Shiny and clean, this 1999 GMC Suburban SLT K1500 4X4 in Wichita, Kansas shows a mere 106,000 miles on the odometer. These sturdy steeds regularly reach a quarter million miles on their original powertrain, and this generation of the popular full-sized SUV offers a nice blend of proven mechanical components and updated features like four-speed overdrive automatic transmission, air bags, and ABS. Check out more details and pictures in the listing here on BarnFinds Classifieds. The asking price of $14,000 buys an incredibly useful vehicle that may have another half of its life left to give.
Treading the middle-ground between gray and beige, the Suburban’s durable leather seats offer comfort and durability. A large center console features multiple storage compartments, and fold-down arm rests give both front passengers the captain’s chair treatment. A burly friend owns a 7-series BMW and one of these. While he loves the BMW and plans to keep it forever, the Suburban (a series of them actually) answers calls to cover hundreds of miles over a long day. Despite the Suburban’s thirst for fuel and overkill for one or two-person travel, the long wheelbase, comfortable roomy cabin, and long wheelbase make for relaxed driving over long distances.
A Suburban in its natural habitat: Suburbia. General Motors stable-mate Chevrolet first named a vehicle “Suburban” in model year 1935 with Chevrolet’s Carryall Suburban, which has been called the first SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle). GMC and Chevrolet shared the name “Suburban” before GMC started calling their full-sized SUV “Yukon.” Owners are generally split on the conventionally hinged “barn doors.” The latter ease loading because you don’t have to lift heavy objects over the tailgate. They also let you leave one door open when hauling lengthy objects while the closed door contains the rest of your cargo. Barn doors preclude a rear wiper and defroster, and tailgate fans who, well, “tailgate” before a live event value the tailgate’s common use as a bench seat and serving platform. Thanks to Wikipedia for some details.
Though not described in the listing, this is almost certainly the world-famous V8 SBC, the Small-Block Chevrolet, in 350 cid (5.7L) form, topped by throttle-body fuel injection. Having driven a half-ton 5.7L Suburban 4×4, I can report satisfying throttle tip-in and confident acceleration from 0-30 MPH. At highway speeds the Suburban’s heft and wind resistance become more evident, but not enough to prompt many owners to seek out the gas-thirsty 454 cid (7.4L) big block, especially since the latter came only in the stiffly-suspended 3/4 ton 2500.
There’s no way to know how many miles have been logged by drivers sitting behind an instrument panel like this, but including the popular Chevy and GMC pickup trucks, that number would be significant. My Sister-in-law always fills up her full-sized GMC Yukon before the fuel needle reaches 1/2 because a fill-up from empty is so financially painful.
Here’s the money-shot, folks. Always include a good picture of the wear points on the driver’s seat when you sell a vehicle. Dirty liars go through extreme efforts of photo composition and editing to avoid showing this crucial wear indicator. Why? Do they think they’re clever by getting people to come look at a car and then see that the driver’s seat is trashed? Just seeing this picture suggests that this seller respects themself and the buyer. Careless owners can wear out a driver’s seat in 40,000 miles, so a buyer might infer that this vehicle has been well cared-for in other ways. What adventures have you experienced in a Suburban?
I consider these to be one of the best looking Suburbans. My choice would be the K2500 with the 4L80 transmission and the beefier brakes and rear axle. The 4L60 and the small rear would hold up to much hard work. Had a customer with a 98 6.5 turbo diesel pay for taller gearing on the front and rear axle and the updated PMD module relocate which is a crucial modification. His goal was 30MPG. I doubt he got there but last report was he was doing mid to upper 20’s.
I bought a ’93 GMC 3/4 ton Suburban 4X4,with a 454 in it to tow
a Consul Capri from CA to Denver,because they were about 1/2 the
price of a Ford F250 4X4.
These things are huge,& ours weighed 6800 pounds! I was really
excited any time I got double-digit fuel mileage! I really wasn’t impressed
with it’s towing ability either -it could’ve used more power.
I was really amazed at the time to notice how many of these I’d
see with just a driver,or a housewife hauling her kids to school,or going
grocery shopping.
What did they tow with it?
I bought a 2005 Tahoe loaded, multiple problems with AC vents, lights and other petty problems, but probably the most dependable and durable vehicle I have ever owned. I sold it at 120K and it was still running strong with cold AC.
I had one like this, it has a Vortec 5.7 with the multi-port fuel injection. It is an incredible truck, mine got sold away when gas hit $2 per gallon, as it could only manage 13 MPG and held 44 gallons of fuel. That was the first time I spent near $100 for a tank of fuel.
CFI injection not throttle body inj.or multi port.
$14,000??? Thats laughable…
I still own a 2000 Tahoe (looks just like the Surburban pictured) I have only 130,000 miles on it. It runs like a sewing machine. The resell value is about 3500. I think I’ll just keep it. I use it to tow my new projects home.
Beside all my classics from the early thirties to the early seventies, I’m still driving my ‘98 Chevrolet Suburban K1500 4×4. A cavernous work horse extremely reliable at 234,000 miles currently.
It goes with ease everywhere, including mud and snow of course.
I will keep it until the end, at least mine!
If it’s good enough for Tony Soprano it’s good enough for me.
I also never cared for the leather seats,which you seemed to
slide around on,& I really hated all the cheap (& cheap looking)
Gray plastic on the dash,etc.
I’ve had a 2005 Suburban since 2007 and by far it’s been the most versatile vehicle that I’ve ever owned. The Chevy 5.3 is just stupid bullet proof over 166K miles never put a wrench to it other than routine maintenance. I recommend them highly.
So much more reliable than new Chevy junk that costs upward of $90,000. So stupid. And as mentioned this generation is the best looking.
I had a 2002 Suburban with the 5.3 engine and two wheel drive. It was an absolute pleasure to own for 208K miles, and I got close to 20 MPG on trips. I know Consumers Reports reported about 12-14 mpg but I know what I got. I only sold it because I had to put my wife in a care home, and I had three vehicles, three insurance payments, with only one driver. I had a friend who wanted to buy it so I let it go. It had leather seats but the outer bolster that always goes bad first is not leather. It’s a bonded fake leather that cracks and peels while the real leather parts stay looking great. I had mine replaced with real leather and it looked like new until I sold it. It cost $450 to have all of the imitation material in the two front seats replaced and It was worth it to me.
I paid $2500 for a ’99 heavy duty version three years ago. Had the big motor and was set up for towing. Even had the cab lights on the roof. A buddy of mine was desperate for a big, reliable truck so I sold it to him for cheap. The only real defect was a broken driver’s seatback. I think they all had that same problem. Oh, and the transfer case control module needed to be replaced.
A mere 106,000 miles is not brand new or worth the $14,000 price tag. The interior shows different wear to me than what is stated. Nice vehicle but not at that price.
I could go on n on of all the triumphant returns from ambitious treks, barn finds and long hauls my K25 7.4 has tackled with grace but i think i said enough already ? ; with 290k and original engine/trans and most other components, best vehicle ive ever owned and highly recommend.
Mine was in a 83 Blazer after a night of drinking. When I woke up I wanted to chew my arm off and run away, man she was fugly
My 99 suburban just died with 300,000 miles. I would offer $9000
evening ben here in fl merry Christmas to all mine just tured 30000 and yes the driver seat needs replacing which iam doing best vech ive had and have 35 vech as of now and it will pull anything 4×4 when the 5/7 goes ill put in a new one mines a 2003 fully loaded with every option
Rumpledoorskin is right. ANY vehicle that costs over $100 to fill up is ludicrous. They might be really versatile, built well and all the above, but in the end you’re talking 20-25k difference in fuel cost between a Suburban and a comparable vehicle of similar load carrying capacity. These are great vehicles but not at $3.50-$5.00 gallon. Because the “OLD DAYS “ of $1.50-$3.00 gallon are gone.
I had a 99 suburban. Sold it a 15 yrs ago as it had 350,000 kms on it. Then saw my old vehicle on a job site 5 yrs ago. New owner had replaced the engine, now has 550,000 kms and he still uses it as a tow vehicle every winter to head to Florida from Canada. I wish my 2011 sub had a larger engine than the 5.3