GMT800 vs GMT900. Which to buy?

[S33k3r]

My apologies, I think I was conflating issues with the Cylinder on/off "feature" with VVT.

 

[99-064ever]

Hello all,

I'm in the market to upgrade my current daily, a 05 Highlander with either a 800 or 900 Yukon Denali/SLT though unsure which would be better overall for reliability and dependability. While I'm not scared to buy a higher mileage one with good service records and am aware that typically with higher mileage ones I'll be looking at expensive repairs (suspension, timing chain, control arms, etc) I'm unsure which generation would be better. One issue that I'll run into with either vehicle would be northeastern rusting issues and also navigating it through NY streets but I'll adapt. I do drive around 12-14k miles a year and would love a big cruiser on the highway. I am somewhat mechanically inclined and can wrench on some basic things.

GMT800: Definitely the more basic of the two generations though the suspect nature of the 4L65 leaves much to be desired of. Typically more higher mileage and more likely to run across beaten up examples than relatively clean. That being said, I do have a soft spot for this generation. One pro of this generation would be not having AFM.

GMT900: Much more luxury focus with so much more amenities than the 800 (backup cam, heated/ventilated seats, higher quality interior). The 6L80 isn't that bad (?) at least compared to the 4L65 which isn't saying much. But the big boogy man of this generation is the introduction of AFM which GM ruined a perfectly bulletproof, stout and workhorse engine to a lifter waiting to collapse (damn you EPA). Could find cleaner examples though but at a much higher premium. While I am aware there are tunes/chips that disable the AFM, I have heard the lifters do have a potential to fail.

Thoughts/opinions/advice?

I say the 800 all day for a good reliable work truck especially if you do your own maintenance ...but if you want a nice interior and fancy options go for the 900..I've owned both and will take the 800 on a long trip first without a second thought .

 

[5x10]

There’s a 25k mile 08 Escalade not too far that has my attention
BUT

i don’t think the seats are as comfortable as on my 05 Escalade
my 05 has 116k miles so still breaking in it

gonna keep my 05

 

[blackelky]

There’s a 25k mile 08 Escalade not too far that has my attention
BUT

i don’t think the seats are as comfortable as on my 05 Escalade
my 05 has 116k miles so still breaking in it

gonna keep my 05

25k miles? Where the hell is this and how much lol

 

[91RS]

25k miles? Where the hell is this and how much lol

On Cargurus in Texas. Looks very nice. Black interior and a 2WD. Has the old man accessory pack but it could be returned to stock with little issue.

 

[91RS]

There’s a 25k mile 08 Escalade not too far that has my attention
BUT

i don’t think the seats are as comfortable as on my 05 Escalade
my 05 has 116k miles so still breaking in it

gonna keep my 05

There’s a 25k mile 08 Escalade not too far that has my attention
BUT

i don’t think the seats are as comfortable as on my 05 Escalade
my 05 has 116k miles so still breaking in it

gonna keep my 05

You get used to the seats quickly. I find the 07-09 ventilated seats very comfortable and the blowers actually cool the air not just blow the hot air from inside.

 

[5x10]

You get used to the seats quickly. I find the 07-09 ventilated seats very comfortable and the blowers actually cool the air not just blow the hot air from inside.

I bought my wife a fully loaded Tahoe in 2007, I still kinda remember how the seats feel
always thought it was a comfortable vehicle

we had a 2019 Escalade until last year, pretty stiff foam in my opinion

 

[petethepug]

So the dude that created this post ghost'd everyone the day after he responded (Aug 10, 2023) a full 7 months ago.

 

[OR VietVet]

So the dude that created this post ghost'd everyone the day after he responded (Aug 10, 2023) a full 7 months ago.

Ain't life grand?!!!

 

[chip]

I'm gonna jump in here and dig this thread up, because I'm currently stuck and I could use some opinions. I'm about to pull the trigger on one of these and I have the exact same question as the OP. I sold my 800 a decade ago and I still regret it. Right now, I have two that I'm looking at and I can get them for the exact same price.

One is a '06 6 liter awd Denali w/165K miles. The guy obviously takes really good care of it. The only thing to mention is that the clear coat is fading or peeling a little bit on the hood and on the roof, which I'm not too concerned with, because I know that this is probably the best GM drivetrain ever.

The other is a '08 5.3L 4WD Yukon SLT w/ 185K miles and it was owned by one guy for 18 years in Detroit and it has a good amount of service records. The interior and the exterior are really well kept. It could almost pass for a new truck. The only drawback is that it probably needs the rear end rebuilt - and I'm worried about the AFM issues with the GMT 900.

Knowing that information, what would you suggest I do? I'd like to buy something this week, but I can't decide. I'll take all of the input I can get - and I thank you guys in advance! I can't wait to get back in this forum with a new truck. I've missed this place and all the people in it.

 

[OR VietVet]

IMO, the 06 6.0 engine is my choice.

Plus....you gave no mileage on the 2008?

 

[chip]

IMO, the 06 6.0 engine is my choice.

Plus....you gave no mileage on the 2008?

My fault. The '06 is a AWD Denali with 165K and the '08 is a 4WD SLT with 185K.

 

[strutaeng]

Both are good vehicles. I would learn and understand the Pros//Cons of each generation, then make the educated decision...

Probably the one that has had the best services records, if it was me.

 

[Marky Dissod]

One is a '06 6.0L ... I know that this is probably the best GM drivetrain ever ... The other is a '08 5.3L ...

Based on the above alone, the '06 6.0L.

 

[91RS]

I'm gonna jump in here and dig this thread up, because I'm currently stuck and I could use some opinions. I'm about to pull the trigger on one of these and I have the exact same question as the OP. I sold my 800 a decade ago and I still regret it. Right now, I have two that I'm looking at and I can get them for the exact same price.

One is a '06 6 liter awd Denali w/165K miles. The guy obviously takes really good care of it. The only thing to mention is that the clear coat is fading or peeling a little bit on the hood and on the roof, which I'm not too concerned with, because I know that this is probably the best GM drivetrain ever.

The other is a '08 5.3L 4WD Yukon SLT w/ 185K miles and it was owned by one guy for 18 years in Detroit and it has a good amount of service records. The interior and the exterior are really well kept. It could almost pass for a new truck. The only drawback is that it probably needs the rear end rebuilt - and I'm worried about the AFM issues with the GMT 900.

Knowing that information, what would you suggest I do? I'd like to buy something this week, but I can't decide. I'll take all of the input I can get - and I thank you guys in advance! I can't wait to get back in this forum with a new truck. I've missed this place and all the people in it.

How is it not rusted to pieces after 18 years in Michigan?

 

[mountie]

How is it not rusted to pieces after 18 years in Michigan?

Owner was a Florida Snow Bird ??

 

[5x10]

6.0

 

[S33k3r]

We have 3 6.0s -- we had 4, for a short period of time. Also, I think you are going to be much happier with the 2006. Good luck, in any case.

 

[chip]

I ended up going with a 2010 Escalade (170K miles). It's a Florida truck. The first owner had it for six years and the lady I bought it from has had it for the past ten. It has been well maintained, but I'd love to hear everyone's thought on it. What should I be aware of? Does anyone have a list of the "first x number of things I would do and/or check"? Thanks again.

 

[OR VietVet]

I ended up going with a 2010 Escalade (170K miles). It's a Florida truck. The first owner had it for six years and the lady I bought it from has had it for the past ten. It has been well maintained, but I'd love to hear everyone's thought on it. What should I be aware of? Does anyone have a list of the "first x number of things I would do and/or check"? Thanks again.

You should start your own thread for these questions. Plus, How do you know, "It has been well maintained"?