How many of you got a PPV/SSV because of the extra "cool factor"?

[Maxxarcade]

I was just curious if anyone else got their truck at least partly because of the history? Here's my long winded backstory on how I ended up with mine.

Prior to getting my Tahoe, I was driving a 1993 C1500 Silverado with a 4.3L V6 and 2WD. I kept it for 15 years and had no plans of changing vehicles because it was so reliable and easy to repair. But being in Michigan, it rusted out so bad that even the axle housing had holes that leaked fluid. The transmission cooler lines failed and drained the transmission, and I had it rebuilt at 210k miles. The engine still ran like a top and it handled great, but there was hardly anything left of it.

This past Summer I had been seeing a black SUV for sale, and on a whim I decided to call about it. When I found that it was a 2011 Tahoe previously used by one of the local police departments, I did a bit of reading and learned about PPV's. I was kinda bummed to learn that they didn't have 4 wheel drive, since that was one of the things I really wanted if I ever were to replace my old truck.

But after I went to test drive it, I learned that it was actually an SSV with 4 wheel drive. It ticked all the boxes for what I wanted. Full size truck with 4WD and a V8. Space in the back to haul stuff and not have it get wet if it rains. Rubber floor mat that's easy to keep clean and still looks good. Running boards that make it easier for me to get in and out. Power mirrors and some other conveniences, but not too many extra gadgets to break like the higher end models would have. Plus it just looks cool

Shortly after buying it, I actually met up with the Chief and the Detective from the department that used to drive it, and they signed the dash for me. They said it was one of their favorite trucks to drive, and so far I really like it too. IMO it's neat to have something that's not an everyday "consumer" type of vehicle, and that also has a bit of an exciting history behind it.

Things weren't all perfect though. I'll make a separate post soon about my adventure with the repairs I've done so far.

 

[Ilikemtb999]

I bought mine because my extended cab Sierra didn’t have enough room for a car seat and the price is right on ssv’s compared to civvy models. I do love the subtle differences exterior wise like no roof rack and steelies. I’ve added a few conveniences since buying because it’s now my wife’s vehicle.

 

[PPV12HOE]

I bought mine cause the price was right... as in cheap..

 

[GCATX]

Cheap factor. $3500

 

[Tonyrodz]

Cheap factor. $3500

Pic?

 

[GCATX]

198k miles, but it's straight, runs and drives great. Only thing I've "HAD" to get for it so far is a brake light switch so the cruise control would work. Oh, and some flat black paint for the white hood. Wheels and tires came off wife's escalade.

 

[RichardCranium]

Welcome to the board, nice find you got yourself there. At times I wish I picked up a 4x4 SSV as well, but overall I am extremely happy with my choice. I picked mine up because I liked the look, and really liked the price.

I'm surprised they didn't just wrap the hood white on yours, surely would have been cheaper. Each one of these trucks is unique in its own way though, really. Any interior shots?

 

[GCATX]

It's a 2 wheel drive state trooper car. It will be my son's first car, I wasn't too thrilled about leaving the hood white with all the anti-cop foolishness that seems to be going around. Interior is plain jane, cloth front seats, vinyl 2nd row seats, vinyl floor, etc. Had a huge aluminum box in the back that looked like it held truck scales or something big, it scaled at 240 lbs. I tried to sell it on CL for a while, for $50, ended up getting $43 at the recycler. Didn't seem like it was really useful for much else.

Need to pick up a front center console, that's about it. Sucks not having anything to lean on. lol. I will try and get a pic or two.

 

[1BADI5]

Bought mine because it was bare bones (less shit to break) and all of the heavy duty / upgraded systems.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Bought mine because it was bare bones (less shit to break) and all of the heavy duty / upgraded systems.

Perfect. I need one!

 

[1BADI5]

Yeah I love it. I paid $13,500 for a clean federal truck that only had 69k on the clock when I took delivery

 

[5strmtrp]

I bought mine for primarily the same reasons. My 03 Extended cab Silverado is still my favorite truck. My Dad took ownership of it so it’s still in the family and a mile from my driveway. It’s in need of the typical body work and it’s scheduled in late March for rockers and cab corners.


My 14 year old gargantuan son was the reason for an upgrade. My wife kept moving the passenger seat closer and closer to the dash! She got tired of the knees in the back on trips.
I started looking for a newer crew cab pickup but the prices for one that was 5-6 years older than my ‘14 Tahoe was just insane.

I can carry 3 adult kids in the back, gear inside and all of us be comfortable.

I have a list of things I want to do, I love to tinker, my son wants to help and it will more than likely be his in a year. Bonding with my kid is always a great time.

 

[Robslost]

It's a 2 wheel drive state trooper car. It will be my son's first car, I wasn't too thrilled about leaving the hood white with all the anti-cop foolishness that seems to be going around. Interior is plain jane, cloth front seats, vinyl 2nd row seats, vinyl floor, etc. Had a huge aluminum box in the back that looked like it held truck scales or something big, it scaled at 240 lbs. I tried to sell it on CL for a while, for $50, ended up getting $43 at the recycler. Didn't seem like it was really useful for much else.

Need to pick up a front center console, that's about it. Sucks not having anything to lean on. lol. I will try and get a pic or two.

Have a box in mine but I do use it. Did it look like this?

 

[mainecrab]

I would buy one just for the already lowered aspect, but I assume that is on the 2WD models only. Maybe I will come upon another Tahoe later in life that will suit my needs at that point. Do like the clean sides though without the moulding that can rust out.

 

[mainecrab]

Have a box in mine but I do use it. Did it look like this?
View attachment 237922

Dang that box is ****** sweet!

 

[GCATX]

Have a box in mine but I do use it. Did it look like this?
View attachment 237922

No. Yours actually looks useful. Mine was a low bidder deal for sure. The guy at the state yard where I picked it up even said it looked cool but the troopers hate them because they rattle all day long.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

Bought mine because it was bare bones (less shit to break) and all of the heavy duty / upgraded systems.

+1! Dependable, handles well, and does what we need it to do. And we don't have to worry about a butt warmer, or some other doodad failing and putting the entire truck into limp mode.

It's my wife's DD. She's in the medical industry and is on call 50% of the time. She HAS to have dependable transportation. We needed dependable, A/C, power steering, automatic, and sometimes a radio. After that, everything else is extra and much of the modern crap is unnecessary.

This truck has fit that requirement 100%. It does help that it looks like a cop car, as people move out of her way, but not a requirement.

 

[Peacock]

I chose one because of the Blues Brothers or was it Copperhead Road, maybe it was Dirty Mary and Crazy Larry, Vanishing Point or Mad Max, all I know is being a motorhead the allure of a police pursuit vehicle and it's performance upgrades just rang out to me.
I'm a Chevy man that's been behind the wheel of my 02 Silverado since new, like the original poster I too live in the rust belt (Buffalo,NY) and although my truck has relatively low miles at 160k and has only had 2 check engine lights (evap codes) ever, it's rusting from the bottom up and starting to loose the battle. I wanted more of the same but refused to buy a new vehicle that depreciates so badly, so looking at used I decided to feed that underlying craving for that cop tires, cop brakes and cop motor.
The Tahoe PPV was a natural choice, truck like, can haul stuff, can tow stuff, little more classy than a pickup that handles better, stops better and goes faster, which is a win win win in my book !

 

[jatPPV2012]

Got mine for a few reasons. I wanted a SUV I could get for a bargain (Auction purchase $6052 total with tax, title, reg), its uniqueness as a retired PPV (A la The Blue Brothers), liked the style of the 2007-12 Tahoes, and of course for the coolness.

 

[iLikeEggs]

Govdeals is my crack. I was in the market for an extended cab pick up but with three growing kids and a dog I needed something a bit easier to park. So I came across an SSV in a govdeals auction and nailed it. I paid cash so no car payment and I got about 40k miles on it before I had a crate motor and Trans put in it. Runs like a top and there were already holes for my ham antennas which was the best part about it. It also tows my military trailer effortlessly.