Is Buying a Used Truck in 2022 the Right Move?
In 2022, the average cost of a new truck has surpassed $40,000. And some pickups can easily climb into six-figure territory. Because of that, some buyers are looking to the used market in order to find a truck that fits within their budget. Doing so is not necessarily a bad thing. Modern trucks usually have reliable build quality and offer a solid value proposition. So, which used trucks are worth buying and which should you avoid?
What trucks are worth buying used?
According to MotorTrend, there are multiple pickups that are worthy of consideration when it comes to buying used. The second generation of the Nissan Frontier was sold from 2005 until 2021. And while some model years faced some issues, for the most part this mid-size truck is one you can buy with confidence.
The interior of the Frontier does feel fairly old-school. But, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Especially when you consider the price that they usually go for. If you want a full-size truck, there is also a used pickup worth buying.
The Ram 1500 from model years 2009 to 2018 makes for a solid purchase. In 2017, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine came standard with the ZF automatic transmission. And that makes for a better shifting powertrain. Allowing you to take full advantage of the power that the HEMI makes.
What used truck should you avoid?
Although the Ford F-150 is an immensely popular pickup, it has had some issues in the past. The 2010 F-150 presented some serious issues that could cause you expensive trips to the mechanic. The 5.4-liter Triton V8 was a fairly problematic engine.
If you get an F-150 equipped with this engine, you can expect issues with the spark plugs as well as the potential for oil leaks. Because of this, you should probably avoid buying a 2010 Ford F-150 and look to other F-Series trucks.
Why buy a used truck?
Pickup trucks are known for their longevity and utility. Some trucks are even capable of packing on hundreds of thousands of miles. So, even if you do buy used, you can likely get something with plenty of life left in it.
Before you buy a used truck, be sure you get things like service records and do the proper research. With used trucks, most common fail points have likely been identified. And that means that you will know what to look out for while shopping.
Additionally, getting the service records will give you peace of mind when it comes to the history of your truck. Most vehicles have set service intervals that need to be performed in order to keep them running reliably.
The most obvious perk of buying used is being able to get more truck for your money. Even though the used car market has been turbulent in recent years, it is still possible to find a good value. Just be sure to avoid pickups that are known to be unreliable or that have a lot of issues surrounding them.
