Might be buying a 1997 Tahoe this Sat. need input please

[newbie78]

Found a Tahoe on Craigslist asking $1,500. I went and checked it out but this is the first time I owned a truck. I have been working on cars since I was 16+ I'm now 35 but never on trucks.

I'ts a 1997 4 door 4x4 push button with 189,000

Issues:

Hood latch broken off you have to put the cable and sometimes hard to open

A/C needs a charge

Climate controls have an issue

Driver side window comes of the track sometimes

Radiator has a very slow leak at a connection on the top like someone overtightened the line and cracked it. It doesnt poor out but you can see the coolant and can smell the sweet smell when you put your face under the hood.

Tires will need to replace in a year roughly

Old ass battery but works

I looked underneath and it's just surface rust.


I test drove it and let it idle for 5+ mins and the temp gauge was 2 hash marks above the half (is this normal?) It was about 82 degrees that day.

Oh and gas gauge is busted. The needle spins around all crazy and points down.


So the guy knocked it down to $1,300 for the radiator. Is this worth it?

 

[SunlitComet]

No that is to high at idle. Perhaps the system thermostat is sticking closed or the fan clutch is no good. But for the price break I would perhaps do it. If the cause is within the confines of the cooling system most if not all of the repairs would be paid for in money saved at purchased. OBS vortecs of any year are not getting cheaper. Not around here anyway. Around here people are asking $3-4 grand in fair condition.

 

[newbie78]

No that is to high at idle. Perhaps the system thermostat is sticking closed or the fan clutch is no good. But for the price break I would perhaps do it. If the cause is within the confines of the cooling system most if not all of the repairs would be paid for in money saved at purchased. OBS vortecs of any year are not getting cheaper. Not around here anyway. Around here people are asking $3-4 grand in fair condition.

The temp was like that after I drove it then came back and let it idle. Could be from that leak in the radiator allowing air to get in the system. The fan was running the whole time.

Should I offer him $1,100? I don't mind fixing things I can fix anything just dont want to be replacing trans or rear ends or motors.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

To be honest as long as everything else seems to be in decent shape thats a steal. esp if you do the work yourself

 

[Gzes]

Round here I can get a good 4dr for about 12-1500 and good ol southern hoes but if that's all you should probably be good.

 

[_Dylan_]

sounds like it needs a bunch of work. be prepared to dump $500+ into fixing stuff on it right away.

I would look in the 2000 dollar range. You should be able to find a decent runner in good shape for that price.

 

[Tbruz]

Any service records available??

You say you "dont want to be replacing trans or rear ends or motors."
Truth is all three of these items are very real possibilities in a Tahoe with 189K miles.
Do yourself a favor and check tranny fluid color, and review any records for intake gasket work or rear end work.
Tbruz

 

[imi4tth3w]

sounds like you will be getting yourself a maintenance nightmare. if you don't mind doing the work, go for it. but there are probably better deals to be had.

 

[newbie78]

Thanks for the input. I'm a contractor starting my own business just looking for a beater truck to start out. I figure if this truck craps out I will at least get $350+ for scrap. I have a car now that is a money pit but I can't put tools and a ladder in it. So I figure if this turns out to be a money pit at least it's something useful that I can fit my tools in and look SEMI professional

Also would it be bad to change the trans fluid right away and rear diff fluid?

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

To be honest the OBS platform is pretty tough , Ive put my truck through hell and while yes Ive put the money in keeping it running its never really been a bourden to deal with and easy to work on . IMHO the 5.7 vortec is probably the easiest engine Ive worked on .