12-14 Denali will have the 6.2L motor that’s always mated to the bulletproof 6SP Auto 6L80 trans that can be run in a manual shift mode w/o devastating it.
All will have the AFM cylinder deactivation and your only real choice is XL, 2WD or AWD. Since your stepping off at Denali level, choosing the platform that’s tried and true, it’s all about finding the most loaded spud for the money.
The more features and options you have, the longer you’re likely to keep your vehicle. The key to not running your wallet down the drain is finding a service contract (S/C) or warranty that will cover the major setbacks known to occur. Say ... cooled seat failures, a/c, AFM, electronics like ABS & MagneRide as well as its bags and compressor in back.
The S/C are almost always sold thru dealers or brokers on the internet. My S/C was too good to be true and it was purch’d 3 mo after the truck. I opted to pay via a credit card over a two year period @ 0%. Once the first claim paid and it proved its worth, I paid off the S/C in full. Our S/C Co was AUL. They covered the bags and compressor.
A hot tip to bagged truck owners, never let a a service writer turn in a S/C claim for bags and compressor simultaneously. Claim the compressor 1st. Wait a day or two and claim the bags 2nd. The. S/C companies will attempt to state you failed on maint and drove w/ leaky bags so the overheated, dead, compressor is your fault. They tried and failed w/ me.
Lastly, if you have a preferred Caddy, GMC or Chevy dealer you’ve worked with before, go there 1st. Tell them what u want and let your sales guy find it. They have access to lease turn ins and can dealer trade pre loved trucks for you. If you go this route, all you’re future S/C or Warr claims are $0. They may offer lifetime service packages that cover every lube/maint on the truck for a preset time.
The best experience I ever had was telling a salesperson the CPO car I wanted. It was a unicorn. He called back in 2 weeks and found my 02 Audi allroad w/ 6SP M. It was turned in from a lease of another dealerships Mgr. They delivered it to my home in 05 and the same crack Audi tech from that dealer still wrenches on it today. The CPO covered $40k in service over 3 years and included either an allroad or A8L loaner car.
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