2002 Chevy S-10 V6 question

[Sigarms]

Looking at a beater truck for around the house and what the boys (who just got their driving permit) could drive.

Wife feels to uncomfortable with my 400k toyota sedan (too many little things to be worried about driving and I really can't argue with her) for them to use.

Came across a 2002 chevy s-10 V6 4x4, with the bed replaced with steak bed that could work out around the house as well (this will be a family car and not bought specially for the boys).

I use to own a early 90's S-10 regular cab, but it was only 2 wheel drive, which didn't last long in upstate NY with snow and ice.

Talked to a buddy up north who I trust who use to be my mechanic. He told me to look out for rot issues on those models. Being that the bed has been replaced...

Anyone have an older S-10 that has high mileage, and what do you think of it?

Lets just say the price is right than to be looking for a "beater" honda accord. That said, I'd never by buy used and not have a decent mechanic go over it and give me their thoughts what they thought as well. If it weren't 4 doors (per this S10), wouldn't even been looking at it.

Thanks

 

[zzvyb6]

Best for new young drivers is an old GM Bcar (leSabre, Monte Carlo, etc.). Junk yard is full of them, crashworthiness is good. And their friends won't want to borrow, race or be seen in it. Your insurance company will send you a "Thank You" card.

 

[om21braz]

Looking at a beater truck for around the house and what the boys (who just got their driving permit) could drive.

Wife feels to uncomfortable with my 400k toyota sedan (too many little things to be worried about driving and I really can't argue with her) for them to use.

Came across a 2002 chevy s-10 V6 4x4, with the bed replaced with steak bed that could work out around the house as well (this will be a family car and not bought specially for the boys).

I use to own a early 90's S-10 regular cab, but it was only 2 wheel drive, which didn't last long in upstate NY with snow and ice.

Talked to a buddy up north who I trust who use to be my mechanic. He told me to look out for rot issues on those models. Being that the bed has been replaced...

Anyone have an older S-10 that has high mileage, and what do you think of it?

Lets just say the price is right than to be looking for a "beater" honda accord. That said, I'd never by buy used and not have a decent mechanic go over it and give me their thoughts what they thought as well. If it weren't 4 doors (per this S10), wouldn't even been looking at it.

Thanks

My cousin had a 89’ that he put north of 350k on. Transmission made it to about +250k and engine still ran well when he got rid of it. He was excellent on service but drove it like it was stolen from day one. Lots of little parts in that span though. If I remember correctly worst offender was fan clutch - at least 6 of them. Other I know with newer ones as you mention have been overall good vehicles. Not real roomy, gas mileage was not much better than full size but pretty decent small pickups.

 

[CADplans]

Both of my daughters used Chevy S-10 trucks as their first vehicle,, both S-10's were short cab trucks,,
this insured the girls would not haul a half dozen friends around,,

I believe this was a significant part of each daughter getting through high school without an accident,,

Let the other kids drive around with 5-8 friends in the car,, not you,,,

NOTE: that may not work with boys, they may haul friends in the bed of the truck,,
girls will not ride in the bed of the truck, normally,,,

Over a decade later,, both girls still speak favorably about THEIR S-10 memories,, :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

Looking at a beater truck for around the house and what the boys (who just got their driving permit) could drive.

Wife feels to uncomfortable with my 400k toyota sedan (too many little things to be worried about driving and I really can't argue with her) for them to use.

Came across a 2002 chevy s-10 V6 4x4, with the bed replaced with steak bed that could work out around the house as well (this will be a family car and not bought specially for the boys).

I use to own a early 90's S-10 regular cab, but it was only 2 wheel drive, which didn't last long in upstate NY with snow and ice.

Talked to a buddy up north who I trust who use to be my mechanic. He told me to look out for rot issues on those models. Being that the bed has been replaced...

Anyone have an older S-10 that has high mileage, and what do you think of it?

Lets just say the price is right than to be looking for a "beater" honda accord. That said, I'd never by buy used and not have a decent mechanic go over it and give me their thoughts what they thought as well. If it weren't 4 doors (per this S10), wouldn't even been looking at it.

Thanks

That 4.3L engine is very dependable. I had one in a 3/4 ton G20 short wheelbase van. Ran forever. Van body rotted out.

As for kids in small trucks... I wouldn't put my kid in one as a daily driver.

22 CHEVROLET S-1 EXTENDED CAB | NHTSA

 

[4570Man]

I’ve never had an an S10 but the 4.3s are tougher than nails.

 

[MossRoad]

I’ve never had an an S10 but the 4.3s are tougher than nails.

I ran mine out of oil 3 times. Something would happen to the crankcase ventilation, and it would suddenly blow all the oil out and the engine would just die. Couldn't crank it with the starter. Seized/locked. I'd let it cool down, pour in 4-5 quarts of oil, start it up and off I'd go for another 6 months. :laughing:

 

[deserteagle71]

I had an '88 S10 Blazer with the 4.3/automatic that I bought new and put 321,000 miles on it before I finally got rid of it. Engine and tranny still ran well but the body started falling apart on me.

 

[Sigarms]

Both of my daughters used Chevy S-10 trucks as their first vehicle,, both S-10's were short cab trucks,,
this insured the girls would not haul a half dozen friends around,,

I believe this was a significant part of each daughter getting through high school without an accident,,

Let the other kids drive around with 5-8 friends in the car,, not you,,,

NOTE: that may not work with boys, they may haul friends in the bed of the truck,,
girls will not ride in the bed of the truck, normally,,,

Over a decade later,, both girls still speak favorably about THEIR S-10 memories,, :thumbsup:

The crew cab is so the entire family can use it, NOT just the boys. First option was going to be an older "beater" 4 door honda accord. This vehicle isn't being bought just because of the boys (although one could argue that if both boys weren't working on their driving permits, we wouldn't be looking at one, go figure). Boys should know us enough that if rules are broken, the will be consequences (no intention of having them haul all their friends around in a vehicle).

I just happen to see this truck on our rural road. 4 door and 4 wheel drive, smaller in size would actually work out back or around the garden if we needed it. With the selling price, even if the boys had to sink some money into it, still wouldn't be that bad IMO.

 

[mostly_gas]

My older stepson had old style S-10 with the 4.3 and automatic transmission. Did not have a lot of trouble with engine or tranny, except for the vehicle mileage, about 20 mpg if I recall correctly.

 

[GeneV]

I had a 2001 for a few years, a few years ago. Nice little truck overall, served me well. Horrible gas mileage though, I think I averaged like 14 mpg if that.

Mine had the "chevy lean" which is fairly common for this truck. These take dexcool coolant, from what I remember it becomes a problem if you start topping off with regular antifreeze, head gasket leaks or something...I know it's a big no-no to mix them.

 

[Rebeldad1]

I serviced a lot of 4.3ltr vehicles mostly Astro vans. All in all they were very dependable.
If I had top choose which 4.3ltr it would be the vin Z motor (TBI) over the vin W motor (Vortec "spider" injection)
The Z motor was more reliable.
In my opinion mileage was poor 14-17 mpg.

If I were to choose a older 4X4 vehicle for my kids....
Dependable all around with everyone using it would be a Toyota 4Runner. Very dependable and lots of them around.
or
Just the kids vehicle would be a Jeep Wrangler again very dependable.

I bought my daughter a Wrangler when she was 16. at 18 she worked at Starbucks till late at night. no matter the weather she always made it home. Plus the boys at school were impressed.

 

[arkydog]

I serviced a lot of 4.3ltr vehicles mostly Astro vans. All in all they were very dependable.
If I had top choose which 4.3ltr it would be the vin Z motor (TBI) over the vin W motor (Vortec "spider" injection)
The Z motor was more reliable.
In my opinion mileage was poor 14-17 mpg.

If I were to choose a older 4X4 vehicle for my kids....
Dependable all around with everyone using it would be a Toyota 4Runner. Very dependable and lots of them around.
or
Just the kids vehicle would be a Jeep Wrangler again very dependable.

I bought my daughter a Wrangler when she was 16. at 18 she worked at Starbucks till late at night. no matter the weather she always made it home. Plus the boys at school were impressed.

also the z motor had 10 more horse power than the w motor. zoom, zoom!!!!

 

[kenmac]

my son had one. it was a Z something not Z71 his was 4wd. Only thing we had to do was install ball joints in the front end.
He drove it for many years. got married and needed a true 4 door as the S10 was 1/2 door on the rear

 

[Sigarms]

Not that it matters, but the S-10 was sold before I could look at (really wanted to have it gone over becuause the price of $2,500 seemed reasonable). Ended up with a pretty much mint 4 door 2001 Honda accord, only one owner, 96k on it that was traded in by a very nice older woman for $1,900 more than the S-10. Not a truck, but I already have one, it will fit the bill for it's intended use and I'll probably keep it running longer than the chevy I missed out on.

Had to laugh... yesterday took the one boy to the orthodontist yesterday morning, and as we were getting out, he saw me lock the car by actually inserting the key into the door lock. He looked at me surprised and asked me "it doesn't have a remote door opener?":laughing: I said no, but he's like "but your Avalon is an older car and it has one". I had to remind him the truck he likes so much is strictly manual as well it comes to opening the doors.

I'm really wishing that a retro truck will come out with roll down windows and the high beam light switch on the floor.

 

[Jstpssng]

That Honda will make a good vehicle for them and the family.

The high beam on the floor was a PITA if you live in the rust belt. They would get so corroded from the salt on your boots that you would need to replace them. Then again I'm not as fussy about features as some are. If it gets me where it's going and does what I need it to do I don't really care what makes the windows go up and down.
Just don't move the horn button back onto the steering column.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

A 2001 accord with only 96k is a great find. I had 3 accords, they were great. My wife rolled one and it protected her and the kids.

My first new vehicle was an 85 s10 blazer standard. Loved it, except they were 2 doors than.

 

[MossRoad]

Not that it matters, but the S-10 was sold before I could look at (really wanted to have it gone over becuause the price of $2,500 seemed reasonable). Ended up with a pretty much mint 4 door 2001 Honda accord, only one owner, 96k on it that was traded in by a very nice older woman for $1,900 more than the S-10. Not a truck, but I already have one, it will fit the bill for it's intended use and I'll probably keep it running longer than the chevy I missed out on.

Had to laugh... yesterday took the one boy to the orthodontist yesterday morning, and as we were getting out, he saw me lock the car by actually inserting the key into the door lock. He looked at me surprised and asked me "it doesn't have a remote door opener?":laughing: I said no, but he's like "but your Avalon is an older car and it has one". I had to remind him the truck he likes so much is strictly manual as well it comes to opening the doors.

I'm really wishing that a retro truck will come out with roll down windows and the high beam light switch on the floor.

Little old lady only drove to church on Sunday kinda cars are great! Sounds like a good vehicle. For a daily driver, as I mentioned before, I'd rather have my kids in the Honda than an S10. :thumbsup:

 

[Shaneard]

My boss mans son turned 16 a couple years ago and wanted an older Honda station wagon, they found one. Few months later he was taking his brother to soccer practice and rear ended someone and totaled it. Trooper ask him how fast he was going, he said whatever the speed limit was. Trooper said I'm pretty sure you may have been going faster than that, you left 50' of skid marks going uphill. The guy he hit drove off. Trooper had to go to his house and tell him he didn't do anything wrong. Not sure why he drove away.

Hopefully you never have to deal with that!!!

 

[ruffdog]

Ah yes...the GM 4.3L v6...I had a few of them. The first one was a 1986 C10 short box and it had a Q-Jet carb and 3sp on the column. I had a 1994 S10 SS with the 4.3, a 1996 ZR2, and a 2000 ZR2. I also had my share of the 4cyl S10 trucks and Rangers. My dad had a few of the 4.3L S10s too. My dad took one of his gen 1 s10 to the dealer for a water pump and a gen 2 suv for a rear main leak. None of my 4.3 vehicles ever had a issue.