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Looking for a deal on a pickup truck? It's possible to find a good deal for under $10,000. But you will need to do your homework.
Find Your First Pickup Truck
New cars are seriously expensive with current average sticker price hovering around $48,000. Surprising no one is the fact that new pickup trucks are “helping” keep that average high. Long gone are the days of the typical pickup truck buyer in need of a vehicle capable of huge utility with a modicum of creature comfort. These days, pickups – especially the full-size models – are full-blown luxury liners used for traditional hauling and towing in concert with daily driving and family duty.
While the average price of a new pickup is close to $60,000, most popular trims fall in the $40,000 to $50,000 range. That’s a lot of coin, so what’s a person to do with say, a $10,000 budget? Maybe this is a first-time pickup truck buyer or just someone who needs a pickup to do truck things that isn’t as concerned with the high life. In that case, we have good news. The used pickup truck market is robust with solid offerings from all the usual players. That said, as with any used vehicle purchase, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
High Mileage Trucks
Do a quick search of used full-size trucks on CarsForSale.com and you’ll immediately find that, for the most part, you’re looking at trucks at least 10 years old. With age comes mileage, especially in the land of pickups as these are often the vehicle of choice for long-haul duty. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as long as the previous owners kept up with regular maintenance, which brings up the next point.
Inspections and Service History
A thorough inspection of your well-loved pickup is critical. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, grab a knowledgeable friend or pay for a private party inspection. In any case, it’s important to crawl underneath and get a good look at the frame to get a handle on any corrosion issues. The same rings true for the cargo bed and engine bay. Cabin condition is of course important, but don’t be surprised to see a bit of wear and tear on trucks of this age.
Some good advice when it comes to buying an older high-mileage truck is that if the previous owner cannot provide a thorough service history breakdown, walk away. A gas-powered truck with 100,000 miles or a diesel-powered truck with 200,000 miles can be ready to keep running strong – if it’s seen regular oil changes and other basic maintenance. However, the exact opposite could be true and if you don’t know, don’t waste your money.
Go For a Spin
Now that you’ve had a look at the truck and (hopefully) learned of any known issues from the current owner, go for a ride. While doing so, listen for any strange noises and try to identify them. Find some rough pavement to get a sense of what kind of shape the suspension is in. Give the throttle a goose and the brakes a reasonable stab. Between consulting with the previous owner, a visual inspection, and a shakedown ride, you ought to have a good idea whether this used pickup truck is a good buy. As for what kind of trucks you can expect to find for $10,000, feast your eyes on the options below.
2014 Ford F-150
The ever-popular Ford F-150 is a good place to start as there is a huge level of inventory to choose from. For $10,000, you can find plenty of options within the F-150s 12th generation that ran between 2009 and 2014. Basic work truck models, the XL trim, are widely available at this price but are indeed basic. Generally speaking, you’re unlikely to find a King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, or Raptor for less than 10 grand. But, the mid-tier XLT and Lariat models? They’re a good place to start.
For example, this 2014 F-150 XLT crew cab model has four-wheel drive (4WD) with about 129,000 miles for exactly $1 less than our budget. The best part? It comes with the potent 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 that made 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque when new, enabling 11,300 pounds of towing. In XLT spec, standard features include fog lights, alloy wheels, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Depending on how it was configured, you’ll find options like heated leather front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. Other features to keep an eye out for on these 12th-gen F-150s are the 5.0L V8 powerplant and higher-spec Lariat models with 10-way power-adjustable front seats, an 8-inch central touchscreen, and USB ports.
2008 Chevy Silverado 1500
Chevy built the second-generation Silverado 1500 from 2007 to 2013. Engine options ranged from a 4.3L V6 making 195 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque to a 6.2L V8 with 403 horses and 417 torques. But the sweet spot for a $10,000 budget is the 5.3L V8 found in this 2008 Silverado LTZ example. This setup made 315 hp and 338 lb-ft of torque when new and was paired with a 6-speed automatic.
Like all the trucks here, rear-wheel drive is standard, but 4WD is available and fitted on this particular LTZ example with a 6-foot bed. The LTZ sat above the Work Truck (WT) and mid-pack LT with niceties like alloy wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and leather upholstery with heated front seats. The optional Z71 package is fitted to this truck with its associated off-road gear as well as a sunroof and backup camera. For $8,950, our example truck shows 162,000 miles and comes in the popular crew cab configuration.
2010 Dodge Ram 1500
Featuring 4WD, a quad cab setup, a 6-foot bed, and a 4.7L V8, this 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT with 150,000 miles is on sale for less than $9,000. From the fourth-generation of Ram 1500 production, it doesn’t have the famed 5.7L HEMI V8, but still produces 310 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. It also came from the factory with heated side mirrors, cruise control, power accessories, and a power-sliding rear window.
These Dodge Ram 1500s were offered in base ST, mid-tier SLT, and range-topping Laramie trim lines. Those top-spec trucks offered high-end touches like a sunroof, climatized front seats, and surround-sound audio systems, so are worth potentially spending up for if you can swing it.
2013 Nissan Titan
The first-gen Nissan Titan’s claim to fame is its standard 5.7L V8 powertrain that offered 318 horsepower, 385 lb-ft of torque, and a 9,500-pound tow rating when properly equipped. This 2013 model shows just 127,000 miles, has a crew cab, 4WD, and the Pro-4X trim line content. Though the top-dog SL model is loaded with amenities like 20” wheels and a Rockford Fosgate audio system, the Pro-4x built off the mid-pack SV model.
Standard features included a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry, and satellite radio. In Pro-4X guise, off-road-focused improvements consisted of Rancho shocks, all-terrain tires, heavy-duty skid plates, an electronically-locking rear differential, and a two-tone seat design.
2008 Toyota Tundra
Toyota produced its second-generation Tundra pickup truck for quite some time – 2007 through 2021 to be exact. Over that span, buyers could choose from a 4.0L V6, a 4.7L V8, or a 5.7L V8 with 381 horsepower, 401 lb-ft of torque, and a max tow rating of 10,800 pounds. Trim lines were broken out into base Grade, mid-level SR5, or top-spec Limited and this 2008 Tundra ticks all the best boxes.
It’s a Limited model with alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, automatic climate control, and a JBL audio system. It’s also equipped with 4WD and the big 5.7L V8. Mileage is on the high side at about 187,000, but that’s typical for Tundras in this price range. At $9,950, it falls within our $10,000 price cap and given Toyota’s reputation for reliability, may be the perfect purchase.
Related Questions
What are some common issues to watch out for in older pickup trucks?
Common issues to look for on older pickups are the same as any older vehicles, including fluid leaks, body corrosion, strange engine and transmission noises, suspension clunking, tire wear, and electrical gremlins.
What should I look for when buying a used pickup truck?
Key considerations when buying a used pickup truck include condition of the frame and cargo bed (watch for corrosion) and a detailed service history (from the owner and via trusted free vehicle reports).
How can I find a reliable pickup truck within a $10,000 budget?
After shopping around the used pickup truck marketplace with a $10,000 budget and before pulling the trigger on a purchase, it’s worth cross-referencing your choices against data like the J.D. Power Reliability Rating.
Are high mileage trucks worth considering?
Yes, high mileage trucks are worth considering as they are typically built specifically to take the added abuse of heavy use (versus a compact sedan for example). However, it’s important to perform due diligence (inspection, service history inquire, test drive, etc.) before making a purchase.
