If it were me I'll just keep the Suburban, the Ls engine family are known to go well over 300K with no problem and parts a available mostly anywhere, the cost to maintain any diesel will cost 2-3 times more than a Gasser and you already have a vehicle that suits your needs just my .02.

 

This was exactly the mental "math" I've walked through several times. I'm confident that the Suburban could last me quite a while. I think 300k+ is probably wishful thinking, but 200k+ is certainly a possibility. At roughly 15k/year, that's ~5 years (I'm at ~125k now).

Based on everything I've read on this site and elsewhere, a diesel Ex is likely to get me more total mileage. However, as you astutely noted, that will come at a higher maintenance cost as well as a higher initial cost to upgrade from the '03 suburban to the excursion that fits my criteria (looks like between $5-$10k). I would also get more towing capability (again, not a major issue for me) and noticeably more legroom in the 2nd and 3rd rows (seems minor, but with 5 kids - 4 boys - who are either in or on the precipice of their teens, this would be major for road trips).

I think it comes down to what I want to drive. Have a test drive set up locally for early this week in a 6.0. I'm guessing I'll either get the "itch" for the Ex worse than ever or I'll go on my merry way with the 'burb.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts/advice.

 

I got 197k miles out of the '97 Tahoe, I ordered new. I bought my '05 Excursion w/6L, 5.5 years ago (97k miles back then), currently it has 147k miles. My Excursion (2wd, as was the Tahoe) is still like new inside, driver seat was previously recovered, and I have another cover ready after I move to CO. Otherwise, folks get in and can't believe it is an '05.

I towed a few times with my Tahoe, and it was overloaded, but got it done. Despite the 6L rep, I actually spent many times more on repairs to the Chevy 350: head gaskets twice, two cats, replacement trans, rebuild rear, replaced a/c and evaporator.
It wandered more than my Excursion too.

I've returned to my youth, now do most of my own repairs, because many many places do bad things to the 6L, not realizing it is NOT your normal diesel. My Excursion is my hobby, as was my 1980 firebird, bought new.
I have fixed the overhead lie-o-meter (twice).
Replaced steering box with one from Redhead.
Bulletproof diesel remote oil cooler and robust EGR cooler.
Roadmaster active suspension and hellwig swaybar on rear.
Will be swapping in the 4wd coil spring suspension from a '05 4wd F250 this winter
so, I've improved the Excursion as things need replacing, vs just installing another OEM part.

This forum is what makes the Excursion THE vehicle for folks that need the room and towing ability, if you can park it!!

 

The 6.0 LS engines at work are all well north of 300K so I know they will keep going as well as the 5.4 and 6.8 hell we even have an 06 Ram 1500 with the 4.7 270K with absolutely zero parts replaced only routine maintenance, as long as you maintain the Gasser they will keep going just like their diesel counterparts.

 

My 2004 6.0 has 350,000 miles plus on it and runs and drives almost like new. I bought it recently with full dealer service history as a one owner vehicle. Given proper maintenance It should go much farther (hopefully).





It doesn't meet most of your criteria though.

 

I know first-hand of a 2002 4x4 Limited White, captains chairs, recently reman injectors 347,000 ~ miles. The lady that owns it has had some medical issues, and no longer needs a vehicle as large since her last child left for university.

PM if interested.

 

As both your post's show, I guess it's a bit of a crapshoot no matter what vehicle you have. You never know with certainty how it's going to hold up. Based on everything I've read, I believe a diesel Excursion is likely (although not guaranteed) to give me more miles/longevity than my Suburban all things being equal. Doesn't mean that the Suburban won't go a heck of a long time or that I won't get an Ex and have it fail earlier than expected. The trick will be having it go longer enough to make it worth the extra expense.

Wow! Looks great for 340k. This is exemplary of what I'm looking to get out of the Ex I'm targeting, but I am looking for one with lower mileage that I can take up to 300k+.

Thanks. Also a bit high mileage for my search.

One thing is the captain's chairs. I've seen several that have them in my search. I'm looking for a 2nd row bench instead. From what I've read on here, it sounds like captain's chairs are highly sought after and I could easily find a "trade partner" from which to acquire a bench seat if I were to purchase an Excursion with the capts chairs?