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Ok, I probably know where this is going but I trust my city-data brethren to pipe up with some healthy banter about this one...
I have a 1997 Chevy Tahoe LT 5.7 4WD with 199000 miles on her. She runs ok, smogs without problem and has just a couple of minor oil leaks that would take about 2 hours and $20 to fix. Over the last two years I've replaced the whole front end steering parts except for the gear box which needs to be done soon.
The interior is not torn up, cloth is good though by this point the carpet could use to be replaced as there's some staining that won't come out.
The front half of the roof needs to be repainted and there's some rust along the top of the windshield, a minor dent in the passenger rear door courtesy of a shopping cart and the ambulance doors need new hinges/rubber seal kits.
I replaced the whole A/C system last year and while it works it's never worked great no matter what has been done and it's become hard to deal with during the AZ summertime.
Otherwise it's in good shape as we've kept up on maintenance over the years.
I figure it'll take less than $3000 to bring it back to normal fixing the issues listed above (except the A/C as I've got NO clue what to do with that if anything).
Wife loves the truck, I'm ok with it but it does burn through the fuel and the best part it's paid off years ago.
I would likely repair what needs to be repaired and keep the Tahoe as a "beater" 4WD for use when that is needed. Then look for a fuel-efficient vehicle for a daily driver.
Get what you can for it and use the $3000 you plan on using to fix it to get something else. That's my opinion. What happens if you invest the $3k and something else goes wrong such as a blown tranny? At that point you're looking at another $1500 - $2000.
At this point, I wouldn't pour money into it. $3k is substantial. If you look you can probably get a really good deal on a leftover 2014 Tahoe. They should be deeply discounted because of the new generation coming out.
Is this your daily driver? Can you afford to buy a replacement car?
I'd fix the little stuff (oil leak) ; leave the paint, carpet, AC, gearbox issues alone; and use it until it dies.
It's not a daily driver as in we have to drive it, we have a '13 ford edge which the wife doesn't like very much as it sits too low for her.
I get that the truck is only worth about $3k, the registration is $50 per year and insurance is wayyy cheap so there's that to figure in as well.
I probably over estimated the repair costs now that I think about it, the paint,rust,door repair is $700, the steering gearbox is $250 and the hinges/rubber for the rear doors would be about $200 and painted when the roof is painted.
The only mechanical concern I'd have is the transmission but it's healthy as of now.
I guess the only thing I can't figure out a way around is the A/C which I understand is typical with this model Tahoe 1995-1999.
If you want to keep it, I would put the minimum amount in it to keep it safe, and drive it until it falls apart. Do not try to bring it up to perfect condition if the cost is going to be more than what you can sell it for. But if you like it, just keep driving it.
If you want to keep it, I would put the minimum amount in it to keep it safe, and drive it until it falls apart. Do not try to bring it up to perfect condition if the cost is going to be more than what you can sell it for. But if you like it, just keep driving it.
This. Once you pour money in it's like "breaking the seal" i.e., taking the first pee after a night of beer drinking. It's all downhill.
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