New Member with Suburban ?

jdnighthawk · 11-03-2009, 08:34 PM

Hello all, I'm the new guy here. I'm writing in from Edwards Air Force Base, CA and I'm looking to buy a beater vehicle for around base.

Just wanted to ask some questions pertaining to a 99 GMC Suburban 2WD C1500 SLE that is for sale here on base. I'm thinking about maybe buying this vehicle but I wasn't sure of it's track record.

This burb has 150,000 miles on it and the only thing noticeably wrong with it is the gear shifter on the steering column is broke off and it looks like where it attaches to the column more of it is hanging there by some wiring. The guy that is selling it says it's still driveable in his description. Anyone have any ideas on what that would cost to fix? And it needs new rubber.

I have tried to contact the seller to ask him some more questions about the vehicle but I've had no luck yet. So, what else can I expect to possibly fix on this type of truck? I've heard the trannies are not the best is this true? How about engine durability?

This thing is only selling for $1,000, so that's why I'm a little hesitant to buy to quickly because I'm not sure if this guy just wants to get rid of it or something is majorly wrong. What do you guys think? I think it would suite mine and my familes needs for getting us to and from on base, but I just don't want this to be a money pit either. I really hope I can get a hold of the seller to answer some of my questions and get to drive it. I will post back with any updates that I recieve. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

hotrodpc · 11-03-2009, 09:15 PM

Welcome to the forum jd !!! I been by Edwards a few times. When I lived in So Cal, one of our camping spots and water ski spots was Lake Perris. I am sure you know of it. Where you from originally, or where is home if not on tour?

crabtruck · 11-03-2009, 11:11 PM

Welcome to the forum jdnighthawk.

You probably realize GMC didn't make that burb, and "C1500" is 2wd,1/2ton.
Has a basic 5.7 unless you have the diesel.
Kelly BB puts it at 1,550 if CA smog ok, fair condition.
Recommend pulling codes for hidden problems,
likely get it done on base in under a min if talk nice.

Check the fluids for eng and trans, if they look funny let us know what you see.
Drive it in some odd shaped circles and do some accel/stop combos,
pretty straight foward ride as far as I know.
Does sometimes have the dirty wheel sensor thing that messes with ABS, easy fix.

depending on where the shifter was broken is difference in answers.
A new shift handle would likely be only $60 and pretty easy.
A gearshift lever bowl assembly (what the shifter goes into)
requires pulling wheel and digging down, no idea on cost.
May want to ask if this was ever stolen.

jdnighthawk · 11-05-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrodpc

Welcome to the forum jd !!! I been by Edwards a few times. When I lived in So Cal, one of our camping spots and water ski spots was Lake Perris. I am sure you know of it. Where you from originally, or where is home if not on tour?

I hale from CT, but have been all over the place with the Military. I see that you are in OKC. Tinker was my first duty station, looking forward to getting back that way.

jdnighthawk · 11-05-2009, 08:30 PM

Still no updates on this burb. I've been trying to contact the seller but I think he is TDY somewhere (that's temporary duty) for you non military folks. Hopefully he comes back soon so I can take a deeper look into this vehicle. Thanks for the advice so far.

11-03-2009, 08:34 PM	#1
jdnighthawk Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California Posts: 3	New Member with Suburban ? Hello all, I'm the new guy here. I'm writing in from Edwards Air Force Base, CA and I'm looking to buy a beater vehicle for around base. Just wanted to ask some questions pertaining to a 99 GMC Suburban 2WD C1500 SLE that is for sale here on base. I'm thinking about maybe buying this vehicle but I wasn't sure of it's track record. This burb has 150,000 miles on it and the only thing noticeably wrong with it is the gear shifter on the steering column is broke off and it looks like where it attaches to the column more of it is hanging there by some wiring. The guy that is selling it says it's still driveable in his description. Anyone have any ideas on what that would cost to fix? And it needs new rubber. I have tried to contact the seller to ask him some more questions about the vehicle but I've had no luck yet. So, what else can I expect to possibly fix on this type of truck? I've heard the trannies are not the best is this true? How about engine durability? This thing is only selling for $1,000, so that's why I'm a little hesitant to buy to quickly because I'm not sure if this guy just wants to get rid of it or something is majorly wrong. What do you guys think? I think it would suite mine and my familes needs for getting us to and from on base, but I just don't want this to be a money pit either. I really hope I can get a hold of the seller to answer some of my questions and get to drive it. I will post back with any updates that I recieve. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

11-03-2009, 09:15 PM	#2
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,145	Welcome to the forum jd !!! I been by Edwards a few times. When I lived in So Cal, one of our camping spots and water ski spots was Lake Perris. I am sure you know of it. Where you from originally, or where is home if not on tour? __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

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11-03-2009, 11:11 PM	#3
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: on your 9 Posts: 3,364	Welcome to the forum jdnighthawk. You probably realize GMC didn't make that burb, and "C1500" is 2wd,1/2ton. Has a basic 5.7 unless you have the diesel. Kelly BB puts it at 1,550 if CA smog ok, fair condition. Recommend pulling codes for hidden problems, likely get it done on base in under a min if talk nice. Check the fluids for eng and trans, if they look funny let us know what you see. Drive it in some odd shaped circles and do some accel/stop combos, pretty straight foward ride as far as I know. Does sometimes have the dirty wheel sensor thing that messes with ABS, easy fix. depending on where the shifter was broken is difference in answers. A new shift handle would likely be only $60 and pretty easy. A gearshift lever bowl assembly (what the shifter goes into) requires pulling wheel and digging down, no idea on cost. May want to ask if this was ever stolen.

11-05-2009, 08:30 PM	#5
jdnighthawk Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California Posts: 3	Still no updates on this burb. I've been trying to contact the seller but I think he is TDY somewhere (that's temporary duty) for you non military folks. Hopefully he comes back soon so I can take a deeper look into this vehicle. Thanks for the advice so far.