I'm Looking To Buy A 04 Or 05 Suburban...

Crusader556 · April 9, 2008

I've been looking at 04/05 Suburbans and I wanted to get some tips on what to look for.

I have a fairly large family with the wife 4 kids and our Yellow Lab and we need a vehicle that can comfortably carry us all plus our gear.

My budget is about 20k Max and less is better. I've been looking for 04/05 with 70-90k miles in general and will even consider going up to 100k on a well maintained truck.

When looking at higher mileage 04/05 Suburbans what type of maintenance do I need to make sure has been done to it?

Regarding the 04 and 05 models, are there any real differences between the two?

The wife and I are really liking the looks of and stiffer handling of the Z71 package, is there anything I need to be concerned with on the Z71 models?

We tend to keep our cars forever and I know I will be keeping this Suburban for at least another 5 years and adding about 100k miles to it so getting a good reliable vehicle is a top priorty.

With proper maintenance, do you guys think a higher mileage 04/05 Suburban , one with 70-100k already on it, can be a good reliable truck for at least 5 more years and another 100k miles?

Lastly, is it too much to expect a combined 15 mpg with a Suburban?

Thanks!

sonjaab · April 9, 2008

Avoid any burb' with the auto-ride or auto level suspension

options !

Very $pendy to repair !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crusader556 · April 9, 2008

Avoid any burb' with the auto-ride or auto level suspension
options !

Very $pendy to repair !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, I'll make sure to do that!

Daniel T · April 9, 2008

15mpg combined will be a stretch unless you drive with a very light foot and keep it at 65mph or below when on the freeway.

but then consider you miles per person average and you will be much happier.

My Y2K 1500 burb with 4:10 gears gets around 13-14 in mixed driving and as high as 18 on the freeway if I am judicious with the throttle.

The burb is a great vehicle. You can haul lots of people, cargo, etc all at the same time.

I pull a large RV with mine, I now have ~75K miles on mine with no mechanical issues. ~1/2 of my total mileage has been pulling a large RV, enclosed racecar trailer, and or having at least 6 folks on board and our yellow Lab.

I would love to have a new one but can't swallow the near $50K price tag for one with the same equipment as our current one.

good luck with your hunt for a good one.

steveR · April 9, 2008

I traded my 02 sub z71 back to the dealer in Nov on a newer 07 burb. My longtime friend gave me wholesale $13,500 plus my two taxes. It needed a new center diff, $1000 used, $3000 new. It had 80,000 miles. I paid 15,000 for it two years ago, with 55,000 miles, plus had to add in brakes. There are lots to choose from for sale. Wait for the no accident, no paint, low mileage, no smoker, 100lbs female driver, one. They are going to be hard to get rid of with gas prices the way they are going.

If it gets bad enough, I maybe the only one on MY ROAD.

naterasmussen · April 10, 2008

I just bought an 04 Suburban a month ago with the z71 package. It has 70k on it. The original asking price back in November was $23k, and I bought it for 18k. It gets an average of 13.4 mpg, but the highway miles are 16-18 depending on my foot.