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Which Gm Model Year Should I Buy?


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Posted

My wife is looking to buy a second truck/SUV.

 

Currently we have just my 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab and her BMW.

 

We own three watercraft (all under 4K pounds) and would like to find a tow vehicle that fits the following parameters;

 

1. Costs about $5,000 or less.

2. Must have 4 wheel drive / AWD capability.

3. Dependable.

 

I know the early 90's Yukon / Tahoes had throttle body carbs but we definitely want fuel injection. We have a teenage daughter and only have the need to carry as many as three kids on a rare occassion so 7 passenger layouts are not required. I know GM tweaked the models from year to year in a careful ballance of improvement versus efficiency (i.e. cost cutting moves).

 

Which models and model years were better than the others in the GM family? Thanks!

Posted
My wife is looking to buy a second truck/SUV.

 

Currently we have just my 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab and her BMW.

 

We own three watercraft (all under 4K pounds) and would like to find a tow vehicle that fits the following parameters;

 

1. Costs about $5,000 or less.

2. Must have 4 wheel drive / AWD capability.

3. Dependable.

 

I know the early 90's Yukon / Tahoes had throttle body carbs but we definitely want fuel injection. We have a teenage daughter and only have the need to carry as many as three kids on a rare occassion so 7 passenger layouts are not required. I know GM tweaked the models from year to year in a careful ballance of improvement versus efficiency (i.e. cost cutting moves).

 

Which models and model years were better than the others in the GM family? Thanks!

The early 90's Gm's were fuel injected.......the throttle body's were not carburators.

You will have to keeps your eyes and ears open to find a good reliable 4x4 for under 5k.................they come around though............good luck...... :banghead:

Posted

For that price you're probably looking at a TBI (Throttle body injection) truck, from 89 to around 94 I believe. You could probably find a Vortec truck too if you don't mind a few more miles. The old TBIs run forever, though. Don't worry about reliability.

Posted
For that price you're probably looking at a TBI (Throttle body injection) truck, from 89 to around 94 I believe. You could probably find a Vortec truck too if you don't mind a few more miles. The old TBIs run forever, though. Don't worry about reliability.

Totally agree with you...........I had an 89 Z71......bought it brand new in 89...............put 400k on it and the only time the hood was ever open was for a couple of tune-ups, changing the oil and putting washer fluid in..........she ran strong from day one.

Posted

I had a 1994 Silverado with a 4.3 vortec V6. Did very well hauling my horse trailer (about 7,000 pounds loaded with 3 horses) for several years, almost every weekend. They get decent gas mileage too, mine got about 18 mpg average, and run forever with proper maintainence. My old truck has over 300,000 miles on it, still going pretty good. V6s aren't normally preferred, but you could easily find something like the one I had in your price range.

Good luck!

Posted

I concur on getting something with Throttle Body Injection.

 

It looks like a carb, but trust me it isn't.

 

I had a 1990 Camaro RS with the 305 TBI and that thing just wouldn't die. I really wish I wouldn't have sold it, but sometimes you make mistakes you can't take back.

 

It isn't the fastest thing in the world, but it gets amazing fuel mileage and is extremely reliable and easy to fix. You wont be disappointed.

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