Used 1997 GMC Suburban Consumer Reviews
Used Suburban for sale
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Suburban, so we've included reviews for other years of the Suburban since its last redesign.
Monster machine 400+ hp w/suspercharger
deano b, 02/10/2003
1996 GMC Suburban K2500 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Excellent people and stuff hauler.
High Cost of Ownership
dls, 06/04/2003
1997 GMC Suburban K1500 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
By far the most costly vehicle I have ever owned (and I consider myself a GM guy). Although I love this vehicle for trips and towing my boat and motocross trailer it has cost me dearly over the past 12 months. Repairs to the transfer case, power steering pump, rear universals, sway bar connecting rods and upper and lower coolant intakes have cost me just under $2500 this year. With only 70K miles on the vehicle I had hoped to own it for another 70K-80K miles. I expect the poor gas mileage, wear and tear and brake pads and a new battery every three years, it's a big vehicle and I bought it with my eyes open.
1997 GMC Suburban for sale near you
Showing 3 of 3 listings
- 2500 4dr SUVMSRP: $8,900629 mi away
- 1500 4dr SUVMSRP: $2,4981,228 mi away
- 2500 4dr SUVMSRP: N/A868 mi away
Tough & Reliable
JWG, 08/12/2008
1997 GMC Suburban K1500 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We purchased our '97 Suburban new and will probably have it for 3-5 more years. It's been a great vehicle! I'm big on maintenance. Treat the car right and the car will treat you right. Consequently, we've never had a break down or surprise issue.
gmc suburban
Kirt, 03/15/2004
1997 GMC Suburban K1500 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Minimul problems. Starter went out at 75K miles due to engine heat.
4 months and lovin' it
Mike, 12/29/2004
1997 GMC Suburban C2500 4dr SUV
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I really like this Suburban. This is the first full size SUV I have owned and I love it. I have had minor problems such as the wipers getting stuck, but move after I "help" them. There is also a gremlin in the wiring for the interior lights. They stay on all the time unless I use the override switch. I find these to be minor problems I can live with. I have the 7.4 2wd. Loads of power! Gas mileage the same as my old Grand Cherokee 12mpg. Nine-passenger seating has plenty enough room for three kids and camping gear. Handles great on the open highway, a little tougher to handle in the city traffic. Also, it's a big truck that needs lots of room to stop. Brakes could be better. Great truck.
1997 K1500 Suburban
RTS, 10/02/2008
1997 GMC Suburban K1500 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Good solid truck for the most part. Two issues in the last 57,000 miles, first it lost the 2-3 clutch pack in the transmission at 121,000 but the previous owner had done a lot of towing. Second I lost a fuel pump at 154,000 miles but that was my own fault for not changing the fuel filter as often as required (filter was pluged). It took me longer to drain the tank than it did to replace the pump, which cost $110. I have a 32' travel trailer and 4 kids and overall this has been a good vehicle. Mileage is poor, but there is a limit to what you can expect from a 5300 pound box.
Unreliable
sandyle03, 06/20/2009
1997 GMC Suburban C2500 4dr SUV
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had my truck for 5 years. Although I haven't had to replace the fuel pump, I am having some electrical issues. The starter is not bad, but sometimes I will drive some place, get out, and get back in the truck...it won't say a sound, no turn over or nothing but everything in the truck still works. I took it to GMC and they refused to dig into the problem because it would not stall there (no wonder they are in bankrupt). They put a $356 wire on it, and it did it again as soon as I stopped to the store leaving. No one would come up the road to help me.(maybe 5 blocks) Great vehicle but the gas cost is killing me! If I can get it to stop stalling, it would be even better!
One of GM's Best
Mike H, 06/24/2009
1997 GMC Suburban K1500 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This truck's been in my family for 10 years now, and I just received it from my dad last year around this time. And, at 210,000 miles, it still runs like a dream. This truck's been through hell and back. My older sister destroyed two cars with it, every winter in Michigan, this truck's a toughie. Repairs have been minimal: replaced alternator at 125,000, replaced rear-end at 160,000, one battery, 3 sets of front brakes, distributor cap. The back brakes are the originals that came on the truck 12 years ago, and they still aren't worn through. Essentially, from my experience, it doesn't wanna give up. And, atop all that, I'm still beating the mileage ratings. That old 5.7 is a strong one.
best trucks I have ever owned
j_galt1, 07/19/2013
1996 GMC Suburban K1500 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
i own the suburban and the extra cab long bed version of this truck and couldn't be happier. only quirk is change the fuel pump every 70k and radiator at 200k otherwise flawless and economical. I baby my trucks as a rule and get 25 m,pg out of my truck and 23-24 out of the suburban. there are plabty of smaller truck I could load in the back of mine and drive around and i would get better mileage moving them that way than just driving them. oh truck has 300k and suburban has 200 both are still strong and could drive across country with out worry
Middle of the road
texan, 06/13/2006
1997 GMC Suburban C1500 4dr SUV
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This SUV is OK. Not bad but not real great. The fuel pump has gone out 4 times and the AC broke. Not bad for 147,000 miles. Handles nicely but hard to park