I'm looking at two options, buying a used few year old suburban for 35k with low miles etc. or my Father offered me his 01 Yukon xl 4x4 with 8.1 (100k miles) for 5,000 bucks. If I look at money it's easy choice, just wondering how many years and miles I could get out of an already 13 year old tow vehicle? It would tow a 6000 pound boat and take us on family vacations, probably use it 6000 miles a year tops.

To me, that is a no brainer. Take your Dads Yukon and start making payments to a "new" vehicle fund for 4 or 5 years down the road. that Yukon has many thousand miles of life left and knowing the history of the Yukon is big in my book.

My brother has a Yukon 8.1 of about that vintage. He told me when I bought my 8.1 that the spark plug change at 100K miles is essential and expensive (this from a brother who rebuilds his own engines!). Has your father's Yukon had that done?Re age of vehicle: my pre-Tiger RV was 23 years old and had 149K miles when I sold it. It is still on the road now, 7 years later. If you take care of them and if parts are available, they last.

My vote is for the older 8.1 and save the money. I have looked at both old (00-06) and new and while older, I don't think they're worse. In fact I find the materials (dash and switchgear especially) to be of higher quality in the older trucks. So many newer Subs have cracked dashes and the labels on the switches are all rubbed off. The 3/4 ton platform underneath did not change so both are still on the GMT800 platform, just with different bodies. The fuel mileage will be better on the newer one with the 6.0, but with 30k in your pocket I doubt that matters. Lastly your resale value on the older one will stay the same or increase, but will decrease substantially on the newer one. Good Luck!

H2oSprt wrote:I'm looking at two options, buying a used few year old suburban for 35k with low miles etc. or my Father offered me his 01 Yukon xl 4x4 with 8.1 (100k miles) for 5,000 bucks. If I look at money it's easy choice, just wondering how many years and miles I could get out of an already 13 year old tow vehicle? It would tow a 6000 pound boat and take us on family vacations, probably use it 6000 miles a year tops.Damn, if you don't want it ill buy it !

8.1 for sure. That is a great engine.

8.1 Sububan question | Good Sam Community

dwb619
Explorer
May 12, 2014
We have a 2001 silverado HD 8.1 4X4.
Only have 56k on it.
It tows an American Star 34 fifth.
Wouldn't want anything else.
BurbMan
Explorer II
May 12, 2014
These are hard to find and sounds like you got a good deal. It'll tow that 6000 lb boat like it was a lawn trailer. You won't wanna drive that pickup with the 6.0 anymore....LOL....
H2oSprt
Explorer
May 12, 2014
Thanks for all the input and encouragement! The Yukon has been ridiculously maintained by the dealer, it really hasn't seen too much towing in it's life, mostly used as a people mover. I think I'm going to pick it up and use it to haul my family and boat. This way I can keep my camper on my truck :)
the_happiestcam
Explorer
May 12, 2014
8.1
BurbMan
Explorer II
May 12, 2014
Here ya go: only 11 in the whole country for sale

(I know it says 12 but one is a 5.3/1500 that snuck in there.)

Anywhere from 70k to 170k miles.

I found this annual sales report on Wikipedia. If you look at the numbers, consider what % of total suburbans are 2500's, and then what % of 2500's had the 8.1 big block.

Looking at the sales numbers it's no surprise that they dropped the 2500....demand just isn't there anymore, although I would be another when this one finally wears out!
Crabbypatty
Explorer
May 12, 2014
We have the K2500 (3/4 ton) Suburban with the 8.1 and it tows great. Looking to buy another one. Does anyone have one for sale newer with low miles? I might be interested.
BenK
Explorer
May 12, 2014
It is a TRUCK and should last much longer than most 'cars' will

Get the 8.1L
Sport45
Explorer II
May 12, 2014
MNRon wrote:
BTW - invest in gas stock (you'll get 11mpg around town, 13mpg on the road without pulling, and much less pulling - we got ~7.5 pulling a 30' 9000lb TT).

Also expect to put in a quart of oil every 1500 miles.

The $30k in savings is even better than buying the stock. It'll buy him a whole lotta gas too.

Keep the Yukon in the family and enjoy it for years to come. As mentioned earlier, invest the savings so you can pay cash for the next one.
Captain_Obvious
Explorer
May 12, 2014
The 8.1 is a towing beast. I'd go for it. I've got a buddy with a 2005 & the 8.1 and he loves it.
krobbe
Explorer
May 12, 2014
For $5K, take the 8.1L Yukon XL. If you don't like it, turn around and sell it to double your money. But I bet you will love it for towing.