How would you value a 97 with 25k miles?

[fancyTBI]

The people bidding $20K-$30K on those trucks aren’t using them as trucks. They’re going to sit and be time capsules.

If it sold for $25K it certainly won’t help your argument of your truck being worth $50K.

Post some photos. You keep talking it up but we haven’t seen it.

 

[Big T]

Unless you get an appraisal and insure it as a classic or vintage car (very expensive), your insurer will base the value off the blue book. IMO you’d be lucky to see $10K. The 454 is a gas hog that nobody wants.

 

[Orpedcrow]

The lack of low mileage photos is disturbing…

 

[johnckhall]

I just bought a 93 Blazer w/57k on it, CA truck with no rust. I had insurance add several thousand extra "special equipment" value to it. Talked to them quite a bit about this, they indicate they'll be looking at current prices for vehicles in comparable condition in event of a total claim. They're aware of the mileage/condition and I've got 9,000 pictures of the condition. BringATrailer offers a nice price history of transactions if you search for a specific model, e.g. for C/K pickups (1500-3500): https://bringatrailer.com/chevrolet/ck-gmt400-1988-2002/

BTW there's an extremely similar truck to what you have here: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-gmc-sierra-k2500-2/ Congrats on your purchase, sounds awesome!

In case anyone was curious of the hammer price on this '97 k2500 on BAT. $26,550 + BAT fees + shipping (if needed) + registration/tax in new state = > $30K out of pocket

 

[1911tex]

In case anyone was curious of the hammer price on this '97 k2500 on BAT. $26,550 + BAT fees + shipping (if needed) + registration/tax in new state = > $30K out of pocket

Plus all the personal expenses the new owner is going to throw at it over the first 6 months of ownership; just to make it better and ultimately finding things that a 30 year old truck needs regardless of mileage! Maybe items that were missed or missing....maybe another $5-6K? How about liability and casualty insurance... If stored and driven once in a blue moon, maybe just liability...That truck was not hatched out of a 30 year old frozen embryo......

 

[Caman96]

finding things that a 30 year old truck needs regardless of mileage!

I didn’t have that problem.

 

[johnckhall]

I didn’t have that problem.

First six months for me, nothing either. But in the last four years; intake manifold gasket, two alternators, rear brake drum overhaul on both sides, rear axle U-bolts, new shocks/tie rod ends/alignment, and could probably use a good tune up too (plugs, wires, dizzy cap and rotor). Oh, and all the cosmetic stuff I've taken on. It's still cheaper than a payment on a new truck, though.

 

[Trio]

it's a $15k truck at best on the open private-seller market.

 

[Caman96]

First six months for me, nothing either. But in the last four years; intake manifold gasket, two alternators, rear brake drum overhaul on both sides, rear axle U-bolts, new shocks/tie rod ends/alignment, and could probably use a good tune up too (plugs, wires, dizzy cap and rotor). Oh, and all the cosmetic stuff I've taken on. It's still cheaper than a payment on a new truck, though.

My point was, when buying a low mileage 400, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to dump a ton of money in it. Had mine 4 years now.

 

[johnckhall]

My point was, when buying a low mileage 400, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to dump a ton of money in it. Had mine 4 years now.

Sure. I was following you. But at 30 YO, things do need repairing eventually. My repairs mentioned are minor in the grand scheme of things.