Looks like it's time for a new truck

[Droopy]

My little 1989 Isuzu pick up isn't looking too good. There's a big rust patch on one of the doors and when I went to press on it to see how solid it was the whole door panel moved. The front bumper also has two large rust holes, the bed is rusted completely through in a couple of spots along with various other rust spots. The body is in pretty bad shape. Damn thing still runs good, but I'm afraid it's going to fall apart going down the road.

I've been thinking about what I'm going to get next. If I buy new it'll be a Chevy S-10 because my employer is contracted to GM and we do a lot of work for them. My job is hauling auto parts for them. If I buy used I'm thinking it may be another foreign deal. They seem to last longer.

I hate to have another bill. I paid off my Isuzu five years ago and it's been nice having dependable transportation without a car payment. But it doesn't look like I have much of a choice.

So what do you think? New or used? Foreign or domestic?

[4morewars]

1. Chevy Colorado

It's replacing the S-10, I just got this one:

http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado/colors/

There are great deals on the '04s, like 0% financing for 4 or 5 years. Also, as a hauler for GM, you are eligible for the employee discount.
I got the inline-5, i would avoid the 4 banger. I ended up paying a little more than 19,000 for the LS, with the employee discount. It also has the XM Satelite radio, free for 90 days, and the CD player plays MP3s !!!

[Droopy]

3. I did not know about the Colorado

Looks nice although I really don't need an extended cab. Do they make one with a regular cab? And an in-line 5 cylinder? That's odd. What's the payment on $19,000?

[4morewars]

5. It is also available...

with a regular cab, also with a 4 or a 5 cylinder. I didn't see any of then on the lot though, but i like the extended cab. It was also available with crewcab, which I'm not fond of. Here's the main page of their site:

http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado/

I also thought the 5 cylinder was a wierd thing, I had never heard of it before ,in fact. But, I knew i didn't want a 4 cylinder. I was pulling 2 ATVs with a flatbed aluminum trailer, about 1200-1300 lbs with no problems. It gets decent gas milage, and it has plenty of power. The AC works great and does not bog the engine like on a 4 banger. My payment is around 480-500, if I remember correctly. But, i also got an extended warranty and a maintenance plan, which jacked the price up some.

[Dora]

2. Gee, if we weren't so far apart

I'd offer to sell you my 98 Isuzu pickup. We're selling because we need a car with a backseat.

I think the new/used question is a coin toss - it's nice not to accrue new debt, but if the economy hits ths skids like some are predicting, then why not go ahead and take The Man for all he'll loan out? We're looking at used, however. We just want a Subaru Forester that's as old as our truck, in as good condition, and with as many miles (and with standard transmission and cup holders).

Wouldn't Consumer Reports answer your domestic/foreign question?

[Droopy]

4. You might have a buyer if you were closer.

I'd be interested. My Isuzu has been really good to me and I wouldn't mind owning another. Not sure about Consumer Reports. I guess I could check into that.