Okay, so I needed a beater truck, something to just haul stuff around and not worry too much about. Nothing fancy, just something to get the job done. I set a budget of 5000 bucks. Started looking around, and man, Nissan pickups seemed like a good choice – they’re known for being pretty reliable.
First thing I did was hit up a bunch of websites that list used cars. I wasn’t really picky about the year, just wanted something that ran well and was in decent shape, I set my search filters: Nissan, pickup, under $5,000. Got a pretty long list, started checking them out one by one.
Most of them were pretty beat up. I mean, really rough. Dents, rust, you name it. Some of them had super high mileage, like over 200,000 miles. I test drove a few that just felt… shaky. Like they were about to fall apart. One even had the “check engine” light on, and the guy selling it was like, “Oh, that’s nothing.” Yeah, right.
- Checked online listings for used Nissan pickups
- Set a price filter for under $5,000
- Found a lot of trucks in rough shape
- Test drove a few, but they felt unreliable
Then I started looking at some older models, like from the 90s. They were in better shape, surprisingly! Less rust, lower mileage. But they were basic, like, really basic. Manual windows, no AC, that kind of thing. I mean, I didn’t need luxury, but I also didn’t want to feel like I was driving a tractor.
Finally, I found one that seemed promising. It was a 1998 Nissan Frontier, regular cab. It had about 150,000 miles on it, which is not bad for a truck that old. The body was in good shape, just a few minor scratches. The guy selling it was asking $4,500. The interior was clean. Seats weren’t ripped, dashboard wasn’t cracked. It had AC, power windows, even a CD player. I took it for a test drive. Engine sounded good, no weird noises. Transmission shifted smoothly. Brakes felt solid.
The Purchase
I did some research on the 1998 Frontier and it is solid. I ended up talking the guy down to $4,000. Got the title, paid the man, and drove it home. So far, so good. It’s not a beauty queen, but it runs great and it’s perfect for what I need it for. I’m pretty happy with my find, all things considered.
And that’s how I got my used Nissan pickup for under $5000. No drama. It was a search, but I’m happy with the truck I found.
