I have the opportunity to buy a '95 3/4ton 200,000 mile Suburban in pretty good shape (no rust, no dents, good paint, clean interior, etc) with a brand new (0 miles) engine rebuild by a good diesel shop for $7000. Good deal? Bad deal? What do you guys think?

I feel that, given the condition of the rest of the vehicle, if running, it would probably sell for $4 or $5k. Does the rebuilt motor give $2000 worth of peace of mind? Thanks

Peyton

My 98 cost me 4000$ to buy as is with the engine comming apart, and I sunk another 4K in the engine alone replacing what needs replacing, and upgrading other parts.

My 95 that I had cost me 4500$ as is, engine ran great, but the trans took a crap a few months later, 2000$ repair bill, so mine basically cost me 7K and I had a rebuilt trans.

I have the opportunity to buy a '95 3/4ton 200,000 mile Suburban in pretty good shape (no rust, no dents, good paint, clean interior, etc) with a brand new (0 miles) engine rebuild by a good diesel shop for $7000. Good deal? Bad deal? What do you guys think?

I feel that, given the condition of the rest of the vehicle, if running, it would probably sell for $4 or $5k. Does the rebuilt motor give $2000 worth of peace of mind? Thanks

Peyton
I would keep looking for a newer one. There are other items on the 200k truck that are going to need replacement soon and will add up $$.

You probably can find some that are less $$. But a Suburban with a diesel is a rarity to start with. One with a good body and a new engine is even rarer. I'd say it's a good deal. I've had very legitimate offers from local dealers to consign my Suburban for $15,000 - $18,000. They would take 10% - 15%. They said they would have no problems selling it within a week or less.

I could have made 5K on my truck if I sold it back to the PO.
He didn't have the money or time to waste rebuilding the engine... Yet he wanted to buy it back from me for 13K... :confused::confused::confused:

I just laughed and lit up the tires around the corner... I think he got the message that I wanted to keep it.

At the very least, you'll have a fresh rebuild that you can swap into another truck.

I know that when this truck runs out of life, I'll be rippin the 6.5 out to go into another truck. Screw startin off fresh again and another 4K rebuild.

Make sure there is a warranty with the new engine.

It is a good deal for Suburban since they don't have diesel suburban anywhere.

The closest one would be the Excursion diesel but that is still running higher than that at the same miles.

I would look for a VIN check and Give it a good looking over on a Hoist or have a Mechanic look at it. A couple hours paying him now could save you 10 times that in the future. than you can make an offer on it.

PM sent.

If everything works and is in good shape then its probably good. Good tires, good brakes, make sure the front suspension is nice and tight. Check for unusual wear on the front tires. My sub with 240,000 on it needs brake and suspension work. It would be a 5-6k truck i think. No tears in the interior everythings real nice in it. If what you are looking at is about the same i'd says 7000 is close. Offer 6000 or 6500. If he wont take it id have to think long and hard about it, but id consider walking away.

when i bought my 95 earlier this year...i bought it for $6400 with 277k on it...already had exhaust and fsd relocated...orig motor/tranny...havnt had any problems with it yet(knock.knock)....this one turned out to be very reliable so far and was worth the price...when i was shopping for them on autotrader.com, i saw alot of 3/4t td subs go quickly...so they are bought up almost as soon as they are put up. from what you described this one sounds like a good deal if the owner took care of it that is

ps. ask for records