Im looking at a 1999 silverado 5.3 v8 4x4, has some after market stuff but its on a lot. Just some questions.

What is the fuel economy on these like?
Common problems?
How long do the engines last for?
What are common rust spots?

Thanks.

Heres the ad
1999 Chevrolet Silverado Short Bed - Calgary Cars For Sale - Kijiji Calgary Canada.

 

I have a 2005 5.3 Silverado currently and prior to that owned a 2000 Z71.

What is the fuel economy on these like?
16/18 MPG

Common problems?
oil consumption
sealed hubs going bad around 120k
blower motor resistor melting
EVAP system throwing a check engine light

How long do the engines last for?
depends on how you maintain it, possibly 250k and over if taken care of

What are common rust spots?
Seam welds on rear doors, rear wheelwells, rocker panels

 

So how much would you pay for one in the ad?

 

depending on how clean it was in person and if everything works properly then i think my top dollar would be around 6,000

 

Just went and looked at it. Truck has some bumps and bruises like any truck would. Tires are like new, drivers seat was ripped but it's from a lot so he said they'de fix it. The salesman was saying that the cars go through a full mechanics inspection, draining and replacing fluids, etc. Undercarriage of the truck was immaculate, but I noticed some red fluid (i think transmission or transfercase?) on the skid plate, and some black older oil on the metal plate underneath the interior. He said the red fluid was probably from topping off the fluids. I took some pictures







What's that black sludge? Should I be worried about that red fluid? It was really clean.

Thanks.

 

something is definitely leaking..that black sludge is some kind of oil residue or grease..its not from topping off the fluid..is the oil pan showing signs of seepage?

i can take a shot of the underside of my 05 and its clean as a whistle..