Holden Suburban is a very large 4WD, good towing workhorse and spacious people mover.
The Suburban can seat up to nine adults, though a more realistic use is seven adults and two children – nothing else comes close in this designed-for-the-USA giant.
It can also carry their luggage, whereas other big 4WDs can seat eight people, but lose most of their luggage room when the rear seats are occupied.
A rebadged Chevrolet, the Holden Suburban was only imported from February, 1998 until January, 2001, though the last of them weren’t sold for several months after that.
Though it appears gigantic, Holden Suburban is only half a metre longer and 150mm wider than a Commodore station wagon.
On suburban roads it fits comfortably into traffic lanes and is easy to place in traffic.
When turning sharp corners at crossroads you need to make allowance for the extra length, otherwise the required driving technique is pretty much as usual.
Parking? That can be the downfall of the Suburban in tight suburban areas.
It has a reasonable turning circle of 13.7 metres, and a moderate height of 1.9 metres, so it can be slotted into most spots by an experienced driver.
Off-road the big Suburban copes easily. Though its paintwork is likely to suffer in tighter situations as shrubs and tree branches drag down its flanks, so plan ahead if you want to do serious off-road driving.
Suburban can tow 2.7 tonnes with the 5.7-litre petrol engine and 3.4 tonnes with the extra-heavy-duty 6.5-litre turbo diesel.
All Australian Suburbans came as standard with a towbar.
Suburban uses part time four-wheel drive with a high-low range transfer box.
It can be shifted from two-high to four-high and back at speeds of up to 100km/h, but must be stopped for shifts from four-high to four-low and vice versa.
The front hubs engage and disengage automatically.
Fuel consumption isn’t as bad as you might expect. Somewhere about 15-18.0L/100km in suburban driving, dropping to ‘only’ 12-14 litres on the highway.
Suburban has a huge 159-litre fuel tank.
Screwed together in Mexico, build quality is reasonable, though nowhere near the high standard of Japanese or Australian cars.
The big underbonnet space means you can do a lot of your own work without doing any real damage to your knuckles or your temper.
Pick up a workshop manual before you start, and stay away from safety related items unless you are a professional.
Insurance charges are usually moderate but it’s worth shopping around as there seems to be quite a difference between premiums from company to company.
This policy range isn’t unusual in relatively rare vehicles. As always, make sure you’re comparing apples with apples, and be aware a longtime relationship with one company can be a valuable asset.
Call your local Holden dealer to check whether they stock parts, can get them in from elsewhere – or are no longer interesting in the vehicle.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Listen for squeaks and rattles during your test drive as these are often a sign of heavy duty use and/or poor driving style.
Look over the complete interior for signs of damage, because some Suburbans are used as heavy-duty work vehicles and may have done a lot of work.
Don’t forget the boot.
The engines, particularly the turbo-diesel, are on the crude side and relatively noisy. If they seem too bad call for an expert opinion.
Check the engine starts easily and idles smoothly within a few seconds of kicking over.
Acceleration should be smooth and constant.
There will be hesitation due to turbo lag from the diesel, too much could indicate troubles.
Also listen for a turbo-diesel with too much of a whine from the turbo.
The big four-speed automatic transmissions are generally pretty good, but beware of one that’s slow to change and/or hunts between gears, especially when hill climbing.
Inspect the underside for damage caused during off-road driving.
Also look at the bumper corners and the paint on the body sides.
HOW MUCH?
Expect to pay up to $21,700 for a 2000 2500 LT, $10,800 – $20,100 for a 2000 2500 LS, $9850 – $18,750 for a 2000 2500, $10,750 – $19,650 for a 2000 1500 LT, $9600 – $17,950 for a 2000 1500 LS, $8650 – $16,600 2000 1500, $4600 – $13,750 for 1999 2500 LT, $4150 – $12,800 for a 1999 2500 LS, $3950 – $12,250 for a 1999 2500, $3450 – $11,750 for a 1999 1500 LT, $3600 – $11,500 for a 1999 1500 LS, $2,950 – $10,350 for a 1999 1500, $3050 – $11,900 for a 1998 2500 LT, $2,750 – $11,100 for a 1998 2500 LS, $2,850 – $10,900 for a 1998 2500, $1850 – $9,850 for a 1998 1500 LT, $2100 – $9700 for a 1998 1500 LS or $1550 – $8,700 for a 1998 1500.
CAR BUYING TIPS
Take a friend with you when shopping for a used car.
That way they can keep the chattering sales person at bay while you check out the car without interruptions.
Used car prices have generally increased during the period of new car stock shortages.
Start looking at adverts for used vehicles several months before you intend buying.
That way you can get a feel for the price being asked and whether they are rising and falling, as dealers need to clear stock due to overcrowding.
Keep an eye on adverts for new cars that say there are specials on particular models.
This can lead to a lot of traded-ins taking up too much space in yards and they will be discounted to get rid of them.
Keep an eye open for ads of unpopular cars, as there can vary greatly in price.
Owners struggling to find a buyers may be forced to grit their teeth and drop their asking price.
If checking a used car at a dealership look at other cars on the lot.
This can provide an insight into the quality of the vehicles in which the dealer specialises.
If buying privately ask for proof of ownership and make sure the insurance covers you for taking a test drive.
Take a slow walk around any car you’re considering, looking for obvious defects.
It amuses us how many people dive into tiny details, only to discover later a major ding somewhere on the other side of the car.
Ideally any road test of a car you’re getting serious about should be done with the engine stone cold. Early morning is best.
If you’re serious about buying a vehicle, tell the seller you would like to take it for a good long test drive.
If they insist on coming that’s understandable, but try to avoid them “selling” the car to you.
Put bluntly, ask them to shut up,
In their later years, cars with a reputation for being long lived and trouble free sometimes attract buyers who have no intention of ever servicing them.
The next owner may suffer as a result.
RECALLS
To browse recalls on all vehicles go to the ACCC at: www.productsafety.gov.au/products/transport/cars/
BE SURE TO CHECKOUT OUR OTHER USED CAR REPORTS