2001 or 2025 for Summer Trips

[mjgirard]

My 2001 Tahoe is our trip vehicle and summer is approaching. My wife thinks that the 2001 is getting too old for the summer trips and wants me to get a new 2025 Tahoe. The 2001 is in excellent shape, it has the 5.3L and 130,000 miles on it. Every spring I go though the entire vehicle and then have my mechanic check it too. Spring 2024, I replaced anything that was connected to or associated with the radiator and water pump. Radiator hoses, belts, tensioners, fan clutch, coolant recovery tank and hoses and all heater hoses and connectors. I also replaced the O2 sensors, battery cables, gas filter, brake flush and had the diff & transmission checked. I have Michelin tires on it and the shocks are fine for summer trips. If I tow my classic car this summer I will definately replace the shocks.

This year I plan to check and replace the starter and fuel pump assembly if I think they are needed to be safe for the trips.

Some questions I have are:
Does anyone else run a 2001 for their summer vacation trips?
Am I forgetting any other items that need to be checked or replaced?
Is this 2001 trustworthy as a 24 year old trip vehicle. (I am the original owner)
A 2025 would be nice but they are quite expensive and does my 2001 have a better engine than the 2025?

Thanks for the information and advice.
MJGirard

 

[Marky Dissod]

My wife thinks that the 2001 is getting too old for the summer trips, and wants me to get a new 2025 Tahoe.

Pretend, for a moment, you believe she is actually correct.
How would YOU substantiate this argument, with solid evidence?
Here's an example: did not read you mention ANYTHING about checking or servicing AC system / parts.
It only helps that you made it much less likely to suffer a breakdown by addressing the powertrain cooling system.

Michelin tires on it

Michelin makes tires that make bolster their reputation, and tires that only sell due to their rep (like Chevy vehicles, or Wendy's; you get it).
You did not mention, for example, how old they are. I won't drive on tires over 5 years old, except to go buy younger tires.

Am I forgetting any other items that need to be checked or replaced?

I prefer to say that you haven't thought of them yet. Already mentioned AC system.
Brakes / steering / suspension, always go over those each & every time.

Is this 2001 trustworthy as a 24 year old trip vehicle? I am the original owner.

I wonder why you're nervous enough to ask? Does she make you nervous? Is she doing it intentionally?
The GMT800 (99-07) trucks & SUVs, when maintained assertively, are impressively reliable.
If you suspect you can't maintain its reliability for 250,000 miles, you and your mechanic are lacking.

A 2025 would be nice but they are quite expensive

I'd not be ashamed to become notorious for convincing people to
buy two younger used Tahoes / Suburbans / Denalis / Escalades
for the same price of buying one brand new 2025 whatever.
Given the price of a new GMTK2xx, you could likely buy THREE,
and any one of them would likely be as ready for thousands of trouble free miles,
after conscientious repairs.
Would you rather spend $10,000 on YOUR Tahoe, or another one?
Guarantee it won't cost anywhere near $2,500 to make your Tahoe roadtripworthy.

and does my 2001 have a better engine than the 2025?

Need a better version of this question; better at or for what?
I'd bet on TEN 2001 5.3L V8s exceeding 250,000 miles, before ONE 2025 5.3L V8 reaches 250,000 miles.

I bet there's at least one person on this forum, within 50 miles of you,
that'll give your Tahoe a thorough once-over for a 6pack & a pizza.
That answer will be worth more than any clever prose we can muster without looking at your Tahoe.

 

[martinajm]

I have a 2001 GMC truck with the same driveline and 170k miles. It is now my kids daily driver, but it was a 2-3K a year extra vehicle for about 17 years. The transmission has been the biggest problem with it. Have you had any transmission work done? I have had multiple issues since about $115K miles.

Not sure how big of trips you are talking about, but the "modern" amenities, i.e. screens, satellite radio, adaptive cruise, etc. are nice to have's on long trips. they also have their drawbacks

I do about of 3 hour 80 mph round trips to my lake house. I take my 2022 Yukon almost every time unless I need to haul something in the bed of the truck.

 

[mjgirard]

The AC System was replaced in 2017 because of a compressor issue by the dealer and it works fine. I have it checked every year due to the heat in Virginia Beach. My Michelins are 4 years old. My wife is a nervous nellie in the car and likes the size of the Tahoe when we battle traffic on the Jersey turnpike on our way to Upstate New York for family visits.

I am not worried about my 2001, I keep telling her it runs great and always gets checked before we travel, especially the brakes and suspension. The transmission fluid was changed at 60,000 & 90,000 miles. If it needs it again it will be done.

My mechanic who does the work that I do not perfom is very good and knows that I always maintain this Tahoe, my 1996 Jeep Cherokee which is my daily driver and my classic 1970 Monte Carlo that I have owned and worked on for 51 years.

Thanks for the insights and suggestions.
MJG

 

[olyelr]

You have a 25 year old vehicle that you have owned and maintained (very well, it sounds like) since it was new with only 130k miles…run with it man. Its got another 25 years left in it.

You could spend 100 grand on a new fancy one and it could blow up within a few thousand miles lol.

 

[GMCChevy]

How far are these trips? If you're on top of maintenance there shouldn't be problems. Another plus is those older ones shops are used to them and you can usually limp them along. Newer ones might be less likely to break down but you could have something as simple as a module fail and leave you stranded.
I recently did a 12 hour trip with our 1999 during winter and didn't think twice about taking it.

 

[Silverado4x4]

Get the new 2025 Tahoe and use the 01 for around town because if the 01 ever breaks down on the road trip you will never ever hear the end of it from the wife.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Happy Wife = Happy Life

You can't fix the nervous Nellie issue. Believe me, I know, after 25+ years of a flawless driving record, my wife is still constantly looking for the brake pedal on her side of the truck when I'm driving.

Either convince her that your current truck is safe enough for these trips, or get a new truck.

My truck has 155k miles, and though not quite as old as your truck, I would not hesitate to take it on a long trip.

 

[adventurenali92]

I’ve owned my LQ4 6.0l powered 2006 Yukon XL Denali for 10 years now. Basically same drive train ad your op 2001 5.3L @mjgirard . Just a little bigger. Anyways I’ve taken my 2006 on so many road trips between Southern California and pretty much anywhere I need to take it this side of the country. It’s been from soca to mammoth lakes up in the Sierra Nevada mountain range many times as I’m a professionally certified snowboard instructor. I have friends in Utah and have run 6 1500 mile round trips in the Denali in the last 5 years with one of those trips last year being more like 1800 miles round trip and the Denali jsut does. I like you, keep on ANY necessary maintenance or repairs and I have never once not trusted my 2006 to get me there and back in one piece. It’s comfortable and steady and goes just as well as a new one.

I mean yeah the 100 grand new trucks have fancy features like super cruise and a giant screen in the center stack. But I have an apple car play pioneer headunit, a decent sound system and an iPhone with Spotify, YouTube and a few streaming platforms. All I need to enjoy a road trip and it cost me a lot less than going out and buying a 100,000 dollar rig. lol.

I say keep the 2001 and keep it running good and she’ll keep trucking for you and do it well.

 

[mjgirard]

How far are these trips? If you're on top of maintenance there shouldn't be problems. Another plus is those older ones shops are used to them and you can usually limp them along. Newer ones might be less likely to break down but you could have something as simple as a module fail and leave you stranded.
I recently did a 12 hour trip with our 1999 during winter and didn't think twice about taking it.

The trip from VB to Albany is around 550 miles each way. With the around town visiting in New York the total miles would probably be about 1200-1500 miles for the this trip.

 

[mjgirard]

Get the new 2025 Tahoe and use the 01 for around town because if the 01 ever breaks down on the road trip you will never ever hear the end of it from the wife.

I know, I know, I know!

 

[mjgirard]

Happy Wife = Happy Life

You can't fix the nervous Nellie issue. Believe me, I know, after 25+ years of a flawless driving record, my wife is still constantly looking for the brake pedal on her side of the truck when I'm driving.

Either convince her that your current truck is safe enough for these trips, or get a new truck.

My truck has 155k miles, and though not quite as old as your truck, I would not hesitate to take it on a long trip.

I know the feeling. On top of that I also teach Drivers' Ed both in a high school and privately. Even time she gasps for air, I already have the situation handled. You are right, I can't fix nervous Nellie.

 

[Fless]

Has she considered riding in the back seat? Just a suggestion.

 

[homesick]

Maybe she's rather stay home, and welcome you back?

joe

 

[Bigburb3500]

I understand you position and hers a LOT. I had my first born last year and was daily driving my 99 Toyota Land Cruiser. Absolutely zero issues with it and I would no sooner take the keys to that than anything in the new lot knowing it will make it there. I ended up “upgrading” to a 2018 Sub because the vehicle lacked safety items: Traction Control, rear airbags, and no LATCH for car seats. I used to have an 01 Suburban before it that had all these items but it went to bed and did not get up the next morning due to to ~280k abused miles on it.
Your 01 I believe has many of the items that would have kept me daily driving my old LC so I’m with the group:Keep it and drive it! Great trucks!

 

[vcode]

I know, I know, I know!

Any rust issues? I'd look at a CPO 2022 or 2023 otherwise.

 

[mjgirard]

Any rust issues? I'd look at a CPO 2022 or 2023 otherwise.

No rust at all. Originial paint that I shine every 6 months and it is in the garage every night, right next to my 1970 Monte Carlo.

 

[Geotrash]

I'll add my voice to the ones saying keep driving the '01. The only thing I can think of that's likely to strand you on that generation is the fuel pump. You've already done the other thing, which is the coolant tees at the firewall.

I had an '02 Suburban for several years and sold it to a friend with 225K on it. He's still driving it back and forth between Ohio and Florida every year with no issues. Just got this message from him a few weeks ago:

308,000 on the odometer.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Why does he THINK it's made its last trip to FL @ 308,000?

My 2001 Tahoe is our trip vehicle and summer is approaching.
My wife thinks that the 2001 is getting too old for the summer trips and wants me to get a new 2025 Tahoe.

Geotrash's friend & mjgirard's wife should have a cuppa and discuss the meaning of 'too old'.

 

[jfoj]

I have a 2005 Denali XL 6.0l orignal owner, 275,000 miles. Replaced the fuel pump as a PM about 10 years ago. I just beat the thing now, it owes me nothing. The mileage should not be an issue. I would inspect the metal brake lines carefully as most all of the vehicle built in the US from 1999 to around 2007 did not have plated metal brake lines and they ALL rust out and blow out at some point. You can get a complete brake line kit typically for around $200 as I recall. If you are planning on a fuel pump replacement, I think the rear line goes over tank so it may be a good idea to address this then. I was getting nervous on my truck about 10 years ago and decided to replace the brake lines as a PM job. When I pulled the cover under the drivers side floor pan, the lines had just started to weep due to corrosion. Did the job just at the correct time.

I have a 2024 Yukon Denali 6.2l and drive it on trips mostly now, only 6k miles at the moment. BUT I am nervous about it. 6.2l's are failing often, but I think I have done everything I can to reduce this possibly occuring. I am also planning on rebuilding the transmission valve body as they are way too failure prone. The DFM is a problem area, would love to not have this feature, but for the past 10 years they all have either AFM or DFM, 50+ additional parts to wear out and fail!

I hate to say it but the never vehiles are over complicated and fragile, they have problems. If I could have found a nice 2005 Denali with no rust an 100k miles I would have bought it all day long!!