Denali's demand a premium?

[nick112288]

So in looking for my new family vehicle I've more or less decided on a Yukon XL Denali. I want the 6.0 and really like the creature comforts it offers.

I can find a few in my budget of 8000ish, but I noticed if I bump it to 10,000, there are tons. But the thing is they are in the same shape and same miles as the ones that are 8000 or less, plus blue book puts them at 8000 or less.

Do they really demand that much of a premium, or are they just hopeful dealers and individuals who are hoping someone will bite at that price?

I've got no problem paying blue book for a vehicle, but definitely will not pay 2,000+ over the blue book

 

[fiatdale]

They do get a premium over a standard Yukon for sure. Cant always go by bluebook. The GM SUV market has been on fire the past 8ish years and they're getting crazy money used, no matter the miles or condition.

 

[adventurenali92]

Damn 10k is cheap! I spent $15k for my 2006 Denali xl a year and a half ago! What mileage range are you finding for 8-10k?

 

[nick112288]

Damn 10k is cheap! I spent $15k for my 2006 Denali xl a year and a half ago! What mileage range are you finding for 8-10k?

The 100 to 120k range

 

[adventurenali92]

That's still cheaper than when I was searching. When I was looking everything in that mileage range was still going for $11-13k roughly. But then again I'm in California and everything here is more expensive. Either way $10k is definitely worth it for that amount of miles on a Denali. I have no regrets on buying my Denali. It drives great, has all the interior creature comforts I want, and the motor is fantastic. I love my 6.0!

 

[mikemc422]

If you don't mind me asking, where do you live that you're finding them for that little? For under $10k I can't find a Denali, let alone a Denali XL, with under 250k miles and no problems (I'm fine with some normal wear, but I'd still like it to look and run nice)... I'm down in FL, and I know that trucks are a little more expensive here, but usually no more than $1k... I'd definitely consider traveling a bit for a nicer truck, or a better deal on a truck... My landlord recently sold her 06 Denali XL AWD with 317k, (I believe) the 6.0 (maybe the 8.1?), and all the options and American Racing rims for $13k, and only had it listed for a week before it sold (she listed it at $14)

 

[06LTZ]

Having just done this same search about a month ago, I can tell you they are worth a bit of a premium. I'm with you though, I only was willing to pay high blue book if the miles were reasonable.

My budget was also 10k. I looked at several but the issues I ran into was high mileage and poor upkeep. I had actually found one I liked but the paint was sun damaged pretty bad (common on these, I've learned). The dealer pretended to not notice the paint literally peeling off on the roof and hood. I can handle mechanical issues but I didn't want to get into paint and body.

Of course, what the heck do I know? My budget was 10k and I paid well past that once I found the Suburban LTZ knowing it was a rare find and had under 100k miles. However I don't regret it, I love that truck and drive it all the time. The 6.0L is awesome and I appreciate the AWD and all the creature features.

 

[nick112288]

If you don't mind me asking, where do you live that you're finding them for that little? For under $10k I can't find a Denali, let alone a Denali XL, with under 250k miles and no problems (I'm fine with some normal wear, but I'd still like it to look and run nice)... I'm down in FL, and I know that trucks are a little more expensive here, but usually no more than $1k... I'd definitely consider traveling a bit for a nicer truck, or a better deal on a truck... My landlord recently sold her 06 Denali XL AWD with 317k, (I believe) the 6.0 (maybe the 8.1?), and all the options and American Racing rims for $13k, and only had it listed for a week before it sold (she listed it at $14)

No problem, I'm actually looking nationwide. Also searching a couple different auto listing sites (are we allowed to mention names?)

Also this is going off pictures and descriptions. They could be total junk on the underside, and mechanical wise

 

[adventurenali92]

@nick112288 , no problems with mentioning names lol. I used cars.com to score my ride and it was an incredibly helpful tool to compile all the used vehicles near me that were worth looking at! @mikemc422 , the Denali was not offered with the 8.1 V8. It more than likely was the 6.0. Some of the early gmt800 platforms had the 5.3, but only a a handful.

 

[nick112288]

@nick112288 , no problems with mentioning names lol. I used cars.com to score my ride and it was an incredibly helpful tool to compile all the used vehicles near me that were worth looking at! @mikemc422 , the Denali was not offered with the 8.1 V8. It more than likely was the 6.0. Some of the early gmt800 platforms had the 5.3, but only a a handful.

Cars.com is where I've found most of the Denalis. In fact for some reason cars.com has more specialized models (Denali and 2500) vs autotrader which has mostly regular models

 

[mikemc422]

Oh lol then she had the 6.0! And I've been using Autotrader, cars.com, Craigslist, and I think the other one is hmn? I've only been searching within 250 miles of me, but I'd definitely look farther if it's that much of a price difference.

 

[nick112288]

Oh lol then she had the 6.0! And I've been using Autotrader, cars.com, Craigslist, and I think the other one is hmn? I've only been searching within 250 miles of me, but I'd definitely look farther if it's that much of a price difference.

I'm at a slight advantage living in Indiana. Just about in the middle of all of them, that's why I'm looking nationwide

 

[adventurenali92]

@nick112288 , yeah I found the same thing. Autotrader had more slt yukons and less Denali models whereas when I was on cars.com pretty much everything I looked at was a denali, a few scattered 2500s as those are pretty few and far between for sale here in cali, and only a small handlful of non Denali yukons. It was pretty interesting.

 

[Martinjmpr]

As far as "blue book" or other sites that "value" used vehicles, I take them with a grain of salt. Ever since the recession of '08 the used vehicle market has been very active and decent used vehicles can typically command much more than "blue book" in most markets.

"Blue Book" might make sense if you are talking about cars that are interchangeable appliances like a Corolla or an Impala or an Accord - IOW, a vehicle that people only get because they need something with 4 wheels and a motor to get them around town. Anything that is in demand from an "enthusiast" market - which includes any kind of "sporty" car as well as trucks and SUVs - is almost always going to sell for higher than "blue book."

In fact, when I owned my 4runner, I would get flyers from a dealer every few months offering to buy my 4runner for 100% of blue book value, cash in hand! My wife also got the same offer on her '06 Grand Vitara. These dealers wouldn't be buying these for over blue book if they weren't selling them for way over blue book. (If I was a cynical person I might think that car dealers are pressuring the likes of KBB and Edmunds to undervalue used cars just so they could make these kind of "we'll pay you over blue book value!" offers.)

FWIW I paid $10.5k for an 04 Suburban LT with 136k on it just last December. Did I overpay? Probably, especially considering that I did find some rust underneath (though most of that is surface rust.) OTOH, the truck had the exact options I wanted (leather, bench 2nd row, no autoride and no sunroof) and is loaded with just about every other option except for navigation and rear seat DVD entertainment (neither of which I need.) It has the G80 rear axle, towing package, aux transmission cooler, power folding mirrors, etc, so it was worth it to me to have exactly what I wanted when I needed it. There were trucks that were less expensive but either they had over 150k miles, or they were otherwise unsuitable for me (I found a lot of black trucks - I live in a sunny part of the country and no way in hell am I getting a black or dark blue Suburban.)

 

[koretex]

I just bought my '06 Denali last night. I must have stole it! I paid $7900 w/ 182k miles, and it's flawless! Loving it already!!! Now on to the mods...

 

[adventurenali92]

@Martinjmpr , i was on the opposite end of that spectrum. I found what I wanted and had to figure out what I was willing to pay given that what I wanted was hard to find.