Well okay...It's not a real Z71. I ordered an LS Tahoe in Victory Red, found the 18" wheels on Craigslist for $400, bought Goodyear Forterra tires on Tirerack for $125 each (cheap!), and found the Z71 running boards at a salvage yard in Oklahoma and had them shipped to me - those were EXPENSIVE! I might get fender flares and have them painted and installed by my local body shop. What I won't do is get the front bumper fascia and skid plate off a Z71...too expensive. But in any case, I think it looks okay and I like it.

I traded in my 2005 BMW X5 on this Tahoe. As BMW says, their vehicles really are the "ultimate driving machine" - unfortunately they're not good for much else. No 3rd row, no hitch for our bike rack, no crossbars on the luggage rack, a black interior that showed up every tiny piece of dirt and dog hair...I could go on and on. The Tahoe isn't nearly as exciting to drive, but it's a heck of a lot more practical.

But now I find myself sort of missing the oomph of the X5, lol. Maybe a custom tune from Blackbear is in my future. I don't have any issues with the engine, just the stupid 6 speed transmission that likes to kick into 6th gear when you're driving like 20 mph.

 

If it really is going to 6th gear at 20 mph, then you should take it in cuz that's not rite.

 

That sure is a pretty RED. Like it.