Another option…2011 Chevy Tahoe 85k miles - thoughts?

[SFreedom97]

New to the forum and have been on the hunt for a 12-14 Tahoe LTZ or Yukon Denali and came across a 14 Yukon Denali AWD with 42k miles. The ask is $30k.

it's got a clean carfax and 2 previous owners. The vehicle has spent its entire life in the south (Georgia). The truck really looks to be in mint condition via pics (It's a couple of states away from me to see in person). Before I set out on this road trip, how does the braintrust feel about an 8-9 year old Yukon Denali with only 42k miles? Is it a bad thing that it "only" has 42k miles?

The service history on the car fax has plenty of service entries for maintenance at the same places which makes me feel good.

If I get up to the dealer, what are some of the "watch outs" you all suggest for this era Yukon when I test drive it or inspect it under the hood? The undercarriage has minimal rust since it spent its life in GA.

I've got 2015 BMW X5 drive50i with the infamous N63TU engine and 92k miles. I'm looking to get out of this before it becomes a problem as an X5 can get expensive once the gremlins start to show up.....

Thanks in advance! Happy to address any questions anyone has so I can make a good decision!

 

[B-train]

I wouldn't be afraid of it, especially from a salt free state. My hope for you is that it was more of a road trip family vehicle and not a 3 mile to work vehicle.

I'd show up unannounced at the dealership and ask to start it cold. Check all the fluids beforehand for color and level (Trans only for color and smell, check when running). On the startup listen to the motor inside and outside of the cabin and see how it sounds (piston slap, exhaust manifold noise, etc).

These seem to be a nice year from what I've seen, but haven't owned. If they were good on oil changes, then hopefully there wasn't much opportunity for contamination that can lead to lifter problems.

Just do a normal rundown of all the electronics, etc on the inside. I know some window switches get can get glitchy and the rear heated seats in my experience. But, again, with that low of miles, I'm sure everything has seen minimal use.

As for 30k, that's quite a stretch in my book for a vehicle that's almost 10 years old and 2 generations behind.

Share some pics if you have them. Good luck!

 

[Doubeleive]

it's a gamble to be honest, the dealer is really banking on the low mileage, you could buy something closer to 100 and maybe come out prettier.
if there is a option for a powertrain warranty you might want to take advantage of it just in case.
either way you will want to flush everything simply due to age, all fluids-all fluids a-z and a new battery.

 

[ivin74]

New to the forum and have been on the hunt for a 12-14 Tahoe LTZ or Yukon Denali and came across a 14 Yukon Denali AWD with 42k miles. The ask is $30k.

it's got a clean carfax and 2 previous owners. The vehicle has spent its entire life in the south (Georgia). The truck really looks to be in mint condition via pics (It's a couple of states away from me to see in person). Before I set out on this road trip, how does the braintrust feel about an 8-9 year old Yukon Denali with only 42k miles? Is it a bad thing that it "only" has 42k miles?

The service history on the car fax has plenty of service entries for maintenance at the same places which makes me feel good.

If I get up to the dealer, what are some of the "watch outs" you all suggest for this era Yukon when I test drive it or inspect it under the hood? The undercarriage has minimal rust since it spent its life in GA.

I've got 2015 BMW X5 drive50i with the infamous N63TU engine and 92k miles. I'm looking to get out of this before it becomes a problem as an X5 can get expensive once the gremlins start to show up.....

Thanks in advance! Happy to address any questions anyone has so I can make a good decision!

A vehicle with 42k should not have many issues.

For high mileage vehicles I usually look for the items below.

Dirty transmission oil
Oil pan leaks
Valve cover leaks
Rear main seal leaks
Transmission shifts correctly
Oil wet spots on differential
Dirty brake oil
Oil cooler hose leaks
Transmission oil cooler hose leaks
Power steering hose leaks
Wear on suspension parts

 

[SFreedom97]

I wouldn't be afraid of it, especially from a salt free state. My hope for you is that it was more of a road trip family vehicle and not a 3 mile to work vehicle.

I'd show up unannounced at the dealership and ask to start it cold. Check all the fluids beforehand for color and level (Trans only for color and smell, check when running). On the startup listen to the motor inside and outside of the cabin and see how it sounds (piston slap, exhaust manifold noise, etc).

These seem to be a nice year from what I've seen, but haven't owned. If they were good on oil changes, then hopefully there wasn't much opportunity for contamination that can lead to lifter problems.

Just do a normal rundown of all the electronics, etc on the inside. I know some window switches get can get glitchy and the rear heated seats in my experience. But, again, with that low of miles, I'm sure everything has seen minimal use.

As for 30k, that's quite a stretch in my book for a vehicle that's almost 10 years old and 2 generations behind.

Share some pics if you have them. Good luck!

I am finding that Tahoes/Yukon/Suburbans are either beat up pretty bad from this era or in "great" shape with low miles that one has to pay for. I'm not one to pick up a truck with 100k miles to save $5k where it looks to be pretty beat up on the inside.

Even those with 60-70k miles are asking for close to $30k as these vehicles are sought after for running for as long as I'm sure this braintrust already knows. This one jumped out to me to just how darn clean it was (I know pictures are just pictures and detail guys can be incredible), but the Georgia lifer (I'm outside of Atlanta) also really drew me to it. Love the black on black, but was curious:

Is the Onyx Black paint on these known to hold up or should I target one of the tri-coat colors instead?

Thanks so much for the advice above!!

here are a few pics:

 

[avalonandl]

With that low miles you will still have to check the oil pressure and the air shocks in the back. Its not the miles its age. The o ring on the oil pickup gets brittle, and the air shocks bladder sleeves leak.

 

[ivin74]

I am finding that Tahoes/Yukon/Suburbans are either beat up pretty bad from this era or in "great" shape with low miles that one has to pay for. I'm not one to pick up a truck with 100k miles to save $5k where it looks to be pretty beat up on the inside.

Even those with 60-70k miles are asking for close to $30k as these vehicles are sought after for running for as long as I'm sure this braintrust already knows. This one jumped out to me to just how darn clean it was (I know pictures are just pictures and detail guys can be incredible), but the Georgia lifer (I'm outside of Atlanta) also really drew me to it. Love the black on black, but was curious:

Is the Onyx Black paint on these known to hold up or should I target one of the tri-coat colors instead?

Thanks so much for the advice above!!

here are a few pics:


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The dash is cracked by the passenger air bag.

 

[iamdub]

My shorthanded opinion is it's half the cost of any comparable model of a more recent generation, but more reliable, especially where it matters. The common issues and the repairs for this generation are well-documented and relatively cheap. Being a 2014, it's the latest and greatest of the GMT900 platform. Check everything one should check with any used car. Expect to perform some reconditioning of the soft parts from the age and not from the mileage. $30K seems a tad high for it being nine years and three generations old. But, it might not be exorbitant with today's market. I think there's some decent negotiating room there.

 

[iamdub]

The dash is cracked by the passenger air bag.

Good eye! Right there is a $1,500 discount already!

 

[SFreedom97]

The dash is cracked by the passenger air bag.

I'm staring hard at those pics and don't see the crack.... this is why I love this forum. Nothing gets by you guys!

 

[SFreedom97]

The dash is cracked by the passenger air bag.

Does the entire dash need to be replaced? I have read that the dash cracking can be common.... What's the estimated cost of that? What causes the cracking? Such an odd "issue" in these.....

 

[ivin74]

I'm staring hard at those pics and don't see the crack.... this is why I love this forum. Nothing gets by you guys!

 

[B-train]

The dash is cracked by the passenger air bag.

You beat me to it LOL. I saw that right away and had to zoom in. Luckily though, that area is easy to glue/epoxy back up.

Since the center isn't cracked yet, I would recommend reinforcing the area below the speaker if the OP ends up buying it. By reinforcing I mean removing the cover and speaker (super easy with a pick and (2) 7mm bolts) and installing a piece of semi-firm foam under the speaker on top of the plastic ducting. I've done this on 2 different yukons with the cracked dash and have had good luck in preventing the damage from getting worse. If you watch the speaker on a rough road you'll see why it cracks there.

 

[B-train]

Does the entire dash need to be replaced? I have read that the dash cracking can be common.... What's the estimated cost of that? What causes the cracking? Such an odd "issue" in these.....

If you want it to look original, then yes it needs to be replaced. There are covers you can get, but I think they look cheesy. To each their own I guess.

It's not an easy job. Last I heard it pays about 7 hours labor to do the job? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. But with parts and labor you're no far off from what @iamdub stated above.

It can be fixed with epoxy and some handy work if you're inclined

 

[B-train]

Does the entire dash need to be replaced? I have read that the dash cracking can be common.... What's the estimated cost of that? What causes the cracking? Such an odd "issue" in these.....

This is very common in areas of high heat like down south and out west. The design is chinsy in that there aren't proper gussets molded I to the areas that have higher weight loads to distribute. If you remove that center speaker and look down inside, there's nothing holding that thing. It just floats on the panel.........and vibrates with sound and road noise until it fatigues the easiest areas which are by the airbag, the center by the speaker, and the area behind the instrument cluster.

Plus, I think the plastic is too thin, and maybe not the proper material to withstand getting baked in the sun a lot.

Maybe they should've used the recipe from PLAYSKOOL....that stuff never wears out! LOL

 

[petethepug]

Nailed it.

My shorthanded opinion is it's half the cost of any comparable model of a more recent generation, but more reliable, especially where it matters… Being a 2014, it's the latest and greatest of the GMT900 platform… $30K seems a tad high for it being nine years and three generations old. But… I think there's some decent negotiating room there.

It’s in Denali trim for 2014 so HDD Navi (hard drive). Integrated A2DP BT for music steaming is a $69 clip in plus it already has BT phone. The back up cam has grid lines. Is it AWD or RWD?

Cracked dash can be handled as an upgrade like GM did on Platinum Escalades. They farmed out interior pieces to Dräxlmaier of Germany who, here in the States, covered OEM panels and dash with leather. Once the dash crack is repaired, cover with high UV leather and reinstall. My 09 leather Platinum dash is still in new condition.

Leather Dash

The rough plastic on the dash of my Denali is nagging the hell out of me. Does anyone know of a fitted leather dash cover that I can put on the top of the dash? I want to avoid an expensive project to cut and install leather into the car.

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Plug the VIN into this website and it will list all the options as well as calculate its rarity.

CompNine

Default Description

www.compnine.com

 

[Onlyone]

For 30k that dash needs a new GM replacement installed. 30k needs to be completely perfect with zero flaws. New tires, brakes etc.

 

[SFreedom97]

I appreciate everyone's feedback.... there's certainly a lot to consider with the knowledge shared. At some point, it becomes paralysis by analysis. Ha! I asked for some undercarriage pics (along with a close up of the cracked dash) and here's what was shared for what it's worth. I look forward to the analysis here from what's visible:

 

[SFreedom97]

and here are a couple more since it wouldn't let me upload any more than 5 (not the best of pics, but curious if your eagles eyes spot anything else....)

 

[91RS]

Really the only thing I would be concerned with is was it garage kept? If it wasn’t garage kept, that paint is probably ruined from baking in the sun. Otherwise, with only 42k miles there should be next to nothing wrong with it and I’d pay all the money.

I REALLY wish I had waited and paid more for a lower mileage truck. There’s currently a private seller Escalade ESV Platinum near me with only 85k miles that looks like it was garage kept for $30k. I’ve easily spent more than $10k on mine fixing all the issues from the paint to the beat interior.