Buying advice: 09 Tahoe Hybrid -high mileage?

[PomoRick]

Hi Tahoe forum. Hoping for some feedback. I came across a 09 Tahoe Hybrid for sale here in Canada (haven't seen many up here). Its got pretty high mileage 180K Miles or 290K kilo's for those north of the border. I know plenty Yukons/Tahoe/GMC's have gone well past this ...but what about hybrids? Any concerns aside from the hybrid battery? (FYI, Hybrid battery was replaced already).
thanks for the advice

 

[TollKeeper]

As long as the batteries are in good shape, they are decent trucks. I always recommend to get a 2010 or newer thou. Some revisions happened that made the 2010+ better.

If a battery is bad, it can be 2600 (aftermarket with lifetime warranty) -6000 (GM OEM, with no warranty) to replace.

I almost bought one before I bought my Esky. On the test drive, a warning light came on saying -NO OIL PRESSURE, STOP ENGINE NOW-..

I wasnt buying that!

 

[PomoRick]

As long as the batteries are in good shape, they are decent trucks. I always recommend to get a 2010 or newer thou. Some revisions happened that made the 2010+ better.

If a battery is bad, it can be 2600 (aftermarket with lifetime warranty) -6000 (GM OEM, with no warranty) to replace.

I almost bought one before I bought my Esky. On the test drive, a warning light came on saying -NO OIL PRESSURE, STOP ENGINE NOW-..

I wasnt buying that!

looks like you dodged a bullet walking away from that one! In the one I'm considering buying, Hybrid battery was replaced in the last year, so that's one less worry about. Anyone else have words of wisdom on Tahoe hybrids with this high mileage?

 

[Marc Marc]

I just sold my 2013 Yukon Denali Hybrid with 211,500 miles on it for $16,000. Sold fast. It was in excellent running condition still, and looked new inside and out. This was easily the best car I ever owned, and wish GM still made this Hybrid. I replaced it with a 2021 Yukon AT4.

Brakes on the Hybrid didn't need replacing, but I did so at 180,000 miles just because. Hybrid battery was replaced at 115K miles. Replaced all suspension items due to wear. Despite the high mileage it didn't consume oil in any noticeable amount, and the transmission continued to be rock solid despite pulling a bass boat to tournaments all over the west coast.

I understand the timing chain could be a problem in the 2010? and earlier models, but didn't have that problem with my 2013.

My dash finally cracked at 210,000 miles (I used a sun shade religiously to prevent cracking) which was another reason I sold mine. Gas mileage was fantastic with a 6L engine; really miss that with my AT4. The Hybrid wheels were ok in the city, but not so good in the snow and mud. This was a big reason for getting a new AT4.

Hope this helps.

 

[BG1988]

looks like you dodged a bullet walking away from that one! In the one I'm considering buying, Hybrid battery was replaced in the last year, so that's one less worry about. Anyone else have words of wisdom on Tahoe hybrids with this high mileage?

mine has 105,760 on it battery is showing it's age though (2008) the engine side was well maintained by the two previous owners (oil change wise and transmission oil) i did have some hickups here and there with the engine.. i.e sensor that went bad busted spark plug(that got blown apart) bad belt (squeals on start up...)... Oil pressure is excellent it's only burning about 1/4th of a quart or so per oil change.... which is below average... for Active fuel management engines. but I use the Range Tech to disable the AFM ... personally if something major fails i.e transmission or engine I'd just swap in a 4.8L vvt engine/ 6 speed transmission

 

[PomoRick]

appreciate the feedback everyone. Appears no real major concerns with high mileage, except hybrid battery. Rest is usual wear n tear on GMC. I'll likely take it on a test drive this weekend, and will report back should I take the leap into GMC hybrid nation.
-last question....what's the 'real world' fuel economy on these trucks? City/Hwy?

 

[TollKeeper]

Real world I dont know..

But per the FuelEconomy.gov website, 2wd has an average of 20 city, 22 hwy, 21 total average, and 4x4 is city/hwy/combined of 20.

 

[avalonandl]

Pomo- I have a different take - RUN FOREST RUN....these are nothing but trouble long term. When something goes wrong, parts are hard to find and you will be stuck.

Good Luck

 

[BG1988]

appreciate the feedback everyone. Appears no real major concerns with high mileage, except hybrid battery. Rest is usual wear n tear on GMC. I'll likely take it on a test drive this weekend, and will report back should I take the leap into GMC hybrid nation.
-last question....what's the 'real world' fuel economy on these trucks? City/Hwy?

don't forget to get a AFM disabler the Range tech does work but you have to remove it every drive cycle to allow the correct gear shifting other wise it uses the 'default' M4 profile (buy an on/off switch)

This is how i broke my gear shifter from using m4



the MPG is 18-21 around town
(less if it's very windy or more traffic lights, but that is normal)

on the highway i get about 23.5 to 25.5 in v8 mode( if no wind)

 

[TollKeeper]

Theres a 2014 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid for sale here in Denver.. the seller wants 37k for it. And it has 32k miles. If it was in the lower 20s, I would consider it, but for 37k? I can get a 2022 SUV that gets better mileage for a bit more, with warranty.

 

[swathdiver]

Theres a 2014 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid for sale here in Denver.. the seller wants 37k for it. And it has 32k miles. If it was in the lower 20s, I would consider it, but for 37k? I can get a 2022 SUV that gets better mileage for a bit more, with warranty.

I thought they quit making hybrids in 2013?

Anyhow, @RebelBelle has a Hybrid and commutes long distances to work with it. I think it gets in the mid 20s mpg wise. He's had to have the AFM system replaced and the ABS pump went out late last year if memory serves. It has about 200K on it.

 

[PomoRick]

just closing the loop on my post. The Seller was claiming the Hybrid battery was replaced, when asked for documentation and if any warranty?? She was went silent. Needless to say I'm staying away on this one. Thanks everyone who chimed in with advice/feedback. The search continues!

 

[dnt1010]

After owning a 2009 that I bought a few years back with 195k on odometer (242 now) I can tell you that this is a very complex machine and very few shops can service it properly. I bought mine as what i call a beater ride to simply drive to work out on construction job sites. I would NEVER buy one as my primary vehicle as it is going to have some problems that pop up. Nost frustrating issue was the ABS system went out and that took a couple of weeks and a bunch of dollars to resolve. If you buy it with enough price reduction built in to allow for expensive issues to be resolved it is a nice ride. The kids love the rear entertainment they were watching Ribbit the frog this morning on the way to day care LOL. average mileage over the last almost 50k miles is 18,9 mpg and it is lifted with oversize Nitto grappler tires. $6,600.00 is what my initial investemnt was but I have swapped in a new hybrid battery and done the brakes so i probably have close to 10k in the silly thing at this point. I would rcommend a std Tahoe rather than a hybrid so that you can pick up cheap parts easily to repair if it breaks. If you lose a major hybrid part (transmission/inverter/AC compressor/electric steering rack etc) you are not going to be able to justify a repair on an older high mileage Hybrid unit. I am retiring from work in October of this year and I plan to sell this one for what I originally paid a few yaers back $6,600.00 I think a purchase can be justified at the right price on a well maintained unit though I guess tha is the same for a lot of vehicles.
Advantages of a Beater Ride
1. Can park anywhere/anytime and not worry about door dings or dents.
2. Very low chance of anyone being interested in stealing it LOL
3. Can just carry liability auto insurance on it since it is just a beater ride, saves a lot of money!
4. Allows you to keep your brand new Denali vehicle safely in the garage.
5. Extra points if the beater ride is Cool looking and young people still comment on how cool it is that to me is hilarious
6. If the silly thing breaks it is a second vehicle and not a panic situation to get it fixed.