Chevy Tahoe

[jluv]

I rented a new one for a week just this last week. I thought it was junk. Had a lot of power though. The week before I rented a new explorer and it was 10x better.

I rented a Suburban earlier this year and thought it was the most underpowered slug I've ever driven. It would barely make it up and over some of the mountain passes. Merging onto the highway was scary, and forget about passing anyone. Surprisingly, for as big as they are, the interior is anything but roomy for a big guy like myself.

Bleh.

OP, have you checked out the Toyota Sequoia? I'm in one now for a rental, and it's better in every way, except maybe the looks department.

[Baron Von Crowder]

Yeah and it's only about $18k to replace the engine out of warranty. The cool thing though is that it's only around $4k to do the front or rear diff when they start making noise and that 8 speed Aisin transmission is only around $8k to repair if/when it has problems.

The good news is that they do actually use DEF so they aren't subject to the most recent VW TDI problems.

I find it quite interesting that a company that started with a very simple car that was cheap, reliable, and so popular that parts were available at your local department store now produces one of the most complicated and expensive to maintain line of cars on the planet/

[mstng86]

Yeah and it's only about $18k to replace the engine out of warranty. The cool thing though is that it's only around $4k to do the front or rear diff when they start making noise and that 8 speed Aisin transmission is only around $8k to repair if/when it has problems.

The good news is that they do actually use DEF so they aren't subject to the most recent VW TDI problems.

Sounds like an all around glowing recommendation!

[BP]

If you don't need the third row, look at a used TDI Touareg. Tons of room, tow 7k pounds, and have a 10yr 100k powertrain warranty.

Yeah and it's only about $18k to replace the engine out of warranty. The cool thing though is that it's only around $4k to do the front or rear diff when they start making noise and that 8 speed Aisin transmission is only around $8k to repair if/when it has problems.

The good news is that they do actually use DEF so they aren't subject to the most recent VW TDI problems.

[Baron Von Crowder]

I put my wife in one and she didnt like it, and preferred an expedition. I suggest driving a couple different vehicles.

[jakesford]

I don't like how the rear cargo floor is raised up a few inches compared to hatch opening on the new model. I guess that was done to have the fold flat third row?

If you don't need the third row, look at a used TDI Touareg. Tons of room, tow 7k pounds, and have a 10yr 100k powertrain warranty.

[FunFordCobra]

1997 300k on mine with original motor. Trans has been replaced and rear end once because I used to pull a boat across the southern and western US. Other than that I'm still driving it and runs like new.

[Chili]

The Tahoe had one neat thing when you started going out of your lane without a turn signal it would vibrate your seat to warn you.

Yeah, also when backing up and getting close to something, the seat vibrates.. Scared the shit out of me the first time it happened. lol. I also like how the lines on the back-up camera display curve when you are turning in reverse, to give you an idea of where you will end up.

Again, the one we rented was loaded, so without all of the options I may not have liked it as much, but it was really nice.

I really liked the nav display. With a button push it slides up and reveals a 'hidden' cubby, which also has a USB in for the radio. So we stuck my ipod in there, controlled by the head unit, but you would never know it was there otherwise.

I also like the fold flat 3rd row.. Mine, of course, is still the old removable (one piece) seat, and it is a PITA to remove.

[Chili]

I have an 05 Z71 with somewhere around 160k.. It has had some minor issues here and there, but so far, nothing I couldn't fix myself (and I am far from a mechanic).

I did just find that I have a fuel leak above my fuel tank, so will be doing some more work on it this weekend, but all in all, I have been very happy with it.

It does have some of the common issues that those models did. Gauge needles sticking, a number of dash lights out, but all pretty minor in the grand scheme of things.

Mine:








We also had a new(er) Tahoe rental for a few days when we went to Jluv's wedding in Colorado, and that thing was really nice. I did not intend to stay with a larger SUV for my next purchase, but man that made me tempted.

The rental was a '14 or '15 I think, but not sure. It was loaded with nav, 4x4 and all. Very good driver, and Leah even did some offroading in it!





I wouldn't mind getting a newer Suburban with a lift and some bigger tires.. Pretty sure I won't want to spend the necessary cash to get one though. I'm too cheap.

[Ruffdaddy]

Yea if I had a heavy boat or something I wouldn't buy the explorer. Small trailers no problem. It's rated to tow quite a bit though. And if the expedition is anything like the Tahoe I would stay away from it also.

I love my new explorer but second the towing complaint. I pulled my parents pontoon and it was moving my exploder all over the road when it was windy.

However, without the huge size it could tow a few thousand pounds easily...its the area impacted by wind and air resistance that kills it.

Third row on an explorer is tiny too, but i dont need it.

Fwd sucks, but i understand the compromise.

[whitetrash]

never had any issues with the ex's 08. i would tune the DoD out though

[HECDOGGIE]

MY buddy has an 07 LTZ - 186K miles, Zero Problems. And he is terrible at maintaining it.
5.3 is a pretty sound motor.

[Grimpala]

Anyone here currently own one or owned one in the past couple years? I'm looking to get into a newer (not brand new) vehicle and this has just the amount of room I'm looking for. Mostly looking for issues people have had with these and I'm wondering if there's anything specific to expect in repairs at certain mileage points.

I haven't had a car payment in 10 years and there's been a bit of sticker shock with the prices of cars these days. Seems to be plenty of decent Tahoe's out there for under 25K without a ton of miles on them.

I have an 03 I'm trying to sell right now. Has 236K on the clock and nary an issue. There are a few squeaks and rattles from the miles, but it's a solid truck and would not hesitate to drive cross country with it. It has been to San Antonio twice this summer, Corpus once, OKC, and all over the metroplex without a hitch. I pull our old 3 cyl Ford 2600 with it on occasion and it handles it just fine.

Only real issues it has had are with the standard parts going out, WP, Alt, Batteries, etc...

If you get one and don't use the third row seat, take it out and leave it out. It will get jacked.

Not all of us live in the hood.

[BP]

Avoid AFM/DOD if at all possible. Other than problems with that system they are very reliable.

[Juiced4v]

I had an 07 LTZ...go rid of it before it hit 50k..To many electrical problems/cluster problems