Advice and opinions on purchasing 1999 GMC suburban

If you can get it for a price you are comfortable paying, then definitely go for it. I love Suburbans. I have an 01 that I’m getting ready to sell, had an 03 that got totaled in November, which I replaced with an 04 2500. All great trucks. I realize it is a body style newer than you are looking at and a different motor (mine have the Vortec 5.3/6.0). But if you are familiar with that era vehicle, it is rust free, well maintained, and the right price, how could you go wrong? Gas mileage is a non issue in my opinion if you know what you are getting into. Gas Prices will continue up through the summer at least. With the 8.1 and 4.10 gears you are looking at 8-10 mpg on a good day. Yes that’s expensive in terms of gas, but what is a newer more fuel efficient vehicle going to cost? Will that offset the savings in gas? Probably not. And finally, for that age vehicle, Rust free is a huge consideration to keep in mind.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I'm poor also !! Just trying to get input to avoid kicking myself repeatedly .

 

Ha ! It is white. When I was in high school a friend's parents had a black one that we would take. Always referred to the gas tank as the "black hole...where money goes to die."

 

They just took one of our plow trucks at work. It’s a 1988 dodge, 4x4 shortbed with a 318. It has 17k mikes on it and is in excellent condition. There is no rust on it and the frame still has the original paint. It did do a lot of plowing but that probably was mostly hard on the clutch which has been changed a few times. It’s going to another location where it will sit outside and probably die a long death and get beat up. It’s a great truck but I won’t miss that standard transmission for plowing.

We have a 2002 Chevy with 14k miles.

 

Yall don't forget that there is NADA values. I wouldn't go above 60% of that either since you can't drive it etc

 

And just FYI, NADA is the highest of all the "book values" too...that's the one the dealers use to show you what a "great deal" you are getting. But when they buy used vehicles, they usually use Black Book for their #s...that's a dealer only book... Kelly Blue Book is somewhere in the middle of NADA and Black Book as far as the values they usually come up with.

 

I know. I just picked one. On this value vehicle the difference won't be that much.

 

Well..... I won... wish me luck, only the second time I bought a vehicle sight unseen. First time was a good experience though. I'll put up some pics when I get it home. Thanks for all the help !! Hopefully I won't be asking for sympathy !!

 

How much????

Congrats

 

Wellll...... $5100. Did a carfax search and only safety inspections with normal maintenance showed up. Honestly I'd be ok if the body's solid and rust free as described. Wrenching and electrical on that year I'm good to go.

 

$5100 isn't terrible if it's in good shape.
Is it 4x4?

 

I just have to go get it, about a hour and a half away. Busy at work though..

 

Yes, 3/4 ton, 7.4 liter, 4x4

 

$5100 is not a bad price at all in my opinion, as long as it is in the good shape advertised.

Nice score, that'll haul home some wood.

 

Well here it is. Drove it 89 miles home no problems. Found out it was part of the equestrian division of Chicago police dept. Drives incredibly nice and tight, fluids look great, can see right through the oil on the wiggly sticks. A few holes drilled here and there and the paint rubs off the grill with your finger but over half of the frame paint is still on it. Feels like it could drag a house down the road though. At least I can invest in it as money allows vs. a 5+ year payment plan. Getting synchronized with the wife will be challenging though....she's thinking radio and interior.......and I'm thinking a blower and some headers........

 

Radio yes ( happy wife -happy life) blower + headers - not worth it - just creates a can of worms. Better choice would be to have the slush box redone by ATC in Germantown.

 

It's her car so I'll be leaving the drivtrain stock (for now). Do you know of any interior shops to consider ? Looking for a classy upgrade not a unlimited budget custom job. Thanks