New buyer - 2012/2014 or 2017/2018?

[jdr0909]

I’m looking at a 2012 LTZ and a 2014 LTZ and also some 2017-2018 LT and LT Premier. Obviously the later models are more expensive but I can’t decide if they are worth the cost.

Suppose you could get a clean 2012 LTZ with 60k-80k miles for $27k-$32k or a 2017/2018 LT or maybe Premier with 50k-60k miles for $45k-$53k. Assume they are all 4WD with the 5.3 and 6 speed.

Which one would you go with and why?

Thanks!

 

[pwtr02ss]

Personally, I feel the newer trucks feel tighter on the inside. Fit and finish is more refined. I have an 08 avalanche and a 19 denali. Avalanche has 200k and I bought the denali new. Obviously not comparing apples to apples but thats just my thoughts. My denali is alot quieter on the inside than the avalanche, even when it was new(er). Drive them both and decided if those minor things are worth the 20k to you.

 

[petethepug]

Win or win. Figure you long and short costs for insurance, tax, registration and fuel as well as your love of a particular dealership or Indi tech. The kicker for me, and I just picked up another free steak dinner for two with cocktails is, you got it ...

Corn fuel/e85 on most 2009-2014 trucks. Not everybody has it in their neighborhood but if you download an app like gas buddy (e85 not shown on non-Mobile devices like PC's) it'll let you know where it's at. You lose 2 mpg in the town but on the highway it's a break even. It takes more energy (fuel) to get the truck moving. Keep in mind that if you idle the truck uses the same amount of fuel whether it's e85 or petrol.

Just filled up the wife's VW Beetle convertible with 87 $4.65 x 12 = $56.
Filled up the Escalade with e85 $2.69 x 26 gal= $70

My wife likes to fill up at the station by our house. Grrr. The 87 at the Mobil station is $5.49. But wait! 91 grade is $5.79 or She'll pay $65 for a fill up. That would also make filling up the bug $70 if it took 91.

 

[RST Dana]

It’s the 14 really a 6 speed? My 13 was not. Also, different horsepower due to change in fuel delivery for the later years.

 

[pwtr02ss]

It’s the 14 really a 6 speed? My 13 was not. Also, different horsepower due to change in fuel delivery for the later years.

what trans did the 13 have?

 

[Fubar0715]

I was under the impression that all '12 or newer had the 6 speed. I know my 2013 SSV has a 6 speed in it.

 

[pwtr02ss]

I was under the impression that all '12 or newer had the 6 speed. I know my 2013 SSV has a 6 speed in it.

I thought in 09 they all got the 6 speed

 

[BG1988]

I thought in 09 they all got the 6 speed

mine has an infinity speed transmission do i win?

 

[pwtr02ss]

mine has an infinity speed transmission do i win?

As long as it's not 7 neutrals....Yes (old 4l60 joke)

 

[petethepug]

All Escalade got 6.2L & 6SP, Tahoe, Burb & Yukon got the 4SP unless it had AWD/Denali or the 6.2L. The 3/4 ton got their 6SP in 09 along with all the other years at that point. The odd man out was 09 Tahoe where some 5.3 (LC9) got the 6SP and other 5.3 & 4.3 V8 (LY5, LMG, LY2) got the 4SP. GM Sprinkled a few 6.2L (L9H) e85 capable 6.2L around in 2009 and abruptly ended that in 2010.

There's likely some variation I missed or didn't include so correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[DTOM]

Personally, I feel the newer trucks feel tighter on the inside.

You're not alone in this sentiment. This was the first thing my wife noticed when we were looking to upgrade from our '11 Yuke.

 

[Fubar0715]

I thought in 09 they all got the 6 speed

I might wrong on the year but I knew somewhere along mid model, the 6 speed became standard.

 

[jdr0909]

Thanks everyone! I ended up buying a 2018 Yukon Denali with 38k miles. Nice upgrade from my old 2015 Denali XL.

 

[petethepug]

Nice! Love the rims

 

[91RS]

The 12-14 are the better trucks but you have to get the right truck, in good shape, and still be willing to spend some money on repairs/restoration so to speak. A Chevy or base Yukon feel and look very cheap inside compared to a Denali or Escalade and are much noisier with the insulation package and the Escalade has better door glass. I replaced the entire suspension on both of my Escalades and put Michelins on them and they both ride and drive better than any K2 I've driven. The K2 handles a little better stock for stock (Hellwig can take care of quickly) but they ride so bad, you can feel every bump in the road and the booming is annoying and very common. I will just keep restoring what I have.

 

[Geotrash]

The 12-14 are the better trucks but you have to get the right truck, in good shape, and still be willing to spend some money on repairs/restoration so to speak. A Chevy or base Yukon feel and look very cheap inside compared to a Denali or Escalade and are much noisier with the insulation package and the Escalade has better door glass. I replaced the entire suspension on both of my Escalades and put Michelins on them and they both ride and drive better than any K2 I've driven. The K2 handles a little better stock for stock (Hellwig can take care of quickly) but they ride so bad, you can feel every bump in the road and the booming is annoying and very common. I will just keep restoring what I have.

100%.

That's my plan for the next 10 years as well. One or both of our Yukon XL Denali's will see our kids off to college and then we can decide what to do about new vehicles then.

I'd want $5M in the bank to justify spending $90K on a new truck right now, and we have a long ways to go before we retire. Lol.

 

[Tiki]

K2 15+ all the way. You picked the right one. Only thing to fear is the lifters but that horror is shared across both model runs.

 

[me51]

All Escalade got 6.2L & 6SP, Tahoe, Burb & Yukon got the 4SP unless it had AWD/Denali or the 6.2L. The 3/4 ton got their 6SP in 09 along with all the other years at that point. The odd man out was 09 Tahoe where some 5.3 (LC9) got the 6SP and other 5.3 & 4.3 V8 (LY5, LMG, LY2) got the 4SP. GM Sprinkled a few 6.2L (L9H) e85 capable 6.2L around in 2009 and abruptly ended that in 2010...

I have a model year 2009 with the LY5 5.3 engine and 6-speed transmission (MYC).

 

[Charlie207]

2014 Yukon 5.3 w/6spd.

 

[salisburyv]

2013 Yukon 5.3L. w/6sp. i had a 2010 avalanche, obv the yukon is way quieter, for a multitude of reasons.