Thinking about buying '04 Z71 Tahoe....thoughts?

[DJW]

The rust should bother you.

Hello,

I just went through this drill. I spent 3 months learning the "ins and outs" of the 04-06 Z71 Tahoes. I bought my 2005 Z71 two weeks ago in Phoenix. 71K and pretty clean.

What I have learned: Rust is an issue. It is all but impossible to detect everywhere the salt has gotten into. In 1998, NY State was using 16 tons of salt, per lane, per mile. Here is a paper on road salt: http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/sr/sr235/017-030.pdf
That data is a bit old, but I think it may still be close enough. It isn't just frame members, it is brake lines and brake components, wiring, you name it. Ten years of upstate salt may be an issue. I have had people say you can clean it and coat it. Others (the ones I trust) say that you cannot stop the corrosion.

I do like the green. 2004 was the last year they offered it. The build on these varies a lot. The options vary like crazy. Here is a link to the "build sheet" for the VIN on the car you are looking at: http://www.compnine.com/mycar.php?id=3621b73ba0fbe579a39faf951003bc62

I ran the CarFax on this one's VIN as I still have a free subscription for a few weeks.). Not sure how to post that. It does show an accident on 4-16-07. The parts requested for repair were the front bumper, right fender and running board(?). Thought that might help.

Now, having gone through this, I would not spend that kind of money unless you inspect it or preferably have a shop run through it. I thought I did a pretty good evaluation of mine. Then I spent $700 on it the next week on things I missed. You can to a lot of recon over the phone, but these are complex vehicles and there is a lot to evaluate.

A love this series. I had the money for a 2007 or newer, but frankly I don't like to newer body style. And the brand new ones really suck. The 00 to 06 have a great style. Chevy missed the boat when they changed it.

Good luck. Be patient and consider traveling out of the salt states for a clean one. Good luck. d.

 

[JochenWoern]

All very good points for sure. However, IMO, it all comes down to the mighty old dollar.

For comparison, last year I sold my previous vehicle (2006 GMC Yukon SLE, 4x4) with just under 100k miles on the clock for $14k here in the rust free state of CA.

So I think you will not find a rust free one with those low miles for the price he wants to pay.

Again, just my opinion.

 

[clandr1]

Hello,

I just went through this drill. I spent 3 months learning the "ins and outs" of the 04-06 Z71 Tahoes. I bought my 2005 Z71 two weeks ago in Phoenix. 71K and pretty clean.

What I have learned: Rust is an issue. It is all but impossible to detect everywhere the salt has gotten into. In 1998, NY State was using 16 tons of salt, per lane, per mile. Here is a paper on road salt: http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/sr/sr235/017-030.pdf
That data is a bit old, but I think it may still be close enough. It isn't just frame members, it is brake lines and brake components, wiring, you name it. Ten years of upstate salt may be an issue. I have had people say you can clean it and coat it. Others (the ones I trust) say that you cannot stop the corrosion.

I do like the green. 2004 was the last year they offered it. The build on these varies a lot. The options vary like crazy. Here is a link to the "build sheet" for the VIN on the car you are looking at: http://www.compnine.com/mycar.php?id=3621b73ba0fbe579a39faf951003bc62

I ran the CarFax on this one's VIN as I still have a free subscription for a few weeks.). Not sure how to post that. It does show an accident on 4-16-07. The parts requested for repair were the front bumper, right fender and running board(?). Thought that might help.

Now, having gone through this, I would not spend that kind of money unless you inspect it or preferably have a shop run through it. I thought I did a pretty good evaluation of mine. Then I spent $700 on it the next week on things I missed. You can to a lot of recon over the phone, but these are complex vehicles and there is a lot to evaluate.

A love this series. I had the money for a 2007 or newer, but frankly I don't like to newer body style. And the brand new ones really suck. The 00 to 06 have a great style. Chevy missed the boat when they changed it.

Good luck. Be patient and consider traveling out of the salt states for a clean one. Good luck. d.

Excellent post!

 

[Monkeyman]

Hello,

I ran the CarFax on this one's VIN as I still have a free subscription for a few weeks.). Not sure how to post that. It does show an accident on 4-16-07. The parts requested for repair were the front bumper, right fender and running board(?). Thought that might help.

Thanks for all that, especially the Carfax. The owner said there was a minor accident where his wife slid into a snowbank. He said the only things replaced were a "mudflap" and the step bar. Looks like the bumper and fender were also involved. I think I'll pass on this one, at pretty much any price.

There will be other Tahoes/Yukons (and maybe even a Suburban, if I can fit it in the garage) from a relatively salt free state, loaded up, with good specs and decent miles at my price. It might take a while to find but it's out there somewhere. Once spring rolls around, I'm sure there will be a few who'll sell their 4wd trucks for a little less than they'd be willing to part with them now.

Thanks again!

 

[clandr1]

The owner said there was a minor accident where his wife slid into a snowbank. He said the only things replaced were a "mudflap" and the step bar.

Wow, a dishonest seller. Who'd have thought?

Good idea to pass on this one. If he's not being forthcoming about the body damage, there's no telling what else he might be hiding from you.

 

[Monkeyman]

Wow, a dishonest seller. Who'd have thought?

Yeah. I don't much care to do business long distance but sometimes it can't be helped.

I got burned once on what turned out to be a Katrina flood car. Everything from the bottom of the windows down was toast (and well hidden). Once I see a bunch of underside rust, I panic. Not that I wouldn't buy a northern truck. I know that "some" undercarriage rust is fine (my Blazer has had underbelly surface rust as long as I've had it and it hasn't gotten any worse in 7 years) as long as I can see the extent for myself or have an unbiased 3rd party check it out.