VERY Surprised by GM Quality...

[Kaneman]

I picked up a 2003 Tahoe LT a couple of days ago, and every time I drive it I am impressed with the build quality. It has 98,000 miles on it, but very few squeaks or creaks. Both A/C systems blow ice cold air that you can't stand to run on high even when its 106 outside. The steering wheel doesn't shake at all, it tracks perfectly straight, and rides surprisingly smooth. I can't feel the transmission shifting at all.

From 2007-2009 I had 3 different, brand new, Mercedes Benz vehicles, C350 Sport, ML350 and GLK350. The Tahoe can stand next to any of them on build quality, power, luxury options and durability. That says a lot considering the Tahoe I'm comparing against them is 7 years old and has almost 100k miles on it.

Everything works like it was new. Power windows, wipers, heated seats, stereo...there don't appear to be any electrical gremlins, which is more than I can say for the ML350 I had.

This is my first Chevy, and I am very pleasantly surprised. Tomorrow I take it up to my local mechanic to give it a thorough inspection and do any pre-emptive maintenance just to be safe. I've owned quite a few vehicles in the past decade....this Chevy is by far my favorite.

[Rider]

2WD eh?

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by Rider

2WD eh?

Yea, I had to choose between a 2003 2wd or a 2004 4wd, and obviously I went with the 2wd.

My wife's getting a Wrangler, that'll be our Zombie Apocalypse escape vehicle most likely. I won't need heated leather seats when the zombies come.

[OneSickPsycho]

Good lookin' truck.

[shmike]

Congrats on the new ride.

What was the $ damage?

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by shmike

Congrats on the new ride.

What was the $ damage?

Oh God dude, we got raped so bad. We paid $19,000 plus tax. Our total note is $30,000 if we make minimum payments.

That Tahoe is probably worth $14....$15 at the max....even as nice as it is. The two positives are that A) It is a very nice vehicle and is in excellent shape and B) We were able to buy down to a true 9% interest rate.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

Yea, I had to choose between a 2003 2wd or a 2004 4wd, and obviously I went with the 2wd.

My wife's getting a Wrangler, that'll be our Zombie Apocalypse escape vehicle most likely. I won't need heated leather seats when the zombies come.

Will make for better fuel mileage. You don't get the snow we get so a 2WD in your area should be good enough.

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by Rider

Will make for better fuel mileage. You don't get the snow we get so a 2WD in your area should be good enough.

Yea, it snows twice a year max. I got to drive it in the rain yesterday and found traction to be far above that of a standard 1500 Chevy truck....due to extra weight in the back I suppose.

I was torn to be honest, but I chose the 2wd because of the gas mileage and I liked the color/interior better.

[Avatard]

Congrats, but be sure to say a small prayer for continued low oil prices.

[Kaneman]

Its not that bad. I got 13 out of the first tank...and that included a lot of "just seein' what she can do honey!!" moments. That's better than my ML got when gas was $4.50 a gallon.

I expect to get 14 average, I can live with it.