Sell me on a Tahoe

[Kulot]

I'm debating over getting a 2001 Toyota Sequoia, or a 2000-02 Tahoe. Internet reviews make my head spin. Turns out everything is lousy.

How many miles and how much headache has your Tahoe of this vintage given you?

Anybody Drive both that can give me a comparison?
Thanks!

 

[swathdiver]

You're considering a 16-18 year old truck, what is the parts availability and cost of parts of the japanese truck compared with the tahoe? I always go American but that's me.

I reckon it'll be much easier and less costly to maintain the Tahoe. Can't see Classic Industries coming out with a Sequoia catalog; ever!

 

[Danny3737]

Before buying a Sequoia check the frame, they are known to have rust problems. They were actually part of a class action lawsuit that Toyota lost this year.

 

[schaffer05]

Having come from a Toyota Tundra to the Tahoe this is what I can tell you. Those toyotas are reliable as all get out. However, they have no technology in them what so ever. I'm not sure what the 2000 model Tahoe had back then that would be a must have, or if any.

Notorious Toyota issues are with the AIP. Around 100k the water pumps usually give out. As someone else mentioned, they did have rust issues. On the rusting frame issue, Toyota replaced all of the frames that qualified with brand new frames for free.

The thing that made me sell my Tundra was if you live in the country, toyota's have a known problem of mice getting into the cabin somehow. I don't know where they come in, but they do. My parents Camry had it. My wife's Camry has had them, and my Tundra had a TON of them. That was model year 09 Camry and 15 Camry, and a 16 Tundra. Can't imagine it wasn't an issue way back then.

Join a Seqouia forum (if there are any) and look at the issues. If there aren't any, join the TundraTalk community and read about the trucks that model year, because they're the same vehicles essentially.

I don't buy into the American made stuff. Tundra was the most American made truck the last few years, and GM had to be bailed out by the tax payers. Nothing says 'Merica like welfare I guess.


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[Kulot]

Thanks for the replies. I think that I'm going with the Chevy based on a ton of reports of the Toyota's vsc acting up and never being resolved, on the model generation I'm looking at. Also, there's almost no community support like this forum. Forums like this make a huge impact when it comes to diy repairs, etc. I appreciate your input.

 

[ta08hoe]

In my opinion those were the best years I bought an 08 but the 01s had less tech less problems and the 5.3s are known for 350k plus without a lot of problems maybe a water pump and maintenance but there easy on them ole trucks

 

[MidwestMike]

On that year Tahoe a few of the negatives:
Check for the number of the Castech heads of the one you buy. (a quick Tahoe/Castech google search will show you..)
Brake lines rotted. GM fought the recall for 6 years, second only to the Firestone/Explorer roll over issue. Won by claiming brake lines are an item that should be routinely inspected. (Even though it required removing the bed or body to be done)
AC compressor issues. The did some reprogramming to help by delaying the start, but check.

Thing I liked best is the way the 4WD works and the locking rear end.

I just got ride of my 2002 Tahoe, and shopped for a used Armada, Sequoia, and Tahoe. My use is 90% towing in the snow, the locking rear is what kept me in a Tahoe.

Although if you start doing research on any of them, the amount of issues you find make you think you should never get another vehicle. Search Armada-Issues, Tahoe-Issues, Sequoia-Issues, etc. and you would think they are all falling apart.

 

[Danny3737]

I own 4 vehicles, 2004 Denali, 2012 Sienna, 2003 RAV4, and a 2003 Highlander. No doubt Toyota makes dependable vehicles, their 20R motor was probably the most bullet proof 4cyl ever made. My second car was a 75 Celica that I put close to 400K miles on. I put dual webers, header, and a mild cam in it an drove it like I stole it every day.

I had a 99 Suburban and 2002 Denali XL before my I bought my current Denali and have never had to do anything but basic maintenance to any of them. I wouldn't trade my ride for a Sequoia that's 10 years newer.