2023 Suburban Premier 5.3L 4WD - Observations and Questions

I'm new to the forum and would appreciate any and all ideas or suggestions.

Just took delivery of a 2023 Suburban Premier 5.3L (4WD) with 12,000 miles on it. Bought it from Carvana (my first internet vehicle purchase) and overall the experience has been positive. I have 7 days to return the vehicle if I'm not happy with it.

The price seemed to be competitive ($54,500) in my view, especially for a 4WD with low mileage and clean Carfax. Plus they made me a fair offer on my trade-in. The 2023 does have one minor, quarter sized blemish on the front driver side fender where someone did an amateurish job touching up a scratch.

Here are my initial thoughts and observations, as well as a few questions:


1. What are the most common problems with the 2022(+) drivetrain on the 5.3L / 4WD? I traded in a 2015 Suburban LT and loved it. I got 130,000 miles out of it without a single mechanical failure. Hoping and praying I'll have the same experience with this 2023.

2. What are the most desirable or "must have" upgrades or modifications on these current 5.3L Tahoes and Suburbans? I am 99.9% sure that I want to install an AutoStop Eliminator - but does anyone know if this causes warranty issues with GM? Any other suggestions or recommended modifications?

3. A few other miscellaneous observations:

The shifting feels a little weird to me. This could be due to the fact that my 2015 had a 6 speed transmission whereas the 2023 has a 10 speed, so perhaps I'm just feeling more shifts?

I'm disappointed that they took away the adjustable pedal feature. I loved that feature on my 2015 Suburban LT and I was surprised to discover that it isn't on the Premier trim package.

4. My only gripe (so far) about Carvana is that they did not disclose that it only came with one key. I haven't priced a spare key yet, but still ... bummer. Any thoughts about whether I should make a stink over the issue? Would it be worth it? To be fair, the listing didn't say anything about the number of keys, and I didn't ask. But they asked multiple times if my trade-in came with 2 or more keys, so clearly it's a big deal to them when they are buying!

Thanks for any feedback! I'm enjoying the forum so far and have already learned a lot.

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.

Thank you for sharing your Carvana experience with the Forum members. Much appreciated.

Regarding a second key/FOB, go to your local locksmith to obtain one at a reasonable price.

lol, shoot first, ask questions later

Joseph Garcia said:

Regarding a second key/FOB, go to your local locksmith to obtain one at a reasonable price.

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Thank you for the response and especially for this helpful tip. I had no idea that a locksmith could do this!! I assumed that these new keyless FOBs were some kind of proprietary digital thing that GM would have to supply.

Thanks again!

I'd first go back on Carvana and ask if they have the 2nd key for this or if maybe it's hidden in the vehicle.

there are so many options on these new vehicles that some may love and some may hate it's always best to test drive and decide what you want and then verify it does or does not have the option. Dealers often either list it wrong or do not even bother to list exactly what it has or does not have.
Add to that GM cheaping out and removing things that used to be standard. If you want one feature you have to purchase a package which in turn add's things you may not want or like at all.
as you have already bit the bullet I would recomend sitting down in the drivers seat get the owners manual out and go thru each and every thing and figure out what it has and does not have and verify it works, get the jack and tools out, wheel lock key, etc and make sure that all functions, check every seat belt, door lock (inside and out), window switch, mirrors, button gizmo, a~z. otherwise it may be too late to get it addressed at there cost.
so many things to fail, if everything works 100% your lucky.

I was unaware that the Premier came in a 5.3L, I thought they were all 6.2L. Does yours have the quad-tipped exhaust?

I second what others have said, contact Carvana first to see if they have or will pay for you to get a second key.

tooleyondeck said:

I was unaware that the Premier came in a 5.3L, I thought they were all 6.2L. Does yours have the quad-tipped exhaust?

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That's what I was originally told at a dealer's lot, but I subsequently learned that is not correct. Mine does have the quad tipped exhaust, but it is sure enough a 5.3L.

I didn't even know quad tips were available on a 5.3 between the Yukon or Tahoe. I wonder if its aftermarket from the first owner.

BigdawgR6 said:

I didn't even know quad tips were available on a 5.3 between the Yukon or Tahoe. I wonder if its aftermarket from the first owner.

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The previous owner was Hertz fleet management. I doubt they would have put on aftermarket parts.

When you say quad tip exhaust, I'm assuming we are talking about the same thing but here is a picture just in case.