Hey guys, newb here. I'm currently 14 and plan to get a truck at 16. I'm looking at a 1995-1999 Silverado 1500. My dad is fine with a truck (I learned on his F150). I know I won't be getting one for about 1 1/2 years (Birthday's in Feb.) But I want to know what you guys think of the idea. TIA

 

My first truck is my 1999 silverado and that what my first car and im only 17

nothing says you should never get a certain car for a first car.

just drive carefully because alot of people crash their first car

 

I think that is a good choice for a first vehicle.
I'm a little old school tho. Up here in Ontario we have the graduated driver's license program. I think that's a good idea for driving vehicles..
It probably would be a good idea to make a little Ford Ranger or a Chev S10 or S15 or a Dodge Dakota as your first truck. Then later graduate up to a full size truck once your comfortable driving.
Just an old man's opinion

 

i would have to agree with in2trux

i wouldnt jump up to a 1500 just yet for many reasons
1 they are top heavy
2 they are big and bulky
3 gas is a pita
4 driving a truck takes alot more skill then a car
5 even thow youve practiced on your dads f150 its not a chevy handleing and every thing is diferent
6 your only 16 you dont have much experiance no offense and i wouldnt spend money on a truck your gonna wreck anyway
trust me i know i wreckd a 88 gmc vendura that was my first car
and 7 getting a truck is fun and "cool" as teens put it these days but you need to be more experianced
one worng jerk of the steering wheel or a tie blow out on the highway your gonna roll over if you dont know how to handle how to slow down with a blow out without rolling
and you most likely want a 4x4 so you can go mudding well dont it takes its toll on your vehical really bad trust me i know from personal experiance
after 3 different hubs and many axle shafts brakes gaskets and many other parts it gets very very very expensive
ive owned 4 trucks and i am finally happy with my 94 i got know

 

I am only 17 but In my opinion it truely depends on what you're looking for in your first vehicle. As a 16 year old i purchased a 08 silverado 1500 and it was probably one of the best decisions i've made. i needed something that would last me through college and for towing boats and hunting equipment around in which the 1500 handles very well. personally, the only downside i find is the gas mileage i get with that big of a truck whereas something smaller like an S10 would be much better. my girlfriend lives an hour away and i tell you, driving there and back really puts a hurting on the gas gauge. yes a big truck looks sweet and draws attention but like the other gentlemen said, they do have their downsides like handling differently. so what i guess im getting at is if you dont need the benefits of a 1500 then dont bother with a large truck. but whatever you decide, be a safe driver and dont think that having a truck makes you invincible. just my two cents

 

I think that's a fine choice of the model years you're looking at. My choice would be the 1999. They are slightly lighter, and a little bit lower (in stock form) then the 1998 and earlier trucks, but all are good choices.
I had a 98 Suburban that was an excellent vehicle.

The issues you will face with any and all of these vehicles is their age, and the way the previous owner took care of it. All will probably be high mileage vehicle, some might even have been wrecked at some point.

You say you have a year and a half. My advice to you is to look around, and be VERY choosy, VERY picky. With the amount of time you have, you should be able to find the truck that meets your wants and needs. You have plenty of time to select, so there's no need to settle for something you don't want or like.

Remember, you're looking at trucks that are 12-15 years old. They will have been well used. try to find one that was used as a car, not a truck. Often, if you find vehicles that an older person is selling, you'll find that the truck wasn't abused, and got all of it's preventive maintenance on schedule, and in most cases it was done at the dealership.

Ask for a "carfax" on anything you get serious about, and by all means drive the truck, and take to a mechanic, sorry, I meant Technician, and have the truck checked out from end to end. If possible avoid sellers who have a "Firm Price". I purchased my first vehicle in 1965, and I've found that generally, people who are willing to work with you on the price of the vehicle are usually (not always) more honest about the condition of the truck, and it's history. Don't be afraid to walk away, and don't let anyone talk you into something you don't want, or a price you're not comfortable with.

As a rule of thumb you can generally deduct 20% -25% ( 20%: Price x .80 = Offer) (25%: Price x .75= Offer)off of the asking price of any used vehicle and that will give you a decent starting place for the price negotiation. Know the price rage of the year and type of truck you are looking at, before you go to see it. All that said, I have in fact purchase vehicles for less than half of the asking price. You and your dad need to make that call when AFTER you have seen and tested the truck.

When my son bought his truck, I took and oil sample from it and had it analyzed. The owner claimed he used synthetic oil in it since it was new. The truck had 190,000 miles on it. When we got the analysis back, the truck showed "no appreciable wear", and the metals and other contaminants in the tested oil were very low. Obviously the guy was telling the truth, and actually did use synthetics in the engine and trans. The truck is still in use, and it now has 309,000 miles on it, runs like a top, and still looks great. People offer my son much more money than the truck is worth, can believe the mileage on it when he tells them.

There are plenty of good clean, well taken care of truck around. You just need to do some research, and some leg work, keep an opened mind, and get dad's opinion, too.

These are merely my opinions, and I'm sure there are others who will differ.

Good luck with your search, and your, eventual, find. Keep us up to date on your progress.