Suburban Questions

[Bowtie_Beast]

I'm looking into getting a suburban. I don't want to spend a whole lot and I saw a few '98s and '99s that look nice and have decent mileage with the 5.7. My wife likes the looks of the 2000+ with the 5.3. Other than the 5.3 getting a little better mpg's, which one would you go with? Are there any advantages/disadvantages to either model years? Are there any specific years to avoid? Any thing specific I should look for when test driving or checking them over?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[uh6tdrvr]

5.3 all the way. The 5.3 is virtually unchanged since 99.

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

+1

[Stevens03]

The 5.7 will have a little more grunt at lower RPM's than the 5.3. But the 5.3 is very strong and will get better mileage. Can't go wrong with either, but I'd lean towards the 5.3 as well.

[rodram]

The 5.7L is a great engine (and would be my personal choice)... if you are looking at getting a 96-99 Vortec 5.7L then it would be good to find out if the intake manifold gasket has been replaced ... if the original GM gasket has not been replaced then you will need to sometime soon... when they fail they need to be replaced with the latest FelPRO gasket for a permanent fix. This should never be a no-go on the purchase of a Vortec engine.. just a heads up on a possible repair bill.

 

If you are looking at newer trucks, then stick to the 99-'06 version of the 5.3L ... the 2007 and newer engine has AFM which seems to inevitably lead to major oil consumption issues after 40 or 50,000 miles...

[KMGZ400]

read this. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...=126613&hl=

 

 

i would go with a newer GMT800 suburban

[Bowtie_Beast]

Thanks for the good info and link. I appreciate the input.

So, I take it the 5.3 is a good (read durrable) engine? I haven't been paying much attention to trucks and toys since having three kids. LOL

MSN Auto doesn't give the 2000 and 2001 a very good overall reliability rating, so I just wondered.

Thanks again.

[limeimac97776]

Thanks for the good info and link. I appreciate the input.

So, I take it the 5.3 is a good (read durrable) engine? I haven't been paying much attention to trucks and toys since having three kids. LOL

MSN Auto doesn't give the 2000 and 2001 a very good overall reliability rating, so I just wondered.

Thanks again.

 

They are both very good engines. My family owned a 96' GMC suburban with the 5.7 in the past. It was a great motor, it towed a car and trailer to weekend drag races and hauled 5 or more people arround with ease. When that thing hit 150,000 miles we traded it in for an 03 Yukon XL with the 5.3. The 5.3 has noticeably better gas milage. Its not as quick as the old 5.7 IMO, but it is much better when it comes to towing for some reason.