Tahoe vs. Suburban - Opinions?
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Tahoe vs. Suburban - Opinions?
DH and I went to look today and to get price quotes so we know how much to save and what we need to do to get the monthly payments we want.
I love the Tahoe, love the look. But the bad thing that I saw today was that the 3rd row had literally no feet room. It didn't drop down like regular feet room does. I think the floor started like 6 inches below the seat. I think i've read before that carseats aren't a great idea for 3rd row seating (I wouldnt prefer that anyways) so what good does a 3rd row seat do if there is no feet room?
So, the Suburban has the feet room I like and need for a 3rd row. But it feels too long for me. If I could have an SUV between the length of a Tahoe and Suburban, i'd have the perfect vehicle. But I dont want to feel like i'm driving a bus.
I like Chevy so I want to stick with them. They have a great resale value if I ever needed to resale it later in life and DH and I will get the 3K GM loyalty rebate since we already own a Chevy.
So, once again for those that have experience or know of someone with experience of either of these vehicles, let me know what you think. Gas prices aren't a concern as I already know i'll be paying a pretty penny for that but everything else is what i'm concerned about.
TIA
I have the short Tahoe and dh has a Suburban. It's no big deal switching between the two. I don't notice the length at all. I am getting ready to get a suburban for me cause I need more room. I really like the 2/2/3 configuration.
Well, I have had both. I loved the Suburban when my children were small. We live in a small town, private school and all our field trips are driven by moms so I could always take a few.
When my oldest started driving I went to the tahoe. It was funner- if that's a word -to drive. I am now on my second Tahoe and I love it. I didn't get the third seat because my oldest never went anywhere with us.
One month from today- wiping tears- my girls will drive. I am trading in for a trailbrazer.
I have never owned a Tahoe, but we took a long trip in one with some friends. Personally, I thought it was a terrible ride. I was very uncomfortable in the back seat. I felt every single bump in the road. As far as the Suburbans, they are big. But, I think you would get used to driving it. If you like Chevy, have you seen the new Uplander?? This is what we are looking at buying next year. It looks like an SUV, but it also has van like functions. It has a third row seat that folds into the floor and the back doors are sliding like a van. It looks more like an SUV, which I like.
Well, I would consider price, gas mileage, performance (did you like how each one drove) and how much room you *really* need everyday.
You only have one child. You said yourself you like the Tahoe better. I'd get the Tahoe if I were you. But I am not you!! I have 3 kids, band instruments, football equipment, soccer equipment to haul and if they all take 1 friend that = 6 kids in my vehicle. SO I would choose a Suburban if I were choosing between the 2.
Like I said if I were *you* I'd get get the Tahoe!  Even if you have another baby in the next few yrs you will still have room in the Tahoe.
As for your 3rd row seating. We have this in our LAndcruiser. It's a full size seat with not much leg room. My dh only uses the 3rd row seat a few times all yr!!! So I wouldnt stress about it not having much leg room because you wont use it everyday. Ours is fine for kids on long trips--not adults.
My sister has the Suburban and she loves it. She only has 2 kids but her husband is HUGE so it is better for his long legs than any other vehicle. They often take alot of friends with them--he coaches little league and sometimes they have half a ball team in their vehicle. This is what she really wanted (a suburban) and she has not been disappointed she got the suburban other than the crappy gas mileage she gets. ha!
Oh and if you are concerned with having enough room in the Tahoe for packing things for a long trip--- we got one of those racks that hooks into our trailer hitch and we can stack our bags on it. We also have a rack on top that we pack bags on f we dont want to take the hitch deal... Hasnt been a problem for us to haul what we needed on a trip. Our neighbors have a Tahoe and they have the hitch rack thingy... lol I dont know what you call them.
Are there just 3 of you? Your husband is tall, so does the room in the back matter that much?
Have you looked at other cars/SUV's? This is just my opinion, so you can just tell me to stick a sock in it...but the gas mileage *should* be something to consider. My coworker really regretted getting her Tahoe because of that. She said she spent $100 more dollars a month just on gas...money that is just a waste. IMHO
Are you planning on getting a new or used vehicle?
I have a thing about buying foreign cars, but I am seriously considering getting a Toyota Sequoia instead of a Suburban this time. They have the 3rd row, good leg room, that folds down to give you more storage room in the back. I rode in one just after I was cleared to drive from a hysterectomy and had to sit in the 2nd row (was a little panicked cause i know how the Tahoe and Suburban ride in the 2nd row) and was STUNNED at how smooth it was.
As to gas, the Suburban has a 42 gallon tank, so that is nice. It's the same mileage as the Tahoe (about 15 mpg) but you sure go alot farther on that tank. I think I only filled up mine once a month.
Mrsheidi, it is just the 3 of us for now. But I want this to be my last big purchase for quite a while so i'm just trying to make sure I exercise every option so if I get a Tahoe, later down the road i'm not wondering why I just didnt go with the bigger SUV. Gas isn't a big deal to me because my vehicle is used for around the town errands and family trips. DH already has a Silverado so I think were just used to not so great gas prices. I plan on buying new. It will be my first *new* purchase since i've always opted for used in the past. Maybe next weekend i'll go back with DH and just load up the carseat and drive both vehicles to see if the Suburban really does feel like a bus to me.
Thanks you for all your opinions!
I've said it before and I will say it again...get a mini van! I love my 2005 Honda Odyssey and it has made life with two children soooooo much easier. Getting in and out is a breeze! Gas mileage is the same as it was in my Passat. The safety features would blow your mind and that was my biggest concern. We have a Rotti and she fits in there perfect...in fact we could easily fit 2-3 dogs if we needed to plus the two kids and ourselves.
If you are looking for a good family care and care about safety, then you should really look at them. It takes some time to get over the "I'm driving a Mini Van" feeling but it is well worth it in the end. The other thing I thought about when we looked at cars was the up keep. New Tires, Tuneups, oil changes all of that will cost more on a SUV.
Plus...I really hope you don't get upset by this but, is it really worth it to have your DH working two jobs and for you to get a job just to buy a new car? I could be wrong but I thought that was why you wanted to look into a Direct Sales company, to save for a car.
JMO
Andi, DH will work 2 jobs regardless. He enjoys working and with the Marine Corps and he only works from 5am-2pm and he gets home and feels useless just being at home the rest of the day. He works *maybe* 10 hours a week with his other job. And he only works when the extra money is needed and when he wants to splurge. And his average (as a salesman) is about $100/hr so I dont think he wants to leave this job anytime soon. So, he has the 2 jobs and is still home by dinner and off on weekends. Thats why I dont mind it. As for me and a job, its still up in the air and I doubt i'll go out and get a real job.
And we've talked about minivans, even though I promised myself never to be a "minivan mom" . The only problem with that is that DH wants a buy 2 quads later this year and wants to start going out to Glamis on a regular basis. I cant picture a minivan towing quads out to Glamis and driving in the dunes trying to find a place to campout. His truck wont do because of the lack of interior room.
Besides, to keep the payments not much more than what my car is now, all we have to do is trade in the car and put down 4K, which wouldn't require DH to work too much at all. He's excited about getting one and was ready to get one yesterday but I wanted to research more and put more down than we *need* to.
Actually DH looked in to the towing capability of the Van because he wants to buy a boat in 2 years when DS turns 6 so they can go fishing together. You can tow over 3,000 pounds and I have a feeling if a Motor Home can be driven to Glamis than a Mini Van can do the same.
If you have your heart set on a SUV than I would go for the Tahoe. That is the one we were going to get if we bought an SUV
My honda van has a great towing package on it. I guess it is a look thing. No the mini van is not cool, but VERY functional. I have been in and out of SUV's and I can't imagine owning one. The third row is always a pain, the ride is not smooth and gas milage yikes. There really isn't anything a suv does that a van does not.
As far as between the two SUV's. Different people are different. I pack well, I have never needed to carry a thing on top of my car, we have traveled for a 5 month stay with 2 kids in a 4 door sedan and we made it all fit. Others I know go for a week and can't manage to make it all fit. Also if you are using a SUV for vacations and towing, chances are you will want to replace it in 4-5 years anyway. So you might as well get the tahoe now and upgrade later if you think you need more room.
Another thing to think of, is where will you park this? If you will ever have a garge most suburbans do not fit. The tahoes usually do.
Honestly what I like about going to the beach in my minivan is I take out one of the 2nd row seats and we have a place to stand and change if need be, this is SOO handy with kids. As much as I woudl prefer to drive a cool car, being a parent comes first, safety is very important (i want a convertible), and there comfort really makes me MUCH more comfortable (mom she is touching me..lol). I suggest you go get in several different SUV's and vans and drive them around. You will know what "fits" right.
Personally, I'm not into SUVs, especially large ones. I'm not comfortable with their mediocre safety ratings, moderate to very high level rollover risk and poor gas mileage. Many don't have both lap and shoulder belts and head rests in all seating positions.
Lots of info here:
SUVsafety.info
I have driven both the new Tahoe and the Suburban, they both have smooth rides for a truck. I like the ump it had driving. However when you go to kick the tires be sure to take your little one, try putting your babe in and out of both of them. It was the clincher for me getting a van. My toddler weighed 35 pounds at the time and hoisting him in and out practically over my head to get him in, having to crawl into the back to get him strapped in and then bonking my head on the ceiling as I backed out after I was done was enough for me. Also if you are using it as a putt about town vehicle I know that you said that you didnt mind paying for the gas but it is an "eek" at the pump when you hand them your debit card to fill that bad boy. It has horrendous gas mileage for about town, getting it up to 35 from a stop you can practically hear it slurp. If you are the curious sort, have the dealer show you a model w/ the onboard mileage display and then watch it as you go about town.
Now as far as new vrs used.... I know you would like to make a new purchase but... I bought my 2003 Caravan for probably $6000 less because it was slightly used. It had 17000 miles on it, and is still under warrenty. So for me it was a "new" car, but it had all the price advantages of used. And it had the added bonus of if it was a lemon it would have had those kinks taken care of already or would have gone back to the dealer. I really like the Caravan, taking the seats out are a breeze compared to my Astro and the seats are on rollers so if you just need some room, you just unhook the seats, push them forward and you dont even have to take them out. My 6'2" son fits in the 3rd seat w/ no problems at all and I have rode in the 2nd seat and had plenty of room too.
I would also take a peak at the Uplander. It looks like it might fit all of your needs. When it came out all the guys were totally wanting me to go look at it even though we had the Caravan for only 6 months. I think it was the onboard DVD player I laugh because we wouldnt get anywhere w/ that equiped, we would be stopping every 5 miles so someone could throw up.
Wow, you ladies like to drive the BIG vehicles! I like my sedans!
I love my SUV! I love being up high and seeing everything while I drive. I will say, really check out the Tahoe, it's got some major blind spots that our Suburban doesn't.
We have taken so many road trips in Suburban too. It has over 100K miles (and it's a 96) on it now and going strong. So I don't think they wear out too quickly. Traveling with 2 kids is a dream, each as their own row. No, 'will you stop touching me!' LOL With the 2/2/3 configuration, both seats lay back too. I found it so much easier getting my daughter in and out of a carseat with the Suburban than I did my sedan too. On the plus side, the Tahoe does feel more 'zippier' when driving around.
I would go with the suburban. I've ridden in them many of times. They are a nice ride compared to the tahoe.
I drove a Suburban for three years. It was a great home away from home as far as space and feeling safe, but it was a chore to drive. I was physically tired of driving it after a year. I live in the city and have to deal with parking garages and narrow lanes and tight parking and turns and it got tiresome. I loved it on road trips and at our lakehouse though. It did not fit in our garage, although neighbors can fit their Suburbans in their garages.
Getting to the 3rd row was difficult (we had a bench seat for a 2nd row). Really the only way to get there was to climb over which little boys love to do, but they need to be out of a carseat already. I could not have dealt with a carseat in the 3rd row. Part of the 2nd row slid forward so you could gain access to the 3rd row, but it was only a few inches worth of space.
I only have 1 child and I didn't really need the 3rd row, but my son loved sitting back there. There was also an assumption I would drive on field trips, but I tell you what, it is nerve racking to have a car full of children who aren't yours and when there are 6 kids together in a moving vehicle it can be distracting. I didn't want that responsibility anymore.
When I got my Suburban, gas was still pretty cheap - under a dollar I think - and I wasn't concerned about it. Towards the end of the 3 years gas was going up and up and up. I think it was $1.50/gallon when I got rid of that truck. (Now it's $1.90.) It really costs a lot of money to keep that thing moving.
I was finding excuses to borrow my mom's mini van, I was so wanting to avoid driving The Beast to just run to the store or someplace else quick.
I have a mini van now and it's much better. Ugly but practical. I'm thinking about down-sizing again soon or moving to something like a Pacifica.
I think resell, the Suburban resells better than the Tahoe. I could be wrong. I think some car person told me that.
I have been a minivan mama for 5 years, and I love it, however I now have 4 kids and definately need the extra space. I'm looking at Yukon XL, Suburban, Excursion or an extended conversion van. I think I'll buy used however my dealer is offering 12 grand off remaing "loaded" 04's, so it will still be high, but worth it for trips, and since I live out of town, even Target is a road trip
My best freind just got a suburban so I'll copy and paste what she says for ya below>Don't know how to change the look so i'll leave a couple of lines
Let see if I can answer all your questions. It is a great car, drives very smooth and it is easy to get up to 80 mph. I do have a hard time parking it in crowded parking lots. I am not sure what number it is, but it is a 2005 with all the bells and whistles. We got the captain chairs, which I like better than I thought because of walking to the back seat. The space is wonderful. The kids (age 5 and 3 1/2) can open the door and buckle themselves in. The seat belts are on the seats. I can't really reach my one year old in the second seat, whereas in the van I could hand her stuff. It isn't bad putting Julia in the car seat either. It is harder to get in and out of, the vans are much easier to manuever around.
The cost, get ready. 50,000, then we got 4,000 off and 3 years no interest. This car is loaded, great resale if we have to. ha We got the XM radio (has two kids stations), DVD player, OnStar free for one year, sunroof, leather interior, tow package, running boards, air controls throughout, 4WD, heated seats, gas and brake pedal move forward, seat supports all electric, trying to think of everything so you can compare it directly. It is Charcoal Grey. The Gold seemed blah. Another color they had was white. It fits in the garage, the mirrors fold in with the push of a button. It is a V8, I am sure I am missing stuff, but you get the idea. And yes I feel skinny driving it, that is so funny because that is the first thing I thought. ha Oh yeah, and driving it, the first day it seemed big and achward but by day two, it was like driving the car.
Yes I asked her if she felt skinny driving it Since I feel dumpy and uncool in my mini van I'm hoping to add thiness to the list of perks of a big SUV.
Have fun shopping around
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