Is it worth it?

[Marcum]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a Suburban, Tahoe, or K5 as a new daily/project. Yesterday, I came across this.

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/4243447373.html

It seems to be in pretty great condition. It has a 5.7 and 4x4, and has brand new tires all around. However, I'm just not sure it's worth the money he's asking.. Could anyone give me some guidance here?

It may help to know that I'm trading him my '98 Honda Accord EX sedan for it. It's worth roughly $2500. Should I see if he'll add cash to the trade, or should I just take it for what it is? Link to my Accord on CL:

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/4253432089.html

Thanks for looking, guys. Any and all input is greatly appreciated!

 

[rsteiger]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a Suburban, Tahoe, or K5 as a new daily/project. Yesterday, I came across this.

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/4243447373.html

It seems to be in pretty great condition. It has a 5.7 and 4x4, and has brand new tires all around. However, I'm just not sure it's worth the money he's asking.. Could anyone give me some guidance here?

It may help to know that I'm trading him my '98 Honda Accord EX sedan for it. It's worth roughly $2500. Should I see if he'll add cash to the trade, or should I just take it for what it is? Link to my Accord on CL:

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/4253432089.html

Thanks for looking, guys. Any and all input is greatly appreciated!

I picked up my 99 Tahoe LT 4x4 for $700 with 183,000 miles.

To be honest it sat for a couple of years and would not run when I got it. The running turned out to be an issue with one of the two keys not being programmed into the security system - the other key started it right up. Guess which key the po was trying to start it with? Went back and told him what the problem was since I felt bad about the dubious nature of the 'not running' problem but he was happy just to have it out of his yard.

So as it stands now the interior was pretty rough mostly due to windshield water leak over those two years. Fixed the water leak and set my daughter to cleaning up the interior which is coming along nicely.

Also replaced the hinge bushing, pins, front interior door handles (those were cheaper than I thought), tires, pitman, and idler arms.

Have a new radiator waiting to go in along with a new set of cats (keeps setting the P0420 and P0430 codes) - just need some down time to do those.

At some point I will want to do something with the seats - especially the drivers seat bottom which is fairly we tore up. Not a big fan of leather (which this truck is) and am thinking about giving the seats to a local upholstery shop and have them redone in a fabric camo pattern.

So while I got it fairly cheap you can see their is plenty of work that has been done and will be taking place. Hope that helps.

 

[Marcum]

I would love to pick up something cheap, but I need something I can depend on with as little downtime as possible. Which is why I was looking for something in decent shape. Plus, if I get something that hasn't been dogged on and mistreated, it should last me quite some time. Then, once the summer comes, I'll have the time and money to do some REAL project work. I'm talking 6" RCX suspension lift, 3" body lift from Summit, Bushwackers and fender trimming, and squeeze on a set of 37s or 38s. I'm going to rip out the carpet and bedline the floor, build bumpers for it, and a bunch of other stuff. Not all at once, of course, but it will be done. I just need something to keep me going til summertime. So I figured I could go ahead and get the truck itself squared away, so I won't have to waste build time trying to find a worthy truck.

 

[TCMERICK]

Marcus,

I own a 98 Tahoe and here is my two cents. I would do the deal even up if the Tahoe met the following criteria:
1) the engine should run smooth with now bad noises at any time. I would check the exhaust output to ensure that there is no heavy white smoke indicating coolant getting into the combustion chambers. Why? because the 5.7 Vortec has plastic and rubber gaskets between the intake manifold and heads, which are prone to go bad. Check the cooland overflow tank to see if it is holding coolant. I replaced mine with felpro metal and rubber ones and should not have to ever do it again. If you do not have the time or ability to make that repair yourself, it could cost several hundred dollars or more.
2) make sure the trans shifts smooth with no slipping or hard shifts
3) the 4X4 must work, the system needs to go into 4 Lo, 4 HI and 2HI with no issues