Thanks everyone for the good information. I ended up finding a 2018 Tahoe Z71 Midnight Edition with only 9k miles which I am picking up on Saturday. Originally I was considering a 2017-2019 slightly used with low miles but after seeing that the 2017 and earlier models had issues including the condenser weld cracks and the 2015/2016 had other problems per CarComplaints (kind of like the 2002-2005 Trailblazer vs later years), I decided to go for something newer. It also appears this vehicle was built after the 8/31/17 cutoff for the brake vacuum pump design and appears this vehicle on GM Owner Center is not under the coverage adjustment or recall for the pump either vs a sample 2017 I also looked at that was not a Midnight Edition. So crossing my fingers that it has the later design and less issues expected.
Judging by the Trailblazers and the other Tahoe generations it seems like it is best practice not to buy the first year or two in a generation. I am going to try to address everyone's comments below but I am a bit restricted by the character limit.
Also investigating what grille guards I can get that would fit a Z71 and also LED lightbars so I can equip the Tahoe better than my Trailblazer (which has a 30" lightbar and 2x 3" cube lights up front and all stock bulbs except headlights replaced with LED).
Luckily for that year the 10 speed was mostly on the Premier which is too nice, has alot of stuff I dont need and the 20/22" wheels I would be concerned about cracking on potholes or curbs. That 6 speed was a key decision maker on which one I got. I would have preferred a 6.2 but that isn't in the Z71 and normally paired with the 10 speed.... No thanks and for what I use it for a 5.3L is ample power.
I was told the Z71 also has one (trans cooler) but going to find out about getting a large one behind the grille anyway if it is easy and low risk to install if this truck has a better layout than the Trailblazer which was a pain to get a cooler in there.
As for Onstar, going to have to figure that one out even if it means just removing the fuse at the expense of losing NAV or removing the LTE radio manually or even just the antenna connector at the VCIM/headliner at the minimum, I already told the dealer not to activate it so one step in the right direction but not enough. Not to start any arguments about Onstar and privacy but from my point of view, with the new features the newer trucks have especially with potential means for a private company or bad actor to make unauthorized changes within modules that can disable the truck I own, allow it to be stolen or cause it to lose control and cause an accident, it is not just a privacy and security concern relevant to previous models at that point but also a reliability and safety concern as well with what can be done over the air now. That has basically root access to a network that is the core of a 3 ton machine I own for which I have minimal to no control over who has access or who is permitted to make changes and what those changes are. Physical access to the OBD port is easy, dealer mechanics are not allowed to work on my vehicles, now to close remote access. On my Trailblazer that was too easy of a removal.... The above reason is key to why I would never buy a Tesla.
Factory warranty is still intact for another year/25k, so good to go there. Based on the photos I have seen in detail it is a 9k mile truck in mint condition.
Yea, I saw that with the GDI but unfortunately that is the norm nowadays correct....? I use Techron already in both of my other trucks.
Backside of the valve - I was seeing some GDI intake treatments in stores that use a hose but wouldn't those cause damage? If PCV fumes recirculate to the intake would Royal Purple help if it aerosolizes or is that just fantasy?
I ordered the Range adapter and will install it when I pick the truck up before I drive it back home which is about 600 miles so will be a good test drive on that.
"800 tow package"? Also for midsize I thought trucks like the Trailblazer/S10 it is entirely in the radiator? Or do you mean like the newer Colorado?
6L80E - GM did build those up to fix alot of the common issues with the 4L60E, correct? I have a pump seal leak on my Trailblazer and I have heard the horror stories with the sunshell and the 3-4 clutches.....
I am not seeing K5L RPO code but this is on the ad for the truck, but I can see the difference in tow ratings. I was told by the dealer it can take the higher weights that 3.42 gears allow but moot if the GVWR is not uprated for that because it lacks the air suspension and other features.
Cooling, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, heavy-duty air-to-oil
Cooling, external engine oil cooler, heavy-duty air-to-oil integral to driver side of radiator
Z71 MIDNIGHT EDITION includes (Z71) Off-Road Package, (NZZ) Skid Plate Package, (REG) 18" Black painted aluminum wheels, (RI8) P265/65R18SL MT 114S blackwall Duratrac tires, (BVV) Black tubular assist steps, (T3U) front fog lamps, (UD5) Front and Rear Park Assist, (V76) recovery hooks, (GU6) 3.42 rear axle ratio, (NQH) Autotrac active 2-speed transfer case, (B5N) Z71-specific rubber floor mats with logo, (JHD) Hill Descent Control, (K47) high-capacity air cleaner, (P3H) front and rear Black bowties, unique Z71 Midnight grille, Z71 front lower Black fascia, Z71-specific front sill plates, Z71 Decal on cluster, Z71 pillar and liftgate badge and (VQQ) Black roof rack cross rails, LPO. (Requires 4WD model and exterior color (GBA) Black. Not available with (ST7) LT Midnight Edition, (PDR) LT Signature Package, (NHT) Max Trailering Package, (B85) bright bodyside moldings, (SFZ) Black bowtie emblems, LPO, (SJA) grille insert, LPO, (RZ9) grille insert, LPO, (VXH) Chrome assist step kit, LPO, (VQK) molded splash guards, LPO, (VQY) Chrome recovery hooks, LPO or (SDA) Black recovery hooks, LPO.) (WJP)
Losing AWD for something basic is stupid, I agree but then how else would the service departments make a quick buck if people are compelled to bring them in? I stopped going to service departments years ago after their tactics when warranties were no longer an issue on my trucks or if it wasn't for a recall. I remember too well when I had a valve spring break on the Trailblazer at 25k miles which caused a misfire code. They wanted 3100 for a new head and said two cylinders have no compression. I declined the repair and drove it slowly a few miles up the road to my preferred shop. One valve spring and $800 later with even smaller scope of work than expected and they did alot of other detail stuff around that too which GM never would have (including the intake gasket and the bolt grommets, even cleaned up and painted the valve cover) and it was done quickly.
When I did take the Trailblazer in for a recall repair on the window switch, I told them only the recall repair is authorized and don't even think of even checking the alignment on it (which at the time was manual when you drive in to check the car in), I don't want wiper blades, washer fluid or air filters (K&N CAI) as I won't be paying a cent today. Now they have a machine that automatically checks tires and alignment right at the entry door and snaps a photo of the license plate so you can't even opt out of them checking it in the first place so then you have to opt out of the sale and scare tactics. More like erosion of vehicle owner right to choose. Small town independent repair shops are critical for older vehicles especially keeping them well maintained and safe.