There's an SSV in my future - the search is on

[Tirefryer]

Been thinking about an SSV vehicle to handle my daily driving and an occasional light tow. Initially was looking at Explorers but am gravitating towards Tahoes. Quick research shows 2010 to 2014 y.m. being most reliable, with the latter being the best of the bunch.

What to look for or avoid when searching for the SSV? Where to buy in So California?

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

Been thinking about an SSV vehicle to handle my daily driving and an occasional light tow. Initially was looking at Explorers but am gravitating towards Tahoes. Quick research shows 2010 to 2014 y.m. being most reliable, with the latter being the best of the bunch.

What to look for or avoid when searching for the SSV? Where to buy in So California?

You won't really find any from Southern California, there are people that buy them out of state and bring them here to sell.
There was a tiny dealership that I bought mine from down in Huntington Beach that they basically only had used police vehicles for sale.

Definitely get a later model with the 6-speed.
Things to look out for would be cylinder deactivation lifter issues (afm/dod).
The exhaust manifold bolts closest to the firewall tend to break off and cause an exhaust leak and that's on either head.
The plastic end tanks on the radiator are known to get brittle and give out at some point.

I bought mine with 100,000 miles on it, turned off cylinder deactivation and put a little trans tune on it and have driven it hard daily and occasionally off-road and in the snow for the last hundred thousand miles.

Have yet to touch anything in the power steering system.
Alternator went out, radiator blew up, broken exhaust manifold bolts, and other than regular maintenance that's about it.

Batteries, tires, spark plugs, oxygen sensors, air filter, oil changes, transmission fluid and filter changes, brakes. Front wheels bearings.
Nothing crazy

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

Also there are recalls on the passenger side airbag and the engine fan Wiring.

 

[Tirefryer]

You won't really find any from Southern California, there are people that buy them out of state and bring them here to sell.
There was a tiny dealership that I bought mine from down in Huntington Beach that they basically only had used police vehicles for sale.

I'm seeing that. There's a dealership in Anaheim, Wild Rose Motors but compared to what I'm seeing on FB and in other states, their prices are indeed wild. Their Tahoes are priced significantly higher than the cleanest civilian examples on the market.

Do see PPV/SSV vehicles locally on the road but those are mainly Explorers and now an occasional crown Vic. The attractions the SSV holds for me are the heavy duty components and the durability resource built into these vehicles

 

[RVTSP21K]

Been thinking about an SSV vehicle to handle my daily driving and an occasional light tow. Initially was looking at Explorers but am gravitating towards Tahoes. Quick research shows 2010 to 2014 y.m. being most reliable, with the latter being the best of the bunch.

What to look for or avoid when searching for the SSV? Where to buy in So California?

That you, George? Welcome! A lot of great info here. -Joel

What are prices looking like in Cali? I bought my 2013 PPV (retired Springdale, Arkansas vehicle) with 125k miles on it for $9k. It is super clean. There are a few dealers in the southeast that regularly stock police vehicles at great prices. If you're willing to look outside the southwest, deals can be had.

 

[Fubar0715]

I bought mine out of Phoenix - quick check, they have a few of them on their site. I had a decent experience and they were easy to work with but your mileage may vary. https://www.deusmotors.com/

 

[PPV_2018]

Look for one that hasn’t been beaten to hell as a patrol car and you are golden.

I had a checklist of criteria i wanted my truck to match. Particularly i did not want a “radio patrol” unit you know, vinyl seats, prisoner cage, a zillion holes drilled everywhere.. NO.. do not want.

specifically wanted one with cloth seats both front and back and carpet, amongst some other luxuries. When i found the one i wanted we flew out , bought it, and drove it 1000+ miles home.

 

[Marky Dissod]

The attractions the SSV holds for me are the heavy duty components and the durability resources built into these vehicles.

Given a choice, I'd choose an SSV over a PPV,
because I specifically prefer 3.42 over 3.08 axle gearing, and 4WD over 2WD.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

I'm seeing that. There's a dealership in Anaheim, Wild Rose Motors but compared to what I'm seeing on FB and in other states, their prices are indeed wild. Their Tahoes are priced significantly higher than the cleanest civilian examples on the market.

Do see PPV/SSV vehicles locally on the road but those are mainly Explorers and now an occasional crown Vic. The attractions the SSV holds for me are the heavy duty components and the durability resource built into these vehicles

They absolutely are high here, when I was shopping for mine and 2018, I found my 2014 for $15,000, 100,000 miles.
Just because it was the new body style, they also had a 2015 also with 100,000 miles and they wanted 25 grand for that

 

[Tirefryer]

That you, George? Welcome! A lot of great info here. -Joel

What are prices looking like in Cali? I bought my 2013 PPV (retired Springdale, Arkansas vehicle) with 125k miles on it for $9k. It is super clean. There are a few dealers in the southeast that regularly stock police vehicles at great prices. If you're willing to look outside the southwest, deals can be had.

Thank you for directing me to this forum. I'm open to looking outside SW but would like to avoid rust. Hence I'm concentrating on the warm climate markets. The only risk of buying outside of California is whether the vehicle will pass smog. My son lives in Texas so there's always a possibility of the Lone Star state registration. There's another local outfit, this one in Hollywood but their vehicles appear to be a bit rough from the photos and their selection is limited

 

[Tirefryer]

Given a choice, I'd choose an SSV over a PPV,
because I specifically prefer 3.42 over 3.08 axle gearing, and 4WD over 2WD.

That is the direction I'm taking for the exact reasons you mentioned plus the SSVs tend to lead a much easier life than PPVs

 

[Tirefryer]

Look for one that hasn’t been beaten to hell as a patrol car and you are golden.

I had a checklist of criteria i wanted my truck to match. Particularly i did not want a “radio patrol” unit you know, vinyl seats, prisoner cage, a zillion holes drilled everywhere.. NO.. do not want.

specifically wanted one with cloth seats both front and back and carpet, amongst some other luxuries. When i found the one i wanted we flew out , bought it, and drove it 1000+ miles home.

I am staying away from PPV units. Don't want a Blues Brothers special, no light bars, no sirens, etc. spot light can be quite useful.

 

[PPV_2018]

I am staying away from PPV units. Don't want a Blues Brothers special, no light bars, no sirens, etc. spot light can be quite useful.

You ‘ve got the right idea. But just sayin, clean examples of ppv’s can be found… trust me my ppv is basically a civilian model with a spotlight. Just two small plugs on the tailgate from removed lights.

No 4wd is a bummer though, i’ll give you that. Good luck

 

[waveryd]

They are much easier to find in the Midwest. You can check Chicago Motors, Asia Motors and Purple Wave for comparison. Good luck with your search.

 

[Tirefryer]

Has anyone had any experiences with Denver Auto Company?

 

[Incognito]

Has anyone had any experiences with Denver Auto Company?

Sorry for the short notice, but here's a city auction (Denver). Judging by their appearance, these seem to have been non-patrol vehicles (no lights, bumpers, cages, decals). This is where I bought mine from.

https://www.govdeals.com/denverco/filters?so=desc&sf=currentbid