I went down to buy a GMC Yukon XL, and quickly discovered that I am in the minority. By that, I mean that the typical customer for these trucks values things I don't, and vice-versa.
I wanted the practical stuff, like the bigger engine, 2nd row bench seat, smaller wheels with large sidewalls, light colored exterior and light colored interior. I live in Texas, and can't understand people who drive Black over Black vehicles. I'm not judging, I just don't understand it. I'm not into leather, chrome, sparkly paint, and captain's chairs.
My perfect vehicle would be the Yukon XL version of the Sierra I drive now: Bench seats on every row, white paint, light gray cloth interior, the big engine with heavy duty running gear, etc.
GM basically does not make the vehicle I really want, so I re-prioritized and custom ordered a Denali. Big engine, 8 passenger, and the closest colors I could get to what I want. The only other way to get the 6.2L is to get the Caddy, and that was even farther down the road than what I wanted.
Upon placing the order, my friend informed me that if I gave him the order number, he could schedule the truck to be built on a day that I could "walk it through." I figured this is a once in a lifetime chance to watch my own vehicle be built, so on Wednesday of this week, I went to the plant and followed it down the assembly line.
There are some great people that work there. I never volunteered who I was, but many of them would ask what I was doing, and when they found out that they had their hands on my truck at that moment, many of them expressed great appreciation for keeping them working, and I really sensed a desire to build a quality vehicle.
The overall experience was amazing. I will follow this up with some pictures that I took.
I wanted the practical stuff, like the bigger engine, 2nd row bench seat, smaller wheels with large sidewalls, light colored exterior and light colored interior. I live in Texas, and can't understand people who drive Black over Black vehicles. I'm not judging, I just don't understand it. I'm not into leather, chrome, sparkly paint, and captain's chairs.
My perfect vehicle would be the Yukon XL version of the Sierra I drive now: Bench seats on every row, white paint, light gray cloth interior, the big engine with heavy duty running gear, etc.
GM basically does not make the vehicle I really want, so I re-prioritized and custom ordered a Denali. Big engine, 8 passenger, and the closest colors I could get to what I want. The only other way to get the 6.2L is to get the Caddy, and that was even farther down the road than what I wanted.
Upon placing the order, my friend informed me that if I gave him the order number, he could schedule the truck to be built on a day that I could "walk it through." I figured this is a once in a lifetime chance to watch my own vehicle be built, so on Wednesday of this week, I went to the plant and followed it down the assembly line.
There are some great people that work there. I never volunteered who I was, but many of them would ask what I was doing, and when they found out that they had their hands on my truck at that moment, many of them expressed great appreciation for keeping them working, and I really sensed a desire to build a quality vehicle.
The overall experience was amazing. I will follow this up with some pictures that I took.
Last edited:
