Modern sport-utilities and crossovers have largely gone the route of car-based architecture, which makes sense for a lot of reasons (fuel efficiency and ride comfort come to mind). However, there is a special appeal to the old-school rigs with boxy designs and truck-based foundations.
The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1996 GMC Suburban K2500 SLT 4×4 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Prescott, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Time capsule!” the listing calls it.
The Suburban name goes back about 90 years to when it was first referred to as a “Carryall” Suburban. It was, as the name implies, a vehicle that could be called upon to haul just about anything.
Today’s Suburban comes from the eighth generation which began in 1992 and rode on the GMT400 platform that was shared with full-size GM pickups of the era. Some changes were later applied in the interest of both performance and technology, including the addition of electronic four-wheel-drive, daytime running lights, revised transmissions, and upgraded safety equipment.
Based on the photos of the exterior, interior, engine bay, and underbody, this Suburban has lived a pampered life. “Original factory Olympic White paint in excellent condition,” the listing says. In place of the factory wheels, a set of Weld Racing 16-inch polished aluminum wheels have been added. Otherwise, the exterior looks to be largely original and well-kept.
The burgundy leather interior is inviting and similarly clean. Nowadays, dual-zone or multi-zone climate control have become commonplace in many sport-utility vehicles, but in the 1990s it was a special luxury to have – and this Suburban has it. In addition, it is equipped with a power driver seat, power windows, power door locks, tinted rear windows, and a Delco AM/FM/CD audio system.
This people-mover is also a powerhouse: It receives momentum from a Vortec 7.4-liter (454cid) big-block V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The odometer shows just 60,062 miles, so the drivetrain is barely broken in for being 28 years old.
These days, a brand-new three-quarter-ton Suburban 4×4 will set you back about $65,000 to $70,000 depending on the trim level selected. Why not pick this one up for about half the price of a new one?
The asking price is $34,000, and it looks like it has plenty of life left in it.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
