Really thinking about buying a Denali, need some advice

[General Stalin]

I posted this on Tahoe forums as well, but I don't know which one is more popular nowadays haha because I haven't been on these sites in a while.

I have an oppurtuinty to get my hands on a 2003 Yukon Denali for about $17,200 with 70k miles on it. It's got about every option except for the DVD player (not that there were a lot of options for those). I drove it today and good god do I love it. Doesn't seem to have a single mechanical problem about it. I plan on trading in my 1995 Tahoe 4-door for it. Sad, I know =( but they should give me $2000 for it and I don't see myself driving it much over the denali if I owned both so...

What do you guys think?

http://bzthumbnails.homenetinc.com/thumbnails.aspx?path=/root/data/automanager/Commonwealth%20Motors/C3063C(2).jpg&width=600

http://bzthumbnails.homenetinc.com/thumbnails.aspx?path=/root/data/automanager/Commonwealth%20Motors/C3063C(3).jpg&width=600

http://bzthumbnails.homenetinc.com/thumbnails.aspx?path=/root/data/automanager/Commonwealth%20Motors/C3063C(4).jpg&width=600

It seems mint and it's a trade-in at a very well respected Chevy/Honda/Kia/Volkswagon/Mitubishi dealership (commonwealth motors is a big deal). Think I should go for it? Is the price right?

[Max]

You can get it cheaper. I paid under 18k for my '02 with 75k back in '07, hustle them down to $16k otd.

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

listen to the front drivetrain while accelerating. if you hear any moaning noises....run away! if not, then buy it, but for less than they are asking...they are a bit high.

[General Stalin]

Thanks for the tip about the drivetrain. What would that morning be? Front diff. on it's way out? Also, the price I should be able to work with. I have checked 2003 Denali with the options this vehicle has with 70k miles and Kelly Blue Book and NADA guide are telling me $15k - $16k retail value.

I mainly just want to make sure the payments are like $300/month or lower.

[jomulk56]

I'd say you should be able to get it around the $15-$16 range before trade in. Looks like a clean ride. And yes the moan would be the front diff.

[General Stalin]

Oh yeah, I gave the truck a real good once over, and it looks mint inside and out. Everything seems to work and work very well. Yeah if I can land this rig for like $13k-$14k after trade-in, that would be awesome.

[General Stalin]

Alright, I bought it.

I didn't get the price I was shooting for, BUT I got the monthly payments around where I'd like them so that's fine for me. I actually lucked out because I am keeping my '95 Tahoe as well 8)

I put down $800 on it just for the bank's sake and I'm financing $16,100. I'm happy with the purchase, but I can't pick it up until monday because I need new plates for it that won't be in until monday. So this is basically the longest weekend of my life... and you're supposed to enjoy weekends not wait for them to be over haha.

Anyway, I feel the markup is reasonably justified because the truck is mint, and they did go all through it 110% to make sure everything was in fine working order and all the mechanical parts were fine. All new brakes all around, a handful of new suspension components, tune up, lubricants all changed, big multipoint inspection all that jazz. My salesman showed me a pretty decent list of stuff they did and inspections that were performed.

I now feel elite.

[Modded]

Welcome to the family!!

[General Stalin]

Thank you! Man... you get such a high when something like this happens. Like, I have wanted a GMT800 Yukon Denali for a while and always thought it would be so totally baller if I actually had one, but it was like one of those things where you think "yeah but it would never happen, dreams are cool."

Then it happens. It's so awesome, I almost can't believe it. I'm having a hard time fathoming that within the next 5 days I'll be rollin' down the street in a sharp, clean denali blasting tunes with my uber loud bose system with the moonroof open letting the summer air in.

So next question: anyone run this truck at the 1/4 mile? I'd like to know what people are running. Just judging from how the acceleration feels and the powerband it has I am figuring in the mid 16's is expected. Anyone have first-hand experience?

[Max]

they run 15s at sea level stock. welcome to the family, you'll love your new truck I still remember when I bought mine :cheers:

[Yuk_Nali_6.0]

Looks great man! I like that color. You will love the Denali. So what mods do you have planned??

[General Stalin]

Mods I'm a little on the fence about. I'm thinking a new air intake will be in order... and I kind of want to get exhaust for it but I dunno. I don't know exaclty what kind of sound I want coming from this thing... I mean, do I want it to be stupid loud with a flowmaster 40 or something? Maybe I just something that sounds a bit more aggressive but not too over the top. I don't know really. Down the line maybe I'll get a chip for it too depending.

Anyone here running exhaust on these trucks? If so, what kind and how do you like it? I was thinking it would be really cool to get duals with side exits just before the rear tires, but the running boards ruin that idea. Maybe straight pipes out the back? I'm open to suggestions. If anyone has pictures of their custom exhaust setup I'd love to see.

[titanium02]

grats on the new 'nali

[Tribalbreak]

congrats on the new nali, i have an 03' and it was the best choice... and yea dude the nalis are tottally baller haha. ive had mine about 10 months now and i still love driving it everyday

[Max]

Just replace the muffler or have a shop build you a system with a big ass magnaflow. I really like the way mine sounds with the longtubes and 3" flowmaster dumped but I don't mind the noise. Sounds great on the highway, loud as fuck when you stand on it. Honestly I'd start with a blackbear tune, then maybe and intake and quiet catback. Corsa makes the quietest catback for these, I didn't even know my buddy had one on his 06 until I stood on it with the windows down.

[blueflamed03]

awesome purchase man!

[General Stalin]

Thanks all for the warm welcome to ClubDenali :P

I do notice a lot of you GMT800 guys have blackbear tune. Is blackbear just some guy/company who tunes chips for these trucks really well or what?

I'm still having a tough time deciding on what kind of sound/presence I want this truck to have when it rolls around. I bet this 6.0L 364 would sound mighty and proud with a flowmaster in it's windpipe. Even the stock exhaust sounds pretty nice when you wind up the engine. I don't know, I'll get to that later I think I should just enjoy my truck for what it is and worry about adding to some other time.

I'm thinking a trip to the track is in order next week, though. 8)

Also, I decided to take my 1995 Tahoe off the road and transfer the plates to my denali, so I can drive it home tomorrow instead of having to wait for new plates on monday. So stokeddddd

[nc6600]

Blackbear is a custom tune. Talk to Justin or Jenna on this site. BTW are you the guy with the maroon and gray truck?

[General Stalin]

Yes, that is me :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3357148030_6c513ffff3_o.jpg

I am starting a family

[Repo503]

I just bought an '01 Denali with 75k on it for 8. funny part is this is the second time I bought this truck. I bought it new in early '01 new from the dealership but sold it before I went in for a stretch...just happened to see it on the autotrader so I called and the vin matched....so I bought it again.

[vjr021]

First post on this site.... Thanks for this, I am on the fence on getting rid of my Land Cruiser and picking up an 02 with 112k for $12k.

Besides the front end anything I should look for?

I am planning on a road trip to cali from florida, so are there any maintenance items that should have been done @ 100k?

thanks!!!

[J-Will]

i paid 17k for my 03 XL a little over a year n a half ago. great trucks i love mine. i have dual flowmaster 40s dumped before the rear axle and a CAI. honestly it isnt that loud at all. sounds pretty good tho when you stand on it! good luck with your truck.

[Josh]

I have a flowmaster 50 series big block muffler welded in. Sounds great, not too loud but sounds pretty mean when you step on it. Exhaust looks stock, just sounds throatier. I wish now I would have done a dual out set up on the driver side to match the stock look on the passenger side.

[General Stalin]

Man, I love this damn truck. All I want to do is drive all day.

So, how many of you guys out there listen to your MP3 players through the stereo? I want to know how you do it. I would like to NOT have to replace the deck if I can avoid while still getting the sound I want, but I have tried a couple different cassette adapters and they sound like crap. I haven't tried and FM transmitter, but I hear the quality is also not so great and unless you spend good money on it then you can get static. Does the stock deck in the Denali have provisions to hook up and MP3 player in the back or anything?

If any of you have a solution for me or can recommend me a deck that can use the 6-disc changer that goes good in these trucks then that would be awesome. I am mainly concerned about sound quality, so obviously, and aux-input would be ideal.

[J-Will]

Man, I love this damn truck. All I want to do is drive all day.

So, how many of you guys out there listen to your MP3 players through the stereo? I want to know how you do it. I would like to NOT have to replace the deck if I can avoid while still getting the sound I want, but I have tried a couple different cassette adapters and they sound like crap. I haven't tried and FM transmitter, but I hear the quality is also not so great and unless you spend good money on it then you can get static. Does the stock deck in the Denali have provisions to hook up and MP3 player in the back or anything?

If any of you have a solution for me or can recommend me a deck that can use the 6-disc changer that goes good in these trucks then that would be awesome. I am mainly concerned about sound quality, so obviously, and aux-input would be ideal.

i have an fm transmitter. it sounds like shit too. i know u dont wanna hear it. but a new head unit with an ipod jack is your best bet. if i were you id keep your 6 disk. idk if ill ever get rid of mine. its nice to have 7 cds and your ipod, all at your fingertips lol. just my 2 cents. idk what id do without my denali either :) shes my baby!

[General Stalin]

Well like I said, if someone can point me to a nice deck that can accept the denali's 6-disc changer as well then that would be prime.

[General Stalin]

No one can help me with this?

[J-Will]

any nice deck you find will work with it. find one you like. as long as you get the wiring harness with it. i was told it was $20 or 30 for the harness. same with your steering wheel controls. as long as you get the harness for it youll be fine. stop by a local car audio shop. theyll be more than happy to help you out.

[blueflamed03]

Well like I said, if someone can point me to a nice deck that can accept the denali's 6-disc changer as well then that would be prime.
www.soundgate.com

you talking for the Ipod, or seperate MP3?

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:26 PM ----------

look at the new IOConnect
iOCONNECT


iO CONNECT is a universal 60-watt CLASS-D amplification kit which allows you to play your favorite music from your MP3 player, portable satellite navigation device, portable DVD player or gaming system through your vehicle's existing sound system. Simply plug the 3.5mm headphone jack or RCA output from your device into iO CONNECT, press play, adjust the volume & enjoy! iO CONNECT will mute your radio and play your music through your vehicle’s speakers.

When used with your portable satellite navigation device, there is even a ghost mute function so you can have iO CONNECT play voice instructions through the right speakers while music continues to play through the left. When the instructions have finished, your system playback will resume through the entire system so you never miss a beat!

iO CONNECT is compact, versatile and easy to install. Installation can often be accomplished in only a few minutes...

The iO CONNECT includes bare wire leads for wire to wire installation.

[tast101]

Only thing, if you want a DD radio with out having to do a lot of mods, get a 03+, otherwise you'll have to jump through hoops to make a DD radio fit.