Keep Tahoe or buy new?

Tahodog · February 9, 2007

Okay, heres the big question: I have a 1999 Tahoe. No rust, 135,000 miles, interior is fine, all accessories work. It is leaking coolant a bit. Burns a little oil. I really like it. BUT......am wondering; should I invest some money in it or get rid of it. I put new tires on it a few months ago. New brakes and shocks a couple years back. Mileage is awful of course....something like 15 or so. What do you guys think? I really like the truck. What would history suggest is going to break on me within the next 10,00 miles? What should I do NOW to keep it going? Thanks.

squeakysounds · February 9, 2007

what could happen if you keep the old one...

Left rear tire could fly off while going at high speeds on the freeway. The tire would fly into the car to the left of you causing that car to swerve into your left rear side causing you to go into a spin. You are now staring at the car that was behind you and you freak out. You swerve to the left, hit the guard rail. The car you swerved to avoid swerved as well and hit the car to the left of him. That car flips over the car that hit him and lands on the back end of your car smashing it like a soda can.

I'd just buy new and avoid the possibility of that happening.

Norseman · February 9, 2007

what could happen if you keep the old one...

Left rear tire could fly off while going at high speeds on the freeway. The tire would fly into the car to the left of you causing that car to swerve into your left rear side causing you to go into a spin. You are now staring at the car that was behind you and you freak out. You swerve to the left, hit the guard rail. The car you swerved to avoid swerved as well and hit the car to the left of him. That car flips over the car that hit him and lands on the back end of your car smashing it like a soda can.

I'd just buy new and avoid the possibility of that happening.

?????

Why would that happen? That has nothing to do with what he asked.

My answer is:

Sounds to me you are just trying to justify the purchase a new SUV. Just buy a new one if that is what ya want.

Wingnut · February 9, 2007

what could happen if you keep the old one...

Left rear tire could fly off while going at high speeds on the freeway. The tire would fly into the car to the left of you causing that car to swerve into your left rear side causing you to go into a spin. You are now staring at the car that was behind you and you freak out. You swerve to the left, hit the guard rail. The car you swerved to avoid swerved as well and hit the car to the left of him. That car flips over the car that hit him and lands on the back end of your car smashing it like a soda can.

I'd just buy new and avoid the possibility of that happening.

That's funny...My dad was driving my '89 down the highway and had the left rear wheel come off (his fault for forgetting to tighten lug bolts after a brake job). No damage to anything (other than the wheel) and nobody got hurt though.

And you left out the part about the busload of nuns overturning.

Norseman · February 9, 2007

what could happen if you keep the old one...

Left rear tire could fly off while going at high speeds on the freeway. The tire would fly into the car to the left of you causing that car to swerve into your left rear side causing you to go into a spin. You are now staring at the car that was behind you and you freak out. You swerve to the left, hit the guard rail. The car you swerved to avoid swerved as well and hit the car to the left of him. That car flips over the car that hit him and lands on the back end of your car smashing it like a soda can.

I'd just buy new and avoid the possibility of that happening.

That's funny...My dad was driving my '89 down the highway and had the left rear wheel come off (his fault for forgetting to tighten lug bolts after a brake job). No damage to anything (other than the wheel) and nobody got hurt though.

And you left out the part about the busload of nuns overturning.

Why couldn't that happen to a new one?? Humm...causing a bus load of Nuns to overturn, that's a sure FIRE way to get you a trip to H3LL.

Tahodog · February 9, 2007

Okay fellas.....I get it. Sorry to bother you. I thought I was checking in to a grown ups

Forum. Guess I'll remove this one from Favorites. LOL.

Norseman · February 9, 2007

Okay fellas.....I get it. Sorry to bother you. I thought I was checking in to a grown ups
Forum. Guess I'll remove this one from Favorites. LOL.

Uhmm... I was being serious with my answer.

Let me state it again:

Sounds to me you are just trying to justify the purchase a new SUV. Just buy a new one if that is what ya want.

Rolandd · February 9, 2007

If you are happy with the truck, keep it and save your money. If you are trying to save money on gas by spending $25-40,k it will take you four to five decades (see below). The other reason to replace your existing truck is either because there is some feature on the new one that you need or you are in a business where clients will think differently of you with a newer vehicle. Lastly, replace the truck because you desire a new one and don't try to justify the new vehicle, just enjoy it.

I replaced my California 95 K2500 with an 05 Z71 pickup because I did not want to show up on a job with the paint leaping off my truck Three clients commented in the first month of owning the new truck that I must be doing good work because I had a new truck. Sad but true that someone would equate my ability to renovate their home with the quality of the paint job on my truck, but there it is.

If you take the money you save and invest it well you could add several years to your retirement. If you want to see what that looks like, go to http://www.hughchou.org/calc/ and play with the calculators there.

Gas savings:

15,k miles/year @ 15 mpg = 1000 gallons x $2.50 = $2500/yr

15,k miles/year @ 20 mpg = 750 gallons x $2.50 = $1875/yr

yearly gas savings = $625

At $30,000 for a new truck it will take you 48 years to pay for the economy difference

At $35,000 for a new truck it will take you 56 years to pay for the economy difference

Surprisingly, my insurance went up less than $50/yr for the newer truck in Mass.

Kerr · February 9, 2007

not to be mean but that tahoe you have is not worth a lot of money. So its more of do you want to buy a new tahoe or keep you old on. Also 15 mpg is GOOD for a suv. we have 4, 06 Armada, 12.5 mpg in town, two 07 denalies XL 10mpg shot one, 9 mpg ( heavier foot) then my mercedes G500 gets 8-9 mpg in town but it modified a lot for off road use and i have a heavy foot.

I say drive your if you like it, let the new tahoes be out a year or so and save you $10-15K and buy a used 07... remember most suv's loose 15K or more the first year of owner ship.

dewfpo · February 9, 2007

Financially, it's allot cheaper to fix your exisiting rig. Especially since you like it so much. The new ones are sooooo expensive. I'ts hard to justify buying new unless you really need it or don't care about the money and just want it.

I have kept many vehicles well beyond 200K just by performing routing maintenance.

DEWFPO

dewfpo · February 9, 2007

not to be mean but that tahoe you have is not worth a lot of money. So its more of do you want to buy a new tahoe or keep you old on. Also 15 mpg is GOOD for a suv. we have 4, 06 Armada, 12.5 mpg in town, two 07 denalies XL 10mpg shot one, 9 mpg ( heavier foot) then my mercedes G500 gets 8-9 mpg in town but it modified a lot for off road use and i have a heavy foot.

I say drive your if you like it, let the new tahoes be out a year or so and save you $10-15K and buy a used 07... remember most suv's loose 15K or more the first year of owner ship.

Actually, his Tahoe is worth allot of money.... to him. A new one is going to be $40K plus to replace it.

DEWFPO

TonyMazz · February 9, 2007

Things that'd tick you off if you keep your truck...

Sun-shell reaction gear housing breaks in your 4L60E tranny...cost $1800

Upper or Lower ball joints...two lowers are about $800...

Tie Rods, Idler arm, pitman arm.....costly.

Depending of if you tow alot....other tranny issues...

Engine....nothing much...except for neglect you should get 250K out of her if you take care of her...

I'd keep it....for now....new truck deals are going to really present themselves later this year...you could get the deal of the life time when the 08's come out...and you get a nice 06 or 07 still on the lot...

Deals are made for those that are patient.....

I did this for my 04 Hoe....brandnew and it was a model year old.....10K off the sticker....

I'd hold out for a while.

thecraft · February 9, 2007

That Tahoe still has many years left on it, I'd keep it.

Nice rig · February 10, 2007

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Why would you want to deal with 4 more years of payments...and who's to say you trade it in and drive off in your new '07 and get T-boned by a cement truck.