We have an expanding family and need a bigger vehicle for the wife and kids. We currently have a Commander but need something with more room. I was looking at the last generation Suburban, which I think ran from 2000 to 2006. Also looking at minivans and other full-size SUVs, but that's a different discussion. Anyone have any good or bad experiences with the Suburbans? Known issues? Anything to avoid? Are the new ones better or worse vehicles? Better alternatives?
Last generation Suburban - pros/cons
- Thread starter Hoosier
- Start date
Eagle River Mike
Member
I had a 2001 Suburban with the 5.3 liter V-8 and it had the dreaded piston knock when first started. Took it to the dealer several times and they would not fixed it under warranty. They claim that the noise did not effect performance or durability. I put 130k miles on it in 4 years and sold it to a friend who still has it. I really liked it and had no other issues with it. Mine was a base LS trim with not much else other the 4 wd.
I had a 2000 LT and a 2003 Z71. Never had any major issues with either one. Only problem with them, as I talked about a while ago, are the front wheel hub assemblies. They are notorious for going bad. Not the end of the world but, something to keep in mind. I liked the older style better than my newer one. Then only reason I sold my 2003 was warranty was up. Another note, the Z71 have painted bumpers which will rust. Had mine redone twice at the dealer and he said they all do it and the models with the chrome bumpers hold up much better.
I'm thinking about selling mine and going back to another older Z71.
Dave
I'm thinking about selling mine and going back to another older Z71.
Dave
polarisrider1
New member
I had a 1998 3/4 ton suburban. It was a total pc. of junk. Had the 454 efi. with all the bells and whistles. bought new in 98. It loved to eat front brakes (10" disc) heck cars got better brakes than that. Dang thing weighed like 3 tons. Heatted seats burned out all the time, exhaust manifold were aluminum, duh! melt down on those, put cast iron on and fixed that. Rust, cheap plastic interior parts, 7 qts. of oil and burned another between oil changes. Did get 145,000 miles out of it before valve guides wore out and a piston lost compression. Looked at Consumers reports after the fact of purchasing it. All Black dots. Very low rating. That was $42,000 to the wind. oh and 7.5MPG with the 4.10 gears. I suspect they only got better from there. Check consumers reports on what your looking at. It is not the gospel, but it is the least biased info I can find on North american built vehicals. Most of it came from Canada and Mexico.
I have an 04 3/4 ton sub. Drive train has been pretty much trouble free, other than the trans forgetting what its supposed to do every once in a blue moon. The rest of the truck is a total pile of crap!! Cheap plastic interior parts breaking all the time. Speedo motors are an issue but easily fixed if you know how to solder. Every door has rust bubbles on the inside sill. Window regulators are junk. Sunroof is junk. Couple wheel speed sensors. Steering column clunking from day one. Windows freeze shut at 31.9 degrees. Blower motor resister. Bought it for towing and it tows like crap. The list goes on and on. I would NEVER buy another one. 50 grand pissed away. Could have bought a Benz for that!
what year?
tundra ron
New member
van
Buy yourself a nice Toyota Van you can buy a new one for 30000 dollars.It will pull a 2 place very nicely. They have a 3.5 engine 268 hp. I have a 05 with 100000mi never one issue with it. Only thing is tires last about 40000mi
Buy yourself a nice Toyota Van you can buy a new one for 30000 dollars.It will pull a 2 place very nicely. They have a 3.5 engine 268 hp. I have a 05 with 100000mi never one issue with it. Only thing is tires last about 40000mi
polarisrider1
New member
sounds like they have not improved. I forgot to mention the anti-lock brake sensors are plastic and are easily damaged. The 4x4 actuator corroded, list goes on and on.
I have an 08 half ton suburban and we have 60000 on it and it gets between 15 and 18 mpg with gas and 13 and 15 with e85. I'm sure that it is capable of better mileage if I drove slower. It tow's all my stuff really good and for how large it is it handles really nice and has good power. I have only a couple of complaints about it. The drivers door clunks when you open it, the roller in the hindge gets bound up and doesn't move all the time. And the rear window defroster keeps poping off the glass, third time its done that. Other than that its a great ride with lots of room for the kids and wifes stuff when we go up north.
We looked at those and Hondas also. Both have recent redesigns. Not sure about minivan vs suburban or maybe expedition el. This vehicle will be the family vehicle and probably won't be used for snowmobile trips, at least for quite a few years...
skiroule
Well-known member
I've owned 3 Suburbans over the last 15 or so years and I've seen a steady improvement in the model. This is not to say that I've haven't had problems. I think my 99 was the one that was not "built with pride in Jaynesville". I should add that some of the problems identified in this thread are not unique to the Suburban line. I've had a number of the same problems with my GM pickup.
Just the same, GM has done something right with the big SUV. It is arguably the longest running, most popular full-sized SUV in history. Go to any youth hockey game and count the Suburbans, Yukons, and Escalades in the parking lot. It says volumes about their popularity and utility.
The 2000 - 2006 range is probably a good choice. These models should be significantly cheaper than the new body style and in my opinion are better vehicles than the pre-2000 models. Gas prices should help your bargaining power.
If you can, go with a half-ton LT (chocolate ice cream is way easier to clean off leather) and avoid the big V8.
Believe me, the first time you throw a stack of 4x8 sheets of plywood in the back and close the rear doors, you'll wonder what you did without it.
Just the same, GM has done something right with the big SUV. It is arguably the longest running, most popular full-sized SUV in history. Go to any youth hockey game and count the Suburbans, Yukons, and Escalades in the parking lot. It says volumes about their popularity and utility.
The 2000 - 2006 range is probably a good choice. These models should be significantly cheaper than the new body style and in my opinion are better vehicles than the pre-2000 models. Gas prices should help your bargaining power.
If you can, go with a half-ton LT (chocolate ice cream is way easier to clean off leather) and avoid the big V8.
Believe me, the first time you throw a stack of 4x8 sheets of plywood in the back and close the rear doors, you'll wonder what you did without it.
I drove suburbans over 30 years as a work vehicle (survey crew) and they were the best vehicles we ever had. My last burb was a 99 K2500HD 4x4 (special fleet w/K3500 chassis). I drove it over 110,000 miles in 3+ yrs and the only thing replaced were brakes and tires. The vehicle was in some rough terrain on GPS surveys, idled for 10+ hrs at a time (keep warm in winter and cool in summer) but never used oil, never failed to start, never broke down and stranded me anywhere and was comfortable to work out of 40 hrs a week. Over the years they always tried to put us in a different (cheaper van) vehicle and almost all the surveyors to the last one put up a stink.
Last edited:
tealracing16
Member
I've owed a 92', 01 & now an 05' Suburban. Also had a 78' & 86' K5 Blazers.
The 05' is a 3/4 Ton , LT with autoride and an 8.1L. It's been a good truck, which I purchased used with 25k miles in November 08. I'm now at 78k. Motor has been great, no 5.3/6.0L clatter at start up, I hated that! It tows the (4) place enclosed fully loaded easily, plenty of torque for a gas motor.
The gas mileage, none towing on the freeway is nothing to write home about, getting 14mpg. Fully loaded pulling 4 place is typically 8-9mpg to as low at 7.5mpg at 70+mph on the freeway bucking a wind.
No issues with brakes or wear on the 01 or 05. Both 3/4 tons. I had 184k miles on the 01' 6.0L when I sold it and I was still on the second set of pads for both front and back. Nothing yet on the 05' has needed attention at 78k concerning the brakes.
Besides normal maintanence items like oil/filter changes, I have had to replace one of the O2 sensors, airbag sensor, MAF Sensor, belt idler pulley, alternator, battery due to age recently and the dreaded transfer case half that needed to be replaced due to wear from a clip holding the pump that fails. The pump rubs a hole through the side of the case that only leaks when underway. Common on alot of 2500/3500 Chevrolets from this period (2000-2006). They redesigned the clip. WTH! Stupide design flaw that should not have been in so many model years.
Since this truck has been on the road since November 04', I don't feel these items, besides the transfer case issue, were of major concern but definitely an annoyance.
Perhaps I am more comfortable with having to replace these items as I purchased the Suburban used and at only $20k back in 08' when gas was over $4.00+ gallon. And here we are again. GRRRRRR.......
With gas prices the way they are presently, I would not want to use itas a daily driver, if I didn't have too. But for weekend towing needs with plenty of room for everyone and their luggage, you can't beat the Suburban. I love them!!
The 05' is a 3/4 Ton , LT with autoride and an 8.1L. It's been a good truck, which I purchased used with 25k miles in November 08. I'm now at 78k. Motor has been great, no 5.3/6.0L clatter at start up, I hated that! It tows the (4) place enclosed fully loaded easily, plenty of torque for a gas motor.
The gas mileage, none towing on the freeway is nothing to write home about, getting 14mpg. Fully loaded pulling 4 place is typically 8-9mpg to as low at 7.5mpg at 70+mph on the freeway bucking a wind.
No issues with brakes or wear on the 01 or 05. Both 3/4 tons. I had 184k miles on the 01' 6.0L when I sold it and I was still on the second set of pads for both front and back. Nothing yet on the 05' has needed attention at 78k concerning the brakes.
Besides normal maintanence items like oil/filter changes, I have had to replace one of the O2 sensors, airbag sensor, MAF Sensor, belt idler pulley, alternator, battery due to age recently and the dreaded transfer case half that needed to be replaced due to wear from a clip holding the pump that fails. The pump rubs a hole through the side of the case that only leaks when underway. Common on alot of 2500/3500 Chevrolets from this period (2000-2006). They redesigned the clip. WTH! Stupide design flaw that should not have been in so many model years.
Since this truck has been on the road since November 04', I don't feel these items, besides the transfer case issue, were of major concern but definitely an annoyance.
Perhaps I am more comfortable with having to replace these items as I purchased the Suburban used and at only $20k back in 08' when gas was over $4.00+ gallon. And here we are again. GRRRRRR.......
With gas prices the way they are presently, I would not want to use itas a daily driver, if I didn't have too. But for weekend towing needs with plenty of room for everyone and their luggage, you can't beat the Suburban. I love them!!
We still own a 2000 Sub with 150K miles, runs like a top. Front wheel bearing a while back had to be replaced. Been back & forth to Florida 4 times, Also when you make those long trips to Eagle River, and you need to get home in a snow strom, you feel safe with all that metal around you. I dont know if the new burbs are available in diesel, but I sure would look into that option.
Had a 99 Tahoe since new, no problems at all, the only reason I got rid of it is because of no 3rd row seat
currently have a 2005 GMC Denali, fully loaded, nav., dvd entertainment system, pushing 100k, no problems at all, just maintance,
Might consider selling it if I can find a low mileage and clean 2008 suburban
currently have a 2005 GMC Denali, fully loaded, nav., dvd entertainment system, pushing 100k, no problems at all, just maintance,
Might consider selling it if I can find a low mileage and clean 2008 suburban