So, I got appraised...

[Grimes]

Went to a CarMax today for a free appraisal for the truck. I expected a lowball, knew it wasn't a comprehensive system, knew its not old or mod friendly. But I figured it was a start.

$1,700.

I am optimistic wanting 8, but was expecting 4, but got 1.7. So this kind of stops my current plan in its tracks. At this point I really do want to just drive it to the dirt, because I feel I can still get more out of it. I was wanting to sell sooner rather than later to avoid further depreciation, but 1.7 is about as low as I can believe it.

That said, I think I am going to do a little dry buy tomorrow at a dealer, to see what I can get offered for a trade in, just to boost my morale. CarMax is no place for a modded vehicle, of course, but even $1,700 for an auction vehicle is a joke. I got $1,000 for a POS 2004 PT Cruiser that had oil and coolant in the same hoses and couldn't run for 10 minutes at a time, and now I am barely beating that with my truck.

So I am curious, what have y'all done to decide whether to move on to the next generation or keep with your NBS (or older)? Saying OK, if I need a new tranny or engine, I'll fold, is easy. Whats tough, and what I am experiencing, is having to deal with the not-huge-but-still-big wear & tear related bills that add up (~$2000 in 2014). So I am just not too sure what to do right now. At this point I am ready to just give in come summer, and pay the convenience fee of getting a vehicle that is more reliable simply because it is newer.

 

[NathanJax]

That is crazy low, but there are 03 tahoes going for 4,000 locally. So for a dealer to make money, I guess that's about right

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Before I made my decision real easy for myself, totaling my nbs. I was already on the lookout for a newer vehicle. Reason 1 I was bored with my nbs. Reason 2 it was also getting to that stage where I was gonna have to dump a bunch of money in it to keep it on the road or let it nickel and dime me to death. So that basically is what made me start looking for something newer with far less miles. Sure I could've just dumped a bunch of money into it but in my case that would've called for me to look into a loan and if I'm borrowing money I might as well borrow it for a newer one

 

[Grimes]

That is crazy low, but there are 03 tahoes going for 4,000 locally. So for a dealer to make money, I guess that's about right

Posting on craigslist now just to see if I can find an enthusiast who has the time and skillset to keep it going on their own, who may pay more than a dealer who will just auction it in Mexico.

Maybe if I advertised it as great for smuggling people...

 

[JochenWoern]

How many miles do you have on it? If you have the cash to buy something newer without a car payment, then go for it.

I do not like car payments and know what I got with my truck.

2k in repairs in a year is approx 180 bucks a month. Will you be able to get what you want for a 180 dollar payment a month? And that payment most likely will continue for 4 or 5 years.

I like to keep.mine running, as I can not afford brand new which cones with the convenience of warranty.

Even if you buy newer, there will still be repairs. I had purchased a 2007 Suburban with 68 k miles on it and I spent about 3500 bucks to get it where I thought it needed to be.

 

[YukonXL04]

Haha carmax offered me $800 for my 95 s10 blazer running and driving good lol. I laughed walking out of there...

It does come down to mileage and condition though. And having paint issues doesn't help. But you could easily get much more than $1700. I bet if you posted it for 3k on Craigslist it would sell in a day or 2. Can get more if your willing to wait for the right buyer.

 

[slick2500]

Carmax is a joke, they offered a friend of mine $1000 for his 2007 Grand Prix GT Supercharged with 72k miles. He told them to get bent.

 

[Grimes]

I was polite enough to not rip the paper in the good man's face, but did so when I got to my $1700 truck.

I'm looking to get a 2010-2011 Tahoe LT, less than 100,000 miles, around $20,000-$23,000. Which isn't asking for much. But it is more than $180 a month. But I want a GM SUV, and if I'm getting a new vehicle its going to be an upgrade, so it will be an NNBS, and I prefer the Tahoe. So, that's what I want. Just might need to wait a little while longer.

Posted on craigslist for 5. We'll see.

 

[doylee4693]

Get a low mile 06 nbs if you can, these things are beautiful and cheap to maintain.

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Yeah my 2000 Tahoe is getting on up there and its starting to need some things I put an engine in it last year and going to be putting a trans in in the next couple weeks. I know I've spent more than what its worth but it has 300,000 miles so it should be good for another 300+ after this, but I love the body style and there easy to work on for the most part