What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

[11 footer]

After the Caddy incident on ebay, I've still been looking around for a car.<br /><br />I decided I wanted something that I could pull either of our boats with, although there are some cars out there that could pull what I need, I want 4WD for snow and boat ramps, plus the option of installing a plow would be nice.<br /><br />I've been looking at a of of used pickups. I've been finding every one either has high miles and is beat to hell, or its is really nice and I can't afford it.<br /><br />Just today I come upon a 1996 Chevy Tahoe two door. I'd like to get some options about this truck, or should I say "SUV"<br /><br />Its the 1/2ton Tahoe, with with TWO doors, not four.<br />Its got 130,5XX miles on it, it has the 5.7 motor and the high/low push botton 4WD on the dash. It has the factory tow package, doesn't look like there was ever a receiver in it, I don't think the truck has ever towed anything. Only modification is Flowmaster exhaust, other then that is bare stock, which to me is a plus.<br /><br />Its got minor door dings and dents in it,a small dent in one of the back rocker panels, not that bad, I'd leave it. Although its been a Mass truck all its life, no rust that I can see. Its a decent looking truck, black w/brown on bottom, running boards and nice gray leather interior.<br /><br />The book value is right around five grand, I'd like to spend less then that.<br /><br />What do you think I truck like this is worth?<br /><br />And my major question, I've seen these with plows before, do you think this truck would make and OK plow truck for driveways and parking lots?<br /><br />Towing trailers? I’d need it to pull a decent sized landscaping trailer on a regular basis, maybe one or more times a week. I’m just guessing, but I’d say the trailer loaded is about 1500 pounds. The heaviest thing that it would ever see, but very rarely if at all would be the boat, a BW Montauk, which loaded up I'd say is between 1600-2000pounds. I’m not worried about the boat, more so the landscaping trailer.<br /><br />Thanks in advance

 

[DJ]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

Ryan,<br /><br />I don't think the trailers would be any issue.<br /><br />The "plowing" is probably not a great idea. Hardly anything is tougher on a vehicle than snowplowing. That is NOT a heavy duty vehicle. The front suspension will suffer greatly with a plow.<br /><br />I have a customer that ran a great number of those (close vintage) almost exclusively off road (90%). Not plowing. The front suspensions and frames were not up to the task. They have since gone to 3/4 ton vehicles-F-250's, GM 2500's, etc.

 

[jimr]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

towing will be ok I have a buddy that picked one (4 door)up loaded last summer for about 5 grand out here he also got a 22' camper and said it likes to sway even with weight distributing hitch. You can plow with them they are great small places with the short wheel base just get a light weight plow and dont just put it on in the fall and drive all winter with it on. if you are loooking at doing alot of driveways or parking lots get a 3/4 ton the older K5 blazers and broncos were better built "trucks" tahoes and expeditions are built more like a car

 

[qaztwo]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

We have two plow trucks a 94 2500 4x4 auto and a 91 3500hd manual. The 2500 pushes a 7 foot plow and this is the last season for its trans, and this is only its thrid season. I agree that nothing beats up a truck like plowing.

 

[11 footer]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

Thanks for the replys, what should I be looking to pay?

 

[qaztwo]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

I use kelly blue book a lot for getting a ball park figure. Normally see what trade in is and if there around that number work from there.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

5 Grand does not seem out of line for the truck if it is mechanically sound. It will pull your boat and trailer very nicely with little effort. Like the others said, a snow plow is a bad idea on that vehicle. If it does not have a plow , your talking another 2 to 3 grand to get one. Gas mileage is another consideration to think about. That motor will drink up the gas. <br /><br />I looked on ebay and found a couple of examples for ya. I think the one in Boston might be the one your looking at? Go drive it before you bid if you can.<br /><br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6156&item=4515617160&rd=1 <br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6156&item=4515936719&rd=1

 

[roscoe]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

Nothing like paying a mechanic to go over it, top to bottom, and of course a test drive.<br /><br />There are NO $5000 Tahoes around here, that do not have something wrong with them. Thats probably why its on ebay.<br />Tahoes go for about 3 grand more than the blazers around here.<br /><br />I had to buy a 1996 baby blazer for $4000, that only needed 2 rear shocks and a marker lamp. The entire front suspension had recently been rebuilt, along with new tires.<br /><br />It would be fine for plowing an occasional driveway, but you would kill it if you did much more than that. A lightweight SnoWay plow would work. <br /><br />Have a dealer check to make sure all the service campaigns are up to date. (check the stickers on the radiator support)<br /><br />A baby Blazer will get you about twice the mileage, save on your insurance bill, and tow up to 5500#. You can probably get a 98 or 99 for $5000.

 

[wrenchboy]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

You can also expect to replace the intake manifold gasket...(coolant leaks) we see a pretty high failure rate.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

I'd run the VIN through carfax to check for any major damage or salvage issues. Last I knew you could get a report or two free and then it was like $15 for as many as you wanted for 3 months.<br /><br /> http://www.carfax.com/

 

[11 footer]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

Thats second ebay link flathead posted is the truck I'm talking about.<br /><br />rosco,<br />Other people have told me to get a mini-blazor too. I just don't like them, to small and narrow, plus I think pretty much all of them are V6's.

 

[roscoe]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

Yeah, I know what you mean.<br />Small interior, narrow frame/wheel set, 4.3l v6. Its not a bad engine though. I got 192,000 out of a 4.3 in my Safari van that I just sold.<br /><br />I looked for a 96-98 Tahoe/Yukon for way over a year.<br />Couldn't find anything decent for under $7000, couldn't find what I wanted for under $9000.<br /><br />I still have a full sized van for hauling large cargo, plus a utility trailer, so I settled for the Blazer. The increased gas mileage is nice too. And the Blazer easily out tows my v8 powered van.<br /><br />I see the bidding has stalled out on the auction, hopefully it will stay low and you will get lucky.

 

[aspeck]

Re: What to look for in a '96 Tahoe

Ryan, The price looks good to me. It is 4WD season in the Northeast, so don't look for a steal on a 4WD this time of year. At the current bid price, it would be a steal, even if the engine was ready to blow!<br /><br />It will tow about anything you want it to tow, but as already been said, the front suspension is light. It will plow well for you, but if you want it to live long and prosper, get a lightweight plow, only put the plow on when it is calling for a lot of snow, and take it off as soon as you are finished clearing your driveway, and the driveways of your dad's rentals. Don't try to make extra money by plowing the neighbors and your friends places. You will only be asking for tranny and suspension problems.<br /><br />Good luck with the bidding. It is a good looking vehicle.<br /><br />As for the size, I had several of the "baby" blazers and loved them. Really did not want the full sized one, but through certain circumstances, ended up with a Yukon. Now I love it. Would only consider going down to the TrailBlazer/Envoy size now.