Quote:
Originally Posted by Enviro
I just checked it at the gas station and it was just about dead on overall so I don't have any reason to believe it is off. Chevy makes some weirdly efficient trucks for some reason. The suburban has a CD in the mid .3's and will most likely be around the lower .3's when I am done modding it.
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It's not wierd, it's just physics. I don't think it's going to get
a 30mpg tank no matter what you do. Good aerodynamics are one thing, massive frontal aera is another. I think 25mpg at 60 mph and under would be possible but not 30. I've had a few Suburbans and although never one newer than 2005. I do know my smaller minivan with a very efficient latest generation v6 will only barely touch 30 mpg at 60 mph. Already lower, very clean underbelly, highway gearing, 6 speeds and only 2wd. We did have a 2003 5.3 4x4 Burb that would hit 22mpg around 60, my current 2500hd 2001 was getting only 15.2 mpg across Washington but running 70 mph with 7 people and gear and it has 235,000 miles on it and aggressive AT tires, the 6.0 and heavy duty everything. My 5.7 hemi Chrylser Aspen, slightly smaller than a Suburban but just as aerodynamic, with 5 speed and cylinder deactivation would just barely get 20 mpg at 55-60 and running 70 deactivation never happened and was more like 17-18 mpg. I do agree as full size real SUVs go, the Suburban is the way to go. A Tahoe does no better but gives up room and seems to cost more on the used market. The Fords just haven't been reliable, and Dodge just only made them a few years 2003-2009. The Toyotas are overpriced and do about the worst on FE for some reason. That said, craigslist or publicsurplus.com is full of under $1500 cars that will get 30 mpg all day. Suburbans will always be available when you do really need one and 2 years down the road the $1500 car will still bring $1500 and the same Suburban you sell will be $3000 less to replace.