1999 GMC Suburban Consumer Reviews

Sweet Suburban

Written by: greg15jon9 on 12/06/2008

Vehicle

1999 GMC Suburban 4 Dr C1500 SLT SUV

Review

We have had this vehicle for two years now and it has held up well. I got my permit a few years ago and I love to drive it. A few months ago I had almost got into a wreck I had to jam on the brakes and it stopped with no problem. I also drove to south Florida and a car was merging into my lane, I could not stop so I accelerated. I used the passing gear and it can get up and go, even from 70 mph!

Favorite Features

Good acceleration for such a big vehicle. I love the way the engine purrs back at you when you gun it. It can get up in the top rpms with no problem. The leather has held up well even with 6 people and high traffic. Excellent steering, it feels like you are driving a car in every way! love the Suburban!

Suggested Improvements

The stock brakes could be better, it can stop within 157 feet from 60-0, that is still excellent. It chatters over bumps on occasion, but all cars do of that size. When you stop hard there could be less bounce in the back. But it is not a big problem at all.

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If you need one, buy one

Written by: rohada on 09/01/2008

Vehicle

1999 GMC Suburban 4 Dr C1500 SLT SUV

Review

Overall these are solid dependable vehicles, this is our 3rd one. We had a 1978 and a 1982. If you buy one with around 90k, expect to do about $3500 in maintenance, as a handful of expensive repairs will be needed between 90k and 120k. I bought mine with about 135k and all those things had been done at the dealership.

Favorite Features

Ride quality for such a big vehicle.

Suggested Improvements

The dashboard is ancient. The leather quality is typical GM. The 2007 interior redesign is much better than previous models.

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Safe!

Written by: nonya on 07/11/2008

Vehicle

1999 GMC Suburban 4 Dr K1500 SLT 4WD SUV

Review

Had this vehicle for two years until a couple of weeks ago. I was on a small gravel road and I rolled it. I escaped with nothing more than a few scratches. The vehicle retained its shape even after rolling multiple times. The strength and qaulity of this vehicle probably saved my life. Very save SUV. More than makes up for the mediocre gas mileage.

Favorite Features

Size, safety, everything.

Suggested Improvements

Make it a little less squirrely on gravel roads.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Work horse

Written by: Joe on 04/10/2008

Vehicle

1999 GMC Suburban 4 Dr K1500 SLT 4WD SUV

Review

With some mods it is by far the best vehicle you can own. Installed rims with bigger back spacing to eliminate some of body roll and make clearence for 14 inch aftermarket rotors and callipers. I replaced exaust amd installed ram air intake, electric fan, throtle spacer and performance chip to increase fuel milage, end result being avg 23mpg mixed city hwy driving. The truck has 135000 miles on it and besides the mods the only thing changed was the fuel pump. Verry reliable and strong engine good body and after nine years still no rust.

Favorite Features

Easy to modify, seating for 8, mechanicaly reliable. What more can you ask for

Suggested Improvements

If you are towing heavy loads often the brake upgrade is recomended, not just for performance but to increase durability and longevity of brakes. Better rear wiper arm.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Couldn't Be Happier

Written by: HereWeGrowAgain on 06/07/2007

Vehicle

1999 GMC Suburban 4 Dr C1500 SLE SUV

Review

We purchased our '99 Suburban used in 2003. At time of purchase it had 73,000 miles on it. Now with 146,000 it is still going strong. No major problems. Normal wear and maintenance needed. Love the room for 4 children, 2 adults, 100lb. Golden Retriever and all our stuff. Can't be beat!

Favorite Features

Cargo room, style, large gas tank (stop less often), interior room even enough for 6'3" husband!

Suggested Improvements

Cupholders need to be deeper.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Solid like a Rock!

Written by: Mr Monte on 02/03/2007

Vehicle

1999 GMC Suburban 4 Dr K1500 SLE 4WD SUV

Review

I've put over 200K miles on my Burb and she still looks and drives like new. For 9 months I commuted weekly from Denver CO to Austin TX (950 miles) and with a 44 gallon tank I didn't have to stop for gas! That's 25mpg hwy, city is only 13.5 mpg but I have a lead foot. I change my oil every 6K and use Castrol Syntec Synthetic Blend. Every 5th oil change I add Engine Restore and replace the serpentine belt, fuel filter and front brakes. All other fluids get changed every 90K along with spark plugs(bosch platinum),wires, cap, rotor, O2 sensors, rear brakes and fuel pump. I upgraded the fuel injectors at 205K and rebuilt the rear end. Replaced water pump, power steering EGR valve & shocks(KYB)at 120K.

Favorite Features

Quiet roomy ride for my family of 6. Love those heated leather seats & 4 wheel drive.

Suggested Improvements

Factory brakes are junk! I upgraded to 4 wheel vent/slotted disc, SS lines. My other improvements are HID headlight system, 305/50/20 tires, true dual exhaust, K&N air filter, modified throttle body, 1.6 roller rocker arms(big performance gain!).

12 out 13 people found this review helpful

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The Tanker

Written by: Steve on 06/25/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Suburban 4 Dr K1500 SLT 4WD SUV

Review

We purchased our 99 Burb via internet from a TX dealer in 2003. We have added 40,000 miles. A wonderful comfortable, safe, general purpose vehicle. We can move stuff or carry 7 people with golf equimpement in comfort. Gas milage for 5.7L is 15c/18.5hwy. With a 44gallon tank we can make nearly 800 miles if needed which is important in FL for evacuations. Due to GM 'under engineering' the rear drum brakes were very poor, (this was the last year GM used drums on the burb) so we upgraded to Stillen rear disks.

Favorite Features

Comfort plus for 4 people and major gear. Visibility is good as you can see over most other vehicles. Large fuel tank lets us get gas when we want.

Suggested Improvements

We bought a disk brake conversion kit from Stillen(888-222-2702). RR Disc Conversion for 16" wheels Part Number 20RD1500-16 and the breaking is now excellent. $1,299 bucks but worth the extra safety and it means we will keep this vehicle until the end!

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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NDN '99 GMC

Written by: NDN '99 GMC on 05/24/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Suburban 4 Dr K1500 SLT 4WD SUV

Review

I bought this vehicle new in SEP '98 and 123,000 miles later, still runs strong. Being military and family of six, I needed a tough vehicle. Been through deserts of South West at 116 degrees to Yukon and Alaska at -27 degrees. Yep, the rear view temp reads negative. Always ran with Mobil1 Syn oil. I love my GMC but three fuel pumps (out at 30K miles each), three batteries (broken at terminal), ate brakes pads, warped front rotors (solved with Power slots), broken door handle, glove box lid, cooling hoses at 90K miles, T-Box at 65K, steering mechanism at 102K, barn door handle x 2, seat heater died...leaks sometime but from where? We love this truck. Will repair/upgrade and keep.

Favorite Features

Strong, roomy, safe, reliable and great looks. Gas mileage pretty OK for a big truck but improved with K&N air filter and Helix Power Tower. Was 13 in town, now 14, seeing 17.5 to 20.5mpg on open road. Sure footed 4X4 in snow, storage space big plus, towing ability. Very safe truck.

Suggested Improvements

Needed better quality parts! Stronger brakes (4 wheel disc), tougher leather for seats (ripping interior), metal over plastic parts since they break (glove box, console, inside handles). I pull a motorcycle trailer occasionally and added air shocks for rear since it looked like it sagged.

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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I love my G-mc!

Written by: ImATXAggie on 04/03/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Suburban 4 Dr K2500 SLE 4WD SUV

Review

My family have been loyal GMC drivers/owners for as long as I can remember. I wouldn't want to own or drive anything else.

Favorite Features

I appreciate everything about my Suburban; it's safety features, comfort level, electronics, 4X4 abilities...just wish it was "Mystic Magenta" like my '93 K1500 Sierra was!

Suggested Improvements

4X4 warning light needs to be more easily seen; dashboard cupholder could be deeper (we've had several fall-overs & spills).

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Solid & reliable

Written by: Jason on 01/10/2006

Vehicle

1999 GMC Suburban 4 Dr K1500 SLT 4WD SUV

Review

Bought used with 46K on it. Knew of problems with 199x-1999 Suburbans and have experienced and replaced them all: Fuel pump, Intake manifold gaskets, battery posts, front brakes [actually adjust rears more frequently]. Did my own work with fore-warning from web BBSs and saved $$$$. At 102K and rolling strong. Added supersprings [helper leaf] for increased towing loads without K2500 weight penalty. Will replace OEM bilsteins soon. Added K&N intake, researching hypertech versus superchips for ECU tuning and will go to Massani or Gibson for exhaust when needed. Truck needs help in the roll area and Helwig and others make increased stiffness sway-bars.

Favorite Features

Love the towing capacity, F&R heat A/C, ride height, privacy glass for kids and stuff in back.

Suggested Improvements

Better R drum auto adjusters. prevents Front pads wearing out. Larger front rotors ... cheaper rear drum to disk conversions. Better center console materials. Improved Felpro IM gaskets. Improved OEM F pads. Eliminate last wipe of wipers when shutting off ... very annoying.

16 out 17 people found this review helpful

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