How many miles is too many for used?

[optimusprime]

We need to pick up a new family rig. I’m looking for a 2019-2020 Yukon xl Denali. Problem is most of them where im located (WA) are 100,00+. Very few under 95-100k. It’s hard to determine maintenance because most of them are at used lots, not very many at dealerships and most are from out of state. Knowing that, is there a general limit that you guys would be hesitant to look at mileage wise with these trucks?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I purchased my truck with 125k miles on it, and I've never looked back. Lots of routine maintenance and replacements since my purchase, but still small change, as compared to the price of a new truck.

 

[OR VietVet]

IMO only, I live in OR and I always want "no rust" and plenty of that in WA. I also always ask for repair/maintenance documentation/paperwork and if there is none, I walk away. Make sure there is no accidents. For the 2019-2020 years you are looking for, that is a narrow window. Higher mileage can mean lots of easy highway miles but only if the maintenances are up to date. Be ready to walk, any time. Mileage? Anywhere between optimum70k to 80k and higher at 130k to 150k miles. Religious maintenance always gets my attention.

 

[LSCALADE]

I bought a 2020 suburban with 246k miles. Prior owner was a president of a staffing company so this was his work vehicle and with that it got a lot of work and maintenance at the dealer, also oil changes every 6weeks and thats how it racked up over 50k miles a year. Its now sitting at 255k and it drives as good as any of them that have 100k or less. The key is to find one that was loved by the prior owner. Just keep in mind most 6L80s blow up in the 100-130k mile range due to the TC. So if it has not had trans replaced it will soon.

 

[optimusprime]

with the transmission issues in mind, is it better to just look for something higher than 130k and had the transmission replaced?

 

[LSCALADE]

with the transmission issues in mind, is it better to just look for something higher than 130k and had the transmission replaced?

Yes and this is my own view on it so hear me out. All of these 6L80 transmissions were designed with smoothness in mind to cope with the engine going between V4 and V8 modes there is a lot of stress that gets sent through the system and if the transmission link to the engine is more rigid the driver will then feel everything that is happening on the engine side. With that GM designed a torque converter that can be slipped non stop, in the order of 20-40rpm consistently in every gear. Thats great in terms of solution but over time that constant slipping wears out the clutch inside the torque converter and the debris damages the pump, causes erratic internal hydraulic pressures that end up damaging the rest of the transmission.

From browsing around, I find a trend that they last about 100-130k miles for the most part. My Suburban was too affected with the trans being swapped at 130k miles. I am currently at 255k so I took a risk on a chance that it may go soon. however the reman unit was OEM GM which had the latest thermostat etc on it. The oil pan was removed and the magnet inside was absolutely perfect looking.

With that information on my side, I took the HP Tuners dongle and made a few changes that should help the trans last a lot longer. Disabled TCC use in gears 1-4 and removed the slip. Also deleted the V4 mode and now with the changes I can say that the trans is in a good spot to make it a lot longer than the original one did.

So if you find one with more miles and replaced transmission I would go for that instead of one with say 100k which will probably need one soon.

 

[optimusprime]

I found one with 106k on the clock but it’s only had its TC replaced (at 86k), not the entire transmission

 

[Miami-Dade]

I generally do not have a issue with higher mileage vehicles but must-see service records. Maybe have a GMC-CHEVROLET dealer run the vin number for service records. I would definitely have a good independent mechanic or a 5 star dealership or even a Mobile mechanic check it out before buying it..

It is actually the very low mileage vehicles that scare me. Even the dealership mentioned to me awhile back the high mileage vehicles generally run a lot better then the low mileage ones if properly maintained.

 

[jaxscuby]

i bought my Tahoe with 132K. Had to replace torque converter at 185k & had the ECM/TCM reprogrammed for lock up in 5 & 6.
have just over 202K now. did spark plus & wire last month, Rotella T6 5w/40 oil & filter ~7.5 to 8 k.
transmission thermostat delete to lower fluid temps.
4 piston front brake calipers with drill/slotted rotors & rear drilled / slotted for more Wwwooo.
Stainless steel brake line to support the brakes.

mine had receipt of all the service work in the glove box.

depend on how bad the torque converter is, friction material & if it hasn't come apart yet.
torque converter replacement, but its too far gone, you would know, the transmission would
parts of the friction material & plate lodge through the front pump, and you would not get enough
pressure for the transmission to "work".

they use to put manual transmissions in suburbans..a 6 speed and a third pedal would solve most
of the 6L80 converter issues.

 

[ReaperHWK]

I traded in my 2015 Tahoe LTZ, it had about 170k miles. I got rid of it because it had problems. Someone else now.

 

[Doubeleive]

depends on your budget I guess, I have bought used cars for $400, worn as hell, but got me from a to b
at the time that was all I could afford, mileage didn't matter

 

[Marky Dissod]

2026, and we're not talking about engine hours, or average lifetime speed?
Really? The only mention of engine hours is in this post? Do you not care about engine use?

 

[Doubeleive]

that aside I see no reason to be limited to a 2019-2020, 2018 should be no different
for my yukon in my photo I flew and drove it home 7 hours
for my silverado I had it driven 6 hours to me

 

[optimusprime]

I had just heard that the latest models with the 10l80 is what was best to look at.

 

[Doubeleive]

I had just heard that the latest models with the 10l80 is what was best to look at.

the 2018 "should" also have the 10 speed

 

[GMCChevy]

We bought our 2017 with around 100k on it from a Chevy dealer, no complaints. We did pay extra for a warranty for it just in case it was traded in because they knew it was starting to have major problems but so far it hasn't been needed.

Both transmissions can have issues. Figure out what year range you want and look for one with condition price and mileage that you're happy with.

 

[alvocado]

2018 and later with the 6.2 have the 10l80. I went through a similar search for two months looking for a 2018-20 and finally paused. I was willing to accept mileage up to 120k with maintenance history but the small number of trucks that actually had good history sold at a premium and were located out of town where additional transport made the cost an issue. Too many of these SUVs are driven from new by suburban moms who beat them up and don't follow the maintenance schedule.

The key is patience and make sure there's a Carfax to get as much history as possible.

 

[PA-WOODCHUCK]

Buy a GOOD extended warranty and read the FINE print what is/isn't covered.

 

[ZKWBQD]

We need to pick up a new family rig. I’m looking for a 2019-2020 Yukon xl Denali. Problem is most of them where im located (WA) are 100,00+. Very few under 95-100k. It’s hard to determine maintenance because most of them are at used lots, not very many at dealerships and most are from out of state. Knowing that, is there a general limit that you guys would be hesitant to look at mileage wise with these trucks?

With GM, I'd be nervous past 75K. Toyota 200K. Yes, I've owned both.

 

[CriticalThinker]

I had a 2016 Tahoe and the transmission crapped out at 120k. My 2021 has 110k on it so far. I’m OCD about maintenance, oil changes regularly, transmission and transfer case serviced every 50k, alignment at every oil change, filters, belts, etc., all at the same place, so we’ll see how far the 2021 goes. It has nothing wrong with it and it’s paid off so my fingers are crossed.