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Is this about to be a good or bad sunk cost? '03 Chev Suburban
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howudodis
New User
Nov 30, 2020, 4:27 PM
Post #1 of 10
(1023 views)
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Is this about to be a good or bad sunk cost? '03 Chev Suburban
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Hello friends,
I'm at an awkward point where I need to make a decision on a purchase.
In short, I am only buying this vehicle for 6-12 months and happy to run it in to the ground/write it off. Not going to insure it but am offering $1.5k (asking is $2.5k) for this just to get around a small town.
The person selling has had an inspection and some minor work done it it as per the following link and the fixes she's done are listed at the bottom of this post.
Could anyone kindly take a look at share their point of view if, given the inspection report and fixes already done is worth me throwing out a lowball offer, even if the thing only runs for a year?
Thank you kindly in advance :)
]u]Vehicle
Year of vehicle: 2003
Make of vehicle Chevrolet
Model of vehicle Suburban
Mileage/Kilometers: 385,000 km
Fixes done
- Replaced rims
- Air filter
- Spark plugs
- Oil change and filter
- Fuel filter
- Battery
- Window wipers
- Rear break pads, rotors and caliper pin
- Rear axle seal, gasket and diff fluid changed
- Door latch
- O2 sensor
- Sea foamed engine (cleaned inside engine)
- A/C Thermostat
- Changed coolant
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 30, 2020, 4:59 PM
Post #2 of 10
(1014 views)
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Re: Is this about to be a good or bad sunk cost? '03 Chev Suburban
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$$ and you speak kilometers I take it Canada and $CN? That's worth almost the $1,500US in assorted parts + metal weight to junk it!
If a 5.3 V8 so far I've seen, know, is family owned, a Tahoe (just a shorter Suburban IMO) way over 200K - miles and brother is an animal on vehicles!
The killer will end up rust applies to this also. Check frame where it matters if you don't know bring someone who does.
A cheap trick for engine integrity is bring a match - the thing you light or something that smokes well when you blow it out. Just pull up the dipstick for checking oil or remove it. If smoke goes down inside the PCV system has overcome any worn engine "blow-by" or some other fault. IF that test works I've never had an engine just quit by surprise in 100s of ones just flipping cars/now trucks.
Learn now what the junkyard value is of this thing if it exploded just so you know a base value. More if it has known good parts it's popular.
You want a year - change out oil right away and grease everything make sure it's safe front end parts, brakes work well + already said frame rust that's fixable but matters just how and where.
Good luck these stink IMO I'm into older than all this sh*t past 1999 if you don't think so check parking brakes inside rotor types can still push new vehicles with those just finished one like new can't stop it from rolling on it's own on a slight incline! Smart - NOT!
Tom
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Nov 30, 2020, 5:02 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 30, 2020, 5:09 PM
Post #3 of 10
(1006 views)
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Re: Is this about to be a good or bad sunk cost? '03 Chev Suburban
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I could have said use a cigar or cigarette but they aren't popular with anyone anymore...….. let it be??
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howudodis
New User
Nov 30, 2020, 6:55 PM
Post #4 of 10
(998 views)
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Re: Is this about to be a good or bad sunk cost? '03 Chev Suburban
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Thanks for the prompt response, Tom!
Yes, in Canada so that probably means $1.5 CN is even better if we were to junk it?
Just to clarify regarding the engine smoke trick, are you saying if smoke/gas goes down after pulling out the oil stick, then that's a good thing?
Other than that, as per the Inspection Report (linked below) rust is the main concern but should be alright to drive?
Cheers mate
https://app.autoserve1.com/report/7916689D-01A8-4BB2-AFFF-634F0EBB91C2?fbclid=IwAR20sG4VwVE_NeyNnD-mui83QBO52iyXVmuWNhWmWXtuuWaKexxfqOl2P0U
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 30, 2020, 7:19 PM
Post #5 of 10
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Re: Is this about to be a good or bad sunk cost? '03 Chev Suburban
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Just to add to this. That picture shows a lot more than just worn brakes. The color of the backing plate indicates the axle seal is leaking which would probably mean bearings and possibly axles too.
There was a lot of wear in the front steering linkage and Rack and pinion shown in the video.
I don't know how you expect to drive this without insurance. Is insurance not required in Canada?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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howudodis
New User
Nov 30, 2020, 7:41 PM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: Is this about to be a good or bad sunk cost? '03 Chev Suburban
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Thanks, Hammer Time
The owner did tell me the following, confirming leaking had been fixed.
"There was residue on two area of the truck that usually are indicators of a leak or a past leak that hasn't been cleaned up properlywhen it was fixed. One looked like it was coming from the power steering fluid container by the engine and one on the inner part of the right rear back of the wheel. The power steering residue was from an old leak that hadn't been cleaned up properly because the power steering fluid level hadn't dropped, meaning that no fluid had leaked from it. The rear right inner wheel residue was from an axle seal leak that was leaking diff fluid. The axle seal had been replaced and the diff fluid filled up again but the back part of the wheel wasn't cleaned up properly at the time. This has now been resolved as when the rear rotors and breaks had been replaced the back of the wheel and any other parts that had residue on it where cleaned up too."
Re insurance, it is compulsory to have 3rd party for damage/injury I cause to other. I wouldn't be looking to insure damage on this vehicle though 
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 1, 2020, 5:26 AM
Post #8 of 10
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Re: Is this about to be a good or bad sunk cost? '03 Chev Suburban
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Quick read - sorry:
Smoke trick = I said that in that mess that it means PCV is overcoming any "blow-by" which is a worn out engine MOST of the time but not always.
If good there's nothing more to check for that moment.
*****************
GM axle seals? Most and including this but no hands on experience use the axle as the RACE for the bearing. That could mean if those ever went bad you need the axle easy enough to look at it.
Why the seal? Because the bearing wasn't in control being too lose or an outside chance some heat or harsh cleaner ruined it?? This thing has a zillion kms/miles who knows now who screwed up what?
Top question was to me is it worth it and could it last 6 months or a year? Yes if some basics are good. Brakes are brakes in anything like wiper blades if they are wrecked you do new ones.
Refresh - you asked if it COULD make a year I think it could and still have some "core" value if you did buy it for said price. Legally on the road is up to you and your intentions of use for the thing. Details will matter if on public roads YOU owe it to be safe for you and especially others IDK anywhere in Canada that allows total junk to use public roads but OMG there's a lot of Canada above the 45th parallel isn't that far North of me is the 1/2 way line from equator to North pole for trivia sake and a smile I didn't just look that up,
Tom
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howudodis
New User
Dec 2, 2020, 11:36 AM
Post #9 of 10
(955 views)
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Re: Is this about to be a good or bad sunk cost? '03 Chev Suburban
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Thank you, gents.
Seems to me that while this beast could well run for a while, there are more than likely too many unknowns to justify and when I'd need to spend about $2k CDN for a year's worth of 3rd party insurance, it quickly becomes not worth it.
Thanks again for the advice!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 2, 2020, 12:05 PM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: Is this about to be a good or bad sunk cost? '03 Chev Suburban
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It's always your choice. Keep looking, there are more out there + do the same checks PRE-Purchase not find out AFTERWARDS.
Good luck with the hunt,
Tom
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