Well I’ve got a story for you. Just got back to my desk. Went and drove this car: http://austin.craigslist.org/ctd/2997601498.html just now. I was really temped! Overall this is a good solid car. Engine is quiet, a/c blew ice cubes, lots of power, brakes felt good, seats are in nice shape, dash was not warped or cracked, cruise control worked, has the keyless fob and it worked, power seats work, and the underside has zero rust, I mean it’s spotless. It’s a very solid car. Here’s the issue though….everywhere I looked, there was work to be done. All the trim around the wood is bad, needs some black trim replaced on the lower doors, the drivers door panel is cracked where they all crack by the arm rest, and some wood is coming loose and there are glue runs where they tried to fix it poorly, there is a good ding in the hood, needs my Impala wheels (WHY did he put blackwalls on those Roady wheels??). One of the rear windows needs a new roller, the steering wheel needs a re-dye, the shocks are mushy, especially in the back, the Low Coolant light was on, even though the overflow tank was full, the windows would need tinting, the radio did not have the CD option, he has NO service records or history on it, the rear window hatch struts are worn, the tail gate hinge pops, and on and on. It’s ALL just small stuff, and again most are things I fixed on my white Roady, but I just don’t want to spend all that time and money and do ALL that again. I’ve done it once, you know? The real kicker came when I got back from my test drive. The dealer loved my S-10. Offered to trade me the Roady for the S-10, including TT&L, and offered me $500 cash on top of the deal! I’m still shocked I managed to turn this down, that Roady did drive nice and would be a great project, but the S-10 is in the parking lot and I’m back at work. Sure was tempting! :banghead3: -Mike
Shame your Down Younder in The Great State of Texas. I find all kinds or Sweet deal up here in HippyVille.
It has to feel right and in the end, as you've surmised, be worth the time investment. Time spent working on the car is time away from family, friends, and getting out and using the wagon for its intended purpose. Your S-10 must be nice. My wife loves hers (2wd Blazer) and I'd be a heap of dead meat if I tried to sell it. She gets offers all the time. Your dealer is probably well aware that they are still highly prized by a larger audience than the wagons are. Glad to see you posting, I miss the updates.
The S-10 is pretty nice. It's a 1997 extended cab LT model, 4.3 V6 with a 5spd stick. It was my daily driver some years back, but I gave it to my Dad three years ago when he retired. It's still in my name, and Dad really likes that Ram that I just fixed all up. Figure if I find the right wagon I'll sell the S-10 and give my father the Ram. The S-10 is still in really nice shape, but it has 175K miles on it now. I did the a/c last summer and the clutch this past December. It's been garaged and cared for, but the newer Ram only has 110K miles on it, has a big 360, leather, all the power toys, and I can understand why Dad wants the Ram. We'll see. If that gold 96 wagon needed a little less love, or had about 50K less miles on it, I'd be it's new owner. The hunt goes on! -Mike
I know how you feel, Mike. I'm being tempted by more than one vehicle lately. Got to sell the Explorer first though.
Miles mean nothing , condition is everything. As you know from past experience and I have it. Unless you have the time to do it all yourself , paying for the work that needs to be done will cost you. Simple as , nothing is cheap anymore. S-10's are are just a that , a Special Wagon or any rare care is better. Do what makes you Happy , we can't
Mike, that S-10 will sell itself when you're ready. Keep looking; you'll find a cream-puff soon enough. I think you made the right call; $3500 seemed a little high for the miles and condition that you described. And those clean Texas underbodies are AWESOME.
................Man, I could sure use that Chassis and running gear for another project I have in mind...... It is a nice S10!
Yep it's a nice little truck. If I put in on Criagslist I'm going to ask $4K and will be open to offers. I have all the records from new, even the window sticker from the dealer in Bastrop, outside Austin, and a HUGE stack of parts receipts. I'm the second owner. Hard to find an extened cab with nicer LT interior trim and a 4.3/5-spd stick, plus it's been here it's entire life, so no rust. Fun little truck to drive, I just want more ROOM! When the right wagon shows up I don't think selling the S-10 will take very long. -Mike
My wife bought her S-10 Blazer, a 1991, two years ago approx. At the time it had a couple of miles less than 30,000 miles on it. 4.3, nicely optioned, 2wd, 2 dr. She paid 4 for it. Since then she's had offers of double what she paid trying to pry it out of her possession. She loves it for doodling around town, parking is a breeze, with the back seat folded down she can sneak home all the things she finds at antique stores and the groceries at the same time. It just seems to be the perfect size, and is much easier to drive and see out of versus her prior 02 Trail Blazer and 07 BMW 740i. It does not have the ride of either of the others, but it makes up for it in zip. Its funny, we got to lunch or she goes shopping and at least once a week we have another note on the windshield asking us to call if we are interested at all in selling, a trade, blah blah. Who'd of thought when we bought it. We had an 88 with a 305 and turbo 350 that was slammed, a hoot to drive, but I'd have to say this one is much more fun, quieter by a long shot, and with very low mileage is still tight and feels new'ish. You could always tuck that truck of yours away for your first driving child.
WOW that's low miles! I always loved the little boxy Blazers, and they DO run forever too. Sadly a lot of them up north rusted fast. I remember seeing them with big holes above the wheel-wells, but you do still see them down here. Funny about the offers you're getting, that's cool! -Mike
DON'T DO IT !!!!!!!!!! I'm having sellers remorse right now from selling my S10........And I'm a Ford guy. My '92 ext. cab was the best truck I've ever owned. I've had Rangers and currently have an '01 Lightning. I sold mine to a needy relative and figured I'd buy a convertible or another wagon, but I miss my truck, so now I'm on the hunt for a replacement. Chuck
