Single-Family Survivor: 1998 Chevrolet S-10

In the 1970s, manufacturers like Chevrolet relied on badge-engineered imports to serve the needs of compact pickup truck buyers. In the case of Chevy, it was the LUV supplied by Isuzu. In 1982, the S-10 debuted, the first of several U.S.-built compact trucks. It ran through 2003, after which the Colorado replaced it. The seller offers a nice, low-mileage, one-family S-10 from 1998 with the extended cab body. Located near Portland, Oregon, this survivor is available here on craigslist for $7,900.

The size of the S-10 put it into the ¼-ton category, so it was intended for light-duty use. GMC got into the act and badged their version as the S-15, later the Sonoma. Isuzu dealers in the U.S. also had a variant known as the Hombre (but only in the late 1990s). The S-10 was accompanied by an SUV version called the Blazer (at GMC, it was the Jimmy). The little GM pickups competed against the Ford Ranger and – to a lesser extent – the Chrysler Rampage.

These were well-made trucks, and it’s not uncommon to see a second-generation example (like the seller’s) still running around. This one is the fancier LS model with three doors to gain access to a rather small back seating area that was really best suited to small children or groceries. The bed has a sprayed-on liner, so it has held up nicely over the past 28 years. A 4-cylinder engine should be under the hood, probably a 2.2-liter Vortec rated at 120 hp with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

This truck has been lightly utilized to accumulate just 51,000 miles. The LS model featured car-like touches in terms of creature comfort, and this one also has air conditioning. With no visual issues to the body, paint, interior, or drivetrain, this little truck should have plenty of life left – as long as you don’t need to transport elephants. BTW, the source of this tip? Curvette, who else!