Might buy a 2001 GMC Sierra C3/Denali pickup - any thoughts ???

[GMTruckGuy]

FYI, I passed on the C3. I went out and looked at this afternoon. It had rust straight through on the rocker panels. On the drivers side it had a hole the size of a hot dog bun and 2 places where in 2 years there'll be 2 more holes that size, and the passenger side was like 2' long x 1-2" high rusted all away--and this was with running boards too to protect it--that really suprised me. And it had a fuel gauge issue and bald tires. So was not looking to spend $2k on those last 2 items and then another $2k for the rocker panels with a truck that has 218K for miles. The front end seemed OK. I liked the fuel usage screen. Basically at 67mph it was getting 14.7mpg(2000rpms), at 62mph 15.2mpg. The owner said closer to 12-13mpg city driving. He averaged 13-14, but got as much as 19mpg on level freeway and unloaded.

I ended up traveling 90 miles in the other direction to look at a hail damaged truck, no rust what so ever and 152k for miles on a 01 5.3l 4x4 Silverado with G80 rear locker. It needs $3k to repair the body, but I can always do it as time and cash permitts. I paid $2950 (he was asking $3600, but then the battery went dead and won't start) and so avoided over $200 in sales tax too here in MN (if $3k or over you have to pay 7.15% sales tax). It does need a ABS sensor though.

My brakes on the '93 are all screwed up today, at times they act like a broken brake line--other times are OK. And then I refilled the AC--only to find 3 hrs later it blowing hot air again. Wipers sometimes do not work, medium fan speed is kaput.... So it was time to dump it and thus I bought a more reliable truck for I think was a very good price. It's mechanically sound, but cosmetically blemished. (sounds like a few women I have known)

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