Looking to purchase..need help & info

[DodgeDude99]

I’m looking to purchase a ‘15-‘20 Tahoe. I tend to research the hell out of things before I buy, but I can really do a comparison on Chevys website anymore, & as my screen name suggests, I do like my Mopars so I know very little about current GM’s.

Are certain years better than others?
Besides leather, what does a LT have an LS doesn’t? And the same for LT & Premier or RST?

I don’t like chrome so it’s monochromatic for which the RST is, but if the exterior difference is just a grill swap to get it, then maybe the LT or premier is more suited.

I don’t need it for towing, I have a 4th Gen Ram diesel for that.

I’m looking for a daily/road trip vehicle.


Thanks
Shawn

 

[Miami-Dade]

I vote to buy a 19-20. A lot of the issues with the earlier were ones were fixed by then.

If you buy a 15-17 a high mileage one [over 130K miles] would probably be better IMHO as by then any issues should be fixed by then.

I would not buy anything unless I got Full Service Records plus had a good Independent Mechanic check it out from top to bottom. But that is just me.

Welcome from Miami&Queens NY!

 

[DodgeDude99]

I actually have been looking for 40k & under mileage. I have found a few with 5-6k miles. One was red, black interior but the seats where baseball glove brown.

The other was a Hennessy special, which not only was it almost $70k, I don’t trust Hennessy.

 

[RST Dana]

I actually have been looking for 40k & under mileage. I have found a few with 5-6k miles. One was red, black interior but the seats where baseball glove brown.

The other was a Hennessy special, which not only was it almost $70k, I don’t trust Hennessy.

But you get big ponys.

 

[RST Dana]

20 RST gets you 6.2 and 10 speed. Love mine!

 

[DodgeDude99]

What are the differences between each trim level?
Like I know the big one between the LS & LT is leather, but what else does the LT have?
LT to Premier?

 

[RST Dana]

What are the differences between each trim level?
Like I know the big one between the LS & LT is leather, but what else does the LT have?
LT to Premier?

LT can have luxury package which gives you push button start. Heated seats heated steering wheel. Entertainment options. Premier adds options for cool seats, HUD, fancy covers for center console area, wireless charging, and magnetic ride suspension.

 

[tooleyondeck]

Also RST, Premier, and High Country open up the 6.2L option, 18-20 has 10spd transmission option as well. If you're dead set on that low mileage for what is now a previous-gen SUV, be open to expanding your search radius and travelling to see it in person.

 

[Coveman]

Welcome to the forum! One of the biggest worry areas is the active fuel management system that many members have disabled. My neighbor is a GM master tech and has mentioned that the 8 speed transmissions have had their share of issues, the 10 speeds not-so-many (except for the strike era trucks). I still remember the caddy 4-6-8 disaster of the 80’s so I looked for a truck with the 6.0 (non-afm) and have been happy with that. Good luck!

 

[DodgeDude99]

Welcome to the forum! One of the biggest worry areas is the active fuel management system that many members have disabled. My neighbor is a GM master tech and has mentioned that the 8 speed transmissions have had their share of issues, the 10 speeds not-so-many (except for the strike era trucks). I still remember the caddy 4-6-8 disaster of the 80’s so I looked for a truck with the 6.0 (non-afm) and have been happy with that. Good luck!

Can the AFM be deactivated via a hand held tuner? (I have an ‘06 Charger that I have a Diablosport, & can turn off Dodges version of it via the tuner).

I dad had A ‘84 Caddie Eldorado with 4-6-8 motor, never had any issue with it, but I don’t think it ever switched from 8.

 

[DodgeDude99]

LT can have luxury package which gives you push button start. Heated seats heated steering wheel. Entertainment options. Premier adds options for cool seats, HUD, fancy covers for center console area, wireless charging, and magnetic ride suspension.

Does the HUD get distracting?

The magnetic ride suspension just says I’m going to be expensive when it breaks.

 

[RST Dana]

Does the HUD get distracting?

The magnetic ride suspension just says I’m going to be expensive when it breaks.

You can change the brightness on my HUD to make it disappear. I like the ride, so I’ll take the hit if it happens on magnetic ride.

 

[tooleyondeck]

The magnetic ride suspension just says I’m going to be expensive when it breaks.

You can also delete the magnaride if desired, but that only comes on the higher trims like High Country, Denali, etc. Look for RPO code Z95 to identify magnaride.

 

[RST Dana]

You can also delete the magnaride if desired, but that only comes on the higher trims like High Country, Denali, etc. Look for RPO code Z95 to identify magnaride.

High Country in 15-20?

 

[Tahoe14]

You can look up the Chevy brochure on line for each year and it will show what comes standard on each trim model as well as options which is many. it is a very difficult question to answer what does LT, LTZ for 16-17, Premier for 18-20, RST come with. I do research as well. Good luck with your decision. 2015 was the first year on the new model year and they had some problems. As others have stated 18-20 would be a safer bet as far as years to purchase.

 

[Coveman]

NCan the AFM be deactivated via a hand held tuner? (I have an ‘06 Charger that I have a Diablosport, & can turn off Dodges version of it via the tuner).

I dad had A ‘84 Caddie Eldorado with 4-6-8 motor, never had any issue with it, but I don’t think it ever switched from 8.

Not as many problems with AFM on the 2014+ trucks but documented frequent oil changes is good insurance. No, you cannot tune out AFM with a hand held scanner but you can get an OBD2 device to disable it (it stays plugged in while driving). AFM delete is much more involved and removes the hardware from the engine. Black bear performance recommends the AFM be disabled for the 2013 and earlier trucks.

 

[tooleyondeck]

High Country in 15-20?

Yooo I just looked it up, and this is some Mandela effect shiii lol... Silvys had it since 14 I guess I never paid attention to K2 Tahoes trim levels. I know for a fact I've seen them w HC badges lol. Learn something new everyday.

 

[gtrslngrchris]

People need to stop repeating that AFM cannot be tuned out via a handheld SCANNER when people ask about handheld TUNERS. It absolutely can and that reminds me that I need to sell the Hypertech that came with my Denali for that specific purpose.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

Can the AFM be deactivated via a hand held tuner? (I have an ‘06 Charger that I have a Diablosport, & can turn off Dodges version of it via the tuner).

I dad had A ‘84 Caddie Eldorado with 4-6-8 motor, never had any issue with it, but I don’t think it ever switched from 8.

Yes, diablosport tuner can remove AFM and speed limiter, plus control pedal sensitivity and tire size -it will not tune 10 speed though. The 6.2 is worth every penny. The burb/XL is better on highway stability wise, but the shorter body is still good. Get a 18-20 Denali or RST WITH RST PERFORMANCE PKG; some RSTs still have 5.3 which isn't bad, but the 6.2 is so much better. The LS vs LT - LT adds heated leather seats and possibility to add captain seats. Mine did not have lux so it used a key, and I had to add fogs and heated wheel - lux is a better deal...

 

[DodgeDude99]

Ok update.
I bought a ‘20 Tahoe Premier Plus, so it basically it has every option possible other than the Brembos & Borla exhaust.
31k miles, bought from my local dealer, traded in at a Nissan dealer 25 miles away. Black on black with the Mahogany seats (about the only thing I don’t really like, as it looks like football leather).

Still has 10 months of power train, but this dealership gives a lifetime warranty on the power train, just as long as I take it to a dealer or repair shop for the recommended maintenance.

Already debadged the Tahoe emblems (it’s a PITA cleaning around the letters), swapped to black emblems, swapped the grille, led fog light bulbs, and AEV/CK162 rims & tires. I tried doing black wrap on the headlight chrome and I found I don’t have the eyesight or patience for it so I will find a shop. Gets dropped off for tint tomorrow.

Compared to my Rams infortainment system, Ram is years ahead in that.
The 6.2 is nice, though I was expecting it to be quicker than what it is.

I need a bigger garage now as this is my 5th vehicle & I am single.