I have a Suburban I bought new in 2008 with 160,000 miles on it. Live in Arizona. I do a lot of commuting between Tucson and Phoenix.

What is the cost effectiveness (does anyone know or reference another site) on replacing the engine and transmission on these when they finally fail. Does this meaningfully extend the reliability of the vehicles, or do other things start failing like dominoes anyway? I'm not mechanical, I'd need to have this hired out.

I need reliability, but loathe the idea of buying another car at this point. I've replaced the struts/shocks, and the main engine oilpan gasket went sour just a few months before warranty expired (good). But otherwise no major issues so far.

Can I milk this another 160k?

Thanks

Clint

 

Welcome to the forum.

As long as you have done the prescribed maintenance, you could reasonably expected to continue on. Even then a few thousand dollars for a replacement transmission is a lot less than 60 or 70 thousand dollars for a new vehicle.

 

I'd easily say yes. Just keep up on the required routine maintenance. Since you are mostly commuting and I'm assuming a lot of highway miles you should be good for another 160k for sure on motor. Just perform oil changes regularly. Replace air filters at proper intervals. Replace spark plugs. Use good quality top tier gasoline (chevron, etc). As far as trans goes I'd suggest having the trans filter replaced and performing a trans flush so you get all new fluid in there. Stick with your vehicle and treat it well and it'll do the same in return

 

Welcome to the Forum Clint.

You keep good fresh Oil in it, and the Temp below 200 and there's no telling how far it will go. A few guys here are up toward 300,000.

 

I just sold my 2001 Suburban that had 180,000 miles on it. Original engine and transmission function flawlessly. As I perused my maintenance file, getting things together for the new owner, I realized I'd spend roughly $9000 in maintenance the last 3.5 years. Front hubs/bearings, exhaust manifold gaskets, self-leveling shocks, fuel pump, A/C condenser and clutch, front axle, rear axle are some of the highlights.

Not trying to be a wet blanket, but just pointing out that it's easy to die a death of a thousand cuts with an older vehicle.

 

Thanks for everyone's input. My past Chevy vehicles started nibbling constantly at my bank account after about 150k. I've driven this one more kindly, and I now fix problems decisively. So I'm hopeful. But if I start seeing constant maintenance costs….yes, I might reconsider.

C

 

help i have a 2008 chevy sub. ltz with no c.i.l. but the trans will not shift into overdrive.. all fluids full and clean and all other gears work 100% it was working 100% the last 24hr. now nothing no codes just no od.

 

@ctasteve5 you need to start a new topic rather than jumping on an unrelated 10 year old thread.