Opinions on best newish Suburban or Tahoe

[DoubleDingo]

This is exactly why I started this thread, great feedback!

 

[Grit dog]

Great discussion. And adding I believe @DoubleDingo youre out here in the land of not cooked or rusted vehicles, so you have the options of GMT 400s up to new with ALOT of availability of nice old ones that haven’t sustained any environmental damage.
But you left the door wide open with zero insight as to how new you want or budget. You said newish, so considering there is 5 generations of them, you mean GMT 900 or newer presumably.
Yes GM has had a few iterations of issues with valve train and DOD AFM, etc. and still does. Best to just research which models had which issues. You’re not gonna escape that potential unless getting the old models which are also reliable just not what you said you’re after. Same with remedies and replacement parts. Almost just the cost of doing business with a newer LS.
Transmission, just don’t get the 8 speed. 6 speed is the same 6Lwhatever depending on year, there are a bazillion of. And the 10 speeds are NICE!! Seriously don’t drive one unless you can buy it. Because you’ll have buyers remorse about whatever 4 or 6 speed you end up with otherwise! And they’re a good trans.
Don’t sweat which LS, they’re all fine. More of finding the right rig and the engine comes with it. But if you’re tired of the gas pump blues, a baby Dmax version is THE answer. Legit high 20s mpgs average, compared to high teens for 10speed 5.3s down to low teens with 4L60s. No bullchit there. And they’re great engines. Get one while you can if you plan on long term ownership.
Or get a crew cab and a topper. I despise hauling pets “inside” a vehicle. Some folks are fine with either constant cleaning or driving in hair/smell/pet slobber. I am not. A pickup with a topper solves literally every problem save for a 3rd row seat. And easy to clean out if the dog gets the schitts somewhere along the way.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Also, just as a side note, anything '14-up is no longer and LS engine. It's an LT engine, direct injection being the biggest change

 

[TotalyHucked]

Great discussion. And adding I believe @DoubleDingo youre out here in the land of not cooked or rusted vehicles, so you have the options of GMT 400s up to new with ALOT of availability of nice old ones that haven’t sustained any environmental damage.
But you left the door wide open with zero insight as to how new you want or budget. You said newish, so considering there is 5 generations of them, you mean GMT 900 or newer presumably.
Yes GM has had a few iterations of issues with valve train and DOD AFM, etc. and still does. Best to just research which models had which issues. You’re not gonna escape that potential unless getting the old models which are also reliable just not what you said you’re after. Same with remedies and replacement parts. Almost just the cost of doing business with a newer LS.
Transmission, just don’t get the 8 speed. 6 speed is the same 6Lwhatever depending on year, there are a bazillion of. And the 10 speeds are NICE!! Seriously don’t drive one unless you can buy it. Because you’ll have buyers remorse about whatever 4 or 6 speed you end up with otherwise! And they’re a good trans.
Don’t sweat which LS, they’re all fine. More of finding the right rig and the engine comes with it. But if you’re tired of the gas pump blues, a baby Dmax version is THE answer. Legit high 20s mpgs average, compared to high teens for 10speed 5.3s down to low teens with 4L60s. No bullchit there. And they’re great engines. Get one while you can if you plan on long term ownership.
Or get a crew cab and a topper. I despise hauling pets “inside” a vehicle. Some folks are fine with either constant cleaning or driving in hair/smell/pet slobber. I am not. A pickup with a topper solves literally every problem save for a 3rd row seat. And easy to clean out if the dog gets the schitts somewhere along the way.

An old bench seat thrown in the back, BOOM 3rd row

 

[Grit dog]

I’ll add I’ve had 3 10 speed vehicles now. 2 Chevys 1 ford, 1 was the Dmax.
The first one was a first year 2019 Chevy. I put about 80k miles on it trouble free and that truck passed on to a co worker is around 150k. No trans issues. Occasional towing.
GM and Ford half tons use the same 10 speed trans.

 

[Grit dog]

On the flip side if you’re simply after bang for the buck and reliability with the expectation of doing some age/ miles preventative maint and repair then it’s hard to beat the ole 800s that many are talking about. Relatively quirk free. Gauge cluster is the one potential thing that comes to mind.
You’ll pay $10k giver take for a pristine 01-06 Hoe under 100k miles but they’re relatively plentiful out here.
After a couple of them and fleet experience as well I put them in the same category as gmt400s.

 

[89Suburban]

For example, changing a headlight bulb on my buddy's mom's '07 required fully removing the front bumper and grille.

I made this vid last summer. Would have been 10 min without dealing with taking video.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[TotalyHucked]

I made this vid last summer. Would have been 10 min without dealing with taking video.

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Shhhhh, I'm trying to make my case for an 800

 

[89Suburban]

Shhhhh, I'm trying to make my case for an 800

Carry on lol

 

[DoubleDingo]

Great discussion. And adding I believe @DoubleDingo youre out here in the land of not cooked or rusted vehicles, so you have the options of GMT 400s up to new with ALOT of availability of nice old ones that haven’t sustained any environmental damage.
But you left the door wide open with zero insight as to how new you want or budget. You said newish, so considering there is 5 generations of them, you mean GMT 900 or newer presumably.
Yes GM has had a few iterations of issues with valve train and DOD AFM, etc. and still does. Best to just research which models had which issues. You’re not gonna escape that potential unless getting the old models which are also reliable just not what you said you’re after. Same with remedies and replacement parts. Almost just the cost of doing business with a newer LS.
Transmission, just don’t get the 8 speed. 6 speed is the same 6Lwhatever depending on year, there are a bazillion of. And the 10 speeds are NICE!! Seriously don’t drive one unless you can buy it. Because you’ll have buyers remorse about whatever 4 or 6 speed you end up with otherwise! And they’re a good trans.
Don’t sweat which LS, they’re all fine. More of finding the right rig and the engine comes with it. But if you’re tired of the gas pump blues, a baby Dmax version is THE answer. Legit high 20s mpgs average, compared to high teens for 10speed 5.3s down to low teens with 4L60s. No bullchit there. And they’re great engines. Get one while you can if you plan on long term ownership.
Or get a crew cab and a topper. I despise hauling pets “inside” a vehicle. Some folks are fine with either constant cleaning or driving in hair/smell/pet slobber. I am not. A pickup with a topper solves literally every problem save for a 3rd row seat. And easy to clean out if the dog gets the schitts somewhere along the way.

Honestly, not being well versed on the newer GM products, basically nothing newer than '87, I know nothing about them. This thread has provided a ton of great info. Price point, preferred 15k to 25k. I didn't add a price point because I didn't think that mattered for the discussion, but it really does because some of these are going for over 60k used. Not doing that.

LS isn't the selling point, just thinking it would be a good power plant to have.

Definitely want the most reliable of both engine and transmission.

We don't mind traveling with the dogs inside the cab. I've been doing that for 23 years now, so not bothered by it. I was shocked when she cr@pped in the jeep, she has been on rides before and she never did that. I was considering taking the '81 to go get her, I am so glad I didn't, as I would have been wearing it the way she was bouncing around the jeep.

Don't want a crew cab and topper, have trucks for truck stuff, and a topper too. Once Crusty gets done they can ride back there.

This quest is more for a comfortable, reliable, spacious SUV. It's not a rush, but when I floated the idea by my wife last night, she was not opposed to it, so if a good one pops up in the near or far future, we will be a large SUV family.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I would prefer not to have the DOD, but I do understand that it saves on fuel. When I first heard about DOD I was thinking it was a dumb idea. I hope by now it is improved. My FIL has that on his 'Vette and gets 28mpgs on the highway, but maybe 1mpg with his foot in it.

Dod really hasn't been improved. I've heard of issues with it even in the brand new rigs. My cousin did a cam and dod delete on his like 2011, talked to quite a few people that had to do it too. I personally wouldn't risk it unless you want to do a cam and lifters! lol

 

[Frankenchevy]

Or get a crew cab and a topper. I despise hauling pets “inside” a vehicle. Some folks are fine with either constant cleaning or driving in hair/smell/pet slobber.

I get this, but no A/C in the bed. My family is pretty clean when it comes to the house and vehicles. No shoes in the house, seat covers and weather guard mats in everything, etc.

We have a canvas kennel with a tube frame that fits in the back of an SUV to contain hair. The dogs don’t smell because she bathes them once a week.

Funny story that totally contradicts the above statement. I was picking up a pretty high end dairy buckling from a few hours away mid summer. In an effort to save on fuel and keep the buckling safe during triple digit weather, I took my Honda Element.

Anyone who knows bucks know they mark themselves and it is potent. This buckling was already hanging out with the big guys when I got to the seller’s ranch and I instantly knew how that ride home would be. He had just a bit of a smell, but not a ton because he hadn’t started marking himself yet. Just picked up some odor from the buck paddock.

The lady at the toll booth definitely did a double take when she saw a goat in a kennel in a Honda Element.

 

[Grit dog]

I get this, but no A/C in the bed. My family is pretty clean when it comes to the house and vehicles. No shoes in the house, seat covers and weather guard mats in everything, etc.

We have a canvas kennel with a tube frame that fits in the back of an SUV to contain hair. The dogs don’t smell because she bathes them once a week.

Funny story that totally contradicts the above statement. I was picking up a pretty high end dairy buckling from a few hours away mid summer. In an effort to save on fuel and keep the buckling safe during triple digit weather, I took my Honda Element.

Anyone who knows bucks know they mark themselves and it is potent. This buckling was already hanging out with the big guys when I got to the seller’s ranch and I instantly knew how that ride home would be. He had just a bit of a smell, but not a ton because he hadn’t started marking himself yet.

Sorry wasn’t referring to anyone in particular or at all with the comment. Just a general observation.
AC is a definite concern in summer for sure.
+1 for the suv!

 

[DoubleDingo]

Dod really hasn't been improved. I've heard of issues with it even in the brand new rigs. My cousin did a cam and dod delete on his like 2011, talked to quite a few people that had to do it too. I personally wouldn't risk it unless you want to do a cam and lifters! lol

Good to know. No dod.
Going off of recommendations, been looking more at gmt800. Some good ones out there.

In general, though, I need to research a lot more about these, as I am clearly ignorant about everything regarding them, and I am referring to all generations of them. Lots to learn.

Can honestly say I never needed to know anything about any of the various generations due to no need or want to own them, but now that is changing.

Also checking out gx-460 even though they're fugly and not readily available here

 

[Hunter79764]

Late to the game, but I can't agree enough, 01-06 is the right answer. I have had an 01 suburban from 240k to 360k, an 04 yukon XL Denali from 170k to 255k and counting, and a 2013 Denali XL from 180-240k and counting, but slowly, because the engine is shot due to cam issues starting with the DOD failure a month after we bought it... I want my wife to ditch the 13 and drive the 04, but she likes the creature comforts in the 13, so I'm going along with it. All of them have needed a transmission, both Denalis right around 200-220k, the 5.3 at 300k (but it had regular synthetic fluid changes its entire life). I like the 4 speed better than the 6, but that might just be me. The 6.2 in the '13 runs strong, but I've had more issues on that truck than the other two combined. Interior is better in the 01 and 04 to me, wife likes the 13 better. But considering she picked me, I think it's safe to say her judgement is compromised...
I also have the 87 but it is not a DD, so I'll leave it out. If I include my parents, we had a 79 3/4T burb, a 93 suburban, a 2003 yukon, 04 tahoe, 09 tahoe, and 13 escalade. Again, the 03 and 04 had the least issues, 09 had the most, 13 has been good but it is also the lowest mileage and continues to be low miles, I think Mom does about 2500 miles per year...

If I was looking for another one, I'd go 03-06, plan for a transmission somewhere between 170-220k, earlier ones may have some ABS module issues, but those have probably been fixed already, all may have the gauge cluster issues that can be fixed for not much time or money, pull the bezel and send it to a repair shop. Otherwise? Brakes, tires, oil changes... Maybe a water pump at 150k? They are easy to work on, easy to reach, the only job that has been a pain was an AC clutch on the 2001 with 330k or so, it was a little awkward to get to. I have changed water pumps in half an hour, alternators in 10 minutes (mostly due to me being a cheapskate and swapping parts from one to another, along with my 5.3 swapped Monte Carlo). There is a rear heater tee that can be a pain, but it's the same tee on all of them from the 90's until at least 2013.

In my mind, these are the best compromise, taking nearly a century of GM experience to build a solid truck, adding computer aided design to the mechanics of it, but before the computers took over the entire truck and the EPA made them start using tin cans and aluminum foil to make them out of. Seats are comfy and cheap to re-cover if you have the typical wear on the driver bottom bolster, look good as a 4WD Z71, or as a Denali or Escalade, or just in the middle with a clean LT trim... Also, when my wife rear ended someone in my 04, totaling ours in the process, Dad and I were able to rebuild the entire front end bodywork in a weekend, including picking up most of the parts from local yards. I think I spent about $800? It's not perfect, but it wasn't perfect before, either.

Oh, the DOD theoretically saves gas, but my experience is that the cylinders on the SUV's only shut down under about 65 mph. On a 5 hour trip with ours, I think it only dropped to 4cly mode for about 2 minutes total, when going downhill. At 75, it stayed in V8 mode the entire time. Dad's Z71 pickup would drop into V4 mode up to about 70-72 or so, which does make an impact. Or did, until he went up one size on the tires and made the system useless again.