Good Suburban Replacement

[bpalmer]

Is there a good, mechanically sound, vehicle that is comparable in size to the Suburban? Any converts with experience would be appreciated. Wife, 3 kids, and labrador love the room (especially all of the baby junk). I am having a real problem maintaining it and its about to drive us to the poor house (over $2k worth or repairs last year alone). I'm tired of working on it and it has broken down away from home twice (once coming down a mountain, the other left us stranded for five hours on Christmas Day). The local Chevy dealer had the nerve to call me the other day and ask if I was interested in trading it in for a newer model. Ideas would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Sick of Suburban

[Alice]

We are facing the same decision. Have a 95 diesel 3/4. Got too used to the room, the extra seating for friends and have that suburban additude driving it. Nothing else seems to be able to beat it. But your right, it's expensive to keep on the road.

[dankrokosky]

Nothing is as big as Suburban except and Excursion. You can still buy them used. Mine is killing me too. I am planning to buy a Sequoia

[mrrpm]

I liked the 'Burban so much, I own two, one diesel and one gas. Repairs? Nothing out of the oridinaly on either one of mine. Incidentally, the gas-burner has over 250k on original motor and trans. Diesel well over 100K. I take pretty good care of them (regular PM, etc). Excursion is taller and somewhat wider, but not as long in the cargo area.

[J-Ri]

It seems like the people who complain about vehicles being un-reliable are the ones that change the oil at 3,500 miles to save a few bucks. Somethign else, the excursion won't fit in a standard garage (too tall).

[bpalmer]

Originally Posted by J-Ri

It seems like the people who complain about vehicles being un-reliable are the ones that change the oil at 3,500 miles to save a few bucks. Somethign else, the excursion won't fit in a standard garage (too tall).

I didn't realize that changing the oil late could cause the intake manifold gasket to leak, the power door locks to stop working, the interior lights to have a mind of their own, the alternator, battery, and water pump to fail before 75k miles, and oh-yeah the fuel pump to fail. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think that an automaker that will install an ignition coil with pop-rivits and interrior panels with self-tapping sheet metal screws to save a few bucks gives a crap about quality. BTW, I have a two-car garage and the suburban barely fits (i.e. your not going to outrun a hail-storm).

[frootl00p3]

It sounds like you got a bad deal on a good vehicle. I have a 99, with 99K miles. I change the oil when I remember and it certainly isn't within the recommended 3,000 mile range. I get the service done um, I can't say I ever have. I am now finally changing the spark plugs and doing maintenance for the first time ever. I have recenly had to change the tensioner, the belt, the airfilter, the fuel filter, and the water pump. To be honest I have taken lousy care of my car, which is bad because I truly love it and it deserves better. My point is that I know tons of people who drive suburbans and Yukon XLs that have had the same experience that I have had. They run and run and run. My dad has an 88 with 300 and something miles on it, he gets tune ups and oil changes. His runs better then mine. You should probably contact GM corporate and see if they can offer you some sort of solution. But if you are dead against them for a future vehicle, I have heard the Nissan Armada's are a good close second. They have good cargo and passenger room and people seem to like them.
Good luck
Jodi

Originally Posted by bpalmer

I didn't realize that changing the oil late could cause the intake manifold gasket to leak, the power door locks to stop working, the interior lights to have a mind of their own, the alternator, battery, and water pump to fail before 75k miles, and oh-yeah the fuel pump to fail. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think that an automaker that will install an ignition coil with pop-rivits and interrior panels with self-tapping sheet metal screws to save a few bucks gives a crap about quality. BTW, I have a two-car garage and the suburban barely fits (i.e. your not going to outrun a hail-storm).

[dankrokosky]

I have to agree with the above. I used to have 1989 Pick up and the thing was really reliable. I never spent any money on it. But when I got here and I got the 1992 Suburban it was very very upseting to keep having to replace stuff. Like the A/C, ignition coil, entire fount end, Breaks 02 sensor. The thing is I will bet the owner of mine never took care of it and the roads and conditions here are really bad.

[slacker_53]

I think the only thing you can replace a Suburban with is another Suburban! As far as I'm concerned, they are the ultimate for room and comfort. As far as power, the 5.3L will runs circles around FoMoCo's 5.4L and the 6.0L and 8.1L are even better.

They have the best fuel mileage than any comparable domestic vehicle in their class AND some vehicles not in their class. They also have the best trade-in value of ahything in their class.

It's unfortunate that you have had a bad experience with your Suburban, we all admit they aren't as perfect as we would like, from the piston slap, to fuel gauge, to clunks in the driveline and steering. Although I'm sure we all would like GM to get on the stick and address some of these problems, I still think they are the best choice for the money.

-slacker