Mitsubishi Pick up? or Chev S-10

old · Jan 21, 2010

Well I have this 1993 Mitsubishi truck right now but have a chance to sell it at a small profit. It has around 188,000 mile on it and is an automatic. Found a 1989 Chev S-10 haven;t looked at it yet but was told it has 210,000 mile on it tires 80% or better 4 cylinder with a 5 speed. So the question which one is the better of the 2 and why.
Please if your going to say Jap/amercan save it I want real reasons answers please
Thanks

rustyj14 · Jan 21, 2010

If you are not mechanically informed, or educated, do not buy a truck with 210,000+ miles on it! Save the money and spend it at auto mechanics school!
Look for one with low miles. You don't know how those trucks with high miles have been used, or treated!
Yeah, they are cheap, but---what you don't spend for it, will soon be spent on it.
On the other hand, if you have lots of knowlege about cars, etc., and need a money pit--well, its your money.
Some years back, i bought a Ford Ranger, and sank about $600 in it, to get it to run half-adzed. Finally gave it away. Bought a 1991 Ranger, 100,000 miles on it, ran great, spent $200 to get it on the road. Put 125,000+ miles on it--sold it for $300!
BUT---
My main education and life's work has been in auto mechanics and auto body work. Being 85 years plus, i can still do my own work. Not feeble, or senile, just enjoy working things!
So, if you think you know how to do repairs, and have the place to fix things (not the oak tree out back) and the money for parts-go for it. But, i think, if it was me, i'd keep the one you have, and look for a truck with much lower mileage!

CWL · Jan 21, 2010

As a long time hater of automatic transmissions I would be worried about the auto in the Mitsubishi having that many miles on it. But I know that I have a very one sided view of it. Having said that I drove a 92 Ranger 4x4 that had a Mitsubishi 5-speed. I had to go through it twice and replace the bearings in the course of the 260,000 miles that it had on it when I sold it. Good side of that is the rebuilds only cost a few hundred dollars instead of over two thousand that I spent to replace the automatic in my newer Z71.

old · Jan 21, 2010

Guess you have not been on Y-T long enough to get to know me and who I am. I have been working on engines etc for 40 plus years. Lawn mowers up to the big over the road trucks. I can pick up this S10 for $500-600 and only payed $500 for the Mit. but have since done a few thing to it like tires shocks and brakes and a few other small things so have about $900 in it now. Just wondering which is the better of the 2 as for how long they will run. Oh was told this S-10 was owned by the guys grand father but that of course says nothing

Bill(Wis) · Jan 21, 2010

I don't have a dog in this fight. My friend has a Chev S-10 that is a piece of crap. Rust. Several radiators. Driveline-U-joints replaced because of no zerks, an electric motor that keeps failing (can't remember which one) lots of other stuff. He has nothing good to say about the truck.

rustyj14 · Jan 21, 2010

Sorry, Old, i didn't read the name on the letter until just now. Yes, i know how long you have been doing mechanical things, and have read all about your "doins" out at your place.
I thought the letter was written by a young feller, who had no experience with cars/trucks, etc.
The sun is shining here--haven't seen it much since last summer--has my eyes sort of blinky.
So, i guess you'll have the knowlege as to how to fix it, if you buy one of them small trucks.
I write in and read at Kountry Life. Thats where i have seen your messages.
Stay well, Old!: Rusty Jones

CJ3b_jeep · Jan 21, 2010

I do know if you needed major parts for either, engine, trans, the Chevy would be much cheaper.

1936 · Jan 21, 2010

Like in base ball it's fielders choice. The feed back you got in the past week on Mits motors would stear me away and to the Chev.

Now for the auto trans rants---EVERY 50 or 60 thousand mile have a pan off auto trans fluid change and you will run up into the 200 grand miles with out problem. Now anything can be stomped on which runs into repairs.

Always said most farm tractors were never worn out just abused to death.

Ifin you are looking to buy a higer mileage ride shop for a 1/2 ton truck.

As my FIL once told me it cost no more to feed a poor horse than a good one.

PJH · Jan 21, 2010

Old, I have an '88 S-10 with a 4 cyl/5 speed manual and it's been a good little truck. I have gotten as high as 35 MPG with it on a long trip, but that was when it was a lot younger. It still gets good mileage - 30 is common - it has a big fuel tank and will run a long time on a tankful. It only has 86,000 miles on it. It's a lightweight, short wheel base and it rides rough. The body is pretty rusty - it was my winter vehicle - I leave the car inside when the roads are salty.

I don't know anything about a Mitsubishi.

Paul

730 virgil · Jan 21, 2010

old i had a late 80s or early 90s s10 long box
same engine transmission combination i i kept my foot off of gas 55 or lower i got descent milage.
did everything i needed it too. being almost 6'2"
i needed more cab room

old · Jan 21, 2010

Cold wet and raining here and boy talk about mud. If you so much as drop a tire off the road that is where your going to be till you go get a tractor to pull you out.
I already have the Mitsubishi but it has an automatic and I don't like them and have a friend who wants it for her son. I did all the work to it so it will pass inspection so thinking about selling it to her and I would make about $200 on it over what I have in it so maybe I'll just have to go look at thae Chev

old · Jan 21, 2010

Already have a 1980 Chev heavy half 350 with 4 barrel 4X4 with a 4 speed. This one is custom with a flat bed double winches on back a swing boom that will lift 1000lbs. Has air compressor under the hood with a 40 gal air tank on the bed. Has an under the bed tool box also which is full of chains and boomers. Springs have been rebuilt and added to for more carry. Has a brake box in it also for the trailer I pull behind it

ILLEFTY · Jan 21, 2010

Younger brother has a 92 S-10 with V6 5 speed manual. It has 570,000 miles on it and engine has never been apart. He drives it 150 miles each day for work.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 21, 2010

If you have a chance to make some money, take it. You can always find another older high-mileage truck. Sounds to me like the Chevy would be a better gamble than the Mitsubishi. Most people like their S-10's.

trucker40 · Jan 21, 2010

I would get the S-10 if it was me.If you are going to pull anything that automatic transmission in the Mitsubishi could be real expensive to fix.Parts are probably cheaper for an S-10 especially if its standard transmission.You can probably buy a new clutch and transmission for way less than a Mitsubishi automatic rebuild or even one from a junk yard.Foreign parts are high and hard to find.While a S-10 is kind of foreign its not as bad as a Mitsubishi.Parts arent cheap for it either,but maybe easier to find and cheaper than a Mitsubishi.

Uncle Ernie · Jan 21, 2010

DUMP the Mitsubishi ASAP. RUN do not walk!!

Balaton17 · Jan 21, 2010

I"ve got an 87 Chevy S10 with the 2.8 V6 and auto transmision. It is a rust bucket and is on its second tranny that im aware of. As far as parts, any S-10 (eather pick up or blazer) in that year rang will work.
Had it for the past three years, and other than a master clyinder, I"ve done just basic maintnence to it. (Plugs,wiers,oil,etc....)

Nothing bad to say about the Mitsubishi eather, never had one.

Keith-OR · Jan 21, 2010

Rusty, ya had it right about a youngster as far as you and I are concern,,,Old is just a kid, still wet behind the ears...Good afternoon Rich...LMOA

Keith & Shawn(Gold Medal Winner)

old · Jan 21, 2010

Well see I already have the Mitsubishi truck but looking at the Chev since it is a 5 speed. Got the mit cheap and could have sold it the day I got it for $200 profit but did not want to do so to who it was since it needed work

ted regentin · Jan 21, 2010

My opinion would be to keep the Mitsu. I would assume that the Mitsu has a 2.4, which wasn't a half bad engine. Mitsu automatics seem to hold up reasonably well. In fact, Mitsu automatics will outlast the Mitsu manual trans, in my experience. On the other hand, the s-10 with a high miles "iron puke" engine, either has had the engine replaced or will soon need one.
Hope this helps,

greygoat · Jan 22, 2010

Consider parts price! If you need a starter or
alternater, a junkyard NIPPEN DENSO is almost
impossible to find. A new one will cost over $200.
My junkyard sells a Delco alternater for an S10
for $35 used, and guarenteed rebuilts for $60,and
has lots of both!

Mitsubishi Pick up? or Chev S-10

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