new buyer needs help

[phillip lovett]

been wanting a z71 tahoe for a while. finally have the funds to purchase a 03 or 04 model. been looking for a month. found one close to me its a 03 with 200K miles, looks great owned by a salesman. 2nd owner has owned it for 6 months no problems. when I drive it I here noise in steering or front shocks. I know they have probelms with the steering. should I be concerned?

ALso what else do I need to check and look for?

is it better to buy one that has fuel pump, gage cluster changed out etc. or buy one that has nothing done except oil change and regualr maint?

sorry for all the question just more I look the more confused I get!! thanks Phillip

 

[soulsea]

Hi Phillip, welcome to tyf.

Don't know much about the nbs trucks but it should always raise an eyebrow when someone turns a vehicle around that quickly ... especially with such high mileage.

Other than the helpful advice you'll get from nbs owners on this forum, it might be wise to have a mechanic check it out before you commit to buy. If you've been wanting one for a long time the last thing you deserve is to have the hole experience turn sour because of hidden issues which could have been discovered before purchase.

 

[taylorjm]

Well, people will probably tell you if the noise you hear in the front end is at lower speeds, going over bumps and turning...and feels like your wheels are going to fall off, then it's the intermediate steering shaft. I had mine replaced and re-greased a few times, now I've just given up and learned to live with it. supposedly it doesn't hurt anything or cause any kind of damage.

Mine is an 03 Z71 with 100k and is stock. The only real problems I've had were front wheel bearings. They were replaced twice so far. I also had ball joints and u-joints. Plus the usual, brakes, tires and just did shocks. That's about all I've done to mine, but I baby it too. I don't remember the last time I actually put the pedal down to the floor.

 

[phillip lovett]

thanks, been reading all the problems with tahoes,not sure I want one anymore! I have had several chevy trucks,last was a 99 z71 with 214K miles only problem was small transmission part. had a 03 ford expedition, only problem with it was the coils, could not drive in rain. does most other vechiles have these many problems?

what is the best year model of z71's tahoes to buy with least amount of trouble? thanks

 

[chauncey0337]

200K miles is too much for an 03. I would keep on looking. You will find one with less miles and no weird sounds. Good luck.