Would you ever buy a tow pig with 450k miles?

I know noting of GM products for the most part but couldn't one do the simple things like a compression test and cooling system test etc.

I don't look at mileage on tow vehicles, all I care about is what's the mechanical condition. If the rear end is isn't clunky, the motor has good compression, tranny shifts smoothly and the cooling system test good I'm OK with buying it.

I never spend more than 3-4K on a tow vehicle. Most of them have 200-300K on them. 

 I'd say it's either had the engine replaced, the ECM replaced

I agree, and would consider either one normal at this point. 

My main thinking on this truck is that anything you think might go wrong on this 450k mile truck could also go wrong on a 100k mile truck that costs more but really isn't in any better shape. There aren't any cheap creampuffs out there that haven't seen 15 years of general exposure to the world. My opinion is that the mileage is probably driving down the cost far more than its driving the likelihood of failures up.  

I do tend to agree there. Especially if it has no rust etc like the guy says. It's not exactly super close for me to go check out but I will be headed that way in a week or two what about a 400k duramax extended cab dually for just under 5k

Here is one with a lot less miles but says it has some rocker rust

https://zanesville.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-suburban/6608087159.html

And here is an extended cab drw flatbed with pretty low miles really

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2001-chevrolet-3500hd-dually/6613930864.html

6k is pushing high end up my budget however

And another burban showed up

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-chevrolet-suburbanl-v8/6616837818.html

needs AC work tho

Well, i really like the wheels on that one.   Would you miss the 3rd row?

Vigo said:

 I'd say it's either had the engine replaced, the ECM replaced

I agree, and would consider either one normal at this point. 

 

My main thinking on this truck is that anything you think might go wrong on this 450k mile truck could also go wrong on a 100k mile truck that costs more but really isn't in any better shape. There aren't any cheap creampuffs out there that haven't seen 15 years of general exposure to the world. My opinion is that the mileage is probably driving down the cost far more than its driving the likelihood of failures up.  

That's what I was trying to say lol

If really clean, well maintained, cheap and it's exactly what you want. Otherwise I'm a diesel guy. They go forever.

These threads are a wonderful reminder that trying to 'have it all', especially on a budget, is a complete pain in the ass.

We don't use the third row in our van very often so I don't think I would miss it.

Yeah very true getting everything for cheap is a challenge.

I am a diesel guy as well but they seem to cost a lot more and you can end up with expensive injector issues, with the amount of time I will spend towing I think I would be better off with a rock solid gasser. The vehicle will only be used to tow but I will do that about once a month

In reply to ProDarwin :

And expensive. One of my big likes on diesels is resale. They hold their value better. Sometimes a lot better.

ProDarwin said:

These threads are a wonderful reminder that trying to 'have it all', especially on a budget, is a complete pain in the ass.

THAT'S my problem! 

Seriously, I'm so guilty of this. 

In reply to Floating Doc :

We all are to some degree