Looking at new suburban

[Rcpilotlv]

Well guys i have to face it here. I am coming to the conclusion that I need more room. I have been looking at a new chevy suburban. With four in my family, and one on the way my truck has been getting small lately. I still want to be able to tow, and with a properly equiped suburban with 8. 1 and 4. 10s its rated at 12000 lbs. The new Dodge is out, wont even think about a ford, so whats left. Any way with no intrest its kind of tempting. Im still thinking about it, any body have any experiance with this rig positives and negatives... . Dodge Needs four real DOORS

 

[KMeek]

I have three kids 13 and under and the five of us travel just fine in my truck when we pull the 5th wheel. In my opinion you are underestimating how well your truck will serve you.



I also have a 97 Suburban. It is by far more comfortable for travel. But, if I had to pick I would keep the truck.

 

[Champane Flight]

Why?

Why pay at the pump and at the stealers? When you can have this built? http://www.dealsonwheels.com/parts/bayer/index.cfm?



You can pick up a used 97 for around 12-16K and put 10K into it and you have a Cummins SUV. I don't know what the Suburban is costing, but it has to cost a whole bunch more at the pumps.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Mines for sale. 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500 4x4 with the 8. 1, 4. 10

gears and 12,000 lb tow rating. The 3. 73 geared 2500s are

rated to tow less.



Fully loaded, everything but OnStar (waste of money). Leather,

dual air, sunroof. 22,000 miles.



I'll take 33,000. If you have priced the new ones, THIS IS A

STEAL!



I have a ton of pictures of it at home. This is the only one I can

find online right now.







>click here<

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Wait! I found a great picture of mine that I use on another

forum. >click here<



If you're interested, call me at 936-524-4855. Houston TX.



If delivery is a problem we can work something out I'm sure.

I can get CHEAP if not free airline ticket for ya to come get it.

 

[JyRO]

I hear ya!

RC -



I love my Cummins Ram, but I still can't get over how much I miss my 1988 Scottsdale Suburban 3/4 ton 4X4. I mainly miss the room as it had a 5. 7L with 4. 10 or better gearing. The power was less than satisfactory, but it ran well until 100,000 miles when the heads warped and it started puking coolant. I bought it with 57,000 miles in 1996 and paid $8,700 for it .



It was a good looking red beauty with TONS of interior space. I sure miss that truck.



Chris - Excellent color, that's one awesome truck.



- JyRO

 

[me4osu]

Chris

Looks like Clear lake Harbor in the background.

 

[Rcpilotlv]

gosh chris i wish i would have known just a little earlier. I bought one... a 03 LT 8. 1 4. 10 white... well if any one else is looking for one yours is a steal. . Any way what are your likes and dislikes about the vehicle thanks... ... ..... RC

 

[Chris N5CWM]

me4osu , that is Lake Conroe in the background.



Likes and dislikes. Hmm. . love the power of the 8. 1, but hate

stopping at every gas station! Actually it isn't that bad. The

fuel tank is around 36 gallons. So when it comes time to fill up,

it is a big bill.



The ride isn't too bad for a 3/4 ton. I love the power it has

when passing, and when getting on the freeway. Excellent

brakes! I have not done any heavy towing with it, nor have

I had a chance to tow my boat more than 20 miles with it (25

Outlaw, 6,400 Lbs including trailer).



The 2003 interior is WAY superior to the 2001, and if you got

the Bose stereo, I envy you! Great sounding system, the new

2003 Bose.



-Chris

 

[me4osu]

Originally posted by Chris N5CWM

me4osu , that is Lake Conroe in the background.





-Chris

Sorry bout that. Can I borrow your boat?

 

[Pit Bull]

I was just going to say if you get a Burbon get a 2500, but I should of known you guys were way ahead of me

 

[Sageair]

Rcpilotlv I'm sure you have your reasons for not wanting a Ford but if I were looking for a vehicle in the suburban class I would get an Excursion with a Power Stroke in a heartbeat! I have put 150,000 miles on the 99 f-350 that I drive at my job as a utility repairman. I can't imagine how a truck could possibly serve better. It has been worked hard but never abused and has been a real pleasure to drive. I love my C. T. D but from my experience Ford builds a damn fine product. Perhaps the good luck I have had was in part due to the fact that it has a six speed manual transmission as I have heard that Ford has had some problems with their auto trannies. We are currently preparing to spec out a replacement truck to replace the one I currently drive. I was allowed to choose and spec my new truck and I'm going to opt for another Ford with the new 6. 0 diesel. Like I said I love my 2001 CTD h/o and will no doubt replace it with another CTD when the time comes but if Dodge fell off the face of the earth tomorrow and my only choice was a Ford it wouldn't ruin my day. my 2 cents worth

 

[JBlock]

We bit the bullet too!

We need the extra space for guests and traveling too! I pickup a second hand 97 Chevy 7. 1 liter 4x4 for $13,500 on ebay last week. So far no problem other than low fluids when we recieved.



The exterior was a beautiful metalic blue similar to the four door Dodge color my wife likes.



I sure hope that vortex engine get 15 mph on the highway?

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: We bit the bullet too!

Originally posted by JBlock



I pickup a second hand 97 Chevy 7. 1 liter 4x4 for $13,500 on ebay last week. So far no problem other than low fluids when we received.

JBlock, how was that experience buying on Ebay? I've looked at it, how did you cover yourself to make sure you got what you paid for? Just curious

 

[JBlock]

There some faith and background check

I purchase my new 2001 CTD through Ebay too, but I confirm the dealer was real in Canada before sending the wire transfer.



As to the second vehicle, the 97 Suburban 3/4 ton, it was tougher, first read all the feedback, that is the number after the seller name just click on. It. Take a good look at the auctions as to whether seller has been a buyer or seller. If all were he is buy of cheap items, i worry a liitle. It possible he could just be running up his positive feedback. If he got more one or two negative feedbacks I look closely, especially if there are recent and from other buyers. Also if he it the habit of not paying I steer clear too.



If my case I send several e-mail to the seller and eventually we negotiated a price, his reserve and he closed the item for me. I also pay 20 dollars for a run a DWV check on the VIN number; I did discover the vehicle had been a Lemon on a DMV truck after the fact. But the Lemon was record 4 years and 60 miles ago, so I figured it was sorted out. So I decided to go with, as the price would allow us to put 2-4000 dollars in and still beat anything close to it that I could find in the Northwest. Dealer arranged discount shipping to Washington State and delivered the vehicle from Arizona. Actually, he shipped it before I made the final payment, His partner did it, and the seller was concern about shipping prior to payment, as that not their policy. How the vehicle?

It also has a 14-day return clause in the contract.



But returning would mean paying shipping both ways. It was clean like in the pictures, wife check the fluids and it appeared low on fluids, so she top it up, we do a full Lube job when I am home, it a backup vehicle so I figure the money saved would cover any problems, and I wanted the 454 engine and a vortex 96 or newer. So there are not allot of them around, I paid $13,500 for a 97 and dealers in Portland was asking 23000 for 99 with slightly less mileage. Retail book was about $16,000 -18000,



All seems well.