I've owned my 1996 4WD, 4 door almost since new, and driven it over 500,000 miles now. It's on the original engine (never been apart) and the transmission lasted 440K before I finally replaced it (because of noise, not because it didn't work) with a reman GM unit. Normal things break or wear out, of course, but this is the most rugged, well made vehicle I'll probably ever own. It drives great, is roomier and more comfortable than newer trucks that all have that giant center console, and feels like a proper, old school 4x4 that can also cruise comfortably all day on the highway. With a little care the interior has held up almost perfectly (just a crack in the driver seat leather so far) and the body has resisted rust better than most. I drove it in the Great Lakes salt for 11 years, but it's been in Florida since.

Very practical can handle almost any task, maintenance is required on these vehicles as is every other car. The 96 tahoe is a reliable vehicle as long as preventative maintenance is performed. I’ve had both the driver and passenger interior door handles break and I’ve owned the truck for a year. It is likely that they were stock and understandable considering theyd be 22 years old. Other problems I’ve had include front end rebuild (ball joints, control arms, etc), ujoints, door lock actuators, window motors. My 96 2 door tahoe currently has 225k and still runs strong.

Going on 18 years young. People are amazed when I tell them it's a 1996. The 6.5 diesel is what made the duramax what it is today. Also own a duramax. Once you go diesel you won't go back to gas.