The Best Used Diesel Pickup Trucks Under $20,000

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Diesel pickups are known for their longevity and endurance. These vehicles were built to be worked hard, and they stand up to the task. With all that extra power and performance comes to a heftier price tag than a gas-powered option. Buying used is a great way to cut down the expense of a diesel truck. There are plenty of used diesel pickups that won’t break the bank.

Chevy Silverado 2500 HD | Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images

2006 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD

The 2006 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD is equipped with a 6.6-L V8 Duramax engine that delivers 360 hp and is paired with a six-speed Alison transmission. There is also an 8.1-L option. This heavy-duty was designed for commercial use and heavy towing. Because it was built for work performance, passenger comfort was not a priority. This truck may ride stiff and bouncy, but it’s built to last. Lower-milage used Silverado 2500 HDs start around $15,000.

This truck gets average reliability ratings from Consumer Reports. Purchasing used has the added benefit of weeding out individual models prone to breakdown. Chances are if a truck is still running well after 15 years, it’s not going to break down any time soon. Owners ranked the truck well in satisfaction making this an affordable option that will make used shoppers glad they chose it.

This dependable workhorse does have a few problem spots to look out for. 2006 and 2007 Silverado owners should watch out for tie rods, steering shaft Pittman and idler arms. The independent front suspension needs to be watched for wear as well. This truck does not come equipped with a fuel lift pump standard. The Silverado 2500 HD is light on its feet and may struggle with stability when towing a heavy trailer. After-market tuning can put excessive wear on this truck’s transmission. An active detail exists for wiring components in the Silverado’s antilock brake system.

2009 Ram 2500

A white Ram 2500 pickup truck in display
Ram 2500 Raymond Boyd/Getty Image

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The 2009 Ram 2500 tops out at $15,000 in immaculate condition. This is an affordable work truck with a lot to offer. Unlike some heavy-duty trucks, the 2500’s suspension provides a smoother ride than many trucks in this class. Some models were sold with the family and crew-friendly mega cab, which provides more than 7 cubic feet of storage and plenty of room for passengers.

6.7-L Cummins powers this no-frills machine. The cab and interior are decidedly lacking in features and creature comforts. The austere interior is a small sacrifice for such a powerful truck at a low price. Regular maintenance is essential to keep this truck on the road. Cummins specifies cleaning soot from the EGR valve of this model every 67,000 miles to prevent build-up and failure.

2003 Ford F-250 Super Duty

A brown Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup truck
Ford F-250 Super Duty Mark Elias/Bloomberg via Getty Images

RELATED: Are Diesel Trucks Really Better for Towing?

The Ford F-250 Super Duty is a legend among reliable diesel workhorses. Typically, this truck will be priced higher than either the Silverado or the Ram. Buyers who pay the difference are rewarded with a reliable 7.3L Power Stroke that gets the job done, no matter what. This is a truck that can be depended on day after day, no matter the application. Many of them exceed 400,000 miles with proper maintenance. Finding a 2003 F-250 for under $20,000 isn’t rare for careful shoppers.

Like any vehicle, the F-250 Super Duty has its known bugs. Buyers will want to watch the Camshaft position sensor for signs of wear. Some of the most common issues with this truck are the aches and pains of old age. Body and frame rust, drying rubber parts, and worn joints can all rear their head on a high mileage truck. Knowing what to look for early can prevent expensive surprises later.

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The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning’s Biggest Surprise Comes Inside the Cabin

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ford is asking Americans to expand their definitions of what a truck can and should do. The all-new Ford F-150 Lightning is the latest in the F-Series’ 44-year history. And this model is already turning heads for its unique interior features. Even President Joe Biden got in on the action.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is surprisingly quiet

The Ford F-150 Lightning isn’t the first all-electric truck, and it likely won’t be the last. So, what makes this pickup worth the hype? To start, other electric trucks never had the reputation of Ford and the F-150 line. The F-Series has been number one in America because these trucks are tough and reliable. This electric F-150 will likely draw many consumers into the EV market and possibly attract some to the truck market. What can you expect without an internal combustion engine?”

For starters, the F-150 Lightning is quiet even at 75 to 80 mph, Car and Driver reported. The zero-emission propulsion system makes the drive smooth and quiet without robbing it of power. The extended-range battery helps the powertrain produce 563 hp and 775 lb-ft of instantaneous torque. With all that strength, will you really miss the vroom? It might be the first half-ton pickup that’ll let you order food at the drive-thru without cutting the engine. 

On the other hand, if the cabin is free of noise, you might have to hear the kids arguing in the back on road trips. 

The Ford F-150 Lightning is ready for work

RELATED: The Most Popular 2021 Ford F-150 Trim Isn’t Necessarily the Best

If you’re looking for a truck that can keep up with you, the Ford F-150 Lightning has a few surprise features to make work easier. The quiet interior will help during phone calls with clients. It will also reduce noise coming from the job site. This speaks to the quality of engineering consumers have come to expect from Ford. 

The F-150 Lightning also boasts a workstation in the cabin. The Inspector Gadget-style gear shifter automatically folds flat, and the center console folds open into a small desk. Turning your truck into a mini office is useful not only on the construction site but also for other remote workers.

Another smart move Ford engineers made was designing 180-degree reclining seats. Other F-150 models have had large, roomy cabins, but the 2022 Lightning will let the driver nap while the truck recharges on long trips.

Same strength, new energy

The Ford F-150 Lightning comes with plenty of other surprises inside the cabin. It offers a huge LCD color touchscreen (15.5 inches to be exact), CNET reports. There are also four 120V outlets and two USB ports to keep all of your devices charged and running.

Remember when Texas lost its power during a winter storm? Well, the new F-150 Lightning is also a backup generator. According to Ford, this truck can keep your house powered during outages for up to three days or even 10 days if rationed. That’s assuming the truck was fully charged to start. It also boasts 9.4 kilowatts across its 11 outlets. 

As for the exterior, pop the hood to find a front trunk. In an engine’s place is a 400-liter (about 14-cubic-foot) frunk. It can hold up to 400 pounds. There’s even a drain in the frunk’s bottom, perfect for filling with ice and drinks at tailgates. 

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Can a Car With a Salvage Title Be Insured?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re shopping around for a used car from a private party, then you have likely come across a few cars with salvage titles. The prices for these cars are tempting, considering they’re usually marked well below the market value of ones with clean titles. But if you were to pull the trigger on one of these branded cars, would you be able to get it insured?

Salvage title cars need to be rebuilt

Rescuers walk by a car partially submerged in the water on a flooded road. | (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

RELATED: Reasons A Car Might Have A Branded Title

A clean-titled car is declared salvaged – or a “total loss” – when it has suffered a significant amount of damage that exceeds the certain percentage of a car’s value, explains ValuePenguin. If the owner of the car decides to rebuild it, then it can be inspected by the state and qualify for a “rebuilt” title. When a car receives a rebuilt title, then it can be driven and even sold, according to Car and Driver.

Is it possible to get insurance for a car with a salvage title?

A claims adjuster assesses the damage to a vehicle.
A claims adjuster assesses the damage to a vehicle. | (Photo by Jack Hardmann/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

RELATED: Can You Really Trust a Vehicle History Report?

Since salvaged cars are considered a “total loss” by the insurance company, you technically can’t get insurance for them. However, if the car is rebuilt, inspected, and subsequently receives a “rebuilt” title, then you can get insurance for it.

According to How Stuff Works, most insurance companies will insure a car with a rebuilt title, but they typically offer coverage for “liability only.” This means that some insurance won’t insure a rebuilt vehicle with “comprehensive” or “collision” coverage like they would for their clean-titled counterparts.

One of the reasons for the lack of coverage is that if you were to get into an accident with a rebuilt car, it could be hard for an insurance company to tell where the new, and previous, the damage was done. They also account for the possibility that a rebuilt title car would be more prone to breaking down in the future.

How do you get insurance for a rebuilt car?

A damaged car of the Italian Carabinieri police (R) is pictured next to the wreckage of a school bus.
A damaged car of the Italian Carabinieri police (R) is pictured next to the wreckage of a school bus. | (Photo by Flavio LO SCALZO / AFP) (Photo credit should read FLAVIO LO SCALZO/AFP via Getty Images)

RELATED: So, What Is a Salvage Title and Is a Salvage Vehicle More Trouble …

Shop around. If you currently own or are planning to purchase a car with a rebuilt title, then your best bet would be to call around to a few insurance companies and get quotes. Don’t worry, no one will hang up on you when you tell them the car has a branded title.

They might, however, tell you that they can cover the car at an elevated cost. Again, rebuilt cars are more of a liability, so some insurance companies might account for that and charge you more. According to Car and Driver, some insurance companies might even ask for the following:

  • A certified mechanic’s statement ensures that the car is in good working order.
  • Photo of the vehicle in its current state so that they know what kind of damage has been done
  • A repair estimate of the previous damages and their repairs. This is so that they can prove that the repairs were adequately done

Is it worth it to insure a car with a rebuilt title?

Yes, especially if you get the car for a good deal and know that the repairs were done well. Basically, if you’re sure that the rebuilt car that you’re buying will last you a while and is currently in good working order, then it would be worth it to insure it and drive it.

However, if you plan to buy a car that spent the rest of its life in a junkyard, or has really extensive damage that can cause issues later on, then we would suggest passing on it altogether. The cost of rebuilding and insuring such a car might not be worth it.

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The Easiest Car Maintenance Tasks You Should Know How To Do

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you want your car to last, you’re going to need to take good care of it. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, if you want to see your car reach 200,000-miles, keeping up on its maintenance needs is the best way to go about it. The good news is that you can do many of the easiest car maintenance tasks right at home. Let’s talk about what they are.

Windshield wipers | Vladimir GerdoTASS via Getty Images

Replacing your windshield wipers is one of the easiest car maintenance tasks

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Replacing your car’s windshield wipers is among the easiest car maintenance tasks. As a matter of fact, according to U.S. News & World report, changing your car’s windshield wipers should take no more than 10 minutes. When it comes to car maintenance, that’s no time at all.

To change your car’s windshield wipers, simply pull the wiper away from the car’s windshield. Then, U.S. News & World Report says to press the small tab on the underside of the wiper, which will allow you to slide the wiper off the wiper’s arm.

After that, take the new wiper and lower it onto the wiper’s arm. It’s worth noting that the hook’s open end should be facing the plastic clip on the wiper. Next, pull it tight. When doing so, you should hear the wiper click into place. Once that’s done, lower your windshield wiper, and you’re good to go.

Changing your car’s air filter is an easy car maintenance task to learn how to do

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Changing your car’s windshield wipers isn’t the only easy car maintenance task you should know how to do if you want your car to last for miles to come. Changing your car’s air filter is another car maintenance task that’s both easy to learn and important to do regularly.

In fact, CarsDirect reports that there are several reasons to change your car’s air filter regularly. According to CarsDirect, these benefits include better gas mileage, reduced emissions, improved acceleration, increased engine life, and improved driveability.

Fortunately, according to Money Crashers, changing your car’s air filter is as easy as popping your hood and finding a black rectangular box that has metal clips on the side. Find that, and then you can open up the casing, remove the old air filter, and pop a new one in. Money Crashers suggests changing your car’s air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Checking your car’s tire pressure is among the easiest car maintenance tasks

RELATED: You May Have Been Using A Tire Pressure Gauge Wrong

Let’s say your tire pressure sensor goes off. What then? If you don’t know how to check your car’s tire pressure, that warning light might bring on a wave of anxiety. The good news is that it doesn’t have to. Why? Because checking your car’s tire pressure is among the easiest car maintenance tasks.

If you don’t know how to check your car’s tire pressure, Bridgestone Tires suggests investing in a digital or standard tire pressure gauge. Then, after your car has been parked for three or more hours, use the tire pressure gauge to check your tire pressure. The numbers shown on the tire pressure gauge should match the manufacturer’s recommendation, which you can find on the driver’s side door jamb or in your owner’s manual.

Bridgestone Tires suggests checking your tire pressure every month. Not only will doing so help to ensure your car’s tire pressure doesn’t dip below normal, but it will also last longer, ride smoother, and help your car be more fuel-efficient.

Car maintenance is the key to keeping your car in good condition

Replacing your car’s windshield wipers, changing its air filter, and checking your car’s tire pressure are among the easiest car maintenance tasks. However, if you want to keep your car on the road for 200,000-miles or more, these aren’t the only car maintenance tasks you should be keeping up on. As a matter of fact, if you want your car to last, you’re also going to want to keep up on maintenance tasks like oil changes, tire rotations, spark plug replacements, and even timing-belt replacements.

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