Trade 6.2 for 5.3

[blanchard7684]

So

Wife has a 23 premier pretty much loaded with 33k on the clock. Sticker was 78. Bought it May of 23. Had the 6.2 bearing failure and engine replacement in June of 24 with 22k.

New engine has been fine for 11k. Wife loves the car. Drivetrain warranty for 16,000 more miles. Which the way she’s is driving lately will be late summer.

Happened across her exact Tahoe same color. Same options. Same interior. But with the 5.3. It’s a New 24. Sticker 81k. After rebates, 73k. They are offering 57k for my trade. After fees and taxes, I’m writing a check for 18k.

I haven’t gone in to try and do better, and honestly it’s not as bad as I expected. Current rig will need tires, front brakes and a detail in the spring.

I don’t really think lightning will strike twice. But I have zero intention of keeping this engine past 50k.

Long winded. But if you’ve read this far, what do you think?

John

If you have another bearing failure, even inside of warranty, what is the cost of the hassle, and possibly being in a loaner for a considerable amount of time? Not to mention, that as of 1/23/2025 there doesn't seem to be a technical solution which means the probability of having a repeat failure is non-trivial, and at that point you are on your own. And by that point the trade in value will be much lower, while a new 5.3 equipped Tahoe will be even more expensive.

 

[clogan2]

I'm surprised you will need brakes at 50,000...My wife's brakes ('16 LTZ, 5.3) still had life left when I replaced pads at 130,000...and my rotors were still fine. Your wife must do a LOT of stop and go!

Personally, I'd keep the one you have, and save the 18Gs for the next new engine/transmission...but that's just me. If I like a vehicle, I heep it for a long time. My truck ('08) is 17 years old. My car is an '06. My motorcycle I kept for 15 years. I mean, I could see spending the cash for something new, or different, or if you hated your current ride. But I'd not spend the money for an essentially identical vehicle, albeit one with a different engine and fewer miles.

 

[NYBRD]

The money you would spend to get the 5.3 why not put that into that motor and delete all that BS and put quality bearings cam and lifters in there and she would be good to go! All the new engines have issues but that money you would pay to get the new Tahoe you could spend a fraction of that to just beef up the motor you got and keep her

Did this! spent maybe 6k or less and my 5.3 has been amazing ever since

 

[Skywagon]

I've read a good bit about the 6.2 and 5.3. They each have problems. I am on my 4th Tahoe all with 5.3's. One Z71 and 3 LTZ's. I've never had an issue with the drivetrain. I've had to replace the starter in every one of them including a brand new 1999 3/4T 454 Suburban at 20,000. I've run them all to about 135,00 and trade them in. My 2016 will be traded in for a new one sometime near March or April. I pull a 3500lb boat regularly and have pulled my 10,000lb boat probably 25 times or more. It definitely needs more giddy-up for the 10,000 but the 3500 is just fine. I'll likely buy a Z71 again with 5.3. My close friend has a 6.2. I get far better gas mileage than him. Over 100miles per tank better.

 

[petethepug]

He has a 6.2L w/ a new factory crate engine installed by the dealership. It’s better than before with a GM warranty on new motor.

When it’s fixed he’s ready to take an equity hit, pay again to immediately take another equity hit on another lower optioned (5.3L) vehicle as well as a hit on potential taxes, Ins & registration.

The warranty did its job, and then some more. Somebody at that dealership is clawing at his 6.2L to get a screaming deal on a highline truck with a new crate motor.

DO NOT fix a problem that’s already been resolved. The pain of discipline lasts just a short while. The pain of regret lasts a lifetime. Know your enemy (motor), don’t take on another enemy (motor) believing that unfamiliar territory (warranty) is better. You already did that.

 

[Old AF Vet]

'So

Wife has a 23 premier pretty much loaded with 33k on the clock. Sticker was 78. Bought it May of 23. Had the 6.2 bearing failure and engine replacement in June of 24 with 22k.

New engine has been fine for 11k. Wife loves the car. Drivetrain warranty for 16,000 more miles. Which the way she’s is driving lately will be late summer.

Happened across her exact Tahoe same color. Same options. Same interior. But with the 5.3. It’s a New 24. Sticker 81k. After rebates, 73k. They are offering 57k for my trade. After fees and taxes, I’m writing a check for 18k.

I haven’t gone in to try and do better, and honestly it’s not as bad as I expected. Current rig will need tires, front brakes and a detail in the spring.

I don’t really think lightning will strike twice. But I have zero intention of keeping this engine past 50k.

Long winded. But if you’ve read this far, what do you think?

John

Don't do it. I had a 2018 with 6.2 and loved it. At that time I opted for the 6.2 after reading major magazine reviews that rated the 5.3 a wimpy adequate. I got the new car fever in 22 but due to covid and chip shortage could not find a Tahoe and dealer didn

So

Wife has a 23 premier pretty much loaded with 33k on the clock. Sticker was 78. Bought it May of 23. Had the 6.2 bearing failure and engine replacement in June of 24 with 22k.

New engine has been fine for 11k. Wife loves the car. Drivetrain warranty for 16,000 more miles. Which the way she’s is driving lately will be late summer.

Happened across her exact Tahoe same color. Same options. Same interior. But with the 5.3. It’s a New 24. Sticker 81k. After rebates, 73k. They are offering 57k for my trade. After fees and taxes, I’m writing a check for 18k.

I haven’t gone in to try and do better, and honestly it’s not as bad as I expected. Current rig will need tires, front brakes and a detail in the spring.

I don’t really think lightning will strike twice. But I have zero intention of keeping this engine past 50k.

Long winded. But if you’ve read this far, what do you think?

John

I had a 2018 6.2. I got the 6.2 because I had a small travel trailer and reviews said the 5.3 was only "adequate". Loved the 6.2 all things considered so the slight difference in mileage was acceptable. I got the new car fever in 20, but could not find a Tahoe anywhere and dealer made excuses to not order. in 22 started looking on line to find one anywhere. All I could find was an RST with the 5.3. Though the dealer was certain the performance issues of the past were resolved performance was less than "adequate". The 5.3 had a jerky start from a dead stop (RPM too high when engaging?). If you encountered any terrain or load challenges you were in a shift-a-thon. In could not get used to it so I ordered a Z71 with 6.2, waited a year (order got pushed in to 2024 model year) but well worth the wait! The Z with the 6.2 performs like my old 6.2 did and I have enjoyed every minute of driving it.

So

Wife has a 23 premier pretty much loaded with 33k on the clock. Sticker was 78. Bought it May of 23. Had the 6.2 bearing failure and engine replacement in June of 24 with 22k.

New engine has been fine for 11k. Wife loves the car. Drivetrain warranty for 16,000 more miles. Which the way she’s is driving lately will be late summer.

Happened across her exact Tahoe same color. Same options. Same interior. But with the 5.3. It’s a New 24. Sticker 81k. After rebates, 73k. They are offering 57k for my trade. After fees and taxes, I’m writing a check for 18k.

I haven’t gone in to try and do better, and honestly it’s not as bad as I expected. Current rig will need tires, front brakes and a detail in the spring.

I don’t really think lightning will strike twice. But I have zero intention of keeping this engine past 50k.

Long winded. But if you’ve read this far, what do you think?

John