Food for thought

[IEATZ28]

Hello everyone, I’m looking at buying a 2011 Suburban LT with Z71 package. It has 91k original miles, and it’s a one owner vehicle. It’s a slick ride, well kept, black on black. Even the heat/ac buttons on the dash look new. The vehicle has no mechanical issues and is in great cosmetic condition. It has lived in TX its whole life so no rust issues. The little dealer is asking $18.5k. That seems reasonable to me, but what do you guys think? Also, if I do buy it I’m gonna have to decide whether to keep my 2006 Tahoe Z71 with 156k miles that’s in excellent shape or sell my wife’s 2011 2WD Suburban with 153k miles. I’m thinking I will sell the 2011 just because the DOD scares me, and I feel like I could drive the 06 across the ocean if I needed to. I feel like the 06 is probably worth more as well. Neither vehicle has any leaks or mechanical issues. Just curious as to what you all think about the whole situation. TIA!

 

[Geotrash]

Hello everyone, I’m looking at buying a 2011 Suburban LT with Z71 package. It has 91k original miles, and it’s a one owner vehicle. It’s a slick ride, well kept, black on black. Even the heat/ac buttons on the dash look new. The vehicle has no mechanical issues and is in great cosmetic condition. It has lived in TX its whole life so no rust issues. The little dealer is asking $18.5k. That seems reasonable to me, but what do you guys think? Also, if I do buy it I’m gonna have to decide whether to keep my 2006 Tahoe Z71 with 156k miles that’s in excellent shape or sell my wife’s 2011 2WD Suburban with 153k miles. I’m thinking I will sell the 2011 just because the DOD scares me, and I feel like I could drive the 06 across the ocean if I needed to. I feel like the 06 is probably worth more as well. Neither vehicle has any leaks or mechanical issues. Just curious as to what you all think about the whole situation. TIA!

There really isn't much difference between 96K and 156K on these trucks, though at 160K things start to happen like the fuel pump, transmission, front suspension components, rear air suspension, etc. That said, the whole drivetrain can go 400K+ with a midlife AFM delete (either electronic or mechanical) and a few weekends spent doing heavy maintenance on the stuff that wears out by then.

That said, that's a real nice Suburban. Note though that Texas is a state that doesn't require disclosing if the vehicle has ever had a salvage status, so look it over real good for any evidence of past damage. $18.5K also seems high in the current market. I'll bet you could get them down to $12-14K. I paid $24K for my 2012 XL Denali with 92K on it almost 5 years ago. According to my neighbor who's a buyer for Carmax, the auction value of these trucks has fallen through the floor over the past several months.

I have a 2012 with 140K now and a 2007 with 240K - both of which I maintain to a level that I'd drive either of them to Alaska tomorrow without a second thought. I plan to keep both going for as long as they'll last. If I can retire in 10 years without ever incurring another car payment, I'll be happy.

 

[strutaeng]

Looks like a clean vehicle. Very low miles is always nice.

Do you need 4x4 where you live? That's probably the deciding factor. If you can delete the DOD/AFM stuff, that would make the vehicle as reliable on the engine side as a pre-AFM. But there's a good price to pay unless you DIY.

 

[OR VietVet]

Whatever you decide, keep the 06 Tahoe.

 

[IEATZ28]

There really isn't much difference between 96K and 156K on these trucks, though at 160K things start to happen like the fuel pump, transmission, front suspension components, rear air suspension, etc. That said, the whole drivetrain can go 400K+ with a midlife AFM delete (either electronic or mechanical) and a few weekends spent doing heavy maintenance on the stuff that wears out by then.

That said, that's a real nice Suburban. Note though that Texas is a state that doesn't require disclosing if the vehicle has ever had a salvage status, so look it over real good for any evidence of past damage. $18.5K also seems high in the current market. I'll bet you could get them down to $12-14K. I paid $24K for my 2012 XL Denali with 92K on it almost 5 years ago. According to my neighbor who's a buyer for Carmax, the auction value of these trucks has fallen through the floor over the past several months.

I have a 2012 with 140K now and a 2007 with 240K - both of which I maintain to a level that I'd drive either of them to Alaska tomorrow without a second thought. I plan to keep both going for as long as they'll last. If I can retire in 10 years without ever incurring another car payment, I'll be happy.

Yeah, I have noticed that prices are going down, but I doubt I could even get him down to $14k. I’d jump for joy if I could, but I think, given the condition and history, I’m probably not going to be able to talk him down a whole lot. That won’t stop me from trying though!

 

[IEATZ28]

Looks like a clean vehicle. Very low miles is always nice.

Do you need 4x4 where you live? That's probably the deciding factor. If you can delete the DOD/AFM stuff, that would make the vehicle as reliable on the engine side as a pre-AFM. But there's a good price to pay unless you DIY.

I already have a 4x4 so that isn’t an absolute necessity. I would love to buy it and delete the DOD with a cam upgrade, but I don’t think that’s in the cards. At least not right now. I would have to pay somebody to do it.

 

[IEATZ28]

The main reason I’m considering it is because of the mileage and condition. Is it something I absolutely need? No. But I’m a sucker for a black z71. Here’s my Tahoe:

 

[Trey Hardy]

Hello everyone, I’m looking at buying a 2011 Suburban LT with Z71 package. It has 91k original miles, and it’s a one owner vehicle. It’s a slick ride, well kept, black on black. Even the heat/ac buttons on the dash look new. The vehicle has no mechanical issues and is in great cosmetic condition. It has lived in TX its whole life so no rust issues. The little dealer is asking $18.5k. That seems reasonable to me, but what do you guys think? Also, if I do buy it I’m gonna have to decide whether to keep my 2006 Tahoe Z71 with 156k miles that’s in excellent shape or sell my wife’s 2011 2WD Suburban with 153k miles. I’m thinking I will sell the 2011 just because the DOD scares me, and I feel like I could drive the 06 across the ocean if I needed to. I feel like the 06 is probably worth more as well. Neither vehicle has any leaks or mechanical issues. Just curious as to what you all think about the whole situation. TIA!

I second the above I have a 07 with close to 370,000 with a simple tune to cut the dod off my Silverado has 227,000 with the mechanical dod delete

 

[Doubeleive]

Hello everyone, I’m looking at buying a 2011 Suburban LT with Z71 package. It has 91k original miles, and it’s a one owner vehicle. It’s a slick ride, well kept, black on black. Even the heat/ac buttons on the dash look new. The vehicle has no mechanical issues and is in great cosmetic condition. It has lived in TX its whole life so no rust issues. The little dealer is asking $18.5k. That seems reasonable to me, but what do you guys think? Also, if I do buy it I’m gonna have to decide whether to keep my 2006 Tahoe Z71 with 156k miles that’s in excellent shape or sell my wife’s 2011 2WD Suburban with 153k miles. I’m thinking I will sell the 2011 just because the DOD scares me, and I feel like I could drive the 06 across the ocean if I needed to. I feel like the 06 is probably worth more as well. Neither vehicle has any leaks or mechanical issues. Just curious as to what you all think about the whole situation. TIA!

the only reason it is priced that high is because the mileage is under 100k, anything under 100k, even 99k and all dealers add a premium. so unless it includes a warranty then hard pass. the difference between 91k and 110k is just price..... keep looking and don't worry about dod

 

[IEATZ28]

It has 370k on the original engine with just having the DOD turned off via tune??

I second the above I have a 07 with close to 370,000 with a simple tune to cut the dod off my Silverado has 227,000 with the mechanical dod delete

 

[Miami-Dade]

I vote to sell the Wife's 2011 Suburban and keep the 2006 Z71.

 

[Trey Hardy]

It has 370k on the original engine with just having the DOD turned off via tune??

Correct although I have had two lifters stick last year due to late oil changes and sludge and milage all I did was throw some marvel mystery oil in and ran it hard and thankfully it cleared up that was maybe 50,000 ago I daily drive mine and drive it to work 3-6 hr twice a week
I’ve never went inside the motor it’s got a tune from a local boy using HP tuners but @BlackBearPerf is also good crowd to use if you don’t have a tuner local. People also use those range devices you plug into the obd2 but you get more benefits from the tune. I’ll be the one guy on here to testify these things going a half a million miles! My in-laws 05 burban is also around 370k give or take on the original powertrain

 

[IEATZ28]

Correct although I have had two lifters stick last year due to late oil changes and sludge and milage all I did was throw some marvel mystery oil in and ran it hard and thankfully it cleared up that was maybe 50,000 ago I daily drive mine and drive it to work 3-6 hr twice a week
I’ve never went inside the motor it’s got a tune from a local boy using HP tuners but @BlackBearPerf is also good crowd to use if you don’t have a tuner local. People also use those range devices you plug into the obd2 but you get more benefits from the tune. I’ll be the one guy on here to testify these things going a half a million miles! My in-laws 05 burban is also around 370k give or take on the original powertrain

Man, that’s awesome!

 

[Trey Hardy]

I vote to sell the Wife's 2011 Suburban and keep the 2006 Z71.

I will second that I just feel like they hold up so much better interior wise

 

[iamdub]

Hello everyone, I’m looking at buying a 2011 Suburban LT with Z71 package. It has 91k original miles, and it’s a one owner vehicle. It’s a slick ride, well kept, black on black. Even the heat/ac buttons on the dash look new. The vehicle has no mechanical issues and is in great cosmetic condition. It has lived in TX its whole life so no rust issues. The little dealer is asking $18.5k. That seems reasonable to me, but what do you guys think? Also, if I do buy it I’m gonna have to decide whether to keep my 2006 Tahoe Z71 with 156k miles that’s in excellent shape or sell my wife’s 2011 2WD Suburban with 153k miles. I’m thinking I will sell the 2011 just because the DOD scares me, and I feel like I could drive the 06 across the ocean if I needed to. I feel like the 06 is probably worth more as well. Neither vehicle has any leaks or mechanical issues. Just curious as to what you all think about the whole situation. TIA!

+1 for keep the '06. You already know how reliable it is and 156K is only around middle age for its engine. You will regret selling it. As for buying the 4WD Suburban to replace the 2WD Suburban: Unless your wife needs a 4WD Suburban, I don't think the mileage is enough difference to justify the $18K. If AFM scares you, you could delete AFM and replace EVERYTHING that could even start to be worn at 153K for half the cost of the 4WD Suburban. Have it tuned to make it feel and drive better than new and to head off premature trans wear and to disable AFM. Keep clean, high-quality oil in it (NO QUICK-LUBE PLACES and IGNORE THE DIC) and don't give it a second thought.

 

[IEATZ28]

+1 for keep the '06. You already know how reliable it is and 156K is only around middle age for its engine. You will regret selling it. As for buying the 4WD Suburban to replace the 2WD Suburban: Unless your wife needs a 4WD Suburban, I don't think the mileage is enough difference to justify the $18K. If AFM scares you, you could delete AFM and replace EVERYTHING that could even start to be worn at 153K for half the cost of the 4WD Suburban. Have it tuned to make it feel and drive better than new and to head off premature trans wear and to disable AFM. Keep clean, high-quality oil in it (NO QUICK-LUBE PLACES and IGNORE THE DIC) and don't give it a second thought.

Yeah, that’s a good point. The only issue with that is that I hate the thought of pouring more money in a vehicle than it’s worth. The value on her ride is only about $7k. It is something to think about though. Thanks!

 

[iamdub]

Yeah, that’s a good point. The only issue with that is that I hate the thought of pouring more money in a vehicle than it’s worth. The value on her ride is only about $7k. It is something to think about though. Thanks!

But you'll be pouring the same money (or more since prices of everything are only going up) into the SAME vehicle in a few years AFTER spending $18K+. You'll be in the same exact position, just with 4WD and $18K less in your pocket.

At 153K miles, does her current Suburban need $7K in maintenance and/or repairs? I understand AFM scaring you. I'm not a fan of it in this generation. But, if it's not presenting any signs of failure and you've properly maintained it, I wouldn't worry about it. GM made great improvements in the AFM system for the 2010+ or 2011+ models. Lucky you- you have the latest and greatest iteration of this generation. If most of your (or her) driving scenarios keep AFM from activating or have it frequently cycling and if it'd make you feel better, you can have AFM disabled for as little as ~$60.

 

[OR VietVet]

I got a 2006 GMC Yukon Denali with 136k miles on a 6.0 engine with no AFM to worry about. PNW truck with no rust problems. FOR SALE.

 

[petethepug]

Wow one owner truck in black / black, that’s a limo. The black interiors do a really good job of hiding the dirt as well as cleaning up to like new condition. Zero stains 24/7.

It’s a good deal based on its condition. The premium is based on its heritage, long life ahead of it and reliability. The only potential weak spot is the clear on the paint that’s so unforgiving and requires a down to primer refurb once it gets to a certain point. On the flip side, the color combo ensures its high resale value.

Like any other GM full size SUV, they’re loved by everyone and the envy of every Mom when they’re in top nick condition like that one. Most importantly, God forbid, they’ll give their life to protect your family in an accident.

Pull the trigger, get a sealant on the paint and enjoy it for a 100 or 200k mile spin. The wife and I are taking our 09 Esky ESV from San Clemente up past LA and back. We’re really looking forward to it.

 

[vcode]

the only reason it is priced that high is because the mileage is under 100k, anything under 100k, even 99k and all dealers add a premium. so unless it includes a warranty then hard pass. the difference between 91k and 110k is just price..... keep looking and don't worry about dod

That is a $22-24K vehicle here in the midwest all day long.....