Moving up from 2008 LS to 2020 ls or LT?

[Coyotejunki]

I have been driving my 2008 Tahoe LS 4x4 since 09 and have 250K miles on it. It seems to be still running strong. Though last state inspection I was told to replace ball joints. I am looking at 2018-2020 LS 4x4 because I really don't feel the need for the upgrade models. I found a 2020 LS with 48000 miles and seems to have trans and oil changed regularly, Asking $32900 for the 2020 LS 4x4. 6 spd. I really like the looks of it except it is BLK exterior, Blk gets really hot here in the summer.

Any Advise, what to ask or look for?

 

[Big Mama]

You’ve started on the right path with service records. A vehicle history report should have any accidents and service history. Never hurts to look up common problems and the NTSB for recalls or TSB’s. After all that go to your favorite mechanic and spend the $100 or so to check it over. He’ll know common weak areas. I think 2020 was a new model year so sometimes there are little bugs to work out.

 

[Tahoe14]

2015-2020 was the model years, 2021 was the refresh.

 

[Big Mama]

Good call @Tahoe14 any bugs should have been worked out by then. The only common problem I’ve head of is the AC condenser but they may have solved it by then.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I have been driving my 2008 Tahoe LS 4x4 since 09 and have 250K miles on it.
It seems to be still running strong, though last state inspection I was told to replace ball joints.
I am looking at 2018-2020 LS 4x4 because I really don't feel the need for the upgrade models.
I found a 2020 LS with 48000 miles and seems to have trans and oil changed regularly.
Asking $32900 for the 2020 LS 4x4. 6 spd.
I really like the looks of it except it is BLK exterior, Blk gets really hot here in the summer.

Any Advise, what to ask or look for?

Dissenting opinion:
For $33,000, I'd buy:
two GMT800, or
a GMT800 & a GMT900, or
two GMT900s.

 

[Coyotejunki]

I like my 2008, but I am afraid that if I replace the engine then I may have to replace the tranny soon also. Parts are getting hard to find also. My driver side door wiring harness needs to be replaced, but I can't find one. I had to cut and replace some wires.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... afraid that if I replace the engine then I may have to replace the tranny soon also.
Parts are getting hard to find also.

4L60 or 6L80?
Either way, these should be rebuilt with upgrades, which would cost FAR less than $33,000.

 

[Doubeleive]

I like my 2008, but I am afraid that if I replace the engine then I may have to replace the tranny soon also. Parts are getting hard to find also. My driver side door wiring harness needs to be replaced, but I can't find one. I had to cut and replace some wires.

There is a crap ton of these out there and they are barely hitting the scrap yards, new wiring may be harder to find but there is no shortage of used parts
but regardless 2020 is a good option, I won't be buying anything newer than that myself unless gm backtracks on a lot of things. I might consider a newer commercial vehicle without all the nannies & bs

 

[Coyotejunki]

From what I am reading the 2016-20 are the better years and 2018-20 even safer for reliability. Probably be the last vehicle I buy.

I did find and test drove another yesterday, a 2020 LS listed for $27600 but it has 786xx miles. Seemed well taken care of.

 

[Big Mama]

And there’s nothing wrong with wanting a newer rig with some newer options. My 07 has been great. I’ve owned it for 13 1/2 years and while I still love it I wanted something newer. I didn’t need a people mover after the kids grew up so I bought a truck. One thing we looked at was safety. There was nothing I could add to Big Mama like emergency braking, lane keep assist, or front sensors. Yes, I know how to drive, but the other people on the road don’t seem to. The gain in mpg didn’t hurt either.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

After a gmt 400, 2 gmt 800, 3 gmt 900, and 2 K2s - I will take the K2 every time...

 

[GMCChevy]

We have a 2017 Tahoe Premier and I love it.
Previously had a 99 an 04. Still have the 99 actually.. The 04 miiiigt still be my favorite because it drove great and I liked the style but less to go wrong then the newer one.

 

[Carfan]

We have had a 2020 Suburban premier four 4 years and its been trouble free. We are on top of maintenance and have only had one warranty repair -- the deployable steps. The LS doesn't have those so you should be fine.

 

[SpyShops212]

I have been driving my 2008 Tahoe LS 4x4 since 09 and have 250K miles on it. It seems to be still running strong. Though last state inspection I was told to replace ball joints. I am looking at 2018-2020 LS 4x4 because I really don't feel the need for the upgrade models. I found a 2020 LS with 48000 miles and seems to have trans and oil changed regularly, Asking $32900 for the 2020 LS 4x4. 6 spd. I really like the looks of it except it is BLK exterior, Blk gets really hot here in the summer.

Any Advise, what to ask or look for?

Black exterior has paint issues. Stay white or light colors. GM has a major lawsuit over this. Black is difficult to keep nice. I even seen members that wax and ceramic there trucks have issues.

 

[SpyShops212]

After a gmt 400, 2 gmt 800, 3 gmt 900, and 2 K2s - I will take the K2 every time...

I had all Escalades except current gen and the k2 is the best. I did have lifter issues passenger at 79k & 108k driver side. You need to change the oil Castro oil Dexos 1 gen 2/3 every 4k or less. If you can afford to do the complete delete then it would be the best choice. Only the 2018-2020 10 speed.

 

[SpyShops212]

2015-2020 was the model years, 2021 was the refresh.

2018-2020 6.2 10 speed is the one to get.

 

[SpyShops212]

I like my 2008, but I am afraid that if I replace the engine then I may have to replace the tranny soon also. Parts are getting hard to find also. My driver side door wiring harness needs to be replaced, but I can't find one. I had to cut and replace some wires.

My 2008 Escalade lasted me 14 years 207k. I put new engine 190k and transmission at 150k. I was not nice to my 2008.

 

[Geotrash]

For what it's worth, I drove 'key-and-heater' (low trim level) cars with cloth seats for years. And then I bought an '04 Land Rover Discovery 2, followed by an '07 LR3, and they ruined me. The creature comforts like soft leather seats, a heated steering wheel and a great sound system are things I no longer wish to be without, if I can afford them. And on a used Tahoe, the difference between a low-buck and high-buck trim is only a few grand, at most.