Newbie with ?'s about 2007 Denali

[FijiRob]

Hi guys, been lurking here for a while and appreciate all your knowledge.

I currently own a 2002 Yukon SLT with 84,000 miles. I love the truck and hadn't considered upgrading for a few more years but we have the opportunity to buy a 2007 Denali XL for just over $24,000 thru my wife's work (it is an executive vehicle and they just unload them for employees at great prices). The Denali has ~80,000 miles.

I have a boat and i know the new 6.2 will tow the boat much better than the 5.3.

This seems like a great deal that we should definitely consider. I have hesitation b/c of the miles as it is roughly what i have on my 2002. Thoughts?

Also, we occasionally drive my '02 on the sand and it performs great in 4WD low. Since the Denali is AWD how will it fare in the sand?

Are there any major common issues with the 2007 and newer models that i should be aware of? tranny issues, wind noise, etc?

Thanks in advance, i would love to hear the good and bad about the newer body styles.

Rob

 

[JNUTZ]

I have a 07 with only 28k miles on it. I know it doesn't help much but I would think you could find something with under 50k miles if it's gonna be your new dailey as long with towing. I browsed autotrader and the price seems pretty good for the milage though.

 

[KMeloney]

Rob -- You a Phi Gam?

(Sorry that I don't have anything constructive to add to the Denali conversation.)

 

[FijiRob]

@Kirk - Yep. Are you?

 

[KMeloney]

@Kirk - Yep. Are you?

Yes sir! '93 @ University of Richmond.

Good to see you!

Perge´!

 

[gettinbigger08]

There was a non XL Denali with 80k miles for $23,600 out here in AZ. Almost picked it up but that mileage scares me and a 6.3 with AWD is pointless here. Deal is decent but I wouldn't do it, hold out for one with lower miles man.

 

[nytahoe]

well i would say most of that has to b highway miles of an 07 to 80 k. trucks are like rocks lol.

 

[FijiRob]

Thanks folks. Anyone know how the AWD performs in the sand? We usually lower the tire pressure to 20-25 and have never had a problem, but have no clue about the AWD Denali....




@Kirk - UC irvine '90. Good to see you on here bro.

 

[mike06train]

I don't like AWD for off roading because of the fact you can't lock the front and rear axel to spin at the same speed. The old full time 4wd systems had 4 high and 3 high lock loke the H2's have.

 

[doubletapdrew]

My 07 worked well in the sand without lowering the tire pressure but I haven't taken it in the soft/deep stuff yet. The AWD system cuts power to a wheel if it's spinning and it seems to work quite well.
My last rig was a 07 GMC 3/4 ton duramax crew cab with 33" off road tires and locking diff and this past winter when we had snow I had trouble making it up my folk's driveway (which is long, steep, and paved with two 90 degree turns) in 4WD. I had to take a few runs at it to get around the corner near the end since the tires would spin and I'd slide towards the ditch on the banked turns. My dad's Denali (his was an 08 at the time) with the stock street tires just cruised right up it without a problem. You could smell the brakes afterwards from the traction control doing it's thing. I wouldn't do any serious off-roading with 20" wheels and low profile tires but it seems to do very well for getting around on sand and snow. Locking your diffs and spinning your tires won't get you anywhere.
P.S. - It tows the boat great (21') as well

 

[Zed 71]

^ Just my opinion, but the reasons I think the Denali did better than the Duramax are: better weight distribution; and depending on what type of offroad tires, most are not as good in snow/ice compared to all seasons. Of course there are exceptions.

 

[NJ Denali]

My Denali only has 26,000 on it. It had problems when I bought it (used at 19,000). I tow a 5,000 lb enclosed 16' dual axle trailer and it does it better than any gas vehicle I've towed with. Sorry I can't help with long term but the towing portion is a winner.

 

[rxis]

I have about 76k miles on an 07 YD. I drive up the mountains for our yearly ski trips and it drives so much better than any other car I've driven in the snow/ice except for a Range Rover. It drove pretty well through snow storms on the mountain; not that its invincible.

Sometimes on really hot days my a/c won't stay on for a few minutes if I've had it running while pumping gas or something. It cycles it on and and off until it begins blowing cold air. I think I'll perhaps try closing the door again and turning the engine off and on. It rarely occurs so I don't know when I'm going to get to try it.

I had a whiny noise coming from the front area. It turned out to be a wheel bearing gone bad. I was told it was told by a service agent that its a fairly normal occurrence for any GM truck.

 

[FijiRob]

Thanks for the input guys.