HELP!

mikzil · July 29, 2004

I'm looking at buying a used Suburban as I need the people hauling room and can't decide between a 1999 or 2000. Sure the 2000 looks alot nicer but the price jumps $5k. Is it worth it? My company has 3 1997's w/ 300k on them and they run great and ride decent. Looking at 1500 4x4 Chevy or GMC all with about 85k on them.Anything in perticular I should be looking for?

Mik

bartlanz · July 29, 2004

Personaly, I would tell you to go with the newest OBS (square) Suburban you can get. My boss has a 2000 NBS and he has had several problems with it that I think are because it is the first year of that body style. The down side to this is that there are alot more cool goodies for the NBS trucks, and they have more power and better gas milige than the OBS trucks. But my feeling is for reliability and longevety you will get that out of an OBS truck.

I do agree that the NBS trucks look mighty pretty though. Few years down the line, I'll probibly end up with a 2500 Suburban, I realy like the way that they look!!!

OUMike · July 30, 2004

OBS. Only way to fly..

tryn2lrn · July 30, 2004

Welcome aboard , from what I have been reading the old body style appears to be the recommendation. My dad said the same thing, he likes his NBS stuff but the OBS appears to be a bit beefier all around. Plus the first year or two always has bugs the 00 is no exception. People have mentioned tranny issues on the NBS in that year. I thought you'd be seeing more hits on this question than this, who knew. See ya man

nhproxr · July 30, 2004

I would also say old body style. I work for a department for the state and we have a large fleet of trucks and OBS is definitely more dependable. The old C/K style trucks (88-98, 99 for suvs) are indestructible, we have many with up 200K that simply have never been touched, unfortunately can't say that about the new style, they are however still a lot more dependable then our Fords and for the most part we don't even waste our time buying Dodge's.

New style has more HP, but the torque rating is the same at 330, the difference is 5.7's torque is at 2800 rpm, 5.3 is at 4000 rpm. IMO vortec 350 has a much more usable powerband.

99-2door · July 30, 2004

I don't think you would have any complaints with a 99 model Suburban.

My dad has a 99 2wd LT 1500 and it rides and handles great. I was really suprised at how nimble it is. I expected lots of body roll, but it doesn't have it.

I drove the thing to CO last January and my Dad has driven it to CA twice. Driving it to Memphis tomorrow Great highway machine.

Chris97K1500 · July 30, 2004

I would have to agree, I just like the 5.7L Vortec better. I don't like the power being at 4000rpm's in the 5.3's. I don't drive my truck at 4000rpm's and wouldn't want to. That's why I'll never own a 5.3, I'll be going the diesel route next time. Chris