2003 2500 Suburban 8.1

[mtofell1]

My buddy's truck got totaled and he's looking for a vehicle for 6-12 months until he can get to Arizona from Oregon to pick up a truck from his dad (there are some other circumstances on the timing).

When he sent me a list of vehicles this morning a 2500 Suburban jumped out at me from all the 1/2 tons he had listed. For towing his TT is well within the limits of any 1/2 ton.

He's mainly looking for something that he won't lose $$ on when he sells in a year or so. I told him these 2500 SUVs are scarce and people are always looking for them. This one is in great shape, loaded with 95K miles for $9500. I told him to jump on it and he did. Apparently, the seller's getting A LOT of calls but he got there and put down some cash to hold it until tomorrow when he can take it to a mechanic.

So, am I right to advise him this is a sought after TV and a good price? It is 13 years old I suppose but the miles are low.

[Bionic_Man]

Just a little more feedback. I had an 03 2500 with the 8.1 for a little over a year before upgrading.

Just sold it last week, for $1500 more than I paid for it. Even considering the few upgrades that I did, I was still $$$ ahead. Hope it works the same for your buddy.

[BigToe]

The fact that it has the stock 245 "pizza cutter" tires is actually a good sign of a better value in a used vehicle purchase. It suggests that the previous owner adhered to the factory recommended original equipment... and didn't jack the vehicle around with oversized tires, chips, programs, suspension kits, and other trinkets that previous owners often "re-engineer" their tow vehicle with while ruining it's predicted reliability in the long run.

[83trekker]

i have the 8.1l but in truck tow my 29ft 5th wheel love it, but gas mileage sucks, but easy maintenance on the truck off sets it since its only towing during the summer and was 10k cheaper then the diesel equivalent,

[Thunderbolt]

It will have a 4L85E 4spd

Grit dog wrote:
Good choice!
Great choice if it has the Alli but I think those were only avail in the pickups.

[Grit_dog]

Good choice!
Great choice if it has the Alli but I think those were only avail in the pickups.

[colliehauler]

For towing a TT a 8.1 2500 Burb is far superior to a 1500 and do hold their value. As far as the smell he can have the interior detailed. Gas mileage forgetaboutit.

[mtofell1]

Thanks everyone... he bought it. I drove him to pick it up and it looks great. He had a mechanic look it over and he couldn't fine anything of any significance wrong. The only things I saw was it has stock size 245 pizza cutter tires which makes it look kind of silly IMO. And it smells like a pack of wet stinky dogs inside. He doesn't mind that as he has dogs. I could never live with it 🙂

[the_happiestcam]

Go for it

[Bionic_Man]

I bought that same vehicle almost a year ago. Paid the same amount but mine was at about 125k miles.

I searched for about a month nationwide and they are hard to find. As long as fuel prices stay where they are he will get his $ out of it when it is time to sell.

[APT]

Those Suburbans are only highly sought after for RVers. There are a lot better vehicles around if you do not need to tow, so the overal value/market is not that strong. Price seems fair for a lower mileage example. Only trouble is if the price of gasoline goes up to $4 again.

[1971duster340]

I looked for a year+ for an 8.1L, 2500 4X4 in 2001. Impossible...if I found one, it was a bait and switch to get me to look at their 1500s. Finally, a reliable source told me special ordered was it or hope someone couldn't go thru with their order once delivered. Dealers had a wait list from states far away. I ended up with a '01 6.2L 2500 4X4 and the infamous piston skirt slap.

[bigburg]

That model suburban is indeed highly sought after so he should have no issues getting his money back when he resells it. While he is using it your friend should be very happy with how it performs while towing minus gas milage.