Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

[V8nuts]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

I looked at them all and ended up with the Ford Explorer V8 limited 4x4. Towing is rated up to 7200lbs with the tow package and V8...very cheap to fix if it breaks down and I have had no problems with 63k on the clock..

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

I am very satisfied with my tow vehicle - 2006 Explorer V-8, with tow package. It pulls the boat / trailer (combined weight with fuel / gear just about 4,200 lbs.) with no problems at all. I forget it is back there sometimes - whether I am on the freeway or going up into the local "mountains". Plus, I like supporting Ford, if possible, since they took no bailout $$.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

My buddy said to put a hitch on my 'Cuda...

This Mopar can pull anything!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

I prefer my 1999 Tahoe to a newer version. It has a real transmission and a real 350 Chevy V8.

The newer ones have real brakes. Not sure why you mentioned the transmission. They have the same transmission basically.

I owned 3 generations of Suburbans which are similar to Tahoes. Do not have the latest but of the 3 previous, the 2000-2006 were the best by far. In addition, why would anyone want to buy a 10 year old Tahoe?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

why would anyone want to buy a 10 year old Tahoe?

maybe because they didn't have the money for a newer one.... my old 91 was an excellent tow rig and I sold it for $1500.... not everyone can afford 20 grand or even 10 for that matter for a truck

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

Man! That is one sweet Cuda! Looks perfect! I loved the old Mopars...

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

The newer ones have real brakes. Not sure why you mentioned the transmission. They have the same transmission basically.

I owned 3 generations of Suburbans which are similar to Tahoes. Do not have the latest but of the 3 previous, the 2000-2006 were the best by far. In addition, why would anyone want to buy a 10 year old Tahoe?

Okay, but what do you mean by "real brakes" ?
Disc brakes all around? bigger brakes?

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

Man! That is one sweet Cuda! Looks perfect! I loved the old Mopars...

Thanks Gary!

It's been a great car. I restored every nut and bolt. It's up for sale now... Kinda sad, but I'm way into boating...

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

Okay, but what do you mean by "real brakes" ?
Disc brakes all around? bigger brakes?

Yeah, I'm curious about the real brakes also.

I found a local GM mechanic that has a 2000 Suburban LT towing package, 4wd, 5.3 V8, auto trans rebuilt 60k ago. The engine has 193k on it. He want $5k. Seems kinds high?

Id the 5.3 L enough HP?

Does anyone know off hand how much space is required to park a Suburban in a garage? How long are they?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

The Suburban is a long vehicle,the wheel base is 213 inches...
The 5.3 is rated at about 280 hp according to the Chevy website.
A Tahoe is the same truck but about 2 to 3 feet shorter..
Plenty of engine but it will fill the garage...
They went to 4 wheel disc on the 2000 and newer i believe.

5k sounds kind of high to me with that many miles on it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

Okay, but what do you mean by "real brakes" ?
Disc brakes all around? bigger brakes?

1)Disc brakes all around.
2)Front discs that don't warp.
3)Brakes that don't create an incredible pull.
4)Front pads that actually last.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

A Tahoe is the same truck but about 2 to 3 feet shorter...

Overall length(bumper to bumper)
Tahoe is 198.4"
Suburban is 219.3"

20.9" difference

A standard garage is 240"(20 feet)

The Suburban is actually shorter than an extra cab Silverado short bed which is 227.7".

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

I would probably stay away from the 2000 Tahoe/Suburban. That was the first year of the new model. Stick to 2001 or newer.

Another thing that the newer models had was automatic temp air conditioning on the LT version which 99 and before didn't have.

I had a 2002 Suburban. It was the best vehicle I have ever owned other than my Lexus GS.

 

[V8nuts]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

I had a 2000 Silverado with the 5.3 and 3:42 rear gear.. they also came with the 3:73 gear .It pulled my 5500lb trailer just fine and I am sure it would pull more.. great tow machine for the money..

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

$5k sounds just right for that nice sounding truck if it is 4 wheel drive, It could possibly be cheaper in the summer when snow going 4wd's arent in more demand but I will say Chevy and or most for that matter trucks/good built to last SUV's hold their value for awhile and will only go so so low before they are real cheap and just about junk.
$5k buys a good used jobbie, I wouldnt expect anything 10 years old and 200k miles to be perfect but a little TLC goes a long way. Of course it helps to be able to do some work yourself.

If that 2000 Burb has a fresh trans I would not be worried about the engine the new small blocks are great and many have surpassed those miles by far. The engine was not a "new" design in 2000 and much of the trucks technology is just old carryovers with a new bodycan.
I gave $5k for a 136k mile 99 Eddie Bauer 5.0 Exploder 3 years ago and now have 188k on it and have done nothing than routine maintenance on it in that time, it is all original and functions and looks great still. Good trucks just like full size Chevy trucks, built to last, easy and economical to fix and designed to be fixed, not thrown away.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

The engine was not a "new" design in 2000 and much of the trucks technology is just old carryovers with a new bodycan.

True, the engine was a 1997 design but the engine wasn't actually produced until 1999 when the 2000 models came out. If you check out Consumer Reports, the 2000 model had a lot of problems which were chassis related and electrical. 2001 was MUCH improved.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

FWIW..I own a 2003 Yukon SLT 2wd. 5.4L with 3.73's and the towing package. Its been a fantastic vehicle, we currently have 107k on it. I bought it with about 35k. I recently took it in to have the brakes looked at, they said they are fine. I've NEVER changed them. Dish brakes all the way around.
I put a new set of tires on the truck at about 40k. Just last week I put new tires on at 107k. I've changed the battery once since I've owned it and other than that basic routine maintenance.

Pulls my 21' Monterey weighing around 4200lb just fine.

Good luck.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

Like Bruce said the brakes on the 99 and older were rear drum.
I always do a manual adjust on my rear brakes about every 2 to 3 oil changes.
Takes about 2 minutes.Those self adjusters just don't adjust them as much as i like.
The front stock rotors do warp and the pads wear out at about 30k at most.
After i upgraded the front brakes and rotors i have had zero problems.
I tow the boat and a 6000lb travel trailer.

I just like the fact mine has the 350 motor with cast iron heads.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

Like Bruce said the brakes on the 99 and older were rear drum.
I always do a manual adjust on my rear brakes about every 2 to 3 oil changes.
Takes about 2 minutes.Those self adjusters just don't adjust them as much as i like.
The front stock rotors do warp and the pads wear out at about 30k at most.
After i upgraded the front brakes and rotors i have had zero problems.
I tow the boat and a 6000lb travel trailer.

I just like the fact mine has the 350 motor with cast iron heads.

My 1999 Tahoe is the same as yours and 2wd. I need to change the intake gasket at the heads.
Please elaborate with specifics on your brake upgrade.
Thanks

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Good used mid size SUV with V8 for under $8k

My 1999 Tahoe is the same as yours and 2wd. I need to change the intake gasket at the heads.
Please elaborate with specifics on your brake upgrade.
Thanks

I did the intake job in one day.Not as bad as it looks.
Buy the good updated Perma-seal gaskets from Felpro.

I have the box in my shop and can post the part number for the gasket set.

The rotors i used these,
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-DSEP-5569L/

The pads,
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWR-Z36-369/

The calipers were similar to these but i ordered them from where i used to work,
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SSB-A186-1BK/?image=large

I think the 2WD Tahoe has the hub and rotor as one piece though,They would be different part numbers on the rotors.