Tahoe Retirement Vehicle

[petethepug]

At 82 you’ll want mass (3 Tons) and reliability.

There’s a sweet spot with Tahoe that’ll give 100k easily. It avoids the cylinder deactivation / AFM, gives the 6.2L, has AWD or 2WD, e85 options and GM’s most couch like seats.

It comes in the form of the 07-09 Yukon Denali and Escalade standard length. For both, 09 has the option of 2WD or AWD. e85 begins in 09 and 08/09 Denali has option for integrated tow brake.

My experience comes from an 08 YXL Denali & a 09 Escalade ESV Platinum. The Caddy will be at 190k soon. I just missed the option of replacing its 6SP trans with a 2019+ 10SP option, but it’s there now.

If you get a contract / warranty thru Ally (GM owned) for 2-3 years you’re covered on any missed maint or hidden mechanical issues. I’m geek’g out on $75 e85 fillups in its 30 gal tank.

After ‘09 everything has AFM on the motors. After ‘14 GM went to global architecture B in its electronics (price, service & compatibility issues). 15-20’ has weaknesses in a/c & 8SP trans issues.

 

[SpyShops212]

Thanks for the gouge. I have considered Subaru but what shies me away from them is few 6 cylinder models and higher 0-60 times. I haven't driven one so I can't offer a subjective opinion. I live in urban places and do a lot of highway driving. Admittedly, a Tahoe is big vehicle for such places but giving the Subaru is a good idea.

I purchased a 2024 new Ascent Touring last summer. It has 360 camera, side shade windows, mirror camera, 5000 lbs towing, led cornering headlights, symmetrical AWD, self driving, all mirrors dim at night, huge sunroof, 3rd row, 2nd row captains, heated wheel, wireless CarPlay/A.A., front facing engine, ACC cruise, safety five-star, huge screen radio, remote start, java leather, cooled/heated seats, 2nd row heated seats, 8 speed, paddle shifters, wireless charger, auto wipers, auto high beams, 780 watt Harmon Kardon system, subwoofer, and more. It is allot of car for the money. These cars have the boxer engine which lasts 400k if you change your fluids on time.

 

[ZKWBQD]

I'm gonna retire in a couple of years and need a retirement vehicle that will last me the rest of my life. I'm 82 and looking for something survivable in a crash, 4 wheel drive for all weather, robust, not less than 6 cylinder, and big enough to haul stuff when I need to. My candidate vehicles are Jeep (poor reliability), 4 Runner (not convinced), and Tahoe (or Yukon). I'm really a basic Chevy guy that loves my Impalas and Corvettes.

OK, question is, what do you all think of a Tahoe to fit my requirements. I was seriously warned away from the Grand Cherokee , but I do like the Tahoes (and 4 Runners). I have found a beautiful 2018 Tahoe on Carmax at $39,000 and 66K miles, and 5.3L power with 4WD. It is loaded with everything and a tan interior. My view is this vehicle is a 250,000 mile machine and at my age I'm not likely to put another 200,000 miles on it before I croak. One thing that is pressing me now is to get a 6 or 8 cylinder soon before they all go out of production and dry up.
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Unless you really love your work, you've waited WAY too long to retire.

 

[vcode]

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I purchased a 2024 new Ascent Touring last summer. It has 360 camera, side shade windows, mirror camera, 5000 lbs towing, led cornering headlights, symmetrical AWD, self driving, all mirrors dim at night, huge sunroof, 3rd row, 2nd row captains, heated wheel, wireless CarPlay/A.A., front facing engine, ACC cruise, safety five-star, huge screen radio, remote start, java leather, cooled/heated seats, 2nd row heated seats, 8 speed, paddle shifters, wireless charger, auto wipers, auto high beams, 780 watt Harmon Kardon system, subwoofer, and more. It is allot of car for the money. These cars have the boxer engine which lasts 400k if you change your fluids on time.

The Ascent does not have and 8 speed tranny, it has a CVT. It may be able to mimic an 8 speed but it is still a CVT. It's also been troublesome in the past with recall and a class action lawsuit. Other than that it is a nice vehicle and will outrun a 5.3L.....

 

[ReaperHWK]

Depends. What’s your budget? If I was 82 and going to roll out into the sunset a used rolls Royce ghost would be nice…..

 

[Tahoe Fan D77]

Unless you really love your work, you've waited WAY too long to retire.

I drive a '99 Tahoe and it's great for everything - roomy, well cared-for leather interior, 5 passenger, lots of cargo space. I also wanted to get an '08 Tahoe, because I like the styling, but at the time only a very good condition '08 Suburban was available - I got it, so now have the 2. While the Suburban rides better, smoother (feels like a Caddy) and is more stable on the road, I still think the Tahoe is the better vehicle (5.7L vs the 5.3L with AFM, which has reliability issues, and the Burb is forever throwing silly codes and dash lights that are mostly problems with the sensors and not the systems) The Tahoe has 100,500 miles on it, I got it three years ago with 77K miles - I got supremely lucky. The Burb has 180 K miles, got it a year ago, it still runs great but I sense I'm going to start to need more serious repairs (front end work is needed, the previous owner replaced a front axle). The Tahoe is my off-road vehicle, although off-road for me is only sandy beaches, not challenging Off Road stuff (Cape Cod, Long Island and Jersey shore beaches, which are generally not that challenging) Of the two, I would suggest the Tahoe, although the 95-99 generation might be tough to find, they are ancient at this point, and the guys who have them don't want to part with them. I have always felt that the one previous owner of the Tahoe was an older guy who got it as a retirement vehicle, put his 21 years into it at 3,700 miles per year, and then either didn't drive anymore or didn't breathe anymore. Whichever, he (she?.....) did a great job in caring for it. So, the Tahoe has likely been 2 retirement vehicles, and I expect to put my 20 plus years into it before my heirs decide who the lucky next owner is.