Chevy Tahoe...your thoughts??

[montanagriz]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about buying a used Tahoe with the current body style, most likely a 2000 or 2001 model. I'm guessing at least a few of you have one and I'd like to get your feedback. Have you been satisfied? Would you buy another? Problems? Things it's lacking? etc.... With gas prices as high as they are I figure this is the best time to try and get one at a little cheaper price. Also, please feel free to give me your thoughts on other SUV's in the same class. My only requirement is that it has to pull my 18' Lund Explorer, and I'm also pretty set on a SUV (no trucks). Thanks in advance for your feedback...that is why I love this site so much, the vast amount of knowledge available.

[Fishinglund]

I have a 2003 Suburban and I love it! It has the 5.3 liter, and it pulls my 1775 Pro-V no problem. One thing that is kind of nice about it is it has self leveling rear shocks...I think its called "Autoride". It helps level out the ride when there are different loads either with a trailer, or excess weight in the cargo area. I get about 13-14 MPG going 70-75 MPH with the boat in tow. I get 17-19 MPG unloaded and driving 65-70 MPH. I got the second row bucket seats and DVD player. It keeps the kids separated and entertained on those long rides to Canada for fishing trips.

Fishinglund

[jerkin'm]

Have an 02 Suburban, 5.3 litre, sister has a tahoe, lots of times the extra length of the suburban is nice...strollers, extra kid stuff.....pulls my 17 foot bass boat just fine...I would go with the suburban because there is no such thing as "too much room"..mileage between the two is the same....picked mine up used last winter and haven't had any problems at all.

[randallt]

I have owned both and I have to say, I really liked them both as well. However, my suggestion would be go with a Suburban. With the year model you are looking at you can get 3rd row seating in a Suburban with some room behind seat. It is very handy. Remember, a car is like a garage, you can never have enough room. Gas mileage is the same, ride is the same, more room is priceless.

[sparkyaber]

Here comes a ribbing- My wife has a Toyota Sequoia with a 4.7 liter v-8. It pulls like a dream and handles like a car- Very nice turning radius and very plush interior. It also has a third row seating that is easily removed for more storage space. I have a full size chevy pickup and would much rather ride in/drive the Sequoia.

Now before anyone get upset about not buying American, she is built right here in the good old U. S. of A.

One last thing, Toyota dependability. 'Nuff said.

[montanagriz]

Sparky - I was also very impressed with the Sequoia, the problem is I think it's a little out of my price range. I have seen very few used Sequoia's under 20k. I am definately a believer in Toyota engineering though. I had a Camry for several years and that thing ran like a dream, it's the best car I've ever owned. I'm leaning pretty heavily towards the Tahoe based on the fact there are lot of used Tahoe's out there right now closer to my price range. I will probably end up buying one with 70k miles or more. For the guys with the Suburbans/Tahoes, is there anything specific I should watch out for on these vehicles as they get high miles on them besides the obvious wear and tear? Thanks for the input, keep the responses coming!

[Gadgetman]

check for rust on the bottom of all the doors. It may just be lurking ready to bust out after you have bought the vehicle. Possible bargaining point.

[wayner]

I owned a 2001 Yukon and just recently traded it. These are really nice vehicles. The 5.3 is a great motor! Also the autotrac 4x4 is a very nice feature. I only had it for about 10000 miles and about a year and a half. The problems that I am aware are as follows: The power window regulators have been known to go bad. I had to replace one of those. The 2000 model had more issues with that. Also the parking brakes fail pretty early on these and are expensive to replace. Mine also had rust starting on the inside of the lower rear doors and also the rear hatch. My mileage was at best 18...13.5 towing my 2200# boat. Mine also had the third seat which I used once. The rest of the time it was not in the vehicle. I agree with the other posts about the suburban being a better choice not only for more room but also the longer wheelbase is better for towing and driving in windy conditions. I would stay away from the 2000 model year as it was the first year and had more problems which were worked out for 2001. Only reason I traded mine was we bought a mini van which my wife likes alot better. Also I missed having a truck bed for hauling stuff. Traded for a 2002 Sierra HD. Hope this info helps.

[EyesnSchnapps]

Griz,

I drove a 2000 Tahoe for the last five years, just purchased a new 2005. I love the vehicle. I can honestly say that you can't go wrong with a tahoe. I pull a Lund 1800 Fisherman with it, with no problems at all. It is a great vehicle.

[shouldbefishn]

Nothing wrong with the Tahoe but I would take a hard look at a Suburban for the extra room. Price will probably not be much different.

[randallt]

Chevy has a 10yr 100,000 mile warranty against rust. If you spot rust take it in to a dealer and they will replace/fix any rust. I had a buddy that took one in with 95k. Got two new doors, a new quarter panel and fresh paint on all for nothing. Looked like a new vehicle.

[Gus]

Randalt, do you mind sharing what dealer your buddy went to? I have a couple of tiny rust spots but my dealer won't help me. they say it is a "rust through" warantee. So if it doesn't go all the way through the metal tough luck. [PoorWordUsage]es me right the heck off. No way a 2 (now 3) year old truck should have rust on the bumper or anywhere else unless there was something really wrong.

As for the tahoe question, I had a 98 tahoe before my 03 silverado and both my wife and I liked the tahoe in the city better. It parks nicer with a little shorter wheel base and can haul more people or fragile gear than the silverado. But.. I'll take the good and the bad and I prefer the truck for my needs.

[Gadgetman]

Ditto for me randallt, I have been told that it is a rust thru warranty. I have been diligent about waxing and drying the door bottoms but it has still developed, not visible without openeing the ddors but it will continue to expand I am sure

[WalleyeStriker]

I own a 2004 Tahoe, overall I have had nothing but good things to say about this vehicle. I got the BF Goodrich A/T tires on it and it just bears through the snow! Engine/Trany fine! No Troubles yet... (Knock on wood)

[montanagriz]

[Note from admin: if you need to sell or buy please use the For sale or items wanted forum]

[hitthebricks]

I have the 03 burb, and love it. has a little longer wheelbase than the Tahoe that helps for towing. I did have a problem with the "middle steering gear", it produced a little weakness in the steering. The warrenty on this has been extended to 5yrs/100k and was told this is a common problem on the burbs and tahoes. HTB

[CAMOMAN]

[Note from admin: if you need to sell or buy please use the For sale or items wanted forum]

[SCUMFROG]

I work at an auto shop. Have the front end checked, the idler and pitman arms have a tendency to wear out and become loose. Giving the truck a sloppy feel. If you like the options of the tahoes but need the more room, find a tahoe XL. It's a suburban in tahoe trim.

[Dan Thiem]

It could be the intermediate shaft on the steering coulmn.

[SCUMFROG]

It's the splines that wear out..

[montanagriz]

[Note from admin: if you need to sell or buy please use the For sale or items wanted forum]

[burl]

Watch out for torque converter problems at 60,000 to 70,000

miles on these tranys.Bad Gm design leads to problems if used for towing heavy loads often.Cost around $1200.00 to replace.Burl.