Vehicles

[Papa]

Looking at new or slightly used SUVs: Suburban v. Tahoe v. Durango. Requirements: 4WD or AWD, decent ground clearance for gravel roads with potholes, room to pack 200-300 pounds of dogs, a couple or three adults, luggage and such. Tow capability is not a major consideration.
I also want to be able to PIT or ram a threat vehicle or obstacle without major damage, but that's just me.

Input sought.

[Gabriel Suarez]

I am a Tahoe dude. Plus if you get a black one, everyone thinks you are a Fed and gets out of your way.

[Papa]

I am a Tahoe dude. Plus if you get a black one, everyone thinks you are a Fed and gets out of your way.

You were supposed to turn in the lights when you left the PD.

[Gabriel Suarez]

Shhhhhhh

Plus I have an AR and a 12 ga in the ride as well.

[Mike Heckathorn]

Looking at new or slightly used SUVs: Suburban v. Tahoe v. Durango. Requirements: 4WD or AWD, decent ground clearance for gravel roads with potholes, room to pack 200-300 pounds of dogs, a couple or three adults, luggage and such. Tow capability is not a major consideration.
I also want to be able to PIT or ram a threat vehicle or obstacle without major damage, but that's just me.

Input sought.

Don’t forget the Expedition and Expedition EL. If you opt for the current GM offerings, make sure to get the 6.2L engine (their focus recently on gas mileage and cylinder deactivation makes the 5.3 suck). I drove my sister-in-law’s Yukon Denali XL 6.2, and it accelerated and performed well. The previous 5.3 Suburban (by her standard, my brother’s standard, and my standard) absolutely sucked. There would be a random downshift going uphill (on cruise control) that woke the (at the time) 1 and 2 year old up. I still like the Ecoboost 6 over any GM 8 cylinder (my brother’s 18 Raptor had 30k with no issue, my 17 Explorer Sport is at 34k with no issue). To each their own.


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[Papa]

Thank you, Mike. Not ruling Fords out--but the Disco Panda is a Ford, and familiarity breeds contempt.

[EDELWEISS]

I am a Tahoe dude. Plus if you get a black one, everyone thinks you are a Fed and gets out of your way.

I was gonna say the Explorer for the same but Locals reason. I never thought Id want a smaller size SUV after driving a K5 Blazer; but Im liking the new Explorers for mostly urban/suburban requirements. Youll have to decide if its big enough. Im seeing a lot of local PDs switching to the Explorer since the end of the Crown Vic.

[apamburn]

I know this is none of the above but we absolutely love our Infiniti qx56 (now qx80).

Luxurious inside, beefy enough motor, and with the right packages can have plenty of clearance.

[psalms23dad]

I've been an auto tech for the last 18 years... Tahoe is the only option for a domestic far as I'm concerned. Best option would be a Toyota. Those are the only 2 options I'd even consider.

[Bill Bond]

I really like the our Suburban. Millions of them on the road means they are easy to get parts for and easy to get fixed.
The 8.1 liter out pulls any other gas engine on the road.

[Papa]

I was gonna say the Explorer for the same but Locals reason. I never thought Id want a smaller size SUV after driving a K5 Blazer; but Im liking the new Explorers for mostly urban/suburban requirements. Youll have to decide if its big enough. Im seeing a lot of local PDs switching to the Explorer since the end of the Crown Vic.

We call our black and whites "Exploders." Cop humor.

My patrol rig is an F150.

[Papa]

I really like the our Suburban. Millions of them on the road means they are easy to get parts for and easy to get fixed.
The 8.1 liter out pulls any other gas engine on the road.

How is MPG, or shouldn't I ask?

[chad newton]

I am a Tahoe dude. Plus if you get a black one, everyone thinks you are a Fed and gets out of your way.
I’m down for the Tahoe, but if you get a truck get a Cummins dodge second or third gen.... Just saying...

[Papa]

Gabe, Chad and Psalms23dad: Why the Tahoe and not the 'Burban?

[chad newton]

Gabe, Chad and Psalms23dad: Why the Tahoe and not the 'Burban?
If you need the space I have one too, and just sold another gmc suburban in Georgia. I like the idea of having the big trunk.

[psalms23dad]

Gabe, Chad and Psalms23dad: Why the Tahoe and not the 'Burban?

Size. Burb is big.

[Greg Nichols]

Suburban has a gvwr higher than the Tahoe so its torque not HP (gears) if I wanted a newer model I'd look at Toyota forunner or tahoe.

[chad newton]

Also bro, just one more thought. I sold mine in Georgia to a fence building contractor. He is going to pull the rear seat out and put a flat rollout style tool box in it. Reason for the suburban for him was because of the wet climate(similar to yours) he could esencially use it as an inclosed truck to keep his tool dry. Size was not an issue for me because I have never driven anything other then full sized trucks and semis. Backing up vehicles into parking spots was something I started doing when I was a little kid.

[Mike Heckathorn]

Gabe, Chad and Psalms23dad: Why the Tahoe and not the 'Burban?

Tahoe 3rd roe if for show. Suburban is semi usable.


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[SoldierofTheLaw]

Based on your requirements and vehicle selections I’d go with a Suburban... I had similar requirements when I replaced my Ram 2500 Mega Cab.

The burb is only 20” longer than a Tahoe but has a longer wheel base so the ride is smoother.

With dogs, several people and gear the Tahoe will be too cramped from my experience.

When buying slightly used I’d focus on 2011 and newer. That’s when GM updated the AFM (active fuel management) lifters since some previous years had lifter failures. There are plenty of good ones pre 2011 also. The 5.3/6.2 is very reliable and can go 250k easily with proper maintenance.

The Yukon XL Denali comes standard with the 6.2. I’ve driven both and the 6.2 has more power than my 5.3 but I haven’t had any issues with my 5.3 power wise. It gets good fuel economy for a vehicle that size, especially on long hauls.

[M1A's r Best]

I've got a Silverado 1500 4WD. My brother has one a year older. No more Chevys for me. The more I drive it, the more I work on it/have it worked on.

I'm looking for a back up SUV. The Jeep Cherokee Sport is almost 20 years old and has been almost perfect. Never been to the shop for anything but a couple recalls and some electrical issues in the first couple of years. But it's a little small for trips. Fine around here, but too darn small/tight for trips when I'm driving for several hours at a time.

I'm looking at an Expedition. Used. 2010 through 2014. One of the extended length models. I really screwed up when I traded my F150 4WD in a few years ago on a new Ford Fusion for my wife. That F150 had 251,000 miles on it and was never in the shop for anything (yeah, I replaced stuff like tires, brakes, oil/filters, one radiator, one alternator and the brake lines, heater core and radio. All the running gear was original and problem free. I've worked on the Chevy more in 5 years than the Ford in 20 years. My cousin has one two years newer than mine was and he's up to about 340,000 miles on his (he's rough on clutches though and he's been through a few but the engine, transfer case and axles are still original).

No idea what an Expedition weighs. Gas mileage won't be great but we only get about 16 mpg out of the Jeep and it's a straight six. My truck gets around 16 mpg with the V8 and 5 speed. The ratings on the Expeditions are 14 to 18 mpg. If I get 16 (on the highway) out of something that size/weight I'll be more than happy.

[Papa]

Thanks, gents.

Mileage is not a deal breaker here, but better is...better.

[prestojo]

I was gonna say the Explorer for the same but Locals reason. I never thought Id want a smaller size SUV after driving a K5 Blazer; but Im liking the new Explorers for mostly urban/suburban requirements. Youll have to decide if its big enough. Im seeing a lot of local PDs switching to the Explorer since the end of the Crown Vic.
I have to drive one on a semi-regular basis (i.e., when the Tahoes are taken/in the shop) and I can't imagine an Explorer having the requisite room for people, dogs, and cargo. Our department has gone to them only because of the cost savings over the Tahoe. Of course, when it's half the size . . .

[chad newton]

Thanks, gents.

Mileage is not a deal breaker here, but better is...better.
You should get 15-20, idk. I have a 2012 Chevy 4x4 truck that is on 20s and 35s(how I bought it)and the rims and tires weigh over 100# each and I am still getting around 16 no matter how I drive it with the small v8. It should be the same drive train you will get if you get something newer. I also had a stand new 2004 gmc that I would get 24 on with standard tires. Look at what years the LS style engine was put in it, I think it’s around 2000. Just try and get newer then that and you should be good.

[chad newton]

57349

[balls004]

Almost anything you drive daily will pit or ram without major damage, it's all about using the correct techniques. We pit and ram with mismatched vehicles at the military training company I work for and unless the client really screws up, most pit cars are driven through multiple classes. Ram vehicles usually make it through at least 15 evolution's of both front and rear rams, if done well, we have had an entire class of 30 only use one ram car. One bad ram, and you're walking sometimes.