Newbie looking to buy an 04 z71

[sstahoe]

Hey, I,m currently looking at a 2004 Tahoe z71 with 99k on it. I think it is priced pretty good at 12,000. It is in really great condition with no rust or dents or anything and a clean carfax. It has pretty much everything minus a sunroof, 3rd row seats, and rear dvd. Its white in color. First question is how good of a price is that? What kind of real gas mileage could I expect if I drive it some what easy? I cant find any real mechanical problems but what can I expect with it having higher mileage? All the information you guys could give me would be great thanks.

 

[bahollis]

Mine has 30k miles, and I drive it mainly in the city. I get about 12 mpg if I'm nice. Maybe 16 mpg on the highway.

BH

 

[evenflow76]

I just bought my 04 LT a week ago with 33,000 miles on it and so far with the two tanks i have ran through it i am getting about 14.5 mpg. I live in rural Pennsylvainia and the roads are up and down with lots of turns

 

[SCZ71]

I have a 03 Z71 and it gets an average of 16-17 mpg per tank. That is a combo of highway and city mileage. Straight hwy I get about 18.

 

[bamachevy89]

Hey, I,m currently looking at a 2004 Tahoe z71 with 99k on it. I think it is priced pretty good at 12,000. It is in really great condition with no rust or dents or anything and a clean carfax. It has pretty much everything minus a sunroof, 3rd row seats, and rear dvd. Its white in color. First question is how good of a price is that? What kind of real gas mileage could I expect if I drive it some what easy? I cant find any real mechanical problems but what can I expect with it having higher mileage? All the information you guys could give me would be great thanks.

I have an '04 LT with about 40k on it. So far, until the last month or two, it has been really maintnence free. I have really enjoyed it, even when I get a new one, I don't think I'll get rid of this one. I talked to our local Chevy dealer about buying an '05 Yukon Denali for my daughter with 60k miles on it and he said the main thing that you will see on the Tahoes/Yukons with higher miles in minor things such as oxygen sensors, quite a few gas guage replacements, things of that nature. You shouldn't have too many issues with it if the past owner took good care of it. Of course, the key to any car is taking good care of it and taking care of the maintnence.

I live in Birmingham and with a mix of interstate and city driving, I usually average about 15.7-16.2 MPG. If it is all city I get closer to 14 if it is all interstate, it has been known to get over 19.5. It all depends on your driving style and what type of gas you use (I usually use Shell V-Power.)

You should enjoy it, the price sounds right. Try and get them to throw in the 100k service, that usually runs up over $400. Good luck!

 

[sstahoe]

thanks for the info and I would like to know how fast your guys drive on the highway cause I usually do 70-75mph. Let me know

 

[bahollis]

My comfort zone is about 10 MPH over... except school zones!

I really don't worry about the MPG that much, because my old truck got about 15mpg if I was lucky. This Tahoe rides sooooo much nicer, I'll deal with the extra expense in gas.

Don't worry too much about the MPG man; surely that's not why you want a Tahoe!!!

BH

 

[run4jc]

I've got an '02 Yukon with 93k on the clock - runs like a fine watch. I just drove it from DC to Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Mom and Dad - Christmas!) with a roof top carrier, 4 passengers plus me, loaded down with presents inside and luggage on top, 75-80 mph all the way in a lot of windy conditions and I managed 16 MPG. I live outside DC and virtually all my driving is 20-40 MPH city with a lot of stop and go, and I have a tendency to 'enjoy' the rush of power from the 5.3, and with all that I get about 12 MPG in the city. This is the absolute favorite of all the cars I have enjoyed in the 34 years I've been driving (I'm 50) - this truck is still tight as a drum. Of course there is routine maintenance, but I'm the 3rd owner of this vehicle and it has seen a lot of miles! I highly recommend these vehicles and hope to run this one up to 200k. Good luck!

 

[sstahoe]

Thanks for the info guys. Now what kind of mods will get me more power for the money. I'm planning on a cai and flowmaster exhaust. Are there any good programmers or computer chips that do add alot? Let me know what mods you guys are doing.

 

[MadMedwyn]

Dunno if this has been said, but you'll have to change your transmission fluid right when you buy that Tahoe if it hasn't been changed already. If the truck has been through harsh conditions (like going offroad alot or towing extensively), then the owner should have had it changed at 50k. But if it was lightly used, then the manual states to change it at 100k. So ask the owner if he used it to tow alot. And if he says yes, and he didn't change the tranny fluid at 50k like he was supposed to, steer clear of that Tahoe. But assuming the truck's only been used lightly, use full synthetic fluid when you change if youself. That will eliminate alot of problems down the road

For intakes, people around here like Volant (google volant intake). The enclosures look great and they give gains in power, torque, and fuel mileage. I ordered one with the Powercore filter and it should be here a week from now.

For exhaust, you'll love the Flowmaster 50 Series. I use that on my Yukon, and it sounds like a beast. But when you cruise, there is no drone, and the idle is really smooth.

 

[bamachevy89]

Dunno if this has been said, but you'll have to change your transmission fluid right when you buy that Tahoe if it hasn't been changed already. If the truck has been through harsh conditions (like going offroad alot or towing extensively), then the owner should have had it changed at 50k. But if it was lightly used, then the manual states to change it at 100k.

Sounds like I'm getting ripped off at my Chevy dealer. They told me the Transmission fluid needed to be changed during at the 30k service. I told them to go ahead, but I rarely even tow with it. Maybe 5-6 times 100 miles during the summer to my lakehouse :eek2: .

 

[MadMedwyn]

Yeah it's kinda odd they did that at 30k. But my Yukon's manual says 50k for heavy use or 100k for light use. But if might be different for a 4x4, but that's just a guess. Mine's a 2wd.

 

[bahollis]

Sounds like the dealership is padding the bill. Vista Ridge Pontiac in Lewisville Texas was the absolute worst about that kind of crap. My wife took her Grand Prix in for the $9.95 oil change and inspection around the 40k mark... and they came back with a whole list of crap that "if it's not been replaced before it is probably going to need it soon so you should do it... blah-blah-blah crap" I drove out there and confronted them. I took the service center's list and walked over to the showroom. I found a salesperson and asked him what he thought of the list of crap that was somehow not covered under our warranty, needing to be replaced "just because". I also asked him how he'd feel if I told all the people in the showroom about this practice that was going on. He got on the phone and I'm sure told someone over there to change their story so I'd leave. After all that crap, and three hours lost, the bill was over $30, for some diagnostic check they chose to run. I gave the guy $10 and told him to bring me my F$#@ing car and give me my F$#@ing keys.

The bottom line is there are reputable places out there that know what they are doing, and there hacks. Tune in to people on this forum that offer advice and try to educate yourself. If you have to go somewhere to get the work done, at least sounding like you know what's up can save you $$$.

BEWARE of the hacks.

BH (I'm really a nice guy.. HONEST! )

 

[MadMedwyn]

Yeah I can't stand the kind of people that run diagnostic checks on your truck without your permission...and then they expect you to pay. Those kind of people have no sense of logic in their heads. Don't ever let people push you around, and don't take any crap from them. Because it's your truck, and if you stay around this forum long enough, you will know it inside and out like no other. And you sure as hell will know more about it than the idiot who's trying to nickel and dime you behind your back.

 

[sstahoe]

thanks guys for all your input