Opinions on models

[Thom114]

Hello,
I am new to these SUV's
I am not familiar with the engines and transmissions.

Out of these vehicles- Tahoe, denali, escalade, etc, What are some of the engines/ transmissions to look for, and which ones to stay away from (keep hearing about AFM)

Are they all built about the same?

Also, I am seeing alot of 07-08 police trim/ cruisers that are selling with 130k. Has anyone had experience with these? Opinions?

 

[Big Mama]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia. Which year models are you looking at? 07-14? What will you use it for? How do you drive? Any towing? Lots of folks here with PPV’s.

 

[avalonandl]

Denalis & Escalades have 6.2 engine. Great power. 07-09 have NO AFM.

I have AFM on my 2012 and mostly use the Range device to prevent the AFM from kicking in. Its not foolproof, but helps.

I like the 6.2.... gas cost be damned....

 

[Thom114]

Thank you,
Whatever i can find to buy with cash $7000. 2007-08, possibly newer
Family vehicle, 6 people.
Not much towing.
Mostly highway miles

Welcome to the forum from Virginia. Which year models are you looking at? 07-14? What will you use it for? How do you drive? Any towing? Lots of folks here with PPV’s.

 

[Thom114]

Denalis & Escalades have 6.2 engine. Great power. 07-09 have NO AFM.

I have AFM on my 2012 and mostly use the Range device to prevent the AFM from kicking in. Its not foolproof, but helps.

I like the 6.2.... gas cost be damned....

Thank you

Is AFM somthing to try and stay away from?

 

[avalonandl]

Thank you

Is AFM somthing to try and stay away from?

It is something that can go wrong. Not necesarily will. I probably will change out the cams and lifters at some point. I may do a whipple at the same time.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics, please.

As @Big Mama asked, please give us some more details about what your driving environment and use cases are, how sensitive you are to mpg stats, and whether or not you plan to tow something, and if so, what. Then, the great folks on this Forum can give you more educated recommendations.

 

[Thom114]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics, please.

As @Big Mama asked, please give us some more details about what your driving environment and use cases are, how sensitive you are to mpg stats, and whether or not you plan to tow something, and if so, what. Then, the great folks on this Forum can give you more educated recommendations.

Wont be towing anything,
Family vehicle, 6 person
Mostly highway driving, daily.
Mpg would be great, but depedability is my focus. I am use to tundra 5.7L mpg.. usually 18mpg or less

 

[Sparksalot]

Thank you,
Whatever i can find to buy with cash $7000. 2007-08, possibly newer
Family vehicle, 6 people.
Not much towing.
Mostly highway miles

I have a pair of PPVs, one for daily, the other for camping/overlanding. I spent $12K for the pair. One had 170K, the other 180K when purchased.

 

[Fubar0715]

I have a 2013 SSV (4X4 variant) that came with 110k. This is my 2nd Tahoe and to be honest, I wouldn't want anything else....I travel a lot (prior to Covid) and drove many large SUVs (Ford/Lincoln/Nissan/Chev/GMC) and found the GM product a preference. Mine was not perfect and since its a CBP (pretty sure) its pretty plain. I have upgraded mine with a center console, front leather seats and all new audio/cam/satellite radio. Where you located? The dealer I got mine from is in AZ-I just checked their inventory and they have a 2009 4x4 with about 74k for 8k. Looks like its had the front seats changed and center console added.

 

[George B]

13 suburban LTZ here. Damn nice truck. You won’t get one for $7K tho. For the money you have I wouldn’t overlook the NBS models from 00-06. I had an 03 suburban that was a good truck too.

 

[wsteele]

Thank you,
Whatever i can find to buy with cash $7000. 2007-08, possibly newer
Family vehicle, 6 people.
Not much towing.
Mostly highway miles

I think you may find it challenging to find a clean example that isn't a PPV for $7000. I am guessing a decent '07 might be able to be had for that, but it would be a find.

I have had my 2007 Yukon since new, could afford a new one if I was motivated, by frankly I love my '07. It does everything I ask of it, is super comfortable on the road and exceptionally reliable. If you get a good one, you almost certainly won't be disappointed.

 

[Thom114]

I have a 2013 SSV (4X4 variant) that came with 110k. This is my 2nd Tahoe and to be honest, I wouldn't want anything else....I travel a lot (prior to Covid) and drove many large SUVs (Ford/Lincoln/Nissan/Chev/GMC) and found the GM product a preference. Mine was not perfect and since its a CBP (pretty sure) its pretty plain. I have upgraded mine with a center console, front leather seats and all new audio/cam/satellite radio. Where you located? The dealer I got mine from is in AZ-I just checked their inventory and they have a 2009 4x4 with about 74k for 8k. Looks like its had the front seats changed and center console added.

Thanks
I'm on the gulf coast, Panama City, FL.

 

[swathdiver]

Thank you,
Whatever i can find to buy with cash $7000. 2007-08, possibly newer
Family vehicle, 6 people.
Not much towing.
Mostly highway miles

You're not likely to find anything you'd want your wife and kids in for that price, but you can get a great one in the older generation (2000-2006). Well, I have seen a few up your way with an asking price a little more but they have 200K plus miles on them.

 

[George B]

Just be careful with low buy in cost as the repairs you may need to do could eat up more cash. Spend once cry once. There is nothing wrong with a loan if you can swing it. Use your cash as a 50% down payment and then be committed to paying it down.

 

[91RS]

Yeah, you're going to need to spend more than $7k if you want a good GMT-900 that isn't going to eat you out of house and home. $15k is that sweet spot where you can find a good used vehicle that still has a lot of life left in it but keep in mind any 10 year old car is hard to find in good shape. You will definitely want to avoid the AFM but especially on the 5.3L. The main problem isn't cam/lifter failure but oil consumption. They used low-tension piston rings to help with fuel economy but the AFM cylinders get hot when they're disabled and caked the oil in the rings and caused oil consumption. If the oil wasn't changed often or they always used crap oil and filters that just accelerates things. My uncle bought his 08 1500 brand new and we never let the oil go more than 5k miles and it still started using at 8k and got so bad by 125k that we replaced the pistons and deleted the AFM at the same time.

Anyway, my advice is up your budget to $15k and look for a 2007-2009 Yukon Denali or Escalade and be picky if you're not in a rush. 2009 is the best year but they're very hard to find due to the recession.

 

[avalonandl]

2014 Cadillac ESV went for 11,300 but it has a salvage title at REPOCAST.COM and not known miles.

 

[91RS]

A salvage title vehicle will eat you alive. It was totaled because it couldn’t be fixed for less than it was worth and then someone bought it and somehow did just that? Every corner that could be cut was. Never ever buy a salvage vehicle for anything other than a parts car.

 

[Fubar0715]

Thanks
I'm on the gulf coast, Panama City, FL.

I use to live in Florida-Orlando actually until this past fall....In my case, I flew to PHX, the dealer picked me up, I did a quick inspection, they slapped a temp tag on it and I drove it home....I enjoyed the ride and still enjoy driving it...Might be worth the look.

Here is the link to the truck I mentioned... https://www.deusmotors.com/details/used-2009-chevrolet-tahoe/73824432

Dont expect a pristine condition vehicle but thus far, mine has been what they told me....Have not been disappointed.

 

[Fubar0715]

A salvage title vehicle will eat you alive. It was totaled because it couldn’t be fixed for less than it was worth and then someone bought it and somehow did just that? Every corner that could be cut was. Never ever buy a salvage vehicle for anything other than a parts car.

I bought a BMW 5 series years ago that was salvaged but I just needed something that was easier on gas than my 03 Tahoe....drove it for 3 years before the electrical gremlins came to town....Its still sitting at a buddy's shop-had considered doing a LS swap into it before moving to NH...that would have been a fun car with 400 ponies under the hood!