Stop Buying Toyotas, This Vehicle Costs Way Less and Lasts 2x Longer

Summary

In this video, the host showcases a 2002 Chevy Suburban with over 500,000 miles, still running strong despite its age and wear. The owner, a landman, relies on it for his work across the country, highlighting the vehicle's dependability. The video explores the original V8 engine, rebuilt transmission, and well-preserved components, while discussing the challenges of GM's quality control over time. With a focus on the durability of older vehicles, the host laments the shift in GM's design and manufacturing standards, emphasizing the Suburban as an example of vehicles that 'don’t make them like they used to.'

Takeaways

• 😀 The 2002 Chevy Suburban has over 500,000 miles and is still running strong, showing the durability of older vehicles.
• 😀 The vehicle is still owned by its original owner, proving the lasting reliability of the truck.
• 😀 Despite surface rust, the truck’s frame is still solid, a key feature of older GM vehicles.
• 😀 The Vortec V8 engine is the original, and it still runs well, demonstrating the lasting quality of the engine.
• 😀 The transmission has been rebuilt twice, which is common at this mileage, and it’s still functioning smoothly.
• 😀 A brand-new 2025 Suburban costs around $84,000, but it likely won’t last as long as this 2002 model.
• 😀 The interior shows signs of wear, but the seats are still comfortable, and the vehicle remains functional.
• 😀 The air conditioning system and other electronic features have some trouble codes, but they still work adequately.
• 😀 The truck’s 500,000 miles haven’t affected its ability to serve as a reliable work vehicle, still used by the owner for oil and gas jobs.
• 😀 Despite the age and mileage, the engine’s fuel trim is nearly perfect, indicating a well-maintained and efficient system.
• 😀 The video contrasts the older Suburban’s simplicity and durability with the more complex and often less reliable modern vehicles from GM.

Q & A

What makes the 2002 Chevy Suburban so special, according to the video?

The 2002 Chevy Suburban is special because it has over 500,000 miles on the original engine, making it a prime example of durable, high-mileage vehicles. Despite its age, the vehicle remains a dependable work truck, showcasing the quality of older GM vehicles.

What are some of the main issues with the Suburban's appearance?

The Suburban's exterior has issues such as peeling paint, which is a result of GM's use of water-based paint in that era. Additionally, the vehicle has surface rust and some fading on the top, although the overall structure remains solid.

What major component of the vehicle has been replaced or repaired, and how often?

The transmission has been rebuilt twice, which is typical for this vehicle at its mileage. Each rebuild cost around $1,000, but considering the 500,000 miles, it's relatively inexpensive maintenance for such a long-lasting vehicle.

How does the 2002 Suburban compare to modern vehicles in terms of longevity?

The 2002 Suburban stands out because it has lasted over 500,000 miles, something that the speaker doubts a modern vehicle, such as a 2025 Suburban, could achieve. The vehicle's longevity is attributed to its simple design and robust engineering.

Why doesn't the owner worry about the catalytic converter issue in the Suburban?

The owner doesn't worry about the catalytic converter's inefficiency because the vehicle runs perfectly fine. The speaker explains that if the catalytic converter were truly failing, it would cause significant performance issues, which are not happening in this case.

What was the issue with the Suburban's air conditioning system, and how did the owner manage it?

The air conditioning system had some error codes, but the vehicle still blows cold air when needed. The system's imperfections are acceptable to the owner since the air conditioning works adequately, even if not perfectly.

What is the significance of the Suburban's live data during the diagnostic scan?

The diagnostic scan shows that the vehicle's fuel trim is nearly perfect, with short-term and long-term fuel trims showing zero, which indicates that the engine is running efficiently despite its age and mileage.

What are some of the features still working in the 2002 Suburban despite its age?

Many features still work in the Suburban, such as the power seats, OnStar (even though it's no longer active), and the functioning air conditioning system. These features highlight the vehicle's durability and functionality over the years.

How does the Suburban perform on a test drive, according to the video?

During the test drive, the Suburban runs smoothly with the V8 engine idling well, power steering working fine, and the transmission shifting seamlessly. The vehicle handles well, and the speaker notes that despite its age, it still drives like a dream.

What is the speaker’s main critique of modern GM vehicles compared to older models like the 2002 Suburban?

The speaker criticizes modern GM vehicles for not being as durable as older models like the 2002 Suburban. The speaker laments that GM no longer builds vehicles with the same longevity and quality, especially with regard to their V8 engines and overall construction.