Carl loved his 2002 Dodge Neon, The Silver Ferret, even if it rattled like a haunted dishwasher. One scorching afternoon, while driving to impress Patty from Payroll, the temperature gauge shot into the red. A warning light blinked. The engine hissed.
“Relax,” Carl muttered, turning up the radio. “It’s probably fine.”
It was not.
Ten minutes later, steam erupted from under the hood like a volcano made of antifreeze. The Ferret sputtered, wheezed, and died dramatically on the side of a backroad near Lake Splatterbottom.
Carl, wearing his nicest Hawaiian shirt and one-lensed sunglasses, popped the hood and got blasted with scalding steam. He waited three sweaty hours for a tow truck, swatting mosquitoes and reevaluating life choices.
The mechanic later said the engine was “cooked,” the radiator looked like lasagna, and the damage totaled $3,000 for a new motor (to repair the overheating issue before the motor went kaboom would have been $500).
Patty [...]
- June 5, 2025
- Trucks
- Posted by superdan
- No comments yet
If you’re considering purchasing a used half-ton pickup truck, several models stand out in terms of reliability, performance, and value retention. Here’s a detailed ranking of the top five used half-ton trucks based on our experience, expert reviews and industry insights:
Top 5 Used Half-Ton Trucks1. Toyota Tundra (2007–2013)
• Engines: 4.6L & 5.7L V8
• Towing Capacity: Up to 10,400 lbs
• Payload: Up to ~1,700 lbs
• Pros: Extremely durable; fewer electronic failures; 5.7L V8 very reliable
• Cons: Poor fuel economy; dated interior tech; possible frame rust (especially in northern climates)
• Best Option: 5.7L V8 CrewMax with clean underbody and service records
2. Chevrolet Silverado 1500/GMC Sierra 1500 (2007–2013)
• Engines: 4.3L V6, 4.8L V6, 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8
• Towing Capacity: Up to 13,300 lbs (6.2L V8 with Max Trailering)
• Payload: [...]
