Finally after owning full size Suburbans for nearly 20+ years my wife and I are thinking of down sizing to a Tahoe or Yukon. Just can't put myself in one of the newer front wheel drive grocery getters. Our current 'Burb is a '91 1/2 ton 4x4, conversion pkg but has center fold down seat, I removed the captain's seats after buying and turned them into gararge seats. Has the 3rd seat option which now with the three boys grown and gone never gets used.

I like the idea of the Tahoe or Yukon but am not sure in practice if it is preferable over a Suburban? Any input from current Tahoe or Yukon owners? Are the Tahoe and Yukon the same with exception of front end treatment and trim? Does either one meet your needs as to vehicle size, comfort, ride, gas mileage, (not a major concern as my 'Burb never gets more than 15.2 /15.4 on the road). 350 V-8 and cloth interior is my preference, not much into leather at all.

Looking to buy at least a '97 or newer, up to maybe a '00 model.
Any suggestions or info from board members would be a help.

Any areas that the Tahoes or Yukons fall short in?

I went from a 1987 Suburban to a 1997 Tahoe in 1998 and HATED it. Sold it 3 months later and went back to the 87 Suburban. I just tried it again this summer and went from the same 1987 Suburban to a 1999 GMC 4x4 2500 Suburban with the 5.7 and have not been 100% pleased but I have excepeted the fact that after 300K on the old 87 its time to move on.

I have not been pleased with the weak 5.3 or the gas sucking 6.0 so I have kept my GM truck purchases to the pre-2000 so I could get the 5.7.

As far as looks go........Tahoe or Yukon...either work for me.

I had a 99 and a 2000 Tahoe Limited (carryover) and I really liked them both. The brakes always felt a little soft to me, but it wasn't really a big deal. Both of them required new intake gaskets within two weeks of purchase (they did them on the 2000 before I took delivery). I really liked the Limited because of all the neat features it had, like two tone leather, blacked out trim, and factory gorund effects. My 99 had the cargo doors, and the 2000 had the tailgate. I much preferred the doors, the tailgate squeaked like crazy. Both trucks got right around 14-15 MPG in town, and 18-19 on the highway. I think you can only get the 5.7 in these trucks. I would definitely get a 96-up, to get the Vortec engine. They are really plentiful down here in DFW, it might be worth your while to make the trip down. If you want to check out sites like autotrader.com, my zip is 75248 here in North Dallas. Compare that to the prices around Wichita. Also, there are tons of Suburbans around here, and they generally cheaper and easier to find, if you aren't too sure about going down in size.

i have a 01 yukon loaded. i love it, i hammer on it in the city and get 16 mpg, i drive 30 miles to school and get 22 mpg. i have the third row making it seat 9. honestly i've ridden back there and its pretty comfortable, but the storage is down to nothing when the rear seats are in. the seats are also impossible to open out of the vehicle so they cant be garage seats.

they fall short in the tranny department, but hey thats chevy. at least they look good

Thanks for the replies on the Tahoe/Yukon question. Keep'em coming, am leaning towards the Tahoe as I like the front grill treatment better. Also still want the 350 (5.7L) and cloth interior.

Not sure about the tranny statement, as in "falls short but that's Chevy" ?

Thanks for the replies on the Tahoe/Yukon question. Keep'em coming, am leaning towards the Tahoe as I like the front grill treatment better. Also still want the 350 (5.7L) and cloth interior.

Not sure about the tranny statement, as in "falls short but that's Chevy" ?


Good move on the cloth interior!!!!!! GM leather SUCKS!!!!!!!!

^ thats why they make katskin interiors because chevy leather has a 3 year lifespan.

My wife got an '05 Tahoe. The 5.3 is plenty stout and gets good mileage.(just as good as her old 4-Runner) For me the older 5.7 and the new 5.3 are performance wise, the same. It has the captain's chairs and 3rd row seat.(I have small kids) The rear storage is small with the 3rd row but if needed the seats will fold or come out. I like the Z71 package with color match. So far it's growing on me.

I LIKE that Tahoe, color looks good. What sort of mileage do you get, town and highway? Cloth or leather interior? Can't tell but am guessing leather?

the 99 tahoe we have works great, only thing it falls short on is the towing, i wont use it for long or heavy tows. its great to plow with, as the turning radius and length are great. if you are use to hauling plywood and the like all the time, the tahoe falls short on that.

I LIKE that Tahoe, color looks good. What sort of mileage do you get, town and highway? Cloth or leather interior? Can't tell but am guessing leather?

It is leather. Mileage is running around 15 town. Haven't clocked it on a trip yet. I like the Z71 package. Color changes with the light. Almost teal green in direct sun. Dark blue in shade. Wife liked it. Only one I've seen around here like it.

Couple guys at work have Z71 4x4 tahoes (one has an 03 and the other has an 04) and they both say they get around 15 city and pull down 18-19 highway.

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. I guess we pulled the trigger for a '99 Chevy Tahoe. Took delivery of it last night.

Really loaded down with the goods:
5.7 L Vortec (350 V-8 to us "Old Guys")
Bucket seats with center console, overhead console, front and rear A/C, dual front airbags, Bose audio system with AM/FM cassette and CD, power locks, power windows, power seats, ABS brakes, 4WD with manual shift select, cruise control, digital compass, roof rack, tilt, alloy wheels, tinted glass, bug guard, running boards, cargo shade and best of all: CLOTH INTERIOR

Has 66,800 miles and 245/75/16's with 75 percent tread. Pewter with the tan interior. I personally think the 245's are a bit small but will do until they are worn out. Any suggestions on a larger tire that will still fit into the underbed tire rack? Also plan on changing the stock alloy's, maybe the newer style rims from a Z71.

Have a spare set of the old 15x8 Rallys but don't think they would look right on a '99. Hate to sell the old '91 Burb but with 190,000 plus I guess it is time to move on.

Bought it out of state so need to do the proof of insurance thing, state vehicle inspection and then a 30 tag. After paying state sales tax of course. Ouch! Gotta hate that!

Christmas present to the wife and I from each other. Haven't bought a vehicle in nearly 7 years so guess it was time.

Congrats on the new purchase. My wife's '92 Bravada is still going strong but when it finally dies or costs me alot of money I want to replace it with a Tahoe/Yukon, she wants a Trailblazer. Oh well as long as I get to keep my truck who cares I guess.

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. I guess we pulled the trigger for a '99 Chevy Tahoe. Took delivery of it last night.

Really loaded down with the goods:
5.7 L Vortec (350 V-8 to us "Old Guys")
Bucket seats with center console, overhead console, front and rear A/C, dual front airbags, Bose audio system with AM/FM cassette and CD, power locks, power windows, power seats, ABS brakes, 4WD with manual shift select, cruise control, digital compass, roof rack, tilt, alloy wheels, tinted glass, bug guard, running boards, cargo shade and best of all: CLOTH INTERIOR

Has 66,800 miles and 245/75/16's with 75 percent tread. Pewter with the tan interior. I personally think the 245's are a bit small but will do until they are worn out. Any suggestions on a larger tire that will still fit into the underbed tire rack? Also plan on changing the stock alloy's, maybe the newer style rims from a Z71.

Have a spare set of the old 15x8 Rallys but don't think they would look right on a '99. Hate to sell the old '91 Burb but with 190,000 plus I guess it is time to move on.

Bought it out of state so need to do the proof of insurance thing, state vehicle inspection and then a 30 tag. After paying state sales tax of course. Ouch! Gotta hate that!

Christmas present to the wife and I from each other. Haven't bought a vehicle in nearly 7 years so guess it was time.
Congrats. You should be able to run a 265/75/16 just fine.

I think we will be pretty well satisfied with the Tahoe but I can see some changes have been made to basic Chevy engineering. I changed the oil and filter yesterday and can't say I am impressed with that operation. The oil filter is about the size of the oil filter on my 22hp. ZTR mower and sits at an angle just above the transfer case. Not very handy and messy when the filter is removed. What was wrong with the oil filter hanging vertical from the driver's side of the block and the larger filter had to do a better job filtering? Plus with the 245's on it the Tahoe doesn't sit up near as tall my '91 Burb. Little tighter to crawl under there.

Changed the "juice can" fuel filter also. Serpintine belt is like new, need to get a spare and toss it in the jack storeage. Under hood area is really clean, hood light works when opening the hood but will add the "corded" underhood light to reach back to the rear of the Tahoe.

All in all, seems like a nice Tahoe with some reservations on the newer engineering but guess will learn to live with it.

That tahoe should do you fine.
I traded my wife's 98 tahoe in for an 03 avalanche and dont regret it for a minute. The newer vortec's are much smoother than the older ones.
On the other hand my 99 suburban is at 117k and still goin strong-just a few little bugs to work out. 265's on my burb-plenty of clearance.