Questions about owning a TY

[84s-10]

I have read a lot about reliability issues on here. I am looking at a Ty right now, and was wondering, how do they do with just normal driving. If I get this one, I will not be abusing it, or really driving it hard. The two owners it has had have both been pretty easy on it. I don't believe it has ever been raced, and it is bone stock. It has never had any performance mods done too it. Do they hold up well if they are not hammered all the time?

Also, what about their value? Is it going up or down? If I buy it, is it going to be worth more in a few years, or less? Blue book on it is $17,800, and I could probably get it for between 9 and 11. Is that too much? I see some on here, newer ones, for as low as $8000. How do I determine what would be a good deal on this one?

Thanks for any help. I really want this thing bad, but I'm really nervous about this too. This is a pretty big decision and purchase for me.

 

[93ty475]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

I think I know what you're saying....If you stay out of boost, even an ailing syty will last for a long time....like 200k miles or way more if maintained properly....But if as little as your 30 dollar wastegate solenoid is bad or plumbed wrong, you can blow your engine if you overboost for too long...It's hard to stay out of boost in a syty when you meet up with a potential kill at a stoplight,,,,, These are hard to work on when something fails, fyi.....good luck

 

[VermontTy]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

If you can wrench, or aren't afraid to wrench, buy it. You sound like you'd treat it like I do mine. As Servando said, when you aren't heavy with the right foot, it's a regular old 4.3 S-10, and will last a while. I've got 140k on one of mine, and it runs perfectly. No smoke, no leaks, runs smooth, great power, etc. I drive it daily (it's actually my only running car; other Ty waiting on a motor), occasionally get into the throttle to keep the cobwebs cleaned out of it, but rarely do a boosted launch or continued flogging. I drove it from Minneapolis to Vermont nonstop when I bought it, and wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere in the country. The only hiccup thus far has been an increase in how often the starter clicks before firing (the infamous purple wire syndrome). Granted, I'm always under the hood looking for something to clean and checking stuff.

It seems like there's a love-hate thing with reliability. Some trucks just seem to chew up parts and break constantly, and others seem to just run forever with zero maintainance.

As for price; tough question. I'll wait for someone to reply that's been here for more than a year. It does seem that the price is pretty low on them now. Unless it's a 15k mile, prestine all original truck, I think the NADA price is out the window.

 

[Bill Z]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

My Ty is a daily driver. I drive it 6 to 10 miles a day to the local Metro Park & Ride bus stop.

I do try to keep it tuned up. Tys require more tuning that the normal daily driver. The down side is that you can spend a lot less and get a daily driver that gets better gas mileage and is easer to maintain.

If you think that you can keep from boosting, you are a much stronger person than I am. I love that boost.

 

[VermontTy]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

If you think that you can keep from boosting, you are a much stronger person than I am. I love that boost.

:rotf:
I just think about having to walk or ride a bicycle to and from work.

 

[blk00z28]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

I guess for me, seeing its not my DD. I enjoy it. And it is HARD to stay out of boost. Shit, most of the time I get on it just to hear the turbo. :lol: Almost like I dont believe its there all the time.

They are like anything else in the world. The harder you beat on it, the more chance it will break. If you drive it like a old lady, then it will probably last a long time.

How many miles are on the truck though?
What color combo?

If its as nice as your claiming it to be. And if it has low miles (under 40k miles is probably the low point.) I could see around $15-18k. If it needs a little work, maybe a little lower. :dunno:

Give us more info, like the vin and we'll tell you more.

 

[84s-10]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

It is a 92. Black with grey effects. It has 85,000 miles. Motor and tranny rebuilt 3000 miles ago. Motor had a bad valve. Tranny at the same time just because it was apart.

Last 4 on the VIN are 0721

 

[SEL777]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

Receipts for both rebuilds? If it was just rebuilt why is it broke again? I bought a clean (not perfect) Ty with 73K last November and I drive it 60 miles to work and back eack day during the week. Over 11K later so far so good. I try to drive it and not beat it to death. I've wanted one since these were new and now that I have it and it is my DD, I need to keep it running or else. I did a few boost launches and found right away what stress this causes and will definately cause breakage if abused on a regular basis.

 

[blk00z28]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

It is a 92. Black with grey effects. It has 85,000 miles. Motor and tranny rebuilt 3000 miles ago. Motor had a bad valve. Tranny at the same time just because it was apart.

Last 4 on the VIN are 0721

Although it may be stock, with a engine and tranny replacement. To me thats not stock.

If it has problems still. I'd give around $12k for it. If everything else is nice. (interior, paint ect.) Some might even go lower. :dunno: But if its got engine problems still, look some place else.

 

[newtyguy]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

If I get this one, I will not be abusing it

Hahahaha, good luck! I told myself that when i bought my ty, that theory lasted untill about a mile away from the dealership:lol:

 

[BOBA]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

I'd be a little worried about rebuilt engines, especially if you don't know who did it. It's very hard to find anyone who knows what these trucks even are, and even harder to find someone who knows how to work on them.

I'm a new owner myself. And the simple truth is that you should expect to pay about $1000 bucks after the purchase for a good tune-up, fluid replacements, and new filters. Cap/rotor/plugs/wires along with synthetic oil makes this simple task a bit pricey, not to mention anything else you might find along the way.

And as for reliability, these trucks can last. My dad has had his since 94, and it has been a daily driver, even in michigan winters, apart from rust eating away the fuel tank, doors, tailgate and the driveshaft, it hasn't needed any real work... and my dad drives it pretty hard. I myself drove from florida to michigan in mine without fail. I've only had relatively minor problems so far, and most of them are fixing parts that are 13 years old.

These are quite possibly the best trucks made, but they are OLD! most cars start to fall apart after 5 years or so, and these are well over a decade old. Something to definately remember.

 

[odium]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

run

 

[84s-10]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

Ok. Again, there is nothing wrong with the engine now. It HAD a bad valve, that is why it was rebuilt. At this time, it is in running order. Everything works, and it has no problems. The truck belongs to a good friend of my uncles, so I know that there is nothing wrong with it right now. It really does not even need a tune up right now. I have driven it, and it runs great. And yes, there are receipts for everything that has been done to it. Including the rebuilds.

The VIN is 0721. Does this mean it was an early 92?

 

[White97SVT]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

I have been lucky with my truck so far, and only had to do regular maintance. I bought my truck with 32,000 miles almost 3yrs ago and it has 55,000 on it now. I drove it down to SC and back last year from CT with no problems. If you don't abuse it you should be in good shape. I don't daily drive my truck anymore and it has never seen a winter (to the best of my knowledge).

If you don't mind working on a truck and spending some money go ahead and pick it up, sound like a pretty good deal. I would go a head and tell you do the tune up anyway even if you don't think it needs it. These trucks need constant attention.

 

[conlyn]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

My ty had 181k miles on it when i bought it last august...
aside from fluid changes, and fixing the few things that were wrong with it...
it has been nothing but a win/win deal...
and i've got one of them there lead foots too.
it's a good truck, just don't be retarded with it, running like shit and running good is a really fine line.
it has 191k miles on it now, and i just made a 550 miles trip last weekend on the FAST trip, not one problem to speak of :lol:

 

[BOBA]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

If you're really serious about this ty, which from the sounds of it could be a very good buy, I would go out and find another one to take for a spin as a comparison. And I'll have to agree with white97 on the tune-up, but you may be able to hold off for a short time. I'll just say, if it doesn't feel right, or even just different, don't drive it until you know what it is, small things tend to get a whole lot bigger quick.

The VIN is likely a mid-year 92, easy to tell if it's a 92 or 93, if it has "typhoon" embroidered on the seats and doesn't have a console above your head, it's a 92... If that is what your trying to figure out.

I think most here are playing devil's advocate, these trucks can be a bit of a handful, and I for one want to get that point across, really to make sure you know what your getting into.

Actually the best advice I can give is to scour this site for as many tidbits of info you can. Knowledge is your best friend when it comes to these trucks. I know I've saved myself quite a few headaches.

 

[84s-10]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

Thanks for all the advice. Yes, it does have "Typhoon" on the top of the seat backs.

A couple people asked for the VIN, that's why I posted it.

I am really tempted to do this. The working on it part is not a problem. I really do enjoy tuning and tinkering. I do all my own auto work myself. In fact I am in the process of swapping a built 3.4 Camaro motor with a 4brl carb, ported and polished heads, headers, etc. into my 2.8 S-10 truck.

 

[dalwine250]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

i am a new owner also,since march. my truck has 77k.driving it home the day ibought it-160 mi-i didnt like the feel of the front end.dug in to do half shafts.found bad ball joints and wheel bearings.after reading on here sounds like normal stuff.man does it feel better.so if you buy,check the front end.also,check the i c pump.mine no work,puttin in a shur flo.thats my 2 cents

 

[SEL777]

Re: Questions about owning a TY

My ty had 181k miles on it when i bought it last august...
aside from fluid changes, and fixing the few things that were wrong with it...
it has been nothing but a win/win deal...
and i've got one of them there lead foots too.
it's a good truck, just don't be retarded with it, running like shit and running good is a really fine line.
it has 191k miles on it now, and i just made a 550 miles trip last weekend on the FAST trip, not one problem to speak of :lol:

Thats awesome. Glad to hear something about high mileage trucks that are still RUNNIN' GOOD!