One of my father’s ironclad rules of life was, “Never buy someone else’s trouble.” Of course, the first time I heard that pronouncement was right after I came home with my first used car, purchased “as is” from a lot near the construction site where I had sweated out a summer in purgatory carrying armored cable and 3/4-inch electrical pipe.

He told me I had squandered my money. I defended myself vehemently, which triggered another of his aphorisms: “Never argue with an idiot.” I stomped off in righteous indignation, but came to my senses when the transmission failed shortly thereafter. I was out $400--a month’s pay. At least I didn’t make the same mistake twice.

Risky Business: Buying any used vehicle is risky business. Hunters and fishermen interested in four-wheel-drive versions face additional worries, mainly because of the extra driveline components and the wear and tear of hard offroad use.

Still, buying a used pickup or sport utility remains an appealing proposition, mainly because of the attractive purchase price. New 4x4s can easily run to well over $30,000; however, they depreciate quickly, losing (on average) half of their value within three years. By targeting a 4x4 that’s three to five years old, you stand to pick up a solid performer at a substantial savings. Also, used vehicles, by and large, are cheaper to insure.

The Search: Let’s say you’re in the market for a used 4x4. Where do you begin? First, develop a profile of the truck you want. This is necessary because trucks come in many models and load designations. For instance, if you’re looking at a full-size pickup, you may face as many as a half-dozen engine combinations, the choice of a manual or automatic transmission, three payload ratings (1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton) regular or extended cab, plus option packages such as heavy-duty suspension, towing, offroad handling, and heavy-duty cooling. The vehicle profile helps keep the confusion manageable.

The profile should also take into consideration the intended use of the truck. For example, are you primarily interested in towing? Or would you rather buy a shorter wheelbase version for heavy-duty offroad use? Do you want plush interior amenities, or do you prefer the truck to have an interior that can be hosed out after an outing in the mud?