Mid 80's Chevy Suburban Good Buy?
Tim Stapleton
I'm considering buying a suburban circa 1985. I really only want it for
carrying mountain-bikes, canoes etc for weekending. I've owned 4x4's before
in Europe but they aren't built quite to this scale. I'm interested to know
about the reliability, gas mileage and drivability of this car (of this
age). Is the diesel worth having, is it better for mileage. Anyone (who
actually knows this car) got any advice. I'd much appreciate it.
Tim Stapleton
Jjseymour
I think old Suburban's are great! I just got rid of my 88 with 150+K on it.
It was a gas version and got about 17 with the 4spd OD on the. highway. The
4x4 is great. I have pulled other cars, trucks and tractors out with it. I
replaced it with a newer old Suburban. There is nothing like it for hauling
people and stuff, and being able to tow too. My personal experience with there
reliability is great. I have heard several non owners complain about them, but
most "Suburban" people I know would not trade them and even used ones are hard
to get. I particularly liked the boxier look of the ones pre 92. Don't know
the diesels.
Good luck!
Bruce A Wilcoxon
In article <6jfl44$p...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>, "Tim Stapleton"
<tim.st...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
Pre 1987 gas Suburbans get lousy gas milage because of the carbeurator I'd
go with the diesel but if you're not going to tow with it I would suggest
something smaller. I tow a 30' cabin cruiser with mine and if I didn't I
would have bought a K5 Blazer just because the Suburban is a bitch to park
in tight spaces. Other than the usual drawbacks of large vehicles the
Suburban is an awesome vehicle.
bruce
Chris Hill
On Thu, 14 May 1998 21:35:29 +0100, "Tim Stapleton"
<tim.st...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>I'm considering buying a suburban circa 1985. I really only want it for
>carrying mountain-bikes, canoes etc for weekending. I've owned 4x4's before
>in Europe but they aren't built quite to this scale. I'm interested to know
>about the reliability, gas mileage and drivability of this car (of this
>age). Is the diesel worth having, is it better for mileage. Anyone (who
>actually knows this car) got any advice. I'd much appreciate it.
I have one, a gas with a 5.7 in it. We've had it for about 2.5 years,
and haven't had to do much more than routine stuff to it. It has
about 113,000 miles on it. Its biggest problem area has to do with
the rear ac. The ac in this vehicle is after-market, and I know it
has a leak somewhere, but no-one can find it. The gas version is
carburated(sp?) which gives all the problems inherent in such a
system, I had to have it rebuilt because of rough idling.
The only thing I really hate about the vehicle is that I can't use
overdrive while towing our camper. Not towing it gets about 17mpg on
the highway, towing the camper we get about 10. As far as reliability
is concerned, I wouldn't have a problem with jumping in this vehicle
and going to California or Florida.
As far as the diesel version is concerned, I'm sure it would get
better mileage, but if they use the same transmission, I'd run away;
I'll bet it would be a really under-powered combination.
--
'90's Microsoft = '70's GM, Ford, and Chrysler
email: Hil...@earthlink.net Columbia, Missouri or there-abouts.
Daniel Oppliger
Tim,
I just traded my 85 Suburban for a 93 plus alot of cash. It was a reliable
and tough 4x4 except for a few problems. We have a 3600# trailer. It loved to
go at night, it flew over mountain passes etc. In the heat, and we have heat in
the southwest- I had a vapor lock problem on one trip. Bad gas with alchohal
in it. It was a miserable 3 days using up 40 gallons of that shit, and resting
on side of the road with a can of ether. The 85 is carburated. My new one is
fuel injected and has a lot more power.
Tim Stapleton wrote:
> I'm considering buying a suburban circa 1985. I really only want it for
> carrying mountain-bikes, canoes etc for weekending. I've owned 4x4's before
> in Europe but they aren't built quite to this scale. I'm interested to know
> about the reliability, gas mileage and drivability of this car (of this
> age). Is the diesel worth having, is it better for mileage. Anyone (who
> actually knows this car) got any advice. I'd much appreciate it.
> Tim Stapleton
--
Dan Oppliger
TROPICAL SAILS
http://www.tropicalsails.com
915-595-1003 fax 915-595-8943
Daniel Oppliger
Daniel Oppliger
Bill Gillam
>
> I'm considering buying a suburban circa 1985. I really only want it for
> carrying mountain-bikes, canoes etc for weekending. I've owned 4x4's before
> in Europe but they aren't built quite to this scale. I'm interested to know
> about the reliability, gas mileage and drivability of this car (of this
> age). Is the diesel worth having, is it better for mileage. Anyone (who
> actually knows this car) got any advice. I'd much appreciate it.
Tim-
I own a 94 suburban, and just recently bought a 1984 Diesel Suburban
4x4 for weekend runs up to the mountains. You can get a great deal on
these rigs. I paid $1600, bought a a new grill and fender, pulled the
front bumper straight with my john deere. For $2,300 I have a
dependable, straight 4wd that gets 18-20 mpg.
Perfect rigs for weekend runs up in the woods.
Regards-
Bill
The Suburban Home Page
http://www.nwlink.com/~bgillam/suburban.htm
Remove SPAMBLOCK from email to respond.
Opie
Owned an '89 for a few years, had to sell it, though :-( Replaced it
with a '91. These suburbans aren't "driven," they're "aimed." Not
much road feel. Comfortable, though. The newer ones (of the old
style) have the anti-lock rear brakes that's disabled in 4wd; so you
can't really pump the brakes to stop in slippery weather 'cause the
pedal is mushy (just like when the ABS is activated). I figure my
'92's stopping distance is about 1/3 LONGER than my old '89 with
conventional brakes. When in 4x4 it's even worse. Other than warning
you away from the crappy GM ABS, I've got nothing but praise for the
older-style Suburban. it's an awesome vehicle! Didn't have diesel,
so can't comment on that aspect.
- Opie
Dino
I own a 1984 4x4 3/4 ton Diesel Suburban and couldn't be happier!
I get 17+ MPG on a 200,000 mile 6.2 engine and it works just fine!
I paid $5,500 for it in Southern CA! GET IT!!
Dino Darling...k6rix@earthlink.net
In article <6jfl44$p...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>,
tim.st...@worldnet.att.net says...
>
>I'm considering buying a suburban circa 1985. I really only want it for
>carrying mountain-bikes, canoes etc for weekending. I've owned 4x4's before
>in Europe but they aren't built quite to this scale. I'm interested to know
>about the reliability, gas mileage and drivability of this car (of this
>age). Is the diesel worth having, is it better for mileage. Anyone (who
>actually knows this car) got any advice. I'd much appreciate it.
>Tim Stapleton
>
>