Hi All

My name is Dave and I'm in Australia.

I'm looking at buying a turbo diesel Suburban 1998-2000. Our local General Motors affiliate, General Motors Holden, imported from your shores the Suburban for the three years specified. The 1500 and 2500 models were both available in the petrol 5.7 litre (350cu. in.) and the 6.5 litre turbo diesel was available in the 2500 variant only. They were also only availabe in 4wd.

They sold new for between $70k up to $85k for the TD model. Yes they were hideously expensive and this contributed to their short life span on Holden dealer's show room floors. Recently they have depreciated heaps so I'm looking at getting one.

What are the strong points and any weak points to look for when purchasing one?? What shold I look at pre-purchase? It'll just be used as family transport and a tourer as I have a vehicle for serious 4wd'ing. (a Nissan Patrol 1992, diesel, 35" MTR's, 4" susp. lift, 2" body lift, air lockers F & R etc. etc.)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

David McInnes,
Brisbane, Queensland Australia.

They are the same as the truck of the same series ......... you do have the trucks there right?

I wouldnt waste my time or $$ with the 1500

Hardley any diesel suburbans were sold here as they are to loud and ruff running for sissy american ears and sensitive butts.....

I dont know much about the 6.5's (or any other diesels for that matter but) the 6.5's are extra slow and everyone likes the new diesel that GM is using alot better than the older 6.5


Do you guys get the big ford expedition with the diesel? IMO that would be a better option........

Hi Kyron

No, we don't get the Expedition or excursion here, we do however get the Explorer.

I was in the US in Nov. 2001 and a friend of a friend had one and took me for a drive. Great car!!

Over here diesels are popular with (what we call) larger 4wd's ie. Toyota Landcruisers and Nissan Patrols, which I believe you don't get there (Patrols that is).

As we only got the 'burb for the 3 years, we only got the 6.5 TD and not the newer diesel.

Appreciate your reply

Ta

Dave McInnes, Australia.

The 94-up 6.5TD injection pumps are electronic, and are failure prone. The engine will accept older mechanical pump, but that messes with your ECM which also controls the 4L80E tranny.

99 & 00 got the "intelligent" Auto-trac t-case. '98 has the conventional t-case (albeit the push-button variant).

Rear end is the beefy GM 10.5" full-floater with slide-off drums.

ever thought of buying a ford excursion than havin it shipped over i cant imagin it woudl cost more or even the same amount. just wonderin. then youd be sick with the only excursion there :smokin: