Might be buying tahoe...

[macheff03]

Hello all!

So I'm in the market for a bigger vehicle that can tow and I can mod. (I currently own a bmw 3 series) and my search keeps bringing me back to the tahoes (2000-2006) which I like but don't know much about. Mileage on average, about 150k to 200k price point around $5,000. What problems present themselves at this mileage, engine and transmission still good? Is it worth buying one at this mileage?

 

[MrBalll]

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...g-a-00-06-nbs-tahoe-suburban-look-here.61834/

Mileage is just fine. Mine has 165 and is doing just fine.
Dependent on where you live that price may be a bit up there.

 

[Doubeleive]

if the vehicle has been maintained properly it should be fine these trucks will go 300k or even more, junk yard guys typically start seeing them starting around 260k. I live in California so rust virtually never crops up, but if you live in a rust area I would try avoid anything extremely rusty, there should be a thread in the forum of what to look for when buying a nbs, there is one for the nnbs. the 04-06 have some things the 00-03 don't have like electric fans, etc. Personally I would go for a 03 if I was in the market again they should have the 4l65e trans and none of the nannies like tpms or traction control, tpms was federally mandated in 04, the 00-02 will likely have the 4l60e which is considered a weaker transmission then the later 4l65e just depends on how hard you work it I guess. poke around on the forum plenty of information on here.

 

[macheff03]

Ok
I’ve been seeing a few that are pretty nice all have around 160k miles including one very close to me


2003 z71 pretty nice condition
Only problem is it has a possible coolant leak so I’ll bring a code reader and see what’s the deal I guess. Owner had it since 2014 and engine light has been on throughout his ownership, so he says, but has all service records so I’m thinking just needs codes cleared and maybe water pump for the coolant leak...

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Ok
I’ve been seeing a few that are pretty nice all have around 160k miles including one very close to me


2003 z71 pretty nice condition
Only problem is it has a possible coolant leak so I’ll bring a code reader and see what’s the deal I guess. Owner had it since 2014 and engine light has been on throughout his ownership, so he says, but has all service records so I’m thinking just needs codes cleared and maybe water pump for the coolant leak...

If there is coolant on the ground, water pump weeping or check the tee fittings at the firewall. If it's drinking coolant, check the head casting number. Maybe cracked castechs.

 

[macheff03]

If there is coolant on the ground, water pump weeping or check the tee fittings at the firewall. If it's drinking coolant, check the head casting number. Maybe cracked castechs.

Should either of those deter me from buying for the right price

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum. This is a great place to exchange ideas, get questions answered, and receive recommendations from folks who want to share, and have the knowledge to share accurately.

Unfortunately, I cannot give you the specific information that you are looking for (though other folks on this Forum will be able to), other than to say that I bought my 07 Yukon XL Denali, completely rust-free from North Carolina, a year ago for $13,900, with 125k miles. I have truly enjoyed this truck over the past year, and I have not dumped piles of money into it for non-discretionary repairs (discretionary mod expenses are a whole other story).

Good luck on your search!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Should either of those deter me from buying for the right price

Maybe if the heads are cracked, but otherwise, no. Check the oil and fill tube cap for signs of coolant.

 

[macheff03]

Welcome to the Forum. This is a great place to exchange ideas, get questions answered, and receive recommendations from folks who want to share, and have the knowledge to share accurately.

Unfortunately, I cannot give you the specific information that you are looking for (though other folks on this Forum will be able to), other than to say that I bought my 07 Yukon XL Denali, completely rust-free from North Carolina, a year ago for $13,900, with 125k miles. I have truly enjoyed this truck over the past year, and I have not dumped piles of money into it for non-discretionary repairs (discretionary mod expenses are a whole other story).

Good luck on your search!

Thank you Joseph and that’s what I like to hear repair wise since I’m coming from an older bmw which I have put plenty of money in it over my ownership. Looks like rust is something to look out for, and I live in South Carolina on the beach so rust will happen but I’ll try to look for one with little rust to start out with at least. I’m glad to hear that the majority of my money will be going towards mods and not repairs.

 

[macheff03]

Maybe if the heads are cracked, but otherwise, no. Check the oil and fill tube cap for signs of coolant.

I could get some info from pulling codes correct?

 

[Doubeleive]

I could get some info from pulling codes correct?

if there is a known coolant leak take a flashlight and look under the truck, concentrate under the radiator, bottom left/right sides of the radiator, also under the water pump, check the heater hose connectors that go into the firewall and T off to the rear, and there is a 3 way hose that goes into/out of the water pump front lower passenger side. coolant reservoir tank. if you can't find anything there then remove the oil filler cap flip it over and see if it has any white/green/orange milky goo inside of it, normally it should be pretty clean. one other place to check if all else fails is under the passenger side rear corner bumper/rear wheel area the rear hvac has a coolant line that feeds in & out back there, leaks are rare back there but they can happen.

**edit if you find goo under the oil filler cap then I would pass, some say a little is normal if it was only driven short distances but I have never once seen goo under filler cap be normal

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I could get some info from pulling codes correct?

Some, yes. Probably nothing to do with the coolant, though.

 

[macheff03]

Well all he said is that the coolant went low twice this summer.
Water pump was replaced last year. I just asked for more info about the leak.

 

[Chris2144]

I picked up my 02 z71 Tahoe and it has just about every option available. It had 161k when I got it. Had the last 4 years of service records. I got it for 3800 and has 0 rust. Just as a comparison.

For the coolant issue if there is no signs of a leak it might be consuming it like others have mentioned. You stated that the pump was replaced if a proper flush was not done and different coolant was used after it can cause the original DeX cool to eat away at aluminum first thing to go are radiator heater core.

 

[macheff03]

The owner doesn’t seem to really know, he said now that he had to put coolant in twice this summer, and there was a puddle on the ground a few times... that info was coming from his son that drove the car. What do y’all think.

I’ve been browsing and there are other options as well so not the end of the world if something’s wrong with this one plus I gotta sell my car now first anyway

 

[HiHoeSilver]

The owner doesn’t seem to really know, he said now that he had to put coolant in twice this summer, and there was a puddle on the ground a few times... that info was coming from his son that drove the car. What do y’all think.

I’ve been browsing and there are other options as well so not the end of the world if something’s wrong with this one plus I gotta sell my car now first anyway

Ask him where the puddle was.

 

[macheff03]

Ask him where the puddle was.

Owner said in the front, where the coolant is filled but he said ac is also there so didn’t know if it was condensation or not. He also said now that the last time he checked coolant it wasn’t low

 

[Doubeleive]

as long as it's not the heads fixing it is not all that hard at all, go check it out and use it as a bargaining edge, tell him your getting it for your wife and kids and don't them broke down somewhere.

 

[macheff03]

as long as it's not the heads fixing it is not all that hard at all, go check it out and use it as a bargaining edge, tell him your getting it for your wife and kids and don't them broke down somewhere.

I’m not that worried about it
Using it as a way to get it cheaper was what I was thinking too so I’ll do that. Just wanted to identify whatever was the problem first

 

[Chris2144]

Just make sure if there is a coolant leak that it is not coming from the ac drain. The ac drain runs out of the lower portion of the passenger side firewall if there is coolant coming out from there this will indicate s leaking heater core and will require the removal of the dash and evacuation of the ac system.