Today my wife and I discussed what we are going to do with our tax return and I said I think it'* time to buy a suburban and she agreed. Problem is I don't want to pay more than 10k and I want to find a 00-04 suburban/yukon xl 2500 with a 8.1 big block. I've found a couple on craigslist but they are way high mileage. Anything with less than 100k on it people are still asking 12-17 grand for them. I know they were like 50 grand new but I still have a hard time paying that much for a 10-12 year old truck.

The only advise I can offer William is to be patient and check all your local papers or whatever car listings sources you can.
Sometimes a guy privately might just put one up for sale because it a gas guzzler or no longer needs it story etc.. that still has low miles.
I just dont want to simply rely on craigslist, some stuff in there is like how heavy was that trailer it pulled? Yeiks.
If no truck is for sale at the $10k possibly consider going higher for a better low mile rig as well. Good Luck!

those go cheap around here because gas is expensive, well the greedy b'* get more here. i would think it would be the same or more so in CA. the 6.0 ones have to be more common and do alright power wise before 04-05. but i think the lack of power after that is tuning and if its your own truck you can get rid of the TM and stuff. are you towing anything, how much?

Yup my buddy at work has a RV that he pretty much gives me free reign on as long as I keep it clean and he isn't using it. My half ton 350 struggles to tow it and Im planning on getting my own RV in the next couple of years and I want something that pulls stumps. As far as the milage my daily commute is nothing and empty I'm thinking the big block MPFI will get about the same as my old TBI small block. Our family is getting bigger and Vacation isn't fun in my old extra cab. As far as it having a 8.1 vs 6.0 it seems that it'* a draw around here if its a 2500.

i am thinking i wouldnt discount either, i think the 6.0'* lack of power and torque is gm induced. and the fuel economy after you tune it would be much better than you could do with a 8.1 regardless. unless you are towing over 10k i wouldnt worry about it. i had 2 03 2500hds with 6.0'* one was a crew shortbed and one was a sclb. they were both very powerful but the tm was so bad if you stomped on it the tires woudnt even squeak. i also had a 06 extended cab with a service body so full of tools hard to compare but they all would tow 10k no problem on the highway. but from the line they need some recalibration.

i also had a 89 tbi 350 and it got 22 all highway, about 18-20 stock. the 6.0'* i had i never got over 11

I've already envisioned installing a supercharger if I go with the 6.0. If the the right suburban comes my way with the right price I might go with the 6.0 but I'm still leaning toward the 8.1.

i guess if you like paying for gas. and like 6-8 grand for the kit. i think if you tuned the 6.0 you could get 14-15, i think maybe half that with the 8.1

William,

I think it is great your are in Cali to make this purchase. These trucks are great, but rust and corrode easily. You picking one up in Cali, Arizona, etc gives you a huge advantage in purchasing a clean truck. If you find one in AZ, drop me a note I can preview it for you.

Only the 01 to the 06 suburban 2500 had the 8.1.

This is probably what I'll be looking to buy in the next couple years, for the same reason(*)... to accommodate growing family (I have 3 boys) and to tow a large travel trailer for camping. We had a 35' Class A motorhome (the style that looks like a bus) for 5 years and loved it, but as big as those rigs are, they are often not built to sleep a large number of people. It was an older model with no slideouts, so major modification would have been necessary to increase the living/sleeping space. It also needed new tires and some other upcoming high dollar maintenance items.

We sold the motorhome to pay off other debts instead, and after saving up in the next 1-2 years I think a large SUV + travel trailer will fit our needs for the next several years of camping. My cousin has a heavy duty Surburban and tows a 12,000# trailer, but I thought he said his has the 454 engine (7.4L). What MY'* offered that option? He bought his with 100k miles on it, had part of the transmission rebuilt for $1000 (apparently a common failure area on these trucks) which he figured would be needed, and it'* served him well otherwise.

I'll be interested to read about how your shopping goes, and what you find. My budget will probably also be around $10k when the time comes. There ARE deals out there, patiently watching & waiting is the key.