Hi,

Starting to shop for a suburban. My 03 Tahoe is getting long in the tooth...

I live in No. California, and it is HOT in summer, and will rarely see a garage or covered parking, so I like white and light gray interior. My preference is second row captain's chairs, and I need 4x4.

Any things to be on the lookout for or to avoid?

thanks in advance !

 

Not saying you don't, but what's the purpose of 4x4 in CA?
In PA we experience snow, and I use 4-low at the boat ramp...

The 2009 added bluetooth and a 6 speed auto (vs. the 4 speed) so I'd look at least 09+

 

I like 08 plus, get something with good gearing.
IMHO these trucks get better overall gas mileage with 3:50-3:73 gearing.


I have had only 4x4's until I bought my 08 3LT optioned sub. I get better MPG and there is certainly less to worry about.
YMMV

 

07-14? Watch out for AFM issues - oil consumption, lifter tick, etc.

Personally, I will never own a GM truck with an AFM engine. That's why I got the 2500 - it has the 6.0 motor with no AFM. I've had this truck for two years, have put 40k hard miles on it, and have spent exactly $20 on repairs (purge solenoid). Odo shows 144k, and she still purrs like a kitten, and everything works as it should. Not even a crack in the dash.

 

Thanks for the note on the 6 speed.

99% of the time 2WD is fine, but in Northern CA, the Sierra Nevada Foothills and Sierra Nevada Mountains can get a fair amount of snow. The hassle of having to chain up makes the 4x4 well worth the investment. I need at least a Tahoe sized vehicle for towing, but at times it is packed full of camping gear and kids.

 

2010 added heated steering wheel. (LTZ).

The new Model X tows 5,000 lbs and is AWD.

 

This went on hold for a while but I started shopping again and found a 2011 LTZ 4wd. I will likely make an offer on it tomorrow.

I has 22s, and I think I'd prefer 20s or even 18s with a more rugged AT tire but that should be easy to change.

 

You can buy my 2005... It only has 245,000 miles on it... Runs like new!!!

 

The 2011 fell through, but I picked up a 2013 LTZ with 33K miles. super clean.

Also is a pic of my 03 Tahoe that served me well for the last 12 1/2 years.