help on buying used silverados?

Whats up guys, I am currently in the market for a 1999-2001 chevy 1500 silverado or z71. I have like 12500 from my last car that i just sold to get something so i need some help. I wanted your opinions on high mileage silverados and z71. I have found a few around my area that are in my price range but i dont know if i should be worried about the high mileage (80-100k). Or any other mechanical problems i should look out for around this mileage that may be an issue before i buy something? I am a college student so i need something that is decently reliable. Any help would be appreciated.

Best of luck, I was in your situation six months ago...spent 10k on a 97 z71 and engine was diagnosed 2 months later with serious problems. I finally decided to buy an 03...got it for 27k (15k off sticker) and it was brand new, even has quadrasteer...I think the used trucks are grossly overpriced...

Make sure all of the recall notices were taken care of. As well as listen for piston slap and if it has this make sure the warranty was extended for free from the dealership through the recall.

Just look for the obvious stuff, like blue smoke when it starts or when you accelerate and any leaks of anykind. If it does any of that then you probably dont want it. Also, drive one first, make sure the steering is tight and the tranny shifts good. Also, after you drive it, check the fluid levels and smell of the trans. fluid, if it has a burnt smell, you def. don't want that truck.

Anytime you buy used, you are taking a chance, whether the truck has 15,000 or 100,000. If the truck's been serviced regularly, and not abused (by abused I mean try to spin the tires everytime you pull out, or stick it in a mud hole deeper tehn the headlights) then it will still have many good miles left. My 92 has 116,000 and it has no mechanical problems (knock on wood) and its been serviced regularly and not abused.

I agree that Silverado's tend to have lots of life in them, but it's hard to find a good buy on a used one. My first silverado was my mom's used 95. It was great, had 112k on it. I did a lot of heavy towing with it, and finally the transmission went out at 165k. As much towing as was done on it, it should have went out quicker.

I bought an 03 and expect it will turn 200k easily. I no longer tow often, and treat it like a baby. It's getting ready to get it's 2nd oil change (10k miles), and it'll be a Mobil1 Synthetic, just like the first one.

The problem is too many of them are driven by people that don't own them (as work trucks). These are almost always abused.