Used Police Tahoe.... to trade or not to trade?

Paperstreet10 · Aug 25, 2020

So a quick run down:
I recently acquired a 2000 Tacoma extra cab 4wd 3.4 5 speed. Mileage is 286k. Everything works and I love the little truck... but I'm always up to trade and flip vehicles. (This is an extra vehicle for me).

A younger fella, prob about 21, hits me up wanting to trade a 2008 tahoe PPV. Says it's a border patrol edition. It's 4x4 and has 180k on it. White in color, steel wheels have been replaced with factory alloys. The frontseats are cloth, rear is leather, vinyl floor, aftermarket center console. Outside appears to be in good condition. Drivers seat has fat man's tear.
being a PPV, it's had regular maintenance done.
My question is: "what's it worth?"

Tahoes this year and mileage are going for 10-12k in my area, but they are not police package trucks. What would a fair dollar amount be to list this thing for assuming I trade him? I'd like to trade, sell tahoe, buy a newer lower mileage Tacoma, and put a few dollars in the bank. Give me honest opinions. TIA

infamous1 · Aug 26, 2020

It seems people are afraid of them for some reason. I had a nice 2 door X game warden Tahoe that I had to about give away years ago. I even tried to trade it in at a couple of dealers they wouldn't even make an offer on it. Everyone kept saying "ex-government?" and then not interested. It was a good truck and I drove it for a couple of years but it was difficult to get rid of. The newer ones may not have that problem but I would look into it a little before I swapped off that taco.

Beerj · Aug 26, 2020

As someone who drives a government truck daily, I can say that aside from possible high mileage, expect plenty of idle time as well. I've seen trucks get turned in with twice as many idle hours as driving hours. I don't know the technical aspect of it but they definitely don't run as good after that much time at idle.

MoparMan · Aug 26, 2020

Beerj said:
As someone who drives a government truck daily, I can say that aside from possible high mileage, expect plenty of idle time as well. I've seen trucks get turned in with twice as many idle hours as driving hours. I don't know the technical aspect of it but they definitely don't run as good after that much time at idle.

^This=truth!

And fwiw I seen a 2016 Tahoe PPV having to get a new starter put on at a buddies shop yesterday. I can't imagine why a 2016 would need a new starter already. :dunno:

TBItoy · Aug 26, 2020

Paperstreet10 said:
So a quick run down:
I recently acquired a 2000 Tacoma extra cab 4wd 3.4 5 speed. Mileage is 286k. Everything works and I love the little truck... but I'm always up to trade and flip vehicles. (This is an extra vehicle for me).

A younger fella, prob about 21, hits me up wanting to trade a 2008 tahoe PPV. Says it's a border patrol edition. It's 4x4 and has 180k on it. White in color, steel wheels have been replaced with factory alloys. The frontseats are cloth, rear is leather, vinyl floor, aftermarket center console. Outside appears to be in good condition. Drivers seat has fat man's tear.
being a PPV, it's had regular maintenance done.
My question is: "what's it worth?"

Tahoes this year and mileage are going for 10-12k in my area, but they are not police package trucks. What would a fair dollar amount be to list this thing for assuming I trade him? I'd like to trade, sell tahoe, buy a newer lower mileage Tacoma, and put a few dollars in the bank. Give me honest opinions. TIA

300K mile extra cab 4wd Tacomas seem to be close to the 10K price range.

I don't think there's much meat on the bone to trade up ...

CHASMAN9 · Aug 26, 2020

Maybe do a Carfax on it just to see if it has truly had a hard life. ???

Lil ugly · Aug 26, 2020

I think the toyota is going to appeal to a larger group of possible buyers overall. In my area the toyota would be worth more all day long because of that. Only reason I would do the trade is if i was trying to get running gear out of the tahoe.

Bigjimmy82 · Aug 26, 2020

As others have said, engine hours could be way high. I think on these era trucks you can scroll through the instrument cluster and check engine hours?

rugger99 · Aug 27, 2020

Having been a deputy for over a decade, I can assure you of two things... 1. the vehicle will very likely have had regular service but don't think the previous agency didn't get every ounce of use out of the vehicle. 2. The idle hours will be very high...my last unit before I resigned from the Sheriffs Office was K9. From the time I got started to the time I ended my shift (normally 12 to 14 hours) my truck did not shut off, even in the winter. My comfort level didn't matter, it was all about my dogs comfort level. I took care of my Tahoe (2013) but even after that, it had a rough life...pursuits, hard acceleration / braking, excessive idling , etc.. My Tahoe had around 90k on it and when I left, it was slated for replacement.

Paperstreet10 · Aug 30, 2020

Sounds like the Tahoe can stay with it's current owner! I appreciate all of the info and outlooks. I am loving driving the Tacoma around town and plan to put it to work in deer season. I'd say if the Tahoe were not a PPV vehicle, I could probably make some money on the trade, but that's not the case here. Thanks, guys