Refurbish or Replace

[shadowbrah]

I'm sure this has been discussed before. I have a 2005 Yukon SLT with 173K miles. I bought it with 112K miles and had transmission rebuilt soon after. I also had it repainted. The motor runs great. The front seats are showing wear. The only thing that really bugs me is the older vehicle rattling and squeaks.

I like the newer ones but don't wanna pay even $35,000 for a high-mileage 2015.

I love the rig. I'd love to bring it back to "almost" showroom condition. &10,000 would be my max budget.

Or should I put that money toward a newer rig?

What are thoughts? Have any of you restored yours?

 

[swathdiver]

I'm sure this has been discussed before. I have a 2005 Yukon SLT with 173K miles. I bought it with 112K miles and had transmission rebuilt soon after. I also had it repainted. The motor runs great. The front seats are showing wear. The only thing that really bugs me is the older vehicle rattling and squeaks.

I like the newer ones but don't wanna pay even $35,000 for a high-mileage 2015.

I love the rig. I'd love to bring it back to "almost" showroom condition. &10,000 would be my max budget.

Or should I put that money toward a newer rig?

What are thoughts? Have any of you restored yours?

Pour it right back into that truck and keep driving it! I say that with the caveat that she is not a rust bucket and does not have a rotten frame, but those can be replaced too!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I agree with Swathdiver. As long as rust is not becoming an issue anywhere on the truck, and your motor is good, seriously consider investing money into the existing truck to put it back into a condition that make you happy to keep driving it. You can track down and eliminate various rattles and squeaks, as all it takes is some of your invested time in finding their sources (and possibly someone else to assist in the search). Seats can be replaced or re-covered at reasonable costs.

Again, rust and rust-related metal deterioration, particularly on the frame, is usually the final deciding factor in determining when to move your truck to RIP status. So, take a good, long, and honest look are the metal on your truck, before reaching a final decision on whether to refurbish or replace.

 

[shadowbrah]

Pour it right back into that truck and keep driving it! I say that with the caveat that she is not a rust bucket and does not have a rotten frame, but those can be replaced too!

No rust. Thanks for the advice.

 

[shadowbrah]

I agree with Swathdiver. As long as rust is not becoming an issue anywhere on the truck, and your motor is good, seriously consider investing money into the existing truck to put it back into a condition that make you happy to keep driving it. You can track down and eliminate various rattles and squeaks, as all it takes is some of your invested time in finding their sources (and possibly someone else to assist in the search). Seats can be replaced or re-covered at reasonable costs.

Again, rust and rust-related metal deterioration, particularly on the frame, is usually the final deciding factor in determining when to move your truck to RIP status. So, take a good, long, and honest look are the metal on your truck, before reaching a final decision on whether to refurbish or replace.

No rust. Thanks for the advice

 

[shadowbrah]

I agree with Swathdiver. As long as rust is not becoming an issue anywhere on the truck, and your motor is good, seriously consider investing money into the existing truck to put it back into a condition that make you happy to keep driving it. You can track down and eliminate various rattles and squeaks, as all it takes is some of your invested time in finding their sources (and possibly someone else to assist in the search). Seats can be replaced or re-covered at reasonable costs.

Again, rust and rust-related metal deterioration, particularly on the frame, is usually the final deciding factor in determining when to move your truck to RIP status. So, take a good, long, and honest look are the metal on your truck, before reaching a final decision on whether to refurbish or replace.

 

[shadowbrah]

No rust. Thanks for the advice

 

[Big Mama]

I’m also in that boat. Isolate the squeaks and rattles get new bushings and body mounts. I’ve always thought one of the best mods you can do is upgrading the interior and audio. You’ll appreciate it every time you drive it. If you can do some basic wrenching you’ll save a lot doing it yourself.

 

[XL04]

Fix the rattles, squeaks, and seat tear. Do some other preventive maintenance that may need to be done but not showing yet. Maybe a few cosmetic upgrades if you're into that. Its definitely cheaper than a truck payment but dont go so overboard you can't recoup some money if you change your mind and want a newer vehicle, you never get back what you put in!

 

[YukonXLMan]

I had a similar dilemma several years ago about the same mileage on a 2004 Yukon XL. Chose to keep it. Purchased parts off Rock Auto's website and did my own wrenching. Some of my rear leather seats were way past their prime and was able to find matching color from the local junk yard for $35.00 a piece and lots of searching. Kept the auto until 311K miles then sold it to my neighbor (who still is driving it) when the newer car lust overtook me. While I love the new features, my wallet cries monthly post car payment. Let us know whatever you decide!

 

[shadowbrah]

I had a similar dilemma several years ago about the same mileage on a 2004 Yukon XL. Chose to keep it. Purchased parts off Rock Auto's website and did my own wrenching. Some of my rear leather seats were way past their prime and was able to find matching color from the local junk yard for $35.00 a piece and lots of searching. Kept the auto until 311K miles then sold it to my neighbor (who still is driving it) when the newer car lust overtook me. While I love the new features, my wallet cries monthly post car payment. Let us know whatever you decide!

Thank you...will do

 

[rockola1971]

Yup! Drive it until the wheels fall off or the engine/tranny fall onto the road. Why waste so much money on a car payment and interest that you will get very little back on. Put the money towards something you already own debt free and keep it running. It will cost alot less in the long run than a newer version. I am running (2) 2003 Tahoe LT and (1) 2005 Yukon Denali. Paid cash for all of them. The yukon cost me $2500 since it needed the front end suspension replaced and I got the parts and did it myself. One Tahoe is down. Transfer case grenaded. I bought a core for $150 and rebuilt it myself. It will be going in soon.

 

[Venom]

I did a body off the frame restoration trucks basically new except the drivetrain. I probably spent like 3-4K in parts and did everything myself only thing I didn’t do was my front suspension ran out of money. But it was worth it. I would definitely do it over again. So I say rebuild the old one if you can do most of the stuff yourself. It’s up to you how far you wanna go with it. But definitely keep the older one

 

[iamdub]

+1 more vote for keep it. It has a good trans and I'm sure it looks good with the repaint. I assume you're not paying notes on it. The issues you say that really bug you can be fixed easily for a couple hundred bucks if even that. Invest in adhesive-backed felt tape and replacement seat covers and work on one area at a time on the weekends or whenever. If you wanna improve from stock, add sound damping/insulation while you have panels popped off. Doing the work yourself, you can EASILY restore and even modify/upgrade the interior, suspension (lift or lower?), steering, and drive train for well under half of your $10,000 budget.

The only way I'd say to sell it for a newer/younger model would be if I found one that was already in relative "showroom condition" for a fair price. This would be the instant gratification route. But eventually, it too will need repairs, parts replaced, refurbishing, etc.

 

[08HoeCD]

One thing that no one has mentioned is that newer vehicles have vastly more advanced tech & safety features. Granted, this factors in greatly for some, none at all for others.

 

[iamdub]

One thing that no one has mentioned is that newer vehicles have vastly more advanced tech & safety features. Granted, this factors in greatly for some, none at all for others.

Depending on how old you are, it's "all just more stuff to break".

 

[08HoeCD]

Depending on how old you are, it's "all just more stuff to break".

Truth.

I test-drove a Genesis G80 last week and was absolutely blown away by all the advanced safety & technology.....and I’m not even a techie. Adaptive cruise control that can bring the car to a complete stop if necessary, lane keep assist that literally steers the car if you select a certain setting, advanced head-up display for various pieces of information, etc. Very impressive.

 

[shadowbrah]

Depending on how old you are, it's "all just more stuff to break".

Good point. I'm 54.

 

[latvius]

Keep it, I have a 05 Tahoe and my wife has a 05 Denali. We've decided these are the last vehicles we will own. If you need something to drive while you refresh yours buy another one. Will still end up being cheaper than a new one.

 

[willinnashville]

Truth.

I test-drove a Genesis G80 last week and was absolutely blown away by all the advanced safety & technology.....and I’m not even a techie. Adaptive cruise control that can bring the car to a complete stop if necessary, lane keep assist that literally steers the car if you select a certain setting, advanced head-up display for various pieces of information, etc. Very impressive.

Interesting that you mention the lane keep assist. I bought a new Honda for the wife last week (she hates big cars) and the lane keep assist seems to activate a lot more often than it should, at least on roads around here. Granted this is Nashville and there's quite a bit of construction, but it's happened so often in the last week that I'm considering deactivating it. I haven't had any issues with any of the other new safety features (I really dig the blind spot camera) but that one hasn't been my friend so far

Between the reports of the wind buffeting and the displacement on demand engine failures, I choose to hang onto my 05 Denali over buying a newer one.