this SUV It may not be a time capsule, but it can certainly become a means of reliving the recent past. Time travel aside, this particular all-wheel drive Chevy sports the highly acclaimed 5.3-liter V8 engine. Known for a lifespan of at least 200,000 miles (if maintained well, of course), this powertrain is mated to a Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission. So using all those 320 HP (324 PS) won’t be complicated.
It even benefits from a two-speed transfer case, which will help with fuel economy, as the body-on full-size SUV has a curb weight of 5,567 pounds (2,525 kg). With three rows of seats, a payload of 1,733 pounds (786 kg) and a towing capacity of 8,200 pounds (3,719 kg), the Tahoe benefits from a great reputation and can carry you and your friends or family on trips almost everywhere. After all, that 26-gallon (98-liter) fuel tank needs to be put to good use from time to time. This begs the question: why was this SUV saved from faithfully serving one or more owners? Let me see.
The 49-mile 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ in question was originally registered in Utah. It had no other owners until the current seller found it, acquired it and decided it would look good on Bring a Trailer.
Photo: getnosty at Bring a Trailer
Monroney’s tag shows it originally cost $61,270. That’s $79,460 in today’s money. We’re not aware of the price the new owner is paying, but what we can anticipate is that this Chevy will fetch good money. The bid at the time of writing is above the $20,000 mark, just 24 hours after it surfaced online. There’s definitely a competition brewing here!
It’s not your big everyday rider
This highly specced Tahoe was originally purchased by a retired couple for use at their vacation home in Utah. They took the SUV home and just two days later, the husband had a stroke. He could no longer drive, but the woman remained hopeful about his chances of recovery. The vehicle remained in the garage with the hope that one day they could enjoy it. Unfortunately, this healing never happened. As such, the selling dealer ended up buying back the Chevy. Now, it is in someone else’s hands and they are trying to send it to a new home.
The Tahoe traveled just 49 miles (79 kilometers) in nine years. The seller added 8 miles (13 kilometers) after the dealer’s authorized service center replaced the battery, filled the new tires with nitrogen, performed a fuel system flush, and completed all recalls. Since then, the SUV has been stored in a climate-controlled garage. The seller also says the vehicle will remain there until the winning bidder completes the deal.
The main attraction here is the low mileage, but another noteworthy fact about the now New Jersey-based Tahoe is that it comes with a lot of optional equipment. This SUV was ready to start a life of transporting friends or many family members. The heavy-duty trailer package is a good indication in this regard. This gives the SUV a 3.42 wheelbase (standard was 3.08), an external transmission cooler and an engine oil cooler. Being an LTZ model, the locking rear differential was standard.
Photo: getnosty at Bring a Trailer
The original buyers also focused on comfort, which is why this Chevrolet comes with tri-zone air conditioning, a power sunroof, rear-seat DVD entertainment, a Bose audio system with navigation, and a rearview camera.
Other interesting additions include the power tailgate, heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats and heated second row seats.
On the outside, we see a simple black-on-black design that makes this holiday enabler look stylish. It even helps visually by keeping the silhouette a bit slimmer, although it’s going to be a pain to keep this smart and practical gas station clean.
A hell of a story in the making
The SUV’s engine can deactivate some cylinders to improve fuel economy, and its power increases when the fuel tank is filled with E85 (also known as flex fuel).
Photo: getnosty at Bring a Trailer
This 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe doesn’t have a great history, nor is it a collector’s item. But one person’s misfortune can turn into someone else’s magnificent blessing. All that matters now is that this auction exceeds the reserve.
This absurdly low-mileage unit is unlikely to turn into a kid hauler or off-road beast right now. But it can be transformed into an excellent addition to a keen collector’s garage. It’s no old Ferrari or Corvette, but this three-row SUV can entertain a cog or become someone’s prized possession. It will be a conversation starter, that’s for sure!
At the time of writing, there are only three bids registered, but with six days left for interested parties to join the fun, we expect the Tahoe to generate at least a little buzz. Most likely, we will witness an intense bidding war in the final hours of the auction, which will be fully justified.
Let’s hope Chevrolet itself doesn’t see this list!
