what would you buy?

[Minnow masher]

I am looking for a different Tahoe and here is my delima. I found a 1996 Tahoe with 100,000 miles on it for $11,000.00 or a 1997 with 67,000 miles on it for $16,500.00. Both are LT packages and are equiped exactly the same. I don't know which is the best way to go. Both are in excellent condition. Please help.

[GT]

DONT KNOW IF I WOULD GO EITHER WAY .BUY TIME YOU PAY FOR IT ,IT IS NOT WORTH ANY THING.SAVE AND BY A NEW ONE OR SAVE ALITTLE MORE AND BYE A 2000,2001 WITH 20,000 MILES

[wheels]

I would go with the vehicle with lesser miles if they are in similar condition. Assuming 15,000 miles a year, the extra money could buy you 2 more years until you have to do this again. Just my opinion.

"Friends don't let friends fish for trout!"

[Hawgeye]

GT, I think your response is ludicrous. A Tahoe will always be worth 5-7 thousand dollars with lots of miles no matter what year it is as long as it is kept in quality operating condition. I personally think it is a joke to pay 30 - 35k for a vehicle that in three years will be worth about 20k. Do the math, buy new, you are out 15k + after 3 years, buy used, you are out 5-7k. I have driven the new Tahoes and frankly my 95' has more room than the new design. It has everything I need in a truck and I love it.

Don't get me wrong, I would like to have the new model with its HP and gas mileage improvement(? well, a little better) but bang for the buck, expect to see about 150,000 miles on my rig before I get rid of her.

[Backwater Eddy]

With all the 0% financing offered on new rigs right now I am not sure if you wouldn't be better off going that way?

Considering the interest rate on a used, if financed, versus new with the value intact I think new would be a better deal?

I also hear there are a lot of assumable new repo's out there that can be a great deal too?

Options to think on maybe?

[fishgut]

The 1997 will have the vortec 350, the 1996 throttle body fuel injection.(more h.p. and better towing power with the vortec, but also more expensive to work on) I just bought a 1997 LT with 53,000 miles for $14,000 and had looked at hundreds of them on the net and elsewhere. $16,500 sounds a bit steep for the 1997. You have got to remember that the market is saturated with Tahoes right now coming off of lease and people trading for the new style. Great rigs those Tahoes. Good luck and smart shopping to ya! Check Autotrader.com--

[Fshngyd]

Where are you from Minnow smasher, I know where you can get a 1997 Yukon SLT with 80K for a much better price and in great shape, let me know!!

[Minnow masher]

I am from Bismarck ND.

[joe]

regarding the 0% finace craze, how many of you could afford a 0% note over a 3 year term? Try and finance a 30k vehicle over 3 years, your talking $900/month - nice vehicle payment! If you can get a newer, used vehicle letting the first owner take the bulk of the depreciation your better off. If you buy that new $30k truck it's only worth $27k once you drive it off the lot, you need to consider this cost also.

[Dave in Mpls]

Howdy, Minnow masher

I just spent the Christmas holiday in your fair city. Seemed to be some decent buys on Winchester camo at the Scheels outlet center in the mall, if your in the need. Of the two vehicles you mention, I would buy the '96, as the price seems good. Too much money for the '97. I believe both vehicles would have the VorTec engine, as the switch from TBI occurred in '95 (for Suburbans, anyway).

Regards

[Skis]

Guess my question would be how long you intend on keeping it? If you drive it till it dies, go with the one with 100,000 miles on it. That's more money saved versus the one with less miles. If you intend on trading it in in 2-4 years, the one with less miles obviously will have more trade-in value. However, I do agree that the sticker on that one is a little steep.

You should enjoy the Tahoe, whatever year you decide.

[Fshngyd]

This truck is in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, so it would be a few miles to travel, but I think you could this 97 for about $12,000 to 13,000. The truck is loaded with leather, power everything, new tires and brakes last year, touch 4wd, am/fm cassette CD, very nice truck. White exterior with blue leather interior. I am not the seller, this is the truck I just traded for a crew cab GMC, and have owned since 98 when it had only 19000K, it don't matter to me if they sell it or not, but it is a very nice truck if you were interested.

Kerry Keane
#217

[fishgut]

My mistake on the vortec. Dave in Mpls. is right about the '96 having the vortec. What I meant to say was that in '97 they added speed sensitive steering. Drive a '96 or older and then drive a '97-'99. Quite an improvement. Anyway, if you could get a '97 with 80k and leather for 12grand that seems like a good buy to me. Good Luck!

[minnow masher]

Kerry, thanks for the info. I have a friend that manages at Team in Scottsbluf and I called him and they have already sold it. Thanks alot for all the help. If anybody has any more suggestions I am more than willing to listen. Thanks alot

[Fuzzy]

See if you can lease a new one?