used trucks can be a more cost-effective way to manage your expenses because technology keeps getting better and the vehicles keep getting more reliable. But on the other hand, you can look at older classic trucks with 150,000 miles on the odometer and know that they have rolled over at least once, and probably more than once.
If you know which of these used work trucks will last forever, you may be able to choose the best one for you. The best trucks for construction work might not be the best ones for off-roading, so make sure that the truck you want fits your needs. If you don’t, you might not like the one you end up with.
2000 Ford F-350
The 2000 Ford F-350 is a heavy-duty truck made to work and tow, but with the right setup, it can also go off-roading. The truck had a 5.4L V-8 engine, a 6.8L V-10 engine, or a 7.3L diesel engine. The 7.3L Power Stroke is a legendary diesel engine that is in high demand because it is known for being reliable and hardworking.
Based on what owners say, how reliable the 2000 Ford F-350 is
When you look at the number of comments from Ford F350 owners, it’s easy to see that they love their trucks with the diesel engine. They say that as long as they take care of and maintain their trucks, they can use them for as long as they need to without having to put in a lot of time or money.
2004 Ram 3500
The 2004 Ram 3500 proves that it is more than possible to take a heavy-duty work truck off the front lines and turn it into a good show truck. But you already knew that the Ram was a great truck because it is quickly becoming one of the best in the business.
Based on what owners have said, this is how reliable the 2004 Ram 3500 is.
Even though the average rating for the 2004 Ram 3500 from online reviews is between 7 and 3.5 out of 5, the low numbers are a little bit misleading. The only thing owners don’t like about the truck is that it doesn’t have enough options and mid-range trim levels that would let them use it more as a daily driver. As a work truck, there isn’t much that can beat it.
Problems that owners reported were smells coming from the air conditioning, the need to replace the pressure solenoid in the transmission, problems starting the engine due to the WCM, a broken thermostat, and a broken sunroof cable.
Most miles on a car reported: 298,258
2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is also a work truck, but because it is not as stiff as the 3500HD, it can also be used as a play truck or even as a daily driver. A backup camera display in the rearview mirror would have been one of the coolest options that could have been added.
Reliability
Consumers Report gives the mid-range Chevy work truck a 5 out of 5. You could choose between a 6.0L V-8 engine or a 6.6L turbo diesel engine. You could also choose between four-wheel drive and an extended cab. Overall, the Duramax diesel has good acceleration and performance, and it is very reliable as long as the maintenance schedules and other upkeep tasks are done on time.
($601 per year on average, according to RepairPal)
CarEdge says the cost of maintenance for the first 10 years will be $14,644.
Total Recalls: 3 (Passenger side air bag inflator, melted fusible link)
Worst used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD to buy: 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (EGR system failure, DEF system failure, in-car electronics, and electrical system)
2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD could be bought with either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, just like most trucks today. Still, it was a bummer that they didn’t have a gearbox that could be changed. The engine is either a 6.0L gasoline-powered V-8 or a 6.6L turbo diesel with 363 horsepower and up to 660 pound-feet of torque.
Reliability
The diesel engine in the 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD is the same as the one in the Chevy Silverado 2500HD. You already know that it’s a great work truck, especially for construction work. It also works well as a toy truck or an off-road adventurer. Consumer Reports gave it a 5 out of 5 for reliability, and customer feedback shows that the Duramax Diesel engine was made to pull heavy loads, with very few complaints from current or former owners.
RepairPal says that yearly maintenance costs average $912.
CarEdge says that the cost of maintenance for the first 10 years will be $13,029.
Total recalls: 6 (Passenger side air bag inflator, clogged fire extinguisher, melted fuse link, and short circuit in heated windshield washer module)
Worst used GMC Sierra 2500HD to buy: 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD (early brake caliper wear, excessive balljoint wear, steering line leaks, head gasket leaks, turbocharger failure, and fuel injection problems)
2003 Ford F-250
The 2003 Ford F-250 was just like the Ford F-350 in that you could choose between three different engines and either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The 5.4 Triton V-8 was an option, but because it has problems, it’s best to stay away from it. The other options were the 6.8 V-10 and the amazing 7.3L turbo diesel, which could make up to 525 pound-feet of torque.
Based on what owners say, how reliable the 2003 Ford F-250 is
The 7.3L Power Stroke diesel is the best engine for a heavy-duty Ford. If you’d rather use gasoline, the V-10 is also a great engine that can be counted on to do the job. However, it only gets about 10 mpg in the city, so if that’s important to you, be aware of the costs. Overall, the 2003 F250 gets at least 4.5 out of 5 stars on review sites, so it is safe to say that it is a good pickup truck.
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