2020 Tahoe Premier Smash or Pass?

[tooleyondeck]

I've been flirting with the idea of buying a K2XX (specifically) Tahoe/Yukon for awhile now. I've kept my feelers out in my area for a few months and this recently arrived at my local dealer:

2020 Tahoe Premier Plus
6.2L, 4WD, 10L90, 83K miles
1 owner, corporate vehicle, clean Carfax (link below)
Mahogany Interior
Asking Price: $42K


Aside from the mileage being a bit higher than I would like, it checks all the blocks on my "want" list. My questions for 15-20 owners:

What has your experience been with your K2XX?

Aside from DOD (which I will tune out and eventually delete), what issues have you experienced?

Based on your experiences, could you recommend this vehicle to a prospective owner?

Essentially... smash or pass?

The pics suck on the ad, they literally just got it in. I stopped by yesterday and briefly looked at it and luckily escaped before a salesman sniffed me out.

Carfax: https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHisto...l9iu_Avny4cc2L05AhGne6rWd0hUo8nk7ZdDQsgjWuQtA

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Seems like a well featured truck, especially with the 6.2. The asking price seems high, but I don't have any quantitative data to support my belief. What is the Blue Book value for that truck in good condition?

 

[RST Dana]

K2’s are solid in my experience. I’m on my 3rd. 6.2 and 10 speed for the win! Make it happen.

 

[tooleyondeck]

Seems like a well featured truck, especially with the 6.2. The asking price seems high, but I don't have any quantitative data to support my belief. What is the Blue Book value for that truck in good condition?

Private party is 41K, trade 39K on KBB, assuming it's in "very good" condition. It is the only non-denali I have come across within 200mi that has all the features I want, my only hesitation is the mileage with the known DOD issues, but it comes with the 1 year certified warranty. Any issue after that I would go with a delete.

 

[tooleyondeck]

K2’s are solid in my experience. I’m on my 3rd. 6.2 for the win! Make it happen.

Thank you, have you had to have any lifters replaced on any of them?

 

[RST Dana]

Thank you, have you had to have any lifters replaced on any of them?

The first 2 were 5.3s 16 and 17. The RST is a 20’ with 70k miles. Keep the oil changed and all is well.

 

[Runfor5]

LOL at the post title.
The price seems a touch high to me, especially for a non-XL/Suburban. I've began lightly browsing for XL Denali's (also the 6.2) of this gen, and while the 2020's seem to command higher pricing than the '18-19's (historical transmission issues have me focusing on the later half of this generation) presumably because they're newer, those still seem to be in the $40k range (<100k miles) with the Chevy equivalents cheaper.

All that said if you like it and it checks your boxes go start negotiating! Also it appears to have lived its life in a non-salt environment so that's a huge positive in my view (NC and FL per CarFax).

 

[Miami-Dade]

I bought my 2016 Tahoe LT [5.3] brand new in October 2016. I now have 169K miles.

Even though I had to replace the transmission at 125K miles [the warranty now is to 225K miles] and replaced the A/C Condenser at 80K miles I still love it.

Still have the original brakes in the rear but changed out the front brakes twice.

Thermostat went belly up at 150K miles while on a road trip. Chevrolet dealer got me back on the road in a few short hours. Of coarse it happened on a weekend.

Still have the original plugs/wires. Still gets good mileage out on the highway.

Still 100% stock. Knock on wood with AFM. Still runs like brand new.

Rides awesome on Michelin Defender tires. I hate the ride on the Continental tires.

Gets serviced every 5K miles.

The price is slightly high for your 2020 your looking at but then again your getting the 6.2 which I do not have. I am very content with my 5.3 but that is just me.

If I were looking for a Tahoe right now it would be a 2019-2020.

 

[tooleyondeck]

LOL at the post title.

What can I say, I wanted to get clicks lol

It's definitely priced like a Denali but with the 6.2 and options it is basically a Denali with a bowtie. I'm going tomorrow morning to take a closer look.

 

[tooleyondeck]

I bought my 2016 Tahoe LT [5.3] brand new in October 2016. I now have 169K miles.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I had the 5.3 in my 16' Silverado and it was a great running truck, I'm just partial to the 6.2. I might consider trading my Camaro, and with this Tahoe having the 6.2, Camaro gauge cluster, HUD, etc. I think it'll still scratch that itch while I'm hauling the kids down I-75 lol.

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

Well, I'm on x2 of K2 myself.

The RST does hold its value pretty well. I just picked up my Esky Platinum in December for 36k just a point to ponder. Less miles but a few years older than the RST you are talking about. If you can get it for under 40k then I would say to do it.

It all depends on how it was taken care of, the normal issues are AFM, and Mag ride, there has been a recent come to light on the 10 speeds having issues, but its less than the 6 speed for sure. Any of the k2 stuff, service service service... Stay ahead of all recommended things. There are many rigs here running into the high 100k already with no real issues. Its real easy to dwell on the negatives. These are great vehicles, comfy, and fun with the 6.2. I love NNBS, but this is a nice step up for sure. The reason for me on the escalade was the sport mode switch and the platinum with black suede headliner. I went 8 speed for personal preference in driving experience, the 10 has alot of changing in city driving. Let us know what you come up with....

 

[tooleyondeck]

the RST you are talking about

Thank you! If I could find a Platinum that would definitely be the move. It's funny you mention RST because this literally has all the RST options except for the blacked out grille and trim. I'm fairly certain the original owner had to have optioned it like this.

 

[CMoore711]

With my old '15 Yukon XL Denali I owned it from 24K miles bought CPO and it was totaled by a drunk driver at 149K miles.

Followed severe maintenance schedule on all drivetrain fluids.
- Installed a Range AFM disabler at 30K miles.
- A/C condenser failure at 62K miles
- AFM lifter failure at 78K miles; Repaired under CPO warranty with OEM parts AFM still active. Range went back in.

We now have a '19 Escalade ESV Premium in the stable that is the wife's daily and its been great. Huge improvement with the 10 speed over the 8 speed that was in my '15 Denali.

I would not hesitate to buy another K2XX SUV and my personal criteria would be the 6.2 L86 with the 10 speed transmission which puts you in a '18-'20 model year.

This particular Tahoe linked in the OP at $42K with 83K miles is high on the price for the mileage. You can get into a '18-'20 Yukon Denali with the 6.2L and 10 speed drivetrain with 60K +/- miles for $42-$45K (which to me equals driven for one less year). There are a small amount of 2020 models that are still being offered CPO which to maybe buys you some more time on the AFM failure dice roll.

But I would definitely suggest to go drive one because the K2XX feels, handles, and is different in a lot ways than the previous generations; Some good some bad but ultimately just different.

EDIT: That mahogany leather is a bit more rare interior color and is sharp. It’s comparable to the Kona Brown in our ‘19 Escalade ESV. It’s probably the only other color other than black that I’d get. We transport too many kids to be having light tan shale interiors…. That and I’ve never been a fan of how jeans will rub off blue onto the lighter leathers.

 

[jyi786]

Word of advice/caution: if the transmission was not serviced using the severe maintenance schedule, it's a hard PASS. It's not enough to do it right this second; 89k is too far gone and it should have had at least 2 transmission fluid/filter changes by this time.

Ask me how I know: I just spent $13k replacing the transmission because I failed to follow that maintenance schedule on my 2019 Escalade and the transmission started having major issues.

If you're going to do it, make sure you get all the maintenance records.

 

[L8T BURB]

Looking at the Carfax, 2 things concern me.

1. There are oil change intervals of 12k and 16k.
2. Transmission has no record of being serviced.

Having a 2015 Suburban that I just spent upwards of $13k to replace the engine and transmission on, that's why I am a stickler for those 2 things. Granted I did replace the outgoing 5.3 with a 6.6 gas engine and a 6L90 trans...but that's beside the point.

As long as you can get a VERY good extended warranty to go with it, it may be worth a shot. The price does seem a little high, but that appears to be a HIGHLY optioned rig...so it is somewhat understandable. As others have mentioned, unless your heart is dead set on this one, it may not hurt to search the market for Yukon Denali. When thinking of the value of a warranty, think of whether you'd be fine with potentially dropping $8k on a lifter job, or $6k on a transmission job on top of the initial investment of the vehicle.

I will say though, I am a sucker for black vehicles and man is that thing SHARP! I haven't owned one, but from what others say, the 6.2 w/10 speed is the cream of the crop!

 

[tooleyondeck]

But I would definitely suggest to go drive one because the K2XX feels, handles, and is different in a lot ways than the previous generations; Some good some bad but ultimately just different.

I'm going to go put my hands on it and drive it this morning. They also have a 19 Denali XL in Satin Steel (not my first or second choice of color though) that I want to check out. I’ll definitely ask for service records for both and inquire about the transmission severe maintenance. Thanks for all the insight y’all!

 

[koachdaddy]

Sending you a PM.

 

[Tahoe14]

Did you end up buying?

 

[koachdaddy]

Did you end up buying?

I'd to know as well. I had a way better deal to offer, sent a PM, but never heard anything.

 

[Tahoe14]

If it’s the one in your profile description it sure sounds like a nice one.