Tahoe Retirement Vehicle

[Foxer55]

I'm gonna retire in a couple of years and need a retirement vehicle that will last me the rest of my life. I'm 82 and looking for something survivable in a crash, 4 wheel drive for all weather, robust, not less than 6 cylinder, and big enough to haul stuff when I need to. My candidate vehicles are Jeep (poor reliability), 4 Runner (not convinced), and Tahoe (or Yukon). I'm really a basic Chevy guy that loves my Impalas and Corvettes.

OK, question is, what do you all think of a Tahoe to fit my requirements. I was seriously warned away from the Grand Cherokee , but I do like the Tahoes (and 4 Runners). I have found a beautiful 2018 Tahoe on Carmax at $39,000 and 66K miles, and 5.3L power with 4WD. It is loaded with everything and a tan interior. My view is this vehicle is a 250,000 mile machine and at my age I'm not likely to put another 200,000 miles on it before I croak. One thing that is pressing me now is to get a 6 or 8 cylinder soon before they all go out of production and dry up.

 

[SpyShops212]

I buy a sell almost every car out there. I am going to tell you that your best option would be a Subaru Outback or Ascent. If you get one under factory warranty then add the extended warranty 10 year 120k from Subaru only. The k2xx 2015-2020 Gm trucks have the AFM which have allot of issues as well at the 6 & 8 speed transmission also had many issues. These trucks required 4k Dexos oil changes.

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

What will you haul/tow with it?

 

[PPK_]

I just bought a ‘24 yukon. I did a 72/72 warranty for $1472, $250 deduct.. i am 63.. but i do not want a crash taking me out.. yukons are pretty safe. Little cars.. none of my wives emergency room workers are in small cars. They usually do suburbans..

 

[Foxer55]

I buy a sell almost every car out there. I am going to tell you that your best option would be a Subaru Outback or Ascent. If you get one under factory warranty then add the extended warranty 10 year 120k from Subaru only. The k2xx 2015-2020 Gm trucks have the AFM which have allot of issues as well at the 6 & 8 speed transmission also had many issues. These trucks required 4k Dexos oil changes.

I buy a sell almost every car out there. I am going to tell you that your best option would be a Subaru Outback or Ascent. If you get one under factory warranty then add the extended warranty 10 year 120k from Subaru only. The k2xx 2015-2020 Gm trucks have the AFM which have allot of issues as well at the 6 & 8 speed transmission also had many issues. These trucks required 4k Dexos oil changes.

Thanks for the gouge. I have considered Subaru but what shies me away from them is few 6 cylinder models and higher 0-60 times. I haven't driven one so I can't offer a subjective opinion. I live in urban places and do a lot of highway driving. Admittedly, a Tahoe is big vehicle for such places but giving the Subaru is a good idea.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome from Miami&Queens NY!

I am retired myself and do not prefer to fly. I drive everywhere. I now have 184K miles on my 2016 Tahoe. If I live long enough I will buy another Tahoe.

I do recommend you get a Extended Warranty. My transmission went belly up at 124K miles plus A/C Condenser went belly up at 80K miles. Thermostat went belly up 150K miles. The bulk of those issues happened when I was going from Miami to Queens. Thankfully the Chevrolet dealers I dealt with were good to deal with.

I do get excellent mileage when I am out on the road. I average around 24 MPG on plain old 87 regular fuel.

 

[Foxer55]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

What will you haul/tow with it.

I expect to move once I retire so hauling that stuff is one thing, I'll also be working on some furniture and woodwork and hauling that, all the yard care stuff, and all the other stuff I can't cram in my Impala. As much as I'd love to be towing my Vette to the track, I think my track days are behind. Well, except for some autocross and I don't need to tow for that.

 

[Foxer55]

I just bought a ‘24 yukon. I did a 72/72 warranty for $1472, $250 deduct.. i am 63.. but i do not want a crash taking me out.. yukons are pretty safe. Little cars.. none of my wives emergency room workers are in small cars. They usually do suburbans..

Yeah, I'll get the extended warranty. For a used Tahoe it runs somewhere around $125 at 36 months for a 4 year extension which is pricey. If you take inflation into consideration it doesn't seem to hurt as much.

 

[Foxer55]

Welcome from Miami&Queens NY!

I am retired myself and do not prefer to fly. I drive everywhere. I now have 184K miles on my 2016 Tahoe. If I live long enough I will buy another Tahoe.

I do recommend you get a Extended Warranty. My transmission went belly up at 124K miles plus A/C Condenser went belly up at 80K miles. Thermostat went belly up 150K miles. The bulk of those issues happened when I was going from Miami to Queens. Thankfully the Chevrolet dealers I dealt with were good to deal with.

I do get excellent mileage when I am out on the road. I average around 24 MPG on plain old 87 regular fuel.

Yeah, I replaced the transmission on my Impala at 100K miles a year ago and it was $7k. Ouch! I'll be getting a warranty.

 

[RST Dana]

I just bought a ‘24 yukon. I did a 72/72 warranty for $1472, $250 deduct.. i am 63.. but i do not want a crash taking me out.. yukons are pretty safe. Little cars.. none of my wives emergency room workers are in small cars. They usually do suburbans..

How many wives do you have?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

I don't think that you can go wrong with a Tahoe, and if well maintained, it will definitely outlast you.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... found a beautiful 2018 Tahoe on Carmax at $39,000 and 66K miles, and 5.3L power with 4WD.
It is loaded with everything and a tan interior. My view is this vehicle is a 250,000 mile machine and at my age,
I'm not likely to put another 200,000 miles on it before I croak.

As SpyShops212 said, cylinder deactivation is an issue. An ecm retune can disable it, but even if the oil and filter were changed on the severe service schedule, the more complex cylinder valve deactivation lifters are not as durable or as long-livable as the simpler lifters.
Disabling puts off the inevitable. Replacing the two-mode is costly, but worth it for those who plan to keep it 'forever'.

Disabling cylinder deactivation will also help the 6L80E live longer before its next rebuild,
although for best results, the ATF should also be changed on the severe service schedule,
and the tcm should be retuned to improve its durability / longevity as well.

It's not quite a 250,000 mile vehicle, more like a 125,000-150,000 mile vehicle, unless you address the above.

Had I $39K, I'd go look for two Tahoes / Yukons / Escalades from 2009 or OLDER.

 

[15burban]

If you're not completely set on one particular vehicle a guy could search his area for dealerships that include a lifetime powertrain warranty and go from there. Even my ram which I bought used came with one from the dealership. No added cost although I'm sure they already figured that into the price. With the wife's previous little suv that she bought new the lifetime powertrain warranty saved us $6200 when her trans crapped out. It won't cover all the electronics that these rolling computer boxes on wheels have but it's better then nothing.

 

[Marky Dissod]

No Reserve: 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 LT Quadrasteer

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 LT Quadrasteer at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #179,812.

bringatrailer.com

I'd prefer an 03 suburban 2500 with QuadraSteer for $13k, over a 2018 Tahoe for 3x the price.

 

[Marky Dissod]

2007 Yukon Denali (Big Mama) 151k miles for sale $10k

Big Mama is for sale again. I finally found a Sierra I like so it’s time to let her go. She has the usual crack in the dash and the passenger side valve cover leak. I have the gaskets. Otherwise everything else is great. In the past couple of years I replaced front and rear shocks/struts and...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

If you don't need a 130" wheelbase. Too bad I don't have 100 Benjamins.

 

[the 18th letter]

How many wives do you have?

Whoa whoa whoa, where I’m from it’s downright impolite to ask how many wives a man has. Let the statement stand on its own

 

[vcode]

I'm gonna retire in a couple of years and need a retirement vehicle that will last me the rest of my life. I'm 82 and looking for something survivable in a crash, 4 wheel drive for all weather, robust, not less than 6 cylinder, and big enough to haul stuff when I need to. My candidate vehicles are Jeep (poor reliability), 4 Runner (not convinced), and Tahoe (or Yukon). I'm really a basic Chevy guy that loves my Impalas and Corvettes.

OK, question is, what do you all think of a Tahoe to fit my requirements. I was seriously warned away from the Grand Cherokee , but I do like the Tahoes (and 4 Runners). I have found a beautiful 2018 Tahoe on Carmax at $39,000 and 66K miles, and 5.3L power with 4WD. It is loaded with everything and a tan interior. My view is this vehicle is a 250,000 mile machine and at my age I'm not likely to put another 200,000 miles on it before I croak. One thing that is pressing me now is to get a 6 or 8 cylinder soon before they all go out of production and dry up.
View attachment 449822

Nice truck. Go for it unless it is an 8 speed. Those are trouble. Most people out there have no issues with AFM or the 6 speed if you mantain them. Get an extended warranty if you can. FWIW, a Subie Ascent will outrun a 5.3L Tahoe, but it's a whole different vehicle.

 

[Rickjk]

I'm gonna retire in a couple of years and need a retirement vehicle that will last me the rest of my life. I'm 82 and looking for something survivable in a crash, 4 wheel drive for all weather, robust, not less than 6 cylinder, and big enough to haul stuff when I need to. My candidate vehicles are Jeep (poor reliability), 4 Runner (not convinced), and Tahoe (or Yukon). I'm really a basic Chevy guy that loves my Impalas and Corvettes.

OK, question is, what do you all think of a Tahoe to fit my requirements. I was seriously warned away from the Grand Cherokee , but I do like the Tahoes (and 4 Runners). I have found a beautiful 2018 Tahoe on Carmax at $39,000 and 66K miles, and 5.3L power with 4WD. It is loaded with everything and a tan interior. My view is this vehicle is a 250,000 mile machine and at my age I'm not likely to put another 200,000 miles on it before I croak. One thing that is pressing me now is to get a 6 or 8 cylinder soon before they all go out of production and dry up.
View attachment 449822

I love my 2016 Yukon Denali. 73k on it. Power and size. Great for travel. Keep up on transmission service is key. 6.2 gets up and goes.

 

[GMCChevy]

I love our 2017 Tahoe and would trust it as much as any other newer vehicle out there.

The huge plus about them is there's millions of GM trucks out there so parts snd service are never much of a problem with them.

 

[TahoeCCS]

I had a company car the last ten years of my working life, and it kept the miles and salt off my 2014 Tahoe. I did not know about GM's Crippled Cylinder System when I bought the truck new, but intercepted any early damage by using an OBD module defeating CCS for nearly all its 66,000 miles. Eventually I will have the engine converted over to normal, without any CCS.

I would recommend against your buying a current model GM because they persist in using CCS, and it now is even more difficult to defeat. If you do buy a new or late model, budget enough additional to pay for parts and labor to remove all that crap and get the engine on a more reliable path to a long life.

My 2014 was the last where a buyer could avoid most of the dashboard display electronics, another failure point long term. No TV screen, no tracking by Big Brother, Mr. OnStar, no robots "helping" me drive or reach a parking space. I don't know if that's important to you, but layers of electronics all represent something to fail during long-term ownership. Warranties won't help when components are no longer available. And I really don't like the dead feel of being insulated from driving the car myself, or having things beep, whistle, or talk at me when a microprocessor disagrees with my operating inputs in any manner.

I concur with those who disapprove of anything from the foreign-owned Stellantis. Chrysler and its descendants have not found a good home, and what's left has problems with quality control and design shortcuts. Subaru has solved its oil burning problems of a few years ago, but their vehicles might not be big enough for your sense of crash comfort. I happen to think a more nimble vehicle like a Subaru can best avoid a crash in the first place. There's a large Hyundai to consider. The Koreans have been about 10-15 years behind American made Japanese models, and I think systems more simple mean greater long-term reliability.

Good luck finding a satisfying 6 or 8 cylinder. We also were fortunate to get the last 6-cylinder Acura before they reverted to their earlier 4-cylinder turbo that was problematic. Me, I'm just glad this 2014 Tahoe came along when it did. For you, it may already be too late to meet your criteria. I certainly don't see anything out there I would want, and now that I've been retired, I don't have to worry much about avoiding vehicles loaded with "features" no one asked for.