Opinions on best newish Suburban or Tahoe

[Hunter79764]

Oh, and I like the Lexus stuff too. Don't have any first hand with the SUV's, but was strongly considering one (GX or LX) last time I was in the market. Now I'm in the market again, but need something with 25+ mpg for commuting and that rules out any truck based SUV...

 

[Albrigap]

I have seen many women that initially hated a Suburban.

But, within 6 months of getting one, they will not give it up.

It is something that has to be acquired but women who drive them will not give them up.

My wife drives a 1990 C1500 Sub that started out it's life as a flower coach for a funeral home. It lived in a climate controlled garage for the first 20 years so it has zero rust and still looks very nice.

I would stay far away from the newer ones that drop cylinders.

 

[bucket]

Being the van guy that I am, I've gotta point it out.

Another good option could be an Express passenger van. They are fairly utilitarian with not a bunch of electronics to complicate things. But they are comfortable and drive nice, many got such options as power windows, locks, seats, etc. Although uncommon to find, they were available with all wheel drive too, in the 1/2 ton, regular wheelbase model.

 

[TotalyHucked]

The other great thing about GMT800 SUVs is that they're CHEAPPP compared to their pickup brethren. You could find the nicest, one old lady owned, 50k mile 'burb/yukon/tahoe for under 12k probably

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

I personally would recommend a GMT 400 Burb over an 800 one. The 400s have the 350 or 454 available (big block in the 2500 and you can find them with the 14 bolt FF axle, and 2500 also had the 4L80E). My family has had two different 400('99) C1500 Burbs; first one got totaled in 2012, bought current Burb in early 2013, very similar trucks.
We had a 2006 GMC Yukon XL Denali, VERY plush, great Bose stereo with touchscreen and steering wheel control too. 6.0, 4L65E trans and AWD. When we first had it, ran like a Corvette, handled very well considering its size, ice cold AC and heated seats for toasty buns in 90 seconds! Two tone leather interior, beautiful black truck with dark tint and factory 20" chrome wheels with 255/70-20 Goodyear's. Was 7 years old with 105K on it when we got it.
Soon we learned it would pass everything BUT a gas station (or a hemi Challenger/charger and then you're racing him to the gas station). Had to do water pump/Tstat/belts on it that summer. Pump and Tstat assembly is not bad since it has E fans, no shroud in the way. Replaced the rear AC lines, several oil/filter changed. Tiny little LS oil filter that I can't see how it lasts on the 7000 miles oil change interval the computer wants. Truck is always oily underneath, can't find any obvious leaks. Then the power ports started acting up, eventually all four quit working. Didn't get the factory books on this one...$300+ and 6 volumes!
Then the air ride shocks went out, and the rear coil springs were worn out too. So great handling turned into wallowing....I can't do the coils and shocks because there is NO room to access anything without a lift. And by this point the oil pressure at startup is crazy; computer will shut it off if OP is low, I've heard there's a screen on the sending unit that gets clogged??? Once the engine is warmer and the OP is good, she's running great. Then the "text messages" on the instrument cluster say "transmission hot"....trans temp gauge will just suddenly peg at 300° so the computer puts it in Limp Mode... even if you are sitting in the driveway in Park!
Too many cheap parts with $500 labor costs to fix, for my budget. Had it parked in front of my shop building, was trying to sell it for parts and some A holes stole it.....

 

[DoubleDingo]

The other great thing about GMT800 SUVs is that they're CHEAPPP compared to their pickup brethren. You could find the nicest, one old lady owned, 50k mile 'burb/yukon/tahoe for under 12k probably

That's what I'm finding in my newer searches

 

[Grit dog]

^To your point, of course gmt400s are simpler. And in general simpler = easier and less costly to maintain and repair.
But I’ve not experienced anywhere near the frustration you have, although most of what you stated sounds like quirky issues with defined fixes that aren’t horrible and/or expected repairs due to age/mileage.
The other early LS quirk I forgot yesterday is the knock sensor(s) under the intake. Cheap parts, but first time around it was a 4 beer job.
Bottom line, we’re talking vehicles that are 20-30 years old. And even with lowish miles you could buy one that is about to need “10 different things” or one that has had 6 of those already replaced and excellent care reducing the necessity of a couple other things.
Back to my statement miles, condition and maint/repair records can put 2 identical appearing vehicles at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Old cars are not practical if one is not able to perform most/all normal repairs diy. It’s real easy to be $20k into a $7k truck like the PO of my ‘77 C10. Or the couple $grand that someone I know is into “simple” (if you have tools and ability) repairs on a 14 year old Suburban. It has 300k miles and was cheap for a reason. Expectations sometimes need to get in line better with reality.
And belts, accessories, hoses, major maintenance etc are all to be expected when you get up in miles. That’s the easy stuff that needs replaced, maybe twice on the engines path to 250-300k.
I didn’t mention all the “little” stuff I did to those gmt 800s and 400s that I’m claiming as good reliable vehicles because I realize that is just a necessary part of pounding an old car down the road.
Heck I claimed the same about the 99 Camaro we had for a while. But it still took a full fluid replacement, struts, shocks, tune up, crank sensor and some tlc in several areas to get it from 60k to 80k miles reliably. Only reason hoses ain’t on the list is because of how it was used and stored and our kinder gentler climate here than compared to most areas.
Again we’re off topic as the OP said new-ish and we’re discussing the virtues of vehicles than are approaching or have reached classic vehicle status in many states, as daily drivers.
Hopefully it’s of value though. Buy a 20+ year old rig, even if pristine, you’ll spend 5x and much time under the hood and under the vehicle as you will with a 5 year old vehicle of same miles and condition. That has never changed in my 50+ trips around the sun.

 

[Grit dog]

The other great thing about GMT800 SUVs is that they're CHEAPPP compared to their pickup brethren. You could find the nicest, one old lady owned, 50k mile 'burb/yukon/tahoe for under 12k probably

Truth! Pickups of any flavor and age generally have a far higher resale than comparable suvs.
To the OP, throw Toyota Sequoias and Nissan Armadas in the mix as well. Of course sequoias will grab anywhere from 25-50% more than most other snack wagons. But you never know.
Armadas otoh, IMO they get a bad rap. Seems Nissans full-size trucks and suvs always have. But based on adjectival evidence back in the day, knew a lot of folks who had them, they seemed reliable enough and competitive with the big 3. Low mile Armadas are reasonably priced relatively. But again you’ll be in the old-ish category not new-ish.

 

[DoubleDingo]

@Grit dog Honestly, I was looking at newer models until I got the feedback in this thread. Glad I asked, because I would either be mad for getting a cr@ppy vehicle, or would have got lucky with a decent one that didn't have issues beyond normal wear and tear.

Either way, it appears that I am looking at Generation 9 of the Suburban now. Although, I really do like the looks of the newer models, I don't want something that is fraught with issues. I like reliable first, then comfortable.

This thread has been a huge eye-opener for me, as I have learned a great deal about these vehicles, and also that in the end we will save a ton of money and probably will get a really decent vehicle for about 20k less than I was willing to spend. The downside, is one or more of the fleet will have to go, so it'll be a decision of what gets culled.

 

[Grit dog]

@Grit dog Honestly, I was looking at newer models until I got the feedback in this thread. Glad I asked, because I would either be mad for getting a cr@ppy vehicle, or would have got lucky with a decent one that didn't have issues beyond normal wear and tear.

Either way, it appears that I am looking at Generation 9 of the Suburban now. Although, I really do like the looks of the newer models, I don't want something that is fraught with issues. I like reliable first, then comfortable.

This thread has been a huge eye-opener for me, as I have learned a great deal about these vehicles, and also that in the end we will save a ton of money and probably will get a really decent vehicle for about 20k less than I was willing to spend. The downside, is one or more of the fleet will have to go, so it'll be a decision of what gets culled.

There are a lot of options for sure. And yes, fortunately in our area of the country you can find a fair number of very good condition semi low miles 01-06 SUVs. It’ll still be a search for sure. Maybe a week maybe a couple months. If a good one pops up don’t hesitate or it will be gone. The nicer of the 2 Tahoes we had, I listed it for $3k more than paid for it a year earlier. Kind of thought it was wishful thinking on my part. It was gone in 2-3 days. Would have been next day but it was a weekend banks closed and I wouldn’t let it go with out cash in hand.
Don’t mistake the newer generations for being POSs though. By comparison I had a 2016 Silverado 5.3 that I ran up about 90k hard miles on from new. Zero valvetrain issues. The 2019 I got following it had defective lifters on both banks around 30k miles. About 500 miles apart! Known issue, warranty, fixed.

 

[Rusty Nail]

New NHTSA Investigation Focuses On 877,000 GM Trucks And SUVs for 6.2L V8 Engine Failures

After dozens of reports concerning 6.2L L87 engine failures, the NHTSA is investigating whether GM needs to conduct a full-scale recall of 877,000 trucks and SUVs.

tfltruck.com

Are you seriously considering buying a gmt800?
Ew.
Everybody knows women are the BEST drivers. Why not let one run a car company? Seems smart.
What could possibly go wrong?? He asked the GM stock holders...cuz obviously u fvcks r real geniuses.
Chicks know all about cars!

Mary Barra - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Feeling left out Dingo??
Lookin for trouble are ya?
All I ever said about vortex is junk. Years later they are gonna recall 1 million of them? Coincidence.

You must be registered for see images attach

Based on these PRESENTED FACTS ALONE, i'm goin out on a limb (with zero firsthand experience) and casting my vote on any truck built before 2014.

How do ya like them apples?

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Is that in line with what the rest of the thread said?
*by chance

 

[DoubleDingo]

New NHTSA Investigation Focuses On 877,000 GM Trucks And SUVs for 6.2L V8 Engine Failures

After dozens of reports concerning 6.2L L87 engine failures, the NHTSA is investigating whether GM needs to conduct a full-scale recall of 877,000 trucks and SUVs.

tfltruck.com

Are you seriously considering buying a gmt800?
Ew.
Everybody knows women are the BEST drivers. Why not let one run a car company? Seems smart.
What could possibly go wrong?? He asked the GM stock holders...cuz obviously u fvcks r real geniuses.
Chicks know all about cars!

Mary Barra - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Feeling left out Dingo??
Lookin for trouble are ya?
All I ever said about vortex is junk. Years later they are gonna recall 1 million of them? Coincidence.

You must be registered for see images attach

Based on these PRESENTED FACTS ALONE, i'm goin out on a limb (with zero firsthand experience) and casting my vote on any truck built before 2014.

How do ya like them apples?

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Is that in line with what the rest of the thread said?
*by chance

Yeah, going to the dark side, but not really. Your vote is partly in line, majority is for gmt800.

 

[idahovette]

Bought a new 2015 Tahoe in May 2014, new model. Got a bench seat front, had to go to Utah to get it........go figure?...(get it?) (Mormon country) Anyway ran it up to 125,000 and sold it last June, no problems, anytime, at all. 5.3 ran really good and everything still worked. Highway, averaged 20-22 mpg, was a great rig.....so, why did we sell it?? Still asking myself that question. We downsized, we like to wash our own cars (@Frankenchevy ) and my Bride was having a hard time with the little ladder getting to the top...yeah I know I shoulda done it, but she's kinda set in her ways. Hated to see it go, but$$$$...20,000 of 'em