Need advise on a beater truck...

Dougal Short · Feb 20, 2019

Ok, I am apparently incapable of making a decision. I figure you guys will know...

I have a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 4WD that I haven't driven for a year. It has about 300,000 km on it. The mechanic I use figures it needs about $1000 to replace all the brake lines (one rusted through, which is how it ended up at the shop) and maybe another few hundred dollars to pass a safety. I need to get rid of it and I can't decide if it's worth repairing and selling it, or just scrapping it.

Prior to the brake line issue, I had replaced most of the typical wear and tear items... water pump, alternator etc. Apart from the current brake line situation, the thing runs like a clock.

Looking on autotrader, there are a couple of similar trucks listed for several thousand dollars. If I can spend $1500 and sell if for $5K or more, that would be grand. On the other hand, I'm not keen to spend the money and have it sit in my driveway for another year before selling it for $300. I can't see anyone having any interest in it as is.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you experts might have. I'm suffering separation anxiety I think. I love that truck! ;-)

HEYHEY · Feb 20, 2019

What people ask for cars / trucks and what they actually sell for are a world apart

whitewaterguy · Feb 20, 2019

Dougal Short said:
Ok, I am apparently incapable of making a decision. I figure you guys will know...

I have a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 4WD that I haven't driven for a year. It has about 300,000 km on it. The mechanic I use figures it needs about $1000 to replace all the brake lines (one rusted through, which is how it ended up at the shop) and maybe another few hundred dollars to pass a safety. I need to get rid of it and I can't decide if it's worth repairing and selling it, or just scrapping it.

Prior to the brake line issue, I had replaced most of the typical wear and tear items... water pump, alternator etc. Apart from the current brake line situation, the thing runs like a clock.

Looking on autotrader, there are a couple of similar trucks listed for several thousand dollars. If I can spend $1500 and sell if for $5K or more, that would be grand. On the other hand, I'm not keen to spend the money and have it sit in my driveway for another year before selling it for $300. I can't see anyone having any interest in it as is.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you experts might have. I'm suffering separation anxiety I think. I love that truck! ;-)

I would never pay anywhere near $5k for something with over 300000km on it

koreanjames · Feb 20, 2019

If I were selling a car knowing it’d be getting less then 10 grand id sell it as is. If it was more then that I’d I’d certify it.

Don’t forget to check CanadaBlackBook and vmrCanada for approx pricing re wholesale and retail.

Also spring is right around ur corner, which will yeild a lot more supply and very shortly a lot of car “values” will be humbled shortly (the ones that have been sitting for sale).

K Douglas · Feb 20, 2019

Letting any car sit for over a year, especially one that old, will cause even more problems down the line. My suggestion would be to sell it for scrap instead of investing over $1K more into it. It's served it's purpose - 300,000 km's is a lot of driving.

boomboom · Feb 20, 2019

you have used it & the time has come to walk away.
with it sitting for 1yr & now using it...
sitting that long causes other problems, it will or has become a money sucking pit, stop not before you start

I've been around vehicles both personal & fleet most of my life, It's not worth it. Today brake lines, next week something else, then again in 30 days

Boom

james t kirk · Feb 22, 2019

Sell it "as is" uncertified.

Make sure upon selling it that you draw up a bill of sale that states you are selling it "as is" and not certified. You state the known issues with the vehicle and that there may be other issues, including safety issues that you are not aware of and the buyer acknowledges this and takes full responsibility for the truck.

Make sure you date it and have it witnessed.

Everyone gets a copy and you also email the buyer a copy.

But that old of a truck, with that many kilometres, and rusted out, it's basically scrap.

Dougal Short · Feb 22, 2019

Thanks guys... Pretty much confirmed what I thought. I guess the proof was that my kid, who is very mechanically inclined, wanted it and I told him he was nuts.

Scrap it is. I wasn't looking forward to trying to sell it anyway. I was kinda hoping someone would steal it on a test drive. ;-)

I knew I could count on you.

KBear · Feb 22, 2019

Depending on the trucks its condition, someone might want it for a field or off road truck. Would never need to be certified. Check what the scrap yard will give you, and what these trucks sell for quickly uncertified. With 300,000 Km, think it is pointless to spend more money on it.

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Need advise on a beater truck...

Dougal Short

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HEYHEY

Well-known member

whitewaterguy

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koreanjames

Active member

K Douglas

Half Man Half Amazing

boomboom

Well-known member

james t kirk

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Dougal Short

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KBear