From Suburban to X?

[billindenver]

I would value the opinion of anyone who has switched from the suburban to the X. What values of the X do you prefer or from the suburban do you miss? Mileage certainly seems better, but the 6 liter doesn't have the greatest reputation, lots of people changing springs, shocks, sway bars etc as well...makes me wonder.

I'm considering switching to the ford for the mileage and torque now that chevy has decided they don't have enough duramax's to put them in the new suburban. However, the suburban has been solid, is used for work as well as play and if the Ford turned unreliable it would cost me my living...as no loaner they will give me would likely carry my tools.

Your thoughts would be appreciated..unless of course it's simple ford versus chevy madness. The 'my fraternity is better than yours' mentality has always made me laugh a bit.

Bill
04 burb

[Ken1]

I was a GM driver for 20 years and 4 Burbs and several trucks, before switching to the "X". My "X" is a 7.3 PSD, but driving 35K+ per year the "X" has the following
Better MPG
More confortable for driver.
Better for towing our TT.

Ken

[Skeeter195]

Bill, I went from a 01 suburban 4x4 to an 04 X 4x2. I used mine for both work and play. The suburban went 168,000 miles with little trouble. Loved the ride it had. MPG driving 70-75 avg 16.5-17.If I drove 60 on back roads maybe 18 on a very good day. Pulling a 20' bass boat the suburban would get 10-12 depending on speeds. Had a hard time on large hills. Had to keep my foot in it. First trip with the X running 75 plus it got 17mph hand cal. Return trip I slowed down to 70 and got 19. Never missed a beat going up hills. Rides a little stiffer, but i expected that. I'm pleased with my purchase. First pull was great. MPG was 14.5 running 65-70. Never felt the hills. I believe it has a better turn radis than the suburban had. Main gripe about the ford is the power locks. In the chevy when you put it in park all the doors unlock, not the X. If it can be programed to do that it would be great. Slowly getting used to it now. Carry all the samples I need for a week in it. Like I said I'm glad I bought the X. Only have 4700 miles on her now. Since the hurricanes I have not traveled much. Most of my territory is S. MS & LA. Normally I drive 4000 miles a month for work. Hope this helps.
Bryan

[FamilyRide]

I think a lot of people think it's the next step up to move to an Excursion. Most people don't realize that if they are "stepping up" from another SUV (Expedition, Tahoe, Suburban etc), they are not stepping up from the same type of vehicle. They are stepping up to a heavy duty truck.

The 6.0 reputaion stems from the introduction 3 MY ago. That's a long time. Also, if you look just about manufacture, the 6.0 doesn't have any more, and probably less, real issues than most. The spot light is on new light duty deisels. They have come a long way in a short time.

I'd say drive it and see what you think. While most would like this HD truck to have the suspension that most would consider appropriate for a HD truck, it's not bad. I tow 7500# boat and it does fine. Sure I like to make things better as most do, but I dont have to, I'd want to. SO far I've only changed out the stabilizer bar to a larger OEM bar and I'm glad I did, but it wasn't necessary.

As for comfort, depending on what you like or are used to, the Excursion may not meet your expectations compared to a Suburban. Sub's I've seen recently are more "Oldsmobile" comfy like.

BTW, is your comment about the Duramax and Suburban based on new information out from GM? I thoguth plans were still on for 2007 or 2008 once they work through the frame and tranny fitment issues?

[billindenver]

My comment was towards the new models coming out in early 06...the 07 model year. The duramax plant is operating beyond capacity as it is, can't make enough of them for the pickups they sell them in now. Chevy has said they will not be putting them in the 07's as they believe it's a niche market and will not support a new plant for the duramax's. They also said if the burb gets a diesel it will be the new smaller one they are developing...since suv people don't require the 360hp 650lbtq that the new duramax is putting out. As we all know, these 'decisions' are always subject to change at a moments notice...but that is the current word.

Bill

[MotionMan]

I went from an 01 burb to an 03 X. What I miss: Dome light override, overall ride quality. Thats it. What i like about the X: Better economy, more room inside, tons more towing, much taller, and the best part...the 7.3 PSD [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[XMen]

I don't think you will find a new one at this point in time. We are all driving collector items as of last x build date around first of September.

[FamilyRide]

There are still several on dealer lots and even some dealers waiting for the last few to arrive.

[RussBarnes]

You won't find more of a GM fan than I have been for at least 50 of my 61 years on this earth. I tried a few (new and used) Fords in the list of 78 vehicles I have bought since I was 16 - and had horrid results. I had a 2001 Chev extended, 4x2, Duramax, LOADED and it was too much a truck for my work. I run a manufacturing company and need to haul 7' long sample trailer fenders, sometimes two pallets of 50 each metal fenders and the next stop take three customers to lunch. I need dry storage that is LOCKED. I really balked at first buying a Ford and second at the reputation of the 6.0. That was in January of '04. Today I have 69,000 miles on this wonderful machine. It does everything better than any GM burb I have owned and the GMC Yukon I still have, except: I miss the rear door locking switch and the interior of the Ford is too plain. Two weeks ago I put the EX in semi-retirement for two reasons. 1) I was spending $19.57 (at $2.779/gal) a day in fuel to commute to work so I bought my wife a newer VW TDI and I took hers that gets 47.68 vs. the 17.5 average that I have calculated for every drop of fuel that has gone into the EX since I picked it up at the dealer I had order it from. 2) The resale of big SUV's has sunk like a boat anchor so I can't sell either the GMC or the EX and not take a bath. So I need to hang onto the EX for a long time and this will let me save it for the semi-monthly road trips I need to take for work.

It's a truck, it's not as soft a ride, but it's not bad and when I get new tires I'm looking at lighter duty since I can get a four tire total rating of #10,204, minus the #7200 it scales leaves me #204 for me and #3000 for misc stuff. With the change in sway bars it handles pretty good.

If the burb came out with the Duramax now I wouldn't change, mainly because of the bath I'd take. But if resale was still good, I don't know which way I'd go. If your choice is a Diesel EX or a gas Burb, there's no contest.

[walt501]

Ditto what Ken1 and MotionMan said. I started driving a Suburban in 1964, and had them non-stop until this year. My last two Chevy's burned me with piston slap and repeated trips back to the dealer for problems. Of course the dealer was no help. My 2003 Suburban was in the shop so much in the first year with warranty work, I started to question its long term realiablity. I had been reading this forum for over 2 years before I got my X this past May, a low mileage 03 with the 7.3 diesel engine. I couldn't be happier with it.

In my mind it boils down to this - if you want a big car, buy the Suburban, and make sure you get the extended warranty. If you want a real truck, then there is only one choice.....get the X!

[scubudo]

I too used to drive suburbans. I loved the way they ride. I wondered at first if I had made a mistake when I bought my X. They drive much bigger than a suburban. You will eventually get used to that. My biggest complaint is parking the thing. Fortunately, that is rarely a problem with where I tend to go...but I have been in a couple of parking garages that were tight enough to make me drive real slow with my fingers crossed. I am sure that more than one of these has had to be backed out of a garrage. Otherwise, I love it.

[Hoowasat]

[ QUOTE ]
My biggest complaint is parking the thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I guess most everything is relative. I felt like I had downsized when I got my '01 LTD X 'cause I can park it a whole lot easier than my ol' crew-cab (and 8' bed) pickup.

[MotionMan]

A 3/4 ton Duramax burb with the allison would be a biotch. I would look at it but if you want to modify the suspension, like lift it, you are in trouble. The straight axle is bullet proof where the CV joints are a joke, the manual locks rule and the 8800lb weight will take out any other passanger vehicle on the road. I feel so safe in mine that I drive the wrong way down lots of roads, I love to watch their face as they swerve, knowing I will run them over and not even feel it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Like said the burb is a glorified grocery getter, you look eye to eye with mini vans. It just says "soccer mom" all over it [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] The diesel is a huge factor here and with that you have only one choice, and you really will hate a gas engine.

[ShayB]

I went from a Suburban to my Excursion and nobody will ever get me to let go of this Excursion!
It handles better, it gets better fuel mileage, it looks better and it has more power. I like the interior in my X much better than the interior in my Burb (but that's personal opinion only). My cruise control NEVER worked in my Burb, but is right on the money everytime in my X.

By the way, billindenver. If you are free this Saturday, the Colorado Power Stroke Club is having a Charity Dyno Day up in Ft. Collins. We are raising money for a special fund at the Children's Hospital. You can come up and check out my X, she's tweeked a bit. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] You'll find more info on the event at www.coloradopowerstrokeclub.com

[clamgulch]

I've been a life long GM fan...right up until the brand new '95 suburban spent 2 1/2 months in the shop having the fuel injection pump put in and out 6 times, the fuel lift pump replaced twice, the fuel tank replaced once and a totally annoying service manger gritting his teeth and giving me the run around every time I brought it in or had to have it towed in.

So in 2000 I got an excursion. First ford I've owned. I had considered a new Suburban until I saw that the 2000 model has less ground clearance than a slug's belly and there were no diesels available.

Another reason I got the Ex is because I'm 6'3", my wife it 5'11, and my youngest kid (who has since "grown up and moved away") was 6'7" and 280# when he was 16. Those heights are all barefoot. He didn't fit in the newer subs and he barely fits in the ex. I love having the extra shoulder room in the wider cab too.

The first 100,000 miles with the excursion I had only one problem and that was the springs wearing out, but part of the reason for that was I had a 1/3 mile driveway that was rough gravel and lots of potholes.

The issues I've had after the 100,000 mile mark were the direct result of my flogging it for more power. If I had just left it alone and drove it like I wanted it to last 300,000 miles, I am sure I wouldn't have had any problems. But then I am the guy that totally wore our a Corvette in 22,000 miles, and my lust for power has never diminished.

The excursion has harder, sloppier suspension than the suburban, but it also has a straight front axle and outweighs the sub by 2,000 pounds.

Regardless, I was so po'ed about the constant breakdowns with the sub that I swore I would NEVER buy another GM product. That has been quite a few years ago now and I still mean it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] I've driven my Ex 125 miles since February, proving I'd rather push a Ford than drive a chevy.

When I am done reassembling my Ex, it will be far more truck than a suburban is capable of being. They really are in a different league. I tow an 11,000# loaded 30' trailer 5,000 miles round trip to Alaska and I don't need the danger of towing with too light of a vehicle. So with the Ex and the trailer loaded, I am responsible for getting 20,000 pounds down the road safely, and I just don't see the sub being up to that task.