High mileage Suburban

After a few months I'm still looking for a truck but still haven't found the right one yet. Recently I found a very clean '05 Suburban. It's got the 5.3 engine, leather, body is darn near rust free which up here is somewhat rare for a 10 year old vehicle. I actually took it for a test drive and I couldn't find any fault with how it starts runs and drives. It's got 208k on the clock but without knowing that it feels like it's got only 20k miles. The 5.3 feels plenty strong and trans shifts like it should. Seller is asking $8800. It's got 4 new tires, all new brakes and has just been detailed in and out.

I've bought high mileage vehicles before, but usually they have all been a lot cheaper and certainly nothing of this caliber and as nice. Is there any obvious reason I shouldn't be able to get another 100-150k out of this machine with proper grm maintenance? Anything about this gen Suburban to be aware of?

Seller claims he has pulled 18-19 mpg on freeway trips which if that's true is pretty good for such a vehicle.

All I can add is that I have an 04 2wd suburban with 150 k on it. I've only owned for 3 years or so, but it has been a really trouble free truck. I have replaced 2 window regulators, 2 oxygen sensors, and maintenance items like oil, filters, and a belt. I know they are notorious for brake line failure from rust, but mine being a Texas truck originally has put that nightmare further down the road for me. I think the price is too high, but I don't know your region.

Chris

Yes price does seem kind of high but this isn't the only overpriced Suburban up here.

Forgot to mention it's 4wd.

price seems a lot high. I just did a search on chicago CL for 2005 suburban and the first 10 are all asking less than that, dealers included. Most seem to be about 7k with 2 or 3 in the 5k range. I get paying more for a nice truck, but that's high mileage for that price.

I think the 1500 vs. 2500 is a big part of price differences. Do you know which you are looking for? Which this one is? (I think the 5.3 means it is a 1500, but I could be wrong).

Yes 1500 (1/2 ton).

This feedback is what I'm looking for thank you. There are plenty other Subs out there I'm sure as this one sounds high.

That seems way high for the price.

Just an example:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5037196822.html

Most of the ones in that range I see are listed in the 8K or lower range with 2WD in the 5500 range or lower. These are usually clean Texas trucks with no rust.

I agree with everything stated here. I wouldnt be afraid of 200k miles, it seems like 350k is pretty attainable with these, but Im not paying that kind of money for a 200k truck.

My boss just bought an 05 up here in Ontario with 275k kms (170k miles). $4k out the door.

$8800 is crack pipe.

Agreed. For that many miles you should give half that price for a suburban. If you can't find the right one locally travel below the salt belt for a good one. Suburbans do tend to run forever so that isn't the issue, just the price.

I am with NGTD, that price is way out of line.

Vehicle seems good, but that body style is almost fully depreciated. These can definitely last, but as others have said, the buy-in on that one is too high to make it a good bet. What's Edmunds' TMV on it?

Yeah, I got my 03 3/4 Ton Suburban with 230K miles last year for half that. It isn't clean by any means but if I was willing to spend a grand refurbing the interior it would likely be as nice as that one. Plus it has the 8.1L "I'm gonna pull your house off its foundation" Vortec and the MUCH more durable 4L80E (Might even be a 4L85E, but can't remember).

Also, if you want to get a 1500, make sure that they can prove that the transmission has been cared for. The 4L60s in the 1500s need rebuilds by 200K miles. Not all of course but quite a few.

There is something to be said for a mint vehicle, miles be damned.

The 2004 gmc 1500 crew cab 4x4 I have has 415k kms on it (260k miles). It is in nicer shape than any truck I could find around here for $5k to $6k (of course, this is Canada, but just for arguments sake).

If it truly is minty, I'd pay $6k for it. At the same time, if the transmission has never been rebuilt, it will need to be, no ifs ands or buts. Not necessarily because anything has failed but because guaranteed it will.

"Common soft part issues are the stock 2nd gear band & 3-4 clutch pack. Under severe power the planetaries, sun reaction shell and input/output shaft are common hard part failure points. 4L60E uses a 4-pinion planet "

And makes sure, if it doesn't already have one, that you put a darn big cooler on that 4L60E.

A friend has one with the 6.5td. Just rolled over 400000 k which would be around 240000 miles. But it's kind of done. Rusty frame and fuel tank,

bearmtnmartin wrote: A friend has one with the 6.5td. Just rolled over 400000 k which would be around 240000 miles. But it's kind of done. Rusty frame and fuel tank,

I love my 6.5 Suburban, but they didn't offer them in the body style that he's considering.

In reply to Powar:

Agreed, but just pointing out the upward limit of mileage. Rust may be age rather than mileage related but he has spent a lot of time and money over the last 60000 miles or so to keep it on the road. It becomes a question of diminishing returns at some point. It is still a very nice riding and driving truck but it takes a lot of work to keep it on the road.