Purchasing a used Suburban/Yukon XL

[dabears51]

I've been lurking on these forums for quite some time and am ready to purchase a used truck. My budget is $7000.

I am perplexed at the mileage and pricing on these vehicles for sale here in Chicago. For Example, A 2002 Yukon XL with 198k miles is going for $6000 at the dealership. Another is a 2003 Suburban with 175k for $6000 as well. Private sellers aren't any better. I have yet to see a truck with less than 150k on the odometer around my price range.

I know that maintenance plays a huge part but are these good prices for SUV's with that high mileage? I'm assuming a vehicle with over 150k has already had front/rear work, fuel pump or maybe even transmission work done. If so, is it worth it to buy one?

 

[chacho44]

$2700 more u can have my 03 mint esv with 153k

 

[musicman]

The biggest being the transmission. Many of these trucks have transmission issues around 150k. The biggest repair bills you may face would be that, then the shocks/autoride system, thn fuel pump. If any/all of these have been made, you're probably going to be set on large repairs for awhile.

I've had to do two of those already 145k miles and the fuel pump is going. However, I'd still buy my truck all over again. One of the best vehicles I've ever owned.

 

[sethsperlik]

The engines in these things last forever. There is a guy up here who recently passed all 4s on the odometer. These things are tanks. I wouldn't even say 150k is high mileage, at that point they are just breaking in. The transmission on the other hand is a bit different. Most of the time I see people in their 100,000s that have problems were it will slip a lot or just slam into gear or some that don't even engage, just straight to neutral. However, if you have the money to pay the gas bill, you have the money to buy a built-up transmission.lol

As far as Suburban vs Yukon XL. They are both the same all the way down to the frame. I like the Yukon's curvy look, however, some people prefer the flat headlights of the Suburban and Tahoe. A Yukon XL will be a hair more expensive than the Suburban, that's just the way they have been ever since I've had mine. But, there is no difference beyond the front bumper, Logos, and door moldings.

Anyways, I would keep looking around because down here there are NBS Suburbans on craigslist for around $4000. I found like four of them, and I'm pretty sure it's because of gas prices.

 

[Big Buttons]

If you want lower miles you're going to have to pay more. I bought my 02 burb with 63k for $10K almost 2 years ago.

 

[zieglerj-pdm-specialist]

I bought my 04 Denali XL right at the right time. It was when the Price of gas was skyrocketing and everyone ws selling their big SUV's. So I saw an immaculate 2004 Yukon Denali Xl, Blackthe perfect vehicle because it didnt have the over head video and it had a Navigation. The reason I say Im happy it never had the DVD player on the roof is because then I can pu in what I want to. I put a 21" flipdown in the back. Also having the navigation in there I can pull that and I sold it for $900 on Ebay so I bought my Alpine DVD player with the M-300 navigation hook up.My Stereo install is a one off. I pulled the 6 disc CD changer from the lower dash and installed mty Alpine D310, where i can run my DVD's Navigation and Stereo. The I ran a video jack from my brain to where I had my stock radio/navigation and installed an Alpine basic input LCD screen. So whatever is playing on the D210 and the 21" rear TV is also playing on the Flip up Alpine which makes it easier for the Driver to watch( I know its a death trap but I dont watch I glimpse at the screen and listen to the movie. Plus when I put the D310 into Navigation mode the movie keeps playing on the other screens except for the Alpine 310 is on the navigation and it plays where to turn ovwe the movies vulome. Back to pricing. This was in 2006 and I bought my Denali with low mileage for 11,500 for it and it has 32,000 miles on it. The KBB had it listed at 32K so I jumped on it because the price on these vehicles had to rebound so I went and now its hard to find my same unit for under 20K stock, I had an offer of 15K For everything winter wheels and all. Very hard decision because it has the Bucket seats in the back, thirdrow seating, new tires which would work great for winter tires since I had 23" rims with Kuhmo 205/40/23 STX tires to put on her. I take off the 23's in the winter because I live in North Dakota and the wide tires are useless in the snow so the stock tires were perfect fit for the winter. One question though? When I put the 23's on it is there anyway to disengage the Low tire warning. Because the tireman said the sensors wont fit in the new rim and tire combo. So I was wondering if I could send a false signal or disengage the alarm. Thanks in advance? Take Care.

---------- Post added at 12:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 PM ----------

The engines in these things last forever. There is a guy up here who recently passed all 4s on the odometer. These things are tanks. I wouldn't even say 150k is high mileage, at that point they are just breaking in. The transmission on the other hand is a bit different. Most of the time I see people in their 100,000s that have problems were it will slip a lot or just slam into gear or some that don't even engage, just straight to neutral. However, if you have the money to pay the gas bill, you have the money to buy a built-up transmission.lol

As far as Suburban vs Yukon XL. They are both the same all the way down to the frame. I like the Yukon's curvy look, however, some people prefer the flat headlights of the Suburban and Tahoe. A Yukon XL will be a hair more expensive than the Suburban, that's just the way they have been ever since I've had mine. But, there is no difference beyond the front bumper, Logos, and door moldings.

Anyways, I would keep looking around because down here there are NBS Suburbans on craigslist for around $4000. I found like four of them, and I'm pretty sure it's because of gas prices.

GMC gives us a 6.0l engine that suburans dont and the GMC XL is just more reliaible. Plus the air ride is on alot of the 5.7L only through GMC. I may be a little biased because I have always been a GMC Fan ever since the Typhoon Blazer.

 

[sethsperlik]

I bought my 04 Denali XL right at the right time. It was when the Price of gas was skyrocketing and everyone ws selling their big SUV's. So I saw an immaculate 2004 Yukon Denali Xl, Blackthe perfect vehicle because it didnt have the over head video and it had a Navigation. The reason I say Im happy it never had the DVD player on the roof is because then I can pu in what I want to. I put a 21" flipdown in the back. Also having the navigation in there I can pull that and I sold it for $900 on Ebay so I bought my Alpine DVD player with the M-300 navigation hook up.My Stereo install is a one off. I pulled the 6 disc CD changer from the lower dash and installed mty Alpine D310, where i can run my DVD's Navigation and Stereo. The I ran a video jack from my brain to where I had my stock radio/navigation and installed an Alpine basic input LCD screen. So whatever is playing on the D210 and the 21" rear TV is also playing on the Flip up Alpine which makes it easier for the Driver to watch( I know its a death trap but I dont watch I glimpse at the screen and listen to the movie. Plus when I put the D310 into Navigation mode the movie keeps playing on the other screens except for the Alpine 310 is on the navigation and it plays where to turn ovwe the movies vulome. Back to pricing. This was in 2006 and I bought my Denali with low mileage for 11,500 for it and it has 32,000 miles on it. The KBB had it listed at 32K so I jumped on it because the price on these vehicles had to rebound so I went and now its hard to find my same unit for under 20K stock, I had an offer of 15K For everything winter wheels and all. Very hard decision because it has the Bucket seats in the back, thirdrow seating, new tires which would work great for winter tires since I had 23" rims with Kuhmo 205/40/23 STX tires to put on her. I take off the 23's in the winter because I live in North Dakota and the wide tires are useless in the snow so the stock tires were perfect fit for the winter. One question though? When I put the 23's on it is there anyway to disengage the Low tire warning. Because the tireman said the sensors wont fit in the new rim and tire combo. So I was wondering if I could send a false signal or disengage the alarm. Thanks in advance? Take Care.

---------- Post added at 12:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 PM ----------



GMC gives us a 6.0l engine that suburans dont and the GMC XL is just more reliaible. Plus the air ride is on a lot of the 5.7L only through GMC. I may be a little biased because I have always been a GMC Fan ever since the Typhoon Blazer.

The Yukon XL and Suburban 1500's come with a 5.3L V8, the 6.0L only comes in the Yukon Denali's, which need the extra HP for AWD. The Yukon XL and Suburban are built on the same chassis, therefore the Yukon XL can't be more reliable than a Suburban because that would be like saying a Suburban is more reliable than a Suburban. Its all the same, just new headlights and different badges so GM can make some more money.

 

[dabears51]

Thanks for all the info guys! I'm trying to stay away from autoride since I hear it's expensive to replace. Gas prices don't bother me as I only put around 6k miles a year. I ride a motorcycle in the warm/hot months! I need a big SUV since I often like going camping, fishing and overall vacationing with the family.

I'll be checking for transmission issues/replacements while I'm shopping for my vehicle. I prefer the GMC Yukon XLs as they do look nicer to me.

Thanks again!

 

[musicman]

Go Denali. If the autoride goes out you can switch it. You won't regret it.

 

[electro]

If the transmission goes you can have the dealer put a new one in complete with a nice warranty. That way, your covered. Piece of mind.