'00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

Hey all! My hubby and I are "discussing" a first vehicle for the kid. He'll be 16 in June and there's no way in heck the '67 will be ready by then. I told him to get him a beater and they can work on the old girl as time allows.

Hubby has "found" an '02 Dodge Ram loaded with everything except the hot chick...leather, heated seats, remote start, 4WD, etc for $9000. I told him he didn't need that nice of a vehicle..that an old truck would do just fine.

I have "found" a 2000 GMC Z71 stepper that looks to be in great shape. Cloth seats, power windows & locks, regular cab, but that's about it. The guy is asking $4995, but I'm pretty sure he'll take less. I'm thinking of insurance costs and EVERY TEEN I know of has had an accident in their first vehicle. Do you think the Z71 would be a good choice? I don't want him having a bunch of buddies in the truck until he's had more experience driving, so I like the idea of the regular cab. I don't want to spoil Drew even more than he already is. Heck...my first vehicle was a '78 Triumph TR-7. No power ANYTHING!!! LOL!!

So.....what say ye? The Dodge or the GMC? Loaded or comfortably numb?

Re: '00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

If the dodge is in decent shape its a good truck for the price.

but I think for a first vehicle the GMC seems to be a great starter

Re: '00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

I vote for the Stepper, I have a 96 that i've Driven 7 years now with Just Regular Maintenance.............

Rick

Re: '00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

hey i'm 22 never been in an accident :)
go with the stepper

Re: '00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

I'd lean towards the GMC as mentioned above. Granted not all teens have an accident in their first vehicle, but the odds are stacked against them.

The GMC would have access to a ton of replacement parts if needed, and he would be able to add his own personal touch for a little of nothing.

For the money, and as long as you've had the truck checked out, I'd buy the GMC.

Just my $.02...

Re: '00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

GMC for sure. Better looking, better driving, better running truck all the way around. Plus its a stepside. Can't beat that.

Re: '00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

Go for the GMC.

It's like in the movie Transformers where the kid drives off from his house and that yellow Camaro dumps out a TON of smoke. They had just bought the car. His mother says to his father, "You are so cheap" and his father says "It's his first car, it's supposed to be like that.":lol:

Re: '00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

The GMC! That's not a bad price.

Re: '00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

I'd go for the GMC, if you're worried about insurance cost just remember 4x4 always cost more, no matter the vehicle, especially for teens. But that would be a nice first ride for sure!

Re: '00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

I did a quick KBB search, making a few assumptions like 4.8L and 80K miles, it came back with a private party value of $6,200 in good shape.

Not only does "4x4" raise the insurance premium over a 2wd, according to my state farm agent "Z71" raises it a little more as well.

Re: '00 Z71 good for first vehicle?
 

im 17 and still im highschool.

as nice as all those power options sound, that GMC would be way cooler at school. whenever a kid comes to our school in "their own" can or truck, and its all loaded up with all the options, its looks like daddy's truck.

even though this is technically still "daddy's truck" its not quite because its just the bare bones truck....something a kid would own.

myself, id take the GMC over the dodge for just this reason. it would make me feel more like a teenager, driving my own truck. i would rather drive my beater ford ranger with no options then daddy's loaded up truck with all the bells and whistles.