Last year I looked for the "perfect" suburban for over 3 months. Although my budget was a little higher than yours I still wanted a good truck. I ended up with a 1998 3/4 ton with a 6.5TD. White exterior, no rust...grey interior and barn doors. My other must haves was a bench front seat and a 3rd row and also no leather.
My wife said she didn't want blue or red interior, so I searched and searched. Finally found the right truck, paid $5,000 out the door, drove it for 2 months and realized the head gaskets were blown. Took apart the engine and they had dumped liquid glass into it to seal up the head gasket, needless to say I bought a new block and heads from a 89 military hmmwv. Built the engine and the suburban is freakin cool!
It turns heads everywhere I go, I never drive over 65 and cops follow me, was pulled over in Texas for no reason and questioned extensively...weird.
I found out, while searching for parts that it was a diplomatic vehicle! Which explains the rarity of the gray fabric interior with 3 bench seats...needless to say the truck has 4.10 gears and will go 110+ (my mechanic checked it out late one night to make sure it was going to hold up after we put the rebuilt engine in it).
Look for a 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 6.2 diesel, for those who say they are dogs, mine isn't! It flat hauls! maybe my computer isn't neutered, but with a 6.5 IP and injectors and turbo a 6.2 is an incredible beast. Buy one on the cheap, with a good running engine and fix it up little by little as you go. My suburban is so cool that I might not get the hmmwv I always wanted, I might just get another suburban from the 80's and build it up like a cucv.