I'm looking to buy a used 2004 chevy suburban that has the california emissions equipment and have two questions:

1. Does the cal emissions impact performance or MPG?
2. Does the cal emissions make any repairs more expensive for me?

Thanks!

Hi !

A) - "Yes" ... both performance AND mpg {but, after all, you said a Suburban? ... gas HOG, deluxe, regardless of State Emissions!!}

B) - Definitely!

E.G. - - - in order to meet & pass you CA mandatory "Inspection"  100%  must be in perfect working order!

After those ~ ~ 9 - 10 years,  very soon,  "stuff" will begin failing.

The answer is Yes and Yes. I personally would not recommend one from the peoples republic as if you don't live there you're gonna fight hard to find proper emission/engine tune repair and maintenance parts. They will also cost an arm and a leg.

Timothy, Do I sense a guilty conscious desperately trying to salvage your plans to buy this gas guzzler/smog machine? I thought not. :-)

Not guilty at all, but we have six kids and need an 8 passenger vehicle.

We live in Ohio - so the parts will be more expensive?

Timothy ...

YES, of course!  More 'parts' to a CA certified Unit, as well.

  ... BUT, why deliberately seek out & buy a Headache?? ... no one in Ohio will "have had working experiences" w/ a California {CARB} equipped-Vehicle! 

... just buy a non-CA Suburban  (if you absolutely Must).

Looking at the http://www.fueleconomy.gov listing for the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 2WD 5.3L, it looks like that was a 50-state certified truck for the non-E85 capable version.  When changing the state between California and a non-California-emissions state, the same result of "BIN 8 4GMXT06.0187" emissions certification comes up.  It is likely that the only difference was the emissions warranty and labeling (which is commonly the only difference on many cars these days).

The E85 capable version was not available in California-emissions states, and is listed at 1mpg worse (using gasoline) than the non-E85 capable version.

A minivan would be a better choice.

Not necessarily. Having owned both a Suburban is not a bad way to go. With full load of passengers still has more cargo room, passenger space is better when filled. A 'burban is a nice vehicle to have and when one considers all it can do is not the resource hog many here claim it to be. Real world having owned both side by side the 'burban leaves a little fuel economy on the table but NOT much. And when really loaded it won't even flinch. Mine didn't care whether it was fully loaded with gear, people and hauling my boat. Fuel economy never wavered. While the mini van would drop like a stone.
Plus with 4wd it was far more capable..

I like to drive and the Suburban is more "school bus" where the minivan is more "Indy car". :-)

Oh, for heaven's sake Cale.....mini-van = indy-car?

Take the pills. Lie down. Everything's going to be alright.

Smiley-face back at you.

You weren't driving the van here, were you?

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/soccer-moms-revenge/

According to the other poster the 2004 model may actually be a 50-state vehicle. Generally, it would be LEV or ULEV rated.  I never saw 10% ethanol labels on Calif gas station so it doesn't surprsie me E85 fuel engines are not certified.  

If that vehicle is from central or northern Calif, it will be in better shape than many.  My independent mechanic tells me his Calif peers have never seen winter weather issues like salt corrosion, and I can tell you Calif roads are far better than the 4 season states.

The body on frame design of the Suburban should be quite noisy after 8 years as compared to unibody.  Having extensively driven my in-law's 2004 GMC Yukon (SoCal) I'm not impressed with it compared to a Honda Odyssey (there's nothing mini about a mini-van).  The Suburban is a chore to drive and park, and if you feel more in control, it's because other drivers are looking out for cars like that and giving you a wider berth.  Excuse my non-PCness, but it's the fat kid in the ballerina class wherever you drive.  Finally, the people's republic emissions requirements save lives - -  these same reformers took lead, benzene, etc. from gas formulation so you and your kids don't have immunological problems from them,.