1997 Tahoe?

[kablooie]

I have a chance to buy a 97 tahoe 4-door 4x4 with 95k miles. seller is asking $4900, but i have driven by it for the past month so I'm sure he'll negotiate.

I think it's an LS with leather seats and he says everything works and nothing is wrong. He has been the second owner for 3 years.

This will be wife's primary mode of transportation and most of her trips will be short distances (2-3 miles up to 10 miles) in town (for the most part). Not too concerned with gas due to the short distance driving, but i like the "sturdyness" of the tahoe for the safety of my 2 and 6 yr old. ya know not a tin can... it's a stock truck with only a/m wheels that look like 17s or 18s with normal tires, not off road... go figure with the 4x4 option .

what do you all think? btw: i was a member but let my renewal lapse cuz i am trying to MY 81 K5. this tahoe might be my reason to renew...?

 

[Stomis]

Kinda of expensive considering the current state of the market on v8 and diesel trucks. Plus it is 11 years old and the mileage isnt anything terrific considering average would be 110,000.

 

[Pookster]

I seem to have some recollection about the mileage- its when a lot of components start going. Such as wheel bearing, and steering components. If your handy, they will still cost you almost 300-400 in parts. Just keep that in mind.

 

[kablooie]

I seem to have some recollection about the mileage- its when a lot of components start going. Such as wheel bearing, and steering components. If your handy, they will still cost you almost 300-400 in parts. Just keep that in mind.

I hear that. Can anyone recommend a good forum for 97 tahoes? I need to do more research...
thanks!

 

[chevyuser74]

those trucks had problems with the fuel pumps, ball joints, and intake gaskets as well and its in the mile range for this stuff to fail, and none of it is very cheap. also with 17's the tires are not going to be cheap to replace

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I had a '92 Blazer K1500. Same body style but a 2 door. My family owned it from new in '92 to when I sold it ten years later with 103,000 miles on it. Drove it across the country twice and down to Florida and back.

Wouldn't buy a half ton again under any circumstances and am deathly afraid of GM IFS now. I loved that truck but by 100k it was like everything was wearing out and squeaking, rattling, doing odd things, etc etc etc.
Coworker has a '99 with 130k and they just had her intake manifold gaskets replaced. Damn pink fluid!

 

[BigBen]

The opinions seem to be pretty varied about these IFS trucks and their values.

The value of the truck is what you're willing to pay for it.
If it's in good shape and it's worth it to you, buy it.

As far as problems, I've got to say that I'm still driving my '95 that I bought in '98 and it's been a pretty good truck to me overall (bought at 57,000 miles, now has 245,000).

It's still all-stock except for the K&N air filter and Magnaflow exhaust.

I had to replace a transmission shortly after I bought it. Attribute this to the PO towing in OD with it. I've had the same tranny in ever since and religiously service it every 30,000 miles. No problems whatsoever.

I had to replace the intake manifold gasket around 130,000 miles, but it's been good since.

These trucks seem to eat brake rotors. Don't know why, but I just feed mine the cheapy ones when it wants them.

For some reason, this one eats rear axle seals. It's been a minor, but chronic problem.

I know that IFS gets a bad rap, but I don't understand why. I understand that it is not as good off-road, but I'll take it anyday over the old solid axle for a daily driver.

My '85 needed to have the front end steering replaced at 80k and again around 150k. This '95 is at 245,000 miles and just now in need of the first front end service. (Stock height and tires). The stock bilstein shocks went 200,000 miles before I had to replace them.

I just had a radiator tank crack, but I got it fixed and am still running the original radiator.

Shoot, tires used to last 30,000 miles on my solid axle.. this thing wears them for 80,000 miles. (I'm just finishing up the 3rd set of tires on it now)

The '90s trucks get a bad rap for some reason, but mine is far superior to my '80s truck in every important daily driver facet I can think of. (Comfort, reliability, and longevity)

As long as you take care of them (True for all vehicles) they can serve you for a LONG time.

Mine's been back and forth across the country several times, and to Alaska twice. It's a solid truck, and I won't trade it for anything. I'll just maintain her until she fades away and I'm forced to buy something new.

Good luck in your shopping, and I hope you find a good one!

-Ben


EDIT: just re-read some of the other posts. I'm still on my original wheel bearings (no problems) and running my orignial fuel pump.

I've heard a 'hypothesis' on the fuel pumps that I tend to believe. They claim that the pump relies on the fuel in the tank for cooling. They were designed to be submerged. In a vehicle that runs the tank down and FILLS it, they seem to last just fine. Apparently always driving around on 1/4 tank lets the pump overheat (not enough fuel to cool it) and shortens the life.

I can tell you that the guys I know who fill their tank when it's empty don't have the fuel pump problem. The guys I know who only put in an 1/8th to 1/4 tank at a time seem to replace pumps. Just my observation. YMMV.

 

[Avery4jc]

My mom daily drove a '98 tahoe 4x4 for about two years...

Overall I actually loved the ride, it was comfy, had plenty of power and was easy to get around parking lots and stuff compared to a big truck or a suburban...
BUT in that short time it blew a head gasket AND lost the 4L60E...

Soooo imo it's one of those rides where when it's working it's great but when it had issues they were big issues.

 

[coloradoblazers]

The pice seems a bit high, but I dont know how the market is where you are at.
I have a '96 w/ about 145K.
MOst problems seem to happen around 100-125K.
I have replaced the transmission, water pump, and balljoints. Other stuff has been minor(shocks, brake pads and rotors etc.)
A decent site for you to look at is http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/
Hope this helps.