Tahoe Catch-22

[HSpencer]

I have a 2003 Tahoe bought new, in excellent condition all over, and very carefully maintained, never any problems at all. Current miles is 91,000.

The KBB values drop at 100K miles. Not a game changer, but the loss is enough to notice.

I am currently bird-dogging a 2011 LTZ with 28,845 miles from a Chev Dealer.
The price is a throat choking $47,500.

In looking for a newer Tahoe to move up to, it seems the 07-09's on the lots are showing as many miles as my 03. What the situation is amounts to would be paying say 27K to 37K to move up a few years, to an unknown vehicle.

I have looked at other vehicles, even considered a cross over, but I don't want to give up the Tahoe ride and overall excellence. Consumer Reports advises stay away from 07-08 Tahoe. I am also bird dogging a 2008 Black LTZ with everything on a dealer lot for $35,000. This one has 65K miles and is local one owner.

So what am I doing? Paying 25 to 45 thousand dollars for trading up to something newer and more "new body style" than the excellent Tahoe I already have? Does this make any sense? Personally, I don't think so.
Your comments appreciated.

 

[RFoster130]

Do you have to have an LTZ? I've seen dealers selling loaded lts for under 48 brand new 2012s.

 

[HSpencer]

No, mine is an LT. Here is what I think is the deal:

I have been looking at all flavors of SUV to move up to, but I have found nothing out there I think would be better than what I now have. It is usually best to buy a vehicle in about the second or third release of it's design, as most of the problems have been resolved. A car company cannot survive by building a car that is bullet proof. They have to constantly change it up so more people will need to buy them.
All of the crossovers out there are relatively new, ie: Traverse, Terrain, and the Equinox is not that old either. These cars are attractive as they imply a lot of fuel savings, and a lot of electronic wizard stuff (technology). The younger generation want things like bluetooth phone connections and back up cameras and navigation. All this adds mega dollars to the vehicle prices. Most of it can be purchased aftermarket for a smaller amount and added to any vehicle. This is some of the reason a small SUV costs in the 30's. All this stuff causes service and failure headaches, and the worst part is that not all that many technicians are keen on fixing it. Unless you like standing in line to get them fixed, or hanging on "hold" on the phone, or trying to make a dealer fix things, then you will be upset.
In the end if you have something that works well for you, even if it is older, your better off to keep it. Be it a refrigerator with the ice maker "NOT in the door" or a 2003 Tahoe that runs like a deer.

(I bought a whirlfool ref with the new clever icemaker in the door. That led to numerous service calls, because mainly the icemakers don't work well if in the door, rather than in the cabinet. Thankfully I have a 5 year warranty on it. I know the service technicians on a first name basis now).