Buy new or Restore old Truck??
Posted by jessetampabay222@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 13 comments
Car guys I've been looking at the possibly buying a new truck but I am also tossing around the idea of just restoring my 2002 Chevy Avalanche (approx 160k miles). What do you all think would be the best bang for my buck... The Chevy just needs some minor body work and interiors etc... A new truck is looking like 50 - 60k. Note this is not a work truck. No towing but it is a V8 4wd. FYI I'm in FL so the weather is pretty mild. What are your thoughts?
stupidis_stupidoes@reddit
Fix what you have
Academic_Ad_9326@reddit
Easy, fix it. Even if you took it to a shop and had them go through everything, you're still spending less than 10% of a new truck. Even if you had to take out a 10k loan for a new motor and other stuff, payment on that would still be lower than a new truck payment.
You basically have one of the last generations of Chevy trucks before they started to go down hill (circa 2007). As long as it suffices your needs and it doesn't get wrecked/rusted, it'll always be more economical to fix that thing.
Plus it's a unique truck that will go up in value as collectors will want it
jessetampabay222@reddit (OP)
Really a collectors item..? It does have the VTEC 8100
Academic_Ad_9326@reddit
Maybe not now, but it's definitely got the appeal as it's a quirky vehicle that usually gets a cult following
Fragrant-Badger6608@reddit
Agreed… give it a few years and it will become the next “square body” or “OBS”. I would seriously consider buying one myself, but my daily driver is a 91 Chevy Silverado z71 OBS.
jessetampabay222@reddit (OP)
Do you think I should take it to a dealership shop for the work..or am I better shopping around?
Academic_Ad_9326@reddit
Never take it to a dealer if you can help it. It's a 2000's GM, any mechanic can work on it
ready2xxxperiment@reddit
What kind of body work?
That shit is getting expensive. If it’s a few shopping cart dings and failing clear coat, don’t be surprised. Going rate will hover around $10k for a good base/clear job.
Still a far cry from $50k but in the last 5 years, keeping up older cards has gotten expensive.
jessetampabay222@reddit (OP)
There's a dent and pant damage in the panel above the driver side rear tire and there's some scraping damage on the passenger side door to the clear coat. I do need a new front lower bumper housing and replaced fog light housing. The only mechanical issue will be replacing the ABS computer other than that and the AC everything is cosmetic. If I can keep the cost below 15 - 20k I think it makes sense...right??
Academic_Ad_9326@reddit
You can easily keep the cost of repairs way below that.
IrritablePanda@reddit
99-06 gm trucks are basically eternal, especially in Florida. In snowy states with road salting, the rust finishes them off. You can make this avalanche last many years to come if you take care of it.
I will say though with the 8.1 liter you are losing your ass on gas especially if you don’t really need it for heavy work.
Enigma_xplorer@reddit
Restore old assuming it has not already been consumed by rust. Sorry but new trucks are just not worth it. They are ungodly expensive to buy. Thanks to all the tech and underwhelming reliability they are expensive to own and maintain. The paltry benefits just do not outweigh the costs.
limestone2u@reddit
I own a '94 Chevy Silverado with just shy of 200K. Got 3 rust spots one about golf ball size and two that are about the size of a pencil eraser. Needs new audio, seats, tires, a/c, and a paint job. Cheaper than a new truck or slightly used one, had it for 16 years so know its' problems, and the 350 engine runs like a top. Yearly taxes are dirt cheap. So refurbish or sell it? Are you kidding keep it and fix it.