Late SUV from the big three

[look 171]

I do not own any newer US made trucks or SUVs. The newest Dodge diesel is over 10 years old. Any one have info on its reliability? I am looking for a 06 to 08 Tahoe (or something similar, Ford, Toyota, etc..). lets hear about the 03 to 06 too. I am sure if a problem does come up in those earlier years, they would likely to occur because I think they are basically the same truck. I have a good few years left on my old Landcruiser. Absolutely trouble free for over 200k+ miles now. I am looking at other options due to cost and size. Many of our Large SUVs are a little larger then a similar year LC. A clean Land Cruiser is another 10k+ more. I don't need another SUV. I just want a newer one for daily use. I would love to have another slightly used LC, but want to look at my options. Please don't tell me to get a van (already have one) or a wagon.

By the way, Four wheel drive is a must. Ski and getting up to the lake can be a pain without it.

[UconnTim97]

Our Envoy Denali, which may be smaller than what you are looking for, has been trouble free though 50k miles outside of a faulty cam sensor that was replaced under warranty. The 5.3 V8 has excellent torque and the 4WD with locking diff has been fantastic in all this snow we have had lately. We are still on the original brakes and tires which is amazing considering my wife's driving. For her brakes are usually a yearly / 15k replacement item.

[stealthn]

Cayenne hybrid...

[gprsh924]

No long term experience, but last winter myself and two friends drive from sw Ohio to Jackson Hole to go skiing in the friends Mom's 08 suburban. It was a fantastic high way cruiser. Though the interior had some cheap touches, it had all the latest technology and was still in nice shape with over 95k miles on it at the time. It was also over a $60k vehicle when new, and I am surprised at how well they seem to hold their value.

[kaisen]

The 2003-2006 Tahoe is different from the 2007-present. They've been pretty reliable rigs for their price point, esp used. Try the 07-up Denali or Escalade with the 400+hp 6.2L and 6 speed auto and you'll be hooked.

The 2007-up Expedition might be worth a look. They had independent rear suspension so they ride a touch nicer over sharp bumps and the third row seats fold flush. They also had a 6 speed auto, where the lesser versions of the GM had a 4spd. Navigator adds luxury, and a 4 wheel air suspension (and had a ZF 6 speed auto in 05-06)

Toyota's 4.7L V8 isn't in the same league, but the 5.7L is an amazing motor if you can afford a late model Sequoia or LC.

If it were me, I'd buy a 2007-up GMC Denali or Cadillac Escalade with the 6.2L. XL or ESV (Suburban) length is better for me.

[porsche4life]

Do you need the third row seats? For a trip wagon we really like our Dodge megacab with a shell. The Cummins pulls the car trailer like a dream, and we ride comfortably with plenty of dry storage for gear....

[kaisen]

I forgot the Nissan Armada. IRS, great motor, decent transmission. 2008-up marked interior changes. Decent value. The Infiniti QX56 version is nice too. I think a couple Pelicans own them. Onewhippedpuppy?

[Steve Viegas]

I have an 06 Dodge Durango. It has about 85K on it. The radio/GPS is on the fritz and the EGR value (about a $40.00 part) is proving to be suspect (but never enough trouble to change although I have bought the part), but other than that, it really has been great. It is not as big inside as my wife's minivan but it is big enough. I have the 5.7 Hemi, get an average of about 15+ miles to the gallon, and it sound nice when I have to merge.

[onewhippedpuppy]

My wife has a 2004 Armada (first year) 2wd with 85k on it. My only real knock is a few squeaks from the interior, but far better than the domestics I've driven with similar miles. Otherwise the interior has held up very well (looks new), it handles decent for a truck based SUV, LOTS of room especially in the 2nd row, decent turning radius so it's not bad to park, and the engine/transmisson combo is fantastic. The 5.6L V8 DOHC has something like 320 HP and 400 lb*ft of torque, and it sounds like it was yanked straight from a '60s musclecar. It never lacks for power, and the transmission is always in the right gear. 19 MPG on long highway trips. The 2004 models had a few recalls for brake wear and vibration, so 2005+ avoids that. 2006 gets a split 3rd row, and as Eric noted 2008+ gets a nicer interior. Overall we're very happy with it, it's been a very solid and enjoyable SUV.

We test drove the Expedition, Tahoe, Durango, and Sequoia in the 2004-2006 age range, we liked the Sequoia but it isn't as big. The domestics were all clearly lacking in interior build quality, and none of them were as nice to drive as the Armada or Sequoia. One glaring example is the folding 2nd row seats, a big deal when you use the 3rd row. The Armada has a single lever at the top of the seatback, it's easy for my 6 year old in the 3rd row to flip the lever so he can get out. The domestics all featured 2 levers, several of them very difficult to operate and hidden in tough to reach spots. You just get the impression that they didn't try very hard with the domestics.

With that said, the newer Expedition and Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon are much improved. I had a 2010 Suburban rental last year and was very impressed, pretty good quality and very nice to drive. If you look domestic, definitely look at the newer body styles. You might also consider some of the bigger crossovers, like the Mazda CX9 or GMC Acadia. Better MPG with lots of size.

Personally if you don't need the room of the bigger SUVs I'd still stick with the Land Cruiser or get a newer one, but I'm biased. I love the 100-series Land Cruisers, and there's a reason why they hold their value so well.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Personally if you don't need the room of the bigger SUVs I'd still stick with the Land Cruiser or get a newer one, but I'm biased. I love the 100-series Land Cruisers, and there's a reason why they hold their value so well.

A certain 4Runner is still jammin' in my wife's world...I bow to Kansas daily

[look 171]

Originally Posted by kaisen

The 2003-2006 Tahoe is different from the 2007-present. They've been pretty reliable rigs for their price point, esp used. Try the 07-up Denali or Escalade with the 400+hp 6.2L and 6 speed auto and you'll be hooked.

The 2007-up Expedition might be worth a look. They had independent rear suspension so they ride a touch nicer over sharp bumps and the third row seats fold flush. They also had a 6 speed auto, where the lesser versions of the GM had a 4spd. Navigator adds luxury, and a 4 wheel air suspension (and had a ZF 6 speed auto in 05-06)

Toyota's 4.7L V8 isn't in the same league, but the 5.7L is an amazing motor if you can afford a late model Sequoia or LC.

If it were me, I'd buy a 2007-up GMC Denali or Cadillac Escalade with the 6.2L. XL or ESV (Suburban) length is better for me.

The Denali is a re-badge Tahoe, right? the 06 LC can't keep up with the Denali with that kind of Hp and tq. No way. it also cost a bit more money too. Those newer toyotas are just ugly with the big hump of a hood. The latest model Chevy Suburbans or Tahoe are the best looking of the bunch. nice and simple.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Do you need the third row seats? For a trip wagon we really like our Dodge megacab with a shell. The Cummins pulls the car trailer like a dream, and we ride comfortably with plenty of dry storage for gear....

I have a 93 Cummins crewcab truck with 98000 miles. I need or like to have an enclosed vehicle. My plan is to take the kids to Alaska in the spring time in a couple of years. I really don't want to take our van because it is only two wheel drive.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

My wife has a 2004 Armada (first year) 2wd with 85k on it. My only real knock is a few squeaks from the interior, but far better than the domestics I've driven with similar miles. Otherwise the interior has held up very well (looks new), it handles decent for a truck based SUV, LOTS of room especially in the 2nd row, decent turning radius so it's not bad to park, and the engine/transmisson combo is fantastic. The 5.6L V8 DOHC has something like 320 HP and 400 lb*ft of torque, and it sounds like it was yanked straight from a '60s musclecar. It never lacks for power, and the transmission is always in the right gear. 19 MPG on long highway trips. The 2004 models had a few recalls for brake wear and vibration, so 2005+ avoids that. 2006 gets a split 3rd row, and as Eric noted 2008+ gets a nicer interior. Overall we're very happy with it, it's been a very solid and enjoyable SUV.

We test drove the Expedition, Tahoe, Durango, and Sequoia in the 2004-2006 age range, we liked the Sequoia but it isn't as big. The domestics were all clearly lacking in interior build quality, and none of them were as nice to drive as the Armada or Sequoia. One glaring example is the folding 2nd row seats, a big deal when you use the 3rd row. The Armada has a single lever at the top of the seatback, it's easy for my 6 year old in the 3rd row to flip the lever so he can get out. The domestics all featured 2 levers, several of them very difficult to operate and hidden in tough to reach spots. You just get the impression that they didn't try very hard with the domestics.

With that said, the newer Expedition and Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon are much improved. I had a 2010 Suburban rental last year and was very impressed, pretty good quality and very nice to drive. If you look domestic, definitely look at the newer body styles. You might also consider some of the bigger crossovers, like the Mazda CX9 or GMC Acadia. Better MPG with lots of size.

Personally if you don't need the room of the bigger SUVs I'd still stick with the Land Cruiser or get a newer one, but I'm biased. I love the 100-series Land Cruisers, and there's a reason why they hold their value so well.

The 100 is what I am really looking at, but it cost so much and you don't get nearly as much bang for the buck as a Tahoe or Ford product. I know for a fact, the LC will be trouble free many miles to come. some of the earlier Fords had tranny issues or some of the Chevy's fuel pump will go out. Some mechanic told me that it isn't if the fuel is going, it is when. I was told they will go at around 100k miles. Three of my Sub contractor's Chevy had their fuel pump replaced. They were older trucks like 01-03s.

[porsche4life]

Fwiw the 3rd row seats in the latest tahoes suck! Like major.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

A certain 4Runner is still jammin' in my wife's world...I bow to Kansas daily

Oh yeah, 4Runners are pretty good too.

Originally Posted by look 171

The 100 is what I am really looking at, but it cost so much and you don't get nearly as much bang for the buck as a Tahoe or Ford product. I know for a fact, the LC will be trouble free many miles to come. some of the earlier Fords had tranny issues or some of the Chevy's fuel pump will go out. Some mechanic told me that it isn't if the fuel is going, it is when. I was told they will go at around 100k miles. Three of my Sub contractor's Chevy had their fuel pump replaced. They were older trucks like 01-03s.

What is your price range, if you don't mind me asking? You can get an older 100-series Land Cruiser for $10k or a little more, for the same money you're looking at a 100k+ mile older Tahoe or Expedition, definitely not 2006 or newer.

[Rick V]

You will be seriously disappointed in anything from Detroit, since you have many years on a LC. GM suv's have way too much Isuzu, in them, Fords are too dependent on oil weights, and Dodge still has trans issues on anything below a 3/4 ton.
JMO, stick with what has served you well.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Oh yeah, 4Runners are pretty good too.



What is your price range, if you don't mind me asking? You can get an older 100-series Land Cruiser for $10k or a little more, for the same money you're looking at a 100k+ mile older Tahoe or Expedition, definitely not 2006 or newer.

I don't have a price range. 25-35k? I like to have an 05 or 06. I do not like the latest ones. They call then 120 or 150 series? The other reason I am thinking about a Chevy is that the mileage is better and has more power compare to the LC (they are still getting 15-16). I almost got a Lexus 450 a few months ago, but the deal felt through. I am not really looking, and I suck at doing research, but a good one comes along from someone I know I will buy it.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Rick V

You will be seriously disappointed in anything from Detroit, since you have many years on a LC. GM suv's have way too much Isuzu, in them, Fords are too dependent on oil weights, and Dodge still has trans issues on anything below a 3/4 ton.
JMO, stick with what has served you well.

I rode in a client's Tahoe (late model). It is much bigger then my 80 series LC. I could feel the power in this thing when passing up hill. I am worry it falling apart after 120-150k miles. One thing that is attractive is the MPG in those trucks. They are so much better then the LC. I just wish they made a 3/4 ton Tahoe. I know in the 3/4 ton trucks, everything is build a little more robust.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by look 171

I don't have a price range. 25-35k? I like to have an 05 or 06. I do not like the latest ones. They call then 120 or 150 series? The other reason I am thinking about a Chevy is that the mileage is better and has more power compare to the LC (they are still getting 15-16). I almost got a Lexus 450 a few months ago, but the deal felt through. I am not really looking, and I suck at doing research, but a good one comes along from someone I know I will buy it.

If you can't find a NICE 100-series in that price range, you're not even trying. I came very close to buying a 100-series a while back so I did a lot of research, you can get 18 MPG pretty easily. Newer Tahoe would be 20 MPG, so the difference isn't substantial. The newer GM SUVs are greatly improved, but still not to LX470/Land Cruiser levels of quality. In regards to power, let's face facts - everything feels powerful compared to an 80-series. I loved my FJ80 but powerful it was not, even the 100 feels like a hot rod.

[kaisen]

Examples:

Here's 2007 Land Cruiser that is currently offered by Toyota Credit in Phoenix.
Lifelong AZ car, no paintwork, NAV, DVD, center bench, flip down third seats, 93K miles.
Graded 4.6 of 5.0 in condition (very clean).
They estimate it will bring $32,500, wholesale.

4.7L DOHC V8 uses timing belt
265 hp @ 5400 rpm
310 ft-lbs @ 3400 rpm
EPA rated 12 city / 15 freeway