Keep or Sell

Won a police Tahoe with 88k miles for a very good price on auction. There was no opportunity to inspect. Once I got the vehicle, it showed 14,143 engine hours. The engine runs well, and fluids look new. Slight fluctuations downward in engine oil pressure when idling. Also some damage to front bumper cover that would probably mean I need to replace or repaint. Worried about AFM issues as well as damage to the torque converter from the idling. Based on these hours, this thing has imputed mileage of around 350K. Was looking for a reliable vehicle for long term ownership based on my experience with other lower mile/low engine hour PPVs and SSVs we have owned. I can probably make back what I purchased it for in a sale. Should I just sell and move on to a better opportunity for long term ownership?

tinhall13814 said:

Won a police Tahoe with 88k miles for a very good price on auction. There was no opportunity to inspect. Once I got the vehicle, it showed 14,143 engine hours. The engine runs well, and fluids look new. Slight fluctuations downward in engine oil pressure when idling. Also some damage to front bumper cover that would probably mean I need to replace or repaint. View attachment 481369Worried about AFM issues as well as damage to the torque converter from the idling. Based on these hours, this thing has imputed mileage of around 350K. Was looking for a reliable vehicle for long term ownership based on my experience with other lower mile/low engine hour PPVs and SSVs we have owned. I can probably make back what I purchased it for in a sale. Should I just sell and move on to a better opportunity for long term ownership?

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I think you answered your own question…. ( Nice looking rig, though )

350k miles for a long term vehicle? Not even a question sell.

Look for something with under 50k IMO if you want the sweet spot. 3 yr off lease is the best purchase point for a car you can own for 10-15 years more.

That’s when the depreciation curve makes sense.

With that many hours i might just sell it but out of curiosity have you done a compression check?

I have not yet done a compression test. That was on my list of to dos.

SpareParts said:

With that many hours i might just sell it but out of curiosity have you done a compression check?

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ReaperHWK said:

350k miles for a long term vehicle? Not even a question sell.

Look for something with under 50k IMO if you want the sweet spot. 3 yr off lease is the best purchase point for a car you can own for 10-15 years more.

That’s when the depreciation curve makes sense.

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We have historically had good experiences with buying PPV or SSVs with 70 to 80k and much lower engine hours. It takes some looking but they are out there. Fire Departments can be much easier on their vehicles.

What's the ODO -- not imputed -- mileage?

He mentioned 88k. Is that stored in one of the vehicle’s computers (along with the hours to verify the instrument console is correct). I just messed around with my Launch scanner and didn’t see it… According to the interweb:

A vehicle with 88,000 miles should generally have
between 1,800 and 2,500 engine hours. This assumes an average speed of roughly 35–50 mph. Higher hours (e.g., over 3,000) suggest excessive idling, while lower hours suggest mostly highway driving. A common industry rule is that 1 hour of idling equals roughly 30–45 miles of wear.

You get what you pay for. Other then the high engine hours is it what you want?
It's a higher risk of issues being a retired police vehicle but the risk is still there with a regular one too and the savings Getting it directly from an auction cheaply leaves a pretty decent amount left over for repairs and customizing it the way you want with interior parts from another one and different rims etc.

tinhall13814 said:

Won a police Tahoe with 88k miles ... the vehicle showed 14,143 engine hours.

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(How does one compute 'imputed mileage'? Does anyone else compute it differently? Here's an idea: measure MILES per HOUR, no magic internet opinion required.)
It averaged 6.2222MpH over the course of its life? Regardless of 'imputed mileage', I'm already nervous.
Based on your experience with other lower mile / low engine hour PPVs & SSVs, I already think you want to use it as a parts car for your other PPVs / SSVs.

tinhall13814 said:

Slight fluctuations downward in engine oil pressure when idling.

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No numbers? Really? Anything under 18psi @ warm idle is a serious problem about to happen, anything under 24psi will be one if you don't intervene soon.

tinhall13814 said:

Worried about AFM issues ...

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It averaged 6.2222MpH over the course of its life. When did it even go fast enough for Engine Half@$$ mode?
5.3L with 6L80 doesn't go V4 mode under about 30MpH, if I remember correctly?
I'd be more concerned that it was actually used by a lil ol lady to drive from her house to local destinations under 5miles away - y'know, Sister Sludge's Mom ...

tinhall13814 said:

... as well as damage to the torque converter from the idling.

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How does one damage a torque converter by idling too much? At this vehicle's average speed, it's doubtful the TCC was ever locked.

tinhall13814 said:

I can probably make back what I purchased it for in a sale. Should I just sell and move on to a better opportunity for long term ownership?

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If it's worth more to sell it than to use it, than to use it as a parts donor, then sell it.

tinhall13814 said:

Won a police Tahoe with 88k miles for a very good price on auction. There was no opportunity to inspect. Once I got the vehicle, it showed 14,143 engine hours. The engine runs well, and fluids look new. Slight fluctuations downward in engine oil pressure when idling. Also some damage to front bumper cover that would probably mean I need to replace or repaint. View attachment 481369Worried about AFM issues as well as damage to the torque converter from the idling. Based on these hours, this thing has imputed mileage of around 350K. Was looking for a reliable vehicle for long term ownership based on my experience with other lower mile/low engine hour PPVs and SSVs we have owned. I can probably make back what I purchased it for in a sale. Should I just sell and move on to a better opportunity for long term ownership?

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Flip it.

If it's the vehicle you want i would keep it and run it. The overall condition and maintenance performed would be my main concern. My Yukon has over 8000 hours and my PPV Tahoe has almost 12,000 and they run fine. If it weren't for high hour and high mileage trucks I wouldn't have any trucks to drive.

Fless said:

What's the ODO -- not imputed -- mileage?

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88k miles

tinhall13814 said:

Won a police Tahoe with 88k miles for a very good price on auction. There was no opportunity to inspect. Once I got the vehicle, it showed 14,143 engine hours. The engine runs well, and fluids look new. Slight fluctuations downward in engine oil pressure when idling. Also some damage to front bumper cover that would probably mean I need to replace or repaint. View attachment 481369Worried about AFM issues as well as damage to the torque converter from the idling. Based on these hours, this thing has imputed mileage of around 350K. Was looking for a reliable vehicle for long term ownership based on my experience with other lower mile/low engine hour PPVs and SSVs we have owned. I can probably make back what I purchased it for in a sale. Should I just sell and move on to a better opportunity for long term ownership?

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As far as I know that is not your average torque converter.
The Schaeffler LuK TorCon 6L80 is a high-durability, new (not remanufactured) torque converter designed for 2007–2020 GM vehicles with 6L80E/6L90E transmissions. It features a patent-pending design to prevent common failures, handles up to 1,000 Nm of torque, and is often identified by a distinctive green color on the housing.
When I had my transmission rebuilt for my Boarder Patrol truck I saw the torque converter and discovered this.

Update on the Police Tahoe. I have been fighting with the city for the maintenance records. Finally obtained them through an open records request (and a nudge from our AG).

Really glad I waited until I received them to pull the trigger. 95 pages of records. The city spent $50K on this vehicle over the seven years it owned it. It is essentially a shell with almost all new parts.

A new Tristar reman engine was installed at 85K miles (88K currently). Donor transmission from another city vehicle when engine was replaced (still tracking down records on donor vehicle from the city). In the process, all the following were replaced with new GM OEM parts - all 8 fuel injectors, HP fuel pump, fuel rails, fuel injector harnesses, fuel rail pressure sensor, Spark Plugs, Spark Plug Wires, starter, water pump, thermostat housing, all belts. Also, in the last 10K miles, both upper control arms, both strut mounts, sway bar links 4 new tires and front and rear brake rotors and pads were replaced. The radiator was replaced at 40K miles. New coolant reservoir and heater hose connectors were added and coolant changed when engine was replaced (3200 miles ago). Both batteries are new, the AC suction hose is new as well. The only downside is they did not replace the oil pump while they had the engine out, but not seeing any indication of low oil pressure.

At this stage, I am nearly certain I will keep it. Anyone have experience with the Tristar motors? Should I be concerned that they did not replace the oil pump?

Now I need to fix the damage they did to the paint when they scraped off the decals. It looks like they hired drunk monkeys. Considering painting the doors black to match if I am doing a paint job to fix the scratches.

Wow! 95 pages of records?! That's gotta be a record, no? Was that from the Fort Worth Police formerly?

I've never heard of Tristar. A quick Google search says they are in Wisconsin? A shortblock or longblock would come with a the oil pump already installed, so I wouldn't worry about that. Or you are seeing on the records that wasn't replaced? Either way, if your oil pressure is good, then you shouldn't worry. I did a DUY rebuild on my 06 LQ4 with 265k due to an intermittent lifter tick. I opened the oil pump and it was pristine, so I slapped it back together and threw back on and kept on trukin'...great oil pressure with new rod/cam/main bearings I replaced.

tinhall13814 said:

Now I need to fix the damage they did to the paint when they scraped off the decals. It looks like they hired drunk monkeys. Considering painting the doors black to match if I am doing a paint job to fix the scratches. View attachment 485413

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Yeah, paint the doors black and it will look nice.

You'll hire that out or DIY?

strutaeng said:

Wow! 95 pages of records?! That's gotta be a record, no? Was that from the Fort Worth Police formerly?

I've never heard of Tristar. A quick Google search says they are in Wisconsin? A shortblock or longblock would come with a the oil pump already installed, so I wouldn't worry about that. Or you are seeing on the records that wasn't replaced? Either way, if your oil pressure is good, then you shouldn't worry. I did a DUY rebuild on my 06 LQ4 with 265k due to an intermittent lifter tick. I opened the oil pump and it was pristine, so I slapped it back together and threw back on and kept on trukin'...great oil pressure with new rod/cam/main bearings I replaced.

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The records said they reinstalled the old pump. I have no idea why they would pull an engine with those hours (probably 13K hours at that point) and reinstall the old pump. They seem to be making short sighted decisions. The records show they repeatedly threw parts at issues without trying to determine the underlying issue until something major broke.

Yes it was Fort Worth PD.