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I am in the market for a new vehicle, new to me that is. I sold my land rover and now I am looking at a couple of options, a 1997 2 door Tahoe with 176,000 miles which looks to be in decent condition, the other is a 05 GMC Siera 2500 truck with a utility bed with 199K miles.

I've never purchased what I would consider a super high mileage truck and I am concerned allbeit they look great and seem to have been taken care of the mileage concerns me. Both vehicles are similar in price and I can pay cash. Otherwise I'd join the make a payment band, but with three mortgages and killing me, the rent I recover does not cover two of my mortgages and they are not selling. SO much so I have put my own house on the market, so I can rent somewhere with a cheaper payment than my current mortgage.

Thanks in advance...

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As long as the prior owners provide detailed documentation of the preventive maintenance, I don't see an issues with either vehicle.

What are your intentions with the trucks?? Local or long distance driving??

Personally, I'd lean towards the '05 model as the quality of trucks built recently is far better than in the 90's. I suspected you'll get another 100,000 miles out of the '05 if you are meticulous in your maintenance.

My '05 Ford has 142,000 on her.....I'm thinkin' I have another 160,000 left before she completely craps out.

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It would be 90 to 95% local with the occasional Florida trip from NC that maybe once a year if that.

I remember when a car got to 100K it was time to sell it off, but these trucks I see online are in good looking condition.

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A modern 3/4 ton truck should last you 300,000 miles with proper care and maintenance.

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Of those two choices I would also go for the 05 rather than the 97. Besides if you are moving that utility bed might come in handy. Sorry to hear about your housing problem. Hope it works out for you.

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I would go with the Tahoe. They went to the vortec in 1996 and those engines are very capable of 300,00 miles. Unless you need the 2500 and the utility bed why pay more for gas daily and who wants to drive around in a work truck unless there working.

Just my 2 cents.

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I had a 2003 1500 Silverado with a 5.3 litre motor that ran awesome at 120,000 miles. I suspect the Tahoe has the same motor. That would be my choice.

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If the '05 has the 6.0L gas engine with 4:10 rear, fuel mpg will be on the down side.And the ride will be stiff and harsh as nothing holding the rear down. I love my sierra 1500 crewcab with 5.3L and 3.73 rearend,rides nice.

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From experience with friends' Land Rovers just about anything is going to be more reliable than what you sold.

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Three years ago I purchased a 91 chevy extended cad dually with 90K miles on it. The gentleman had it for less than a year and had the trans replaced. I saw the 4k receipt. I picked it for $2500 and have never looked back. A set of front brake pads, never turned the rotors. A set of rear brake shoes and drums. A new radiator, alternator, battery, upper radiator hose, water pump bypass hose. The biggest price tag items were tires and two oil cooler lines. All the items may be nickle and diming me but better than a new truck. I use the everyday for work and have towed my cj-7 and outrage 25 several times as far north as oregon and south lake tahoe from san francisco. Having the trans already replaced was a great savings for me. I'm currently looking for a early 90's suburban with a 5.7L not the 7.4L. I'm hoping and having the same luck. Oh. I currently have put 40K miles on the dually. I'm going to run it into the ground before I buy another one.

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I own a 2006 silverado 1500 extended cab. I bought new with just the work package and I have 207,000 miles on her and the only thing I have done was a transmission for 2175.00. Beyond that it's gas , oil changes, brakes and tires. I'm still getting the 18.5 mpg highway that I got when she was new. She has the smaller v-8 and this truck will no question go an easy 300,000 miles before I give it to my son. Well maintained high milage trucks are a great bargain when compared to a new vehicle. I would opt for the newer of the two trucks.
Good luck.

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I have a '99 2dr Z71 Tahoe with 170,000 miles on the odometer. Runs like a top. I bought it from a friend when it had 21,000 miles on it. The only trouble I've had with it is alternators but that has been with all my GM vehicles. If you replace the alt. at your dealer it's guarnteed for life so this has only been a minor inconvience. I have also had pickups, in fact I sold a '99 Z71 extended cab to buy the Tahoe. I find the Tahoe much more practicle to drive. It rides better, handles better, is more comfortable for passengers, and it's short wheelbase make it easy to manouver a boat and trailer around. With 4wd I've never been stuck on a ramp. Just got back from a 2 week summer trip looking at colleges with my daughter. We went from the Tampa bay area to DC and back with stops in NC, VA, MD, and the District. Not one problem, well I did have to add 1 qt of oil when I got back home. My mechanic has a service contract for one of our areas large companies (couple of hundred trucks) and he tells me most of those truck are between 250,000 and 300,00 before they need to be retired, some go 350,000. He tells me if I keep up with regular maintenance I should easily be able to match those trucks.

I've looked at new trucks but when I'm driving away from the lot thinking about the price, usually approaching 30k, I just can't seem to come up with a good reason give up what works well for a $600 -$700 payment or a 30k reduction in in my savings acc.

I'm also a multiple offender as my wife drives a '01 4dr 4wd Tahoe with 217,00 mi. We bought it with 18,000 miles. It to has had only alternator problems and one AC evap., but the evap. was under warrenty. I do take care of my vehicles, have them serviced regularly, clean them regularly inside and out. I'm not obcessive with it but my trucks show their age well. My son is driving an '85 FJ60 LandCruiser with over 300,00 mi. We have restored the body and interior of the Cruiser but the motor has never been opened up. A long as the price and condition are right I see no reason to shy away from a higher than average milage older truck.

I also have a friend who has a '95 2dr Yukon with 300,000 plus miles.

I personally would have a problem with a 2500 series truck. Every one I have driven or ridden in was a beast. If you need a work truck or are towing a goose neck trailer on a regular basis it may make sense, but on daily basis I don't think most people need or would be happy with a 2500 or bigger truck. Stick with a 1500 series. And if you can find one with a 350 engine they are a very strong long lived motor. These trucks are both good trucks but if you don't "need" a pickup I'd go with the Tahoe, prefferably a 2dr but a 4dr as well.

Jeff

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In 2008 I bought an 04' Dodge 3500 Dually (4WD) with the Cummins. It had 45,000 miles and it was during the huge diesel price increases and in Alaska the price was banging against 6.50 a gallon, so they were giving these large trucks away.
Luckily I bought a maintenance contract for 100,000 miles or 7 years. So far I have replaced the tranny, tranfer case, front end items equaling a grand of cost and the entire drive shaft too. Today it is in the shop once again with front end issues and a "lift pump" issue. I have 900 miles left on the maintenance contract and "of course" they won't renew!
I love the truck but the repairs have been pretty large for under a 100,000 miles. I am planning on keeping it, but hopefully it will be a great truck from here on out.

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the nice thing about the 05 is there is no way that isn;t mostly highway miles - unless it is all towing or hauling a big load. highway miles are basicall set the cruise and forget it - transmission never shifts, engine never revs, brakes never get touched ... so a lot of 'wear items' last a LOT longer.

the older truck - parts can be cheaper and available sometimes at a junk yard - i like junk yards.

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I wouldn't worry about it - fund a "repair" account for the truck with $1,500 and let it ride. Refresh fund as needed.

We have an 04 F-250 at work with a Triton 5.4L engine that has 261,000 miles on it and it will probably go to 300,000 easy. I have 137,000 miles on my 07 F-150 and fully expect to see 300K before I even really strongly consider selling her.

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I ended up with a 94 F-150 with only 76,000 miles. Thanks for all of the info...

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Are you talking diesel or gas? I'd like to have one, but I am thinking I want diesel. Otherwise it seems to me that the MPG just doesn't allow for long trips. I'm using a 07 Toyo 4Runner now for a tow vehicle and mileage goes from 22 without the boat to 12 with it.

Yes / no. ???

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Mine is a 302 gas, gas mileage is not so good.

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What's your budget? It's best to work from your fixed budget; then your uses for the vehicle [4x4 - engine size and type; seating capacity - and etc]; then decided if you're prepared to travel for a good deal..... Just don't rush into it. It took me 4 months to find mine...

Drop me a line if you need help finding one and no, I'm not a dealer!! Good luck

By the way always buy the newest you can find for your budget.