Noob question about Denali for sale

[Jewel or Jalopy]

Hey gang,

Does anybody have any thoughts on this Denali that popped up while I was searching tonight? http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/3000663901.html

They are asking $9k and it has 124k miles

Also:

- Is there a good post here that talks about the key differences between the 2000-2002 and 2003-2006 model years?
- Is there a good reference for options on LS, LT, etc?
- What are the key maintenance issues I should look for as I start test driving candidates?

Here's a little background on me.

I'm in the market for a Tahoe/Yukon to pull our 13' vintage travel trailer. I'm currently towing it with a 2000 BMW 540it (wagon) but we plan to buy a larger trailer soon as we now have two girls, and this little 13 footer only really sleeps 3 easily. She only weighs about 1500 lbs so the BMW tows it just fine, and even though the BMW is rated to tow 5000 lbs the tongue weight max is 200 lbs. Anything bigger than what we've got will put me over that.

I have a friend from the BMW forum who owned a 2003 Tahoe and gave me a few tips about the differences pre/post 2003. But I am still trying to figure out whether I'd be better off with an earlier model that's a bit less money, or pay more for a 2003-2004. Most that I'm seeing for sale are 120k miles and up, find anything with 100k miles or less is tough. At least here in Portland at the moment.

All I really want is the 5.3L, tow package, and heated seats. I'm happy with 2WD as we don't do much skiing or off-roading. I'm OK with cloth as it's cooler in the summer, warmer in winter. But I'm not sure you can get cloth with heated seats, or if I need to find an LT to get heated seats. Worst case I could always swap seats, but I'd rather just find what I want.

I'm also trying go figure out color options, I'm seeing a lot of gold / grey which is a bit bland. I've seen a few interiors with a darker dash that I liked.

Sorry for the noon questions, just point me to another post of tell me good search terms to use and I'll keep searching.

Thanks!
Ian

 

[ATL]

that denali would do better for towing, it has a 6.0, tow/haul package, and awd

 

[Rivieraracing]

Seems way too cheap, especially around here!! But if the title is indeed clean and it doesn't show signs of past major repair and runs good, I'd go for it!! I love my denali, I have an '02 but it has the 6.0 and AWD and it's awesome especially for towing anything! And it's a denali, that's the best trim level you can get in my opinion, has stuff the other ones don't!!
Also nice to see another Oregonian on here, welcome to the site!!

 

[ATL]

price seems right to me, i paid 13k at 90k miles on my 03

 

[big_b_in_PA]

Price wise you're in the ball park. I paid 13,5 for mine Denali with 83,000 on it. As far as anything else, it's your call. Options and whatnot are all creature comforts. The denali has all options in them already. If you aren't sure about the vehicle do a car fax on it and take it to a reputable mechanic.

Good luck!

 

[DenaliAK]

It all sounds and looks good, but I'd still get it checked out somewhere by another mechanic. Is there even a 2-wheel drive version of a Tahoe/Yukon??? Not sure, honestly.

I love my Denali. The miles aren't that high for these trucks, either. The engines really hold up if you treat them right. That price seems too low to me, but the market on these is generally a bit higher where I live so I don't know for sure. Either way, sounds like a good deal. I'd definitely consider it pending an inspection.

 

[Jewel or Jalopy]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. We're going to look at a few tonight, compare the pre and post 2003 versions, and if the dealership still has it take a look at the Denali and see if it's worth spending a bit more for that one, or go with something lower spec and save a few $.

AFAIK they did make 2WD versions, but they're rare. Not the Denali, but other Tahoe/Yukons. I've seen 2-3 for sale around here, less than 10% of the available trucks.

There is one ex police Tahoe for sale, but it sounds like it would be too much work to convert it back to a more family standard (replace carpet, hook up rear doors again, etc). But I love the dash on it.

 

[sparks]

mines an 02 with 75k on it and i paid 13k for it. im in central florida, that price was pretty average for the 100k mileage ones, so for 75k miles i was super happy with the price. for $9k i would really look it over closely, maybe even have your mechanic give it a once over. it sounds like a solid deal, just make sure and do a bit of due diligence.

as far as the differences, i know that the 03+ models use the "databus" system which basicaly = more computer integration. the interiors are slightly different in many ways, but still very similar (if that makes sense). as far as i know, drivetrain and major body components are all the same. and to reinforce what the others said, the denali is essentially the escalade of the yukons and tahoes, it has all the options, all the upgrades, all the gadgets, the big 6.0 engine, awd, etc etc.

 

[felixgun]

The 03+ has a different dash (including newer updated DIC) that's double din instead of 1.5 din and has newer/different leather seats then the 00-02 models. It also has a different center console area. I had an 01 Tahoe a few years ago and always wished it was an 03+. The Denali has a 6.0L instead of a 5.3L which is a HUGE upgrade especially when towing.

 

[04SS99Denali]

seems a bit cheap to be honest. it looks like a clean truck from the pictures so id really dig through it and make sure nothings "patched" up.

 

[DenaliAK]

There is one ex police Tahoe for sale, but it sounds like it would be too much work to convert it back to a more family standard (replace carpet, hook up rear doors again, etc). But I love the dash on it.

I'd stay away from ex-police vehicles. They drive the hell out of their cars.

 

[Jewel or Jalopy]

seems a bit cheap to be honest. it looks like a clean truck from the pictures so id really dig through it and make sure nothings "patched" up.

So we had a chance to look at it today, but didn't get to drive it.

Here's what we found:

- Has 20" aftermarket wheels/tires, will need tires soon.
- A few scratches / chips on front
- Rear lock actuator broken (buzzes, but doesn't work)
- Driver's door lock button doesn't work. Passenger's does
- Nav screen is broken, and radio buttons worn (seems to be common)
- Console paint is badly chipped
- Rear HVAC controls didn't seem to work. But then I might not know how to work it either.
- Neither power seats worked. Might be fuse, or wiring? Didn't have time to look.
- Had 124k miles, started fine, sounded like a little lifter rattle when cold, but no funny noises otherwise.

So I need to price out tires, a Nav screen, and the door lock issues at the minimum. The cosmetics I can live with, and I would test drive it and check the fuses for the seats at a minimum. But it might just be more work that I want to deal with right now, even for $9k.

Thoughts on any of those issues?

We also drove an '03 Tahoe LT and it was nice, but no 3rd row or sunroof. But we can definitely see ourselves driving one, it didn't feel that much bigger than our BMW at least around town.

 

[sparks]

those to me are all signs of a well worn, somewhat not taken care of vehicle. procede with caution and drive it a good bit before you make your decision. driving it willl tell you a lot. in fact, you may want to find a really low miles 06 denali to drive to get a feel of what a nice one is like so you can compare.

---------- Post added at 07:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:52 PM ----------

I'd stay away from ex-police vehicles. They drive the hell out of their cars.

+1 my cousin is a police officer, when i went on ride alongs with him in pool vehicles (yours was a pool vehicle fyi) they were truly driven like they stole them. as long as it wasnt folded up into little pieces when they returned them, nobody cared.

 

[Jewel or Jalopy]

Yeah, the police vehicle is off the list, it's a ragged out, barely running '99. Pass. I think it all goes back to the Blues Brothers... don't we all want an ex-cop car?

I agree the Denali was rode hard and put away wet. The story is a bit fishy too. Something about the dealer's boss going off to Morrocco and not really wanting to sell it, yada yada yada. I priced out tires and a Nav screen, $600 and $500. And that's not even dealing with the other issues.

I really don't think we need the 6.0L so I think I'll focus on a nice clean '03 or '04 Tahoe / Yukon, hopefully an LT.

Thanks guys!

 

[M3PO]

I wouldn't rule out the Denali; yes I am biased cause I have one
.
The 5.3 is a great motor, but even though you are towing a small trailer, if you are getting a truck to tow, I would still go with the 6.0. The Denali also has a slightly upgraded transmission, I think it is the same size as the 5.3, with a slightly beefier build. Also the Denali has the transmission temp gauge- just like the engine temp; I want to know when it is hot BEFORE I burn it up.
.
Whatever you go with, watch out for the Autoride or whatever the air shocks are called, the Denali's and some of the other Tahoe/Yukons have them. They are great for towing, I love mine. BUT, before you buy make sure the compressor isn't running a lot, when you start the truck you will hear it turn on maybe 5-10 seconds. If the bags in the shocks are bad or the system has leaks the compressor will run often and eventually burn itself up. The dealers want well over $1k to replace the system, but Arnott sells a lot cheaper if you are a DIY, but it's still pricey and VERY common on these trucks.

 

[Jewel or Jalopy]

I wouldn't rule out the Denali; yes I am biased cause I have one
.
The 5.3 is a great motor, but even though you are towing a small trailer, if you are getting a truck to tow, I would still go with the 6.0. The Denali also has a slightly upgraded transmission, I think it is the same size as the 5.3, with a slightly beefier build. Also the Denali has the transmission temp gauge- just like the engine temp; I want to know when it is hot BEFORE I burn it up.
.
Whatever you go with, watch out for the Autoride or whatever the air shocks are called, the Denali's and some of the other Tahoe/Yukons have them. They are great for towing, I love mine. BUT, before you buy make sure the compressor isn't running a lot, when you start the truck you will hear it turn on maybe 5-10 seconds. If the bags in the shocks are bad or the system has leaks the compressor will run often and eventually burn itself up. The dealers want well over $1k to replace the system, but Arnott sells a lot cheaper if you are a DIY, but it's still pricey and VERY common on these trucks.

Thanks for the info, I had no idea on the trans temp sensor. There's another '03 Denali for sale locally for about $11k, I could probably get them down to $10. Green on tan. It has about 130k miles on it, which is a little more than I'd like, but for an '03 I'd consider it.

Is there a code for the air ride suspension? I've seen a few listed where it lists it on the LT badge. A friend recommended against it, and said that if it has a 3rd row and towing packages, it will have a self leveling rear. But I have no idea how to check.

Thanks for the continued advice!

 

[Rivieraracing]

Thanks for the info, I had no idea on the trans temp sensor. There's another '03 Denali for sale locally for about $11k, I could probably get them down to $10. Green on tan. It has about 130k miles on it, which is a little more than I'd like, but for an '03 I'd consider it.

Is there a code for the air ride suspension? I've seen a few listed where it lists it on the LT badge. A friend recommended against it, and said that if it has a 3rd row and towing packages, it will have a self leveling rear. But I have no idea how to check.

Thanks for the continued advice!

Just look at the top of the rear shocks, and if it has an air hose coming from the top back of it, then it has air shocks!! Also, there will be a compressor box just behind the rear drivers side tire! Like mentioned, the compressor will kick on every time you start up the truck, a few seconds after it's running and should only run without weight on the back of the truck for no more than 10 seconds, if it runs much more than that and if it runs a bunch of times while the truck is on without weight in the truck, then the shocks are more than likely in bad shape!

---------- Post added at 07:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 PM ----------

Also, where's the 11k denali you are talking about? Please please stay far far away from buying anything off of 82nd!! lol

 

[Jewel or Jalopy]

The tahoe we looked at was on 82nd, they had a bunch on one lot which made comparing easier. But when they quoted me $1k over KBB I almost laughed, and had to chuckle again when he told me "we'll make the numbers work, don't worry about the price.". Right, I'm paying cash, the price is all I'm worried about. Idiots.

Here's the other one that's popped up:

http://bickmoreauto.com/details-200...ility!!!!MILWAUKIE+LOCATION+!!!-MTMyMg==.html

It's green, not my favorite color, and higher miles than I want. But might be worth a look. I'll pay attention to the air suspension.

I prefer to buy from an owner, so I can get better history. Owners don't seem to be pricing much below dealers, or have a note to pay off. Not helping any.

 

[coolchuck]

That green looks ok in the pictures, def worth taking a look at. I've seen newer ones in worse condition.

 

[sparks]

hey jewel, im guessing you are searching pretty close to where you live. i started looking further out from the city and found a lot nicer trucks in more rural areas. may not be the same for you but i definitely had better luck outside of the city. ymmv