Ex "needs" some different wheels as the suburban has 26xxxx on it. Recently took a new position across the state and being on call for 4-24hr shifts a week. This means upto a 3-4hr one way drive when called. I've faithfully kept up the maintenance on the sub but it's time to redo some things on it like new lifters, springs, camshaft, fuel pump, suspension, etc... lots of deferred things that didn't matter a lot.
Budget is 20k-ish total. Will do a fly n drive to avoid used Michigan rust buckets, but would prefer new. No import manufacturers, she's not a fan and quite frankly neither am I. Would like room for 4-5. Not a car.
Currently looked at Explorers (not bad but $$), Blazer ($$ and I'm not a fan of the engine longevity problems), Trailblazer (Daewoo E36 M3box), newer hoe/burb/kon (have to do all the same things above like the current 'burban plus $$), so far. What else is out there?
Michigan has an auction site where they sell a lot of those blue state trooper cop Tahoes. Probably too wailed on for your needs.
In reply to Datsun310Guy :
Previously looked at them before all this and it's a no go from her. Plus they're rust buckets underneath. I used to live here in this E36 M3hole state....
Best quad cab EcoBoost F150 you can find would be worth a look.
In reply to Ranger50 :
I think what you have wrote is the dream/goal is an SUV from the few manufacturers you're comfortable with. These days most all manufacturers have the following SUVs: X-Small, Small, Med, Lrg, XL. Staying sub $25k will probably only get you XS or S. But coming from a Suburban, does she really want another XXL?
I'd probably point toward a low option S sized suv. If that is Chevy, it is Trailblazer or Equinox. If Ford then Escape (avoid the XS EcoSport.)
Kia Seltos or Hyundai Tuscon seem nice but I suspect they are not an approved brand.
Toyota Rav4 followed by Honda CRV are the two most sold non-trucks in the US these days. Either is probably a great choice going as old as you have to to find one in budget.
In reply to John Welsh :
Personally, because I'm the mechanic that fixes the E36 M3 around here, I don't want fwd, but obviously that's a neither here nor there at this moment. I wouldn't mind the xl/xxl models because I know them well and their failure points.
You couldn't give me a Kia/Hyundai/Toyota/Honda/Nissan. I follow too many mechanics on TikTok that work on them ferrin brands and I'm out on the stupidity that they entail. Not saying the domestics are any better but I can fix them better.
I'd push a MB/dodge/jeep Durango/GC but the speed density lets it down for mileage. It's only there, hanging on, to pass emissions. Plus they are way long in the tooth.
I had a Trailblazer / Envoy ( same thing different badges) and I absolutely loved it. It wasn't monster big and that big in line Six cylinder. Had wonderful torque, got great fuel mileage. Plus it's the right size for living in urban areas If you're going to regularly carry 5 adult men better get the 3 row seat one. ( it's longer).
In reply to frenchyd :
Different model, same name. New trailblazer is a fwd 1.2 or 1.3L micro cuv, built by daewoo.
Datsun310Guy said:
Michigan has an auction site where they sell a lot of those blue state trooper cop Tahoes. Probably too wailed on for your needs.
Both the Tahoe and the Explorer cop versions have the occasional Chief 's or Sargent car with relatively easy life.
The suspensions and engines on those both tend to be very robust. For your budget a fly and drive from a southern state ( or California/Oregon ) should be a decent selection.
I would look for the lowest millage / best condition Suburban you can find. Stay away from the Cylinder on demand and obviously rust. BTW your old one if it is not rusty should sell for some real money as well. This may help you extend the budget a bit.
In reply to dean1484 :
One dealer said it was a worth $500. To which she said she'd burn it or turn it into the largest plant growing lawn ornament ever seen. LOL.
As to AFM/DOD, that would be the first mod to do. I did that to my Avalanche via ECU mods. Still rolling the same problematic afm lifters since I picked it up at 35k, now at 235k.
In reply to Ranger50 :
I would rather work on a Korean car than ANY domestic manufacturer. Period. Bolt sizes are predictable, parts are in the right place. Much easier to fix and fix less often than their domestic brethren. Your choice, but I firmly believe you are 100% incorrect.
In reply to bobzilla :
Almost every domestic uses 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, and 21mm for everything. I say almost because Chrysler will Chrysler, aka hemi bellhousing bolts are a 14mm/9/16" headed 7/16" bolt.
In reply to Ranger50 :
10/12/14/17/19. Done.
I know on the Sierra there are still SAE bolts in use with the diff. Pretty much empty the toolbox when working on it. Interior gets weird with 5.5 and 6mm bolts in places and Ford loves Torx in random spots.
In reply to bobzilla :
Because axle assemblies like that are designed by Dana/aam for a certain load requirement. Same for transfer cases anymore. It's all internal to who made it with their design. So that's why you will see sae fasteners.
I pretty much fix everything on both gmt800's with a single rail of shallow chrome Matco metric 3/8's sockets and some random 1/2" impacts, shallow and deep, in the aforementioned sizes. Takes up maybe 1.5 drawers of my portable 3 drawer Milwaukee pack out, just because it's really small in size.
We shall have to agree to disagree on the foreign vs domestic crapboxes.
STM317
PowerDork
2/13/23 10:59 a.m.
Looks like $19k-23k will buy a 1-3 year old Escape Hybrid with ~80-120k miles. That will get far superior fuel economy for the long drives (and short ones), and the Ford hybrid powertrain is known to be very reliable which means you spend less time and money fixing the thing.
IF you can stretch the budget to $23k, this 2020 has under 45k miles and seems like a better deal than most in that price range.
