Bessie is sick

[GoTigers]

My '99 Tahoe that the boys call "Bessie" is sick. Oil level sender, rear main, seal head gasket and water pump. It all happened within the past 3-4 weeks, but I just started seeing the fluid on the driveway 2 weeks ago. Right now the estimate is $1600 plus what the machine shop wants for the head work. She's just 800 miles shy of 200,000. I've had her for about 3 years now and she's never given me any trouble, doesn't smoke and has been routinely maintained. I only paid $3500, so I've definitely gotten my money back. I just don't know where to go from here. Is it time for something new or do I put the money into her. I'm almost approaching crate motor territory.

 

[95BlackTahoe]

In my opinion, Its always better to keep her...I don't like car payments...lol

Shawn

 

[07Burb]

Fix her and keep driving her! When I had my 99 that thing was rock solid for the 4 1/2 years we had her. There was a 2 month period of time where we dumped about $3k into her for various thing but outside of that she was stout and we had her up to the 180k mark when we sold her to my brother-in-law. It now has 220k on it and still runs and looks great!!! If it wasn't for having the 3rd kid we would still have it.

I say all that to say fix it and keep it. You'll be WAY ahead of the game that way

 

[Ceejkay]

man thats a hard 1600$ pill to swallow.. i just put in a "brand new" engine for 2k.. then about 500 is misc stuff i like to do new.. http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance/809/12530282/10002/-1 free shipping so you will only have to tack on 13.95 handling fee.. no core so you can take it at your leisure..

 

[SunlitComet]

re-engine it like Ceej has and keep running.

 

[GoTigers]

Thanks. I've been going back and forth with it. I like the idea of the crate motor. Of course the HT383 would be nice, but I have to be practical here. The motor mentioned would help immensely when it comes to pulling.