OFFICIAL: 2015.5 (2015i) Discussion Thread

[Tylus]

I'm curious if you guys are even aware of how the 6 or 8 speed work. It's not like the trans actually uses all 6/8 forward gears. The trans shifts based on motor loading and speed and a host of other variables. You can in effect go from 1-2 to 5th and never utilize 6th. Based solely on vehicle load

All those extra gears just give the trans more choices. Either way, final drive ratio is still going to be ~.7 with a 6 speed and ~.7 with the 8 speed

The only advantage the 8 speed has over a 6 is the taller 1st gear and perhaps 2nd gear. I'll gladly purchase an 8 speed equipped rig on the next purchase.

But yeah, I find it odd that you'd "lose" $1700 to sell the 6 speed. And then lose another $???? On depreciation for the 8 speed.


Price you pay to keep up with the Jones I guess. I am interested to see how the 8 speed performs though. My Tahoe has adequate power down low, but she doesn't really come alive until 2nd and the higher rpms. The mechanical advantage for the 8 sounds appealing. It just depends if GM utilized the option

 

[Big Buttons]

Can't wait for those recalls

 

[motorwerks]

I'll lost $1700 on the original purchase since I discounted the truck less than I paid for it by $1700 and sold it to a customer of mine (I'm a car dealer FYI). My 2015.5 Denali WILL be worth at least $1700 more than a 2015 unit in 3 years. Net loss zero with a 2015.5 to gain.

As I mentioned before, if there was currently an option costing $1700 for 8L90 8-speed automatic transmission, most Denali purchasers would pay extra for it as it stands.

And 1st gear in the 8-speed is SHORTER not taller. It gives faster acceleration off the line; especially when towing. There are two overdrive ratios and a taller rear axle ratio for less rpms when cruising. It's just a nicer setup.

Just drive an 8-speed Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 8 vs. the previous non 8-speed version....Google it and see tester's impressions. Check out the Porsche Cayenne Turbo with the larger spread transmission vs. earlier ones, etc., etc.

An 8-speed Denali with the newer direct injection 6.2L WILL be a completely different experience. Worst case scenario, it costs me $1700. Big deal! My truck will also be 6 months newer and have the 2015.5 updates. Well worth it. Not to mention, the deal is done, my 2015 is sold and gone, and I'm ready to order the new one. BTW, I don't pay sales tax either....I'm a car dealer with dealer plates.

---------- Post added at 10:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:30 PM ----------

right...can't wait for "recalls" on the new trans? Meanwhile the ENTIRE 6.2L Direct Injection V8 is ALL NEW! .....as well as the rest of the damn truck! ....but it's okay to have recalls on the rest of the items?

 

[Reels]

Just curious, where you get the figure $1700 on resale value 3 years later?

 

[motorwerks]

Simple. Just take ANY manufacturer's vehicle as of late...for example look at a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. a 2014 model. The resale between both models is exponentially higher in the 2014 vs. the 2013. However, compare a 2012 to a 2013....it's linear. The reason? Most car dealers know that 2014 had a significant change in the cosmetics (LED headlamps, new tail lamps, new UConnect 8.4" Nav, new 8-speed transmission, etc., etc.).

In 2003, Mercedes-Benz V12's became twin-turbo charged (as compared to 2002 models). The rest of the vehicle also received some minor cosmetics. Resale increased 15% compared to 2001-2002 models. Why? MAJOR power train changes; no other reason. This same thing happened in 2012 when S550s became twin-turbo charged. Look at 2009-2010-2011 resale...nice and linear. 2012 jumps. Again, due to the significant power train change.

A 2015.5 (which MIGHT be considered a 2016 MY btw), by virtue of just age (newer than a 2015) is ALREADY worth more than $1700 than a 2015.0 model. Then, consider the MAJOR change with the powertrain (i.e. 8-speed transmission), and you now have a vehicle, like any other manufacturer, that is SIGNIFICANTLY different than the 6-speed variant.

BTW, those that believe an 8-speed equipped 6.2L is not much different than a 6-speed version really should test drive the newer truck. It's the difference, in feel, of a 5.3L vs. 6.2L in throttle response from a dead stop. (i.e. 1st gear takeoff). The 8-speed will have more initial punch. This is NOT a subtle change folks...

 

[ecanem]

That's a horrible comparison. Twin turbo vs. a tranny.

I'll bet most gm dealers won't even know the difference. The ones around me didn't know anything about the current model.

I can guarantee the auction prices won't show the difference unless there is a MY difference.

As for using the comparison that "it's newer" that's really bad. Of course anything "newer" will have more value than an "older" vehicle.

If I sold my 2015 and bought a 2015.5 I would be looking at $5000+ costs in sales tax alone.

In 5 years if someone sells their 2015 private resale, I'll bet very few buyers even know the difference between the 6 and the 8 speed.

 

[Pockets]

 

[07Burb]

my thoughts exactly

 

[hosseface]

x3

 

[sssiglover]

lol

 

[motorwerks]

Well...so it perhaps doesn't work for you. For me, I sold it for a $1638 loss and will order a new 2015.5. I don't pay sales tax, I have dealer plates and carry fleet insurance. For me, it costs $1638. Actually, I upsold an extended warranty to the client of mine that purchased my Denali so I made about $1000 on that as well. $638 out of pocket for a 2015.5.

Now tell me, why should I NOT do this deal??

BTW, when I sold my 2008 Platinum Escalade, it was a tough sell because in later 2008, all Platinum Escalades had the LED front headlamps. Mine was an early 2008 build and did NOT have them. Well, nearly every person who looked at that truck asked where were the LED lamps? Surprisingly it was a tougher sell than I thought it would be.

I'm a car dealer. You'd be surprised how much people research things before they buy.

The 8-speed is a major upgrade in the Grand Cherokee and it affects resale values on those vehicles on the auction block.

Anyhow, it was well worth it for me. Too bad it isn't for you.

 

[ecanem]

Exactly. This entire scenario is ridiculous and unrealistic unless you are a dealer.

For anyone else the cost to get a 2015.5 would be completely prohibitive unless they are fine throwing away money.

It's also an accepted risk of being an early adopter in just about any industry.

Will it impact resale value? Probably minimally but I doubt people will have serious trouble moving a 6 vs 8 speed.

 

[felixgun]

Well...so it perhaps doesn't work for you. For me, I sold it for a $1638 loss and will order a new 2015.5. I don't pay sales tax, I have dealer plates and carry fleet insurance. For me, it costs $1638. Actually, I upsold an extended warranty to the client of mine that purchased my Denali so I made about $1000 on that as well. $638 out of pocket for a 2015.5.

Now tell me, why should I NOT do this deal??

BTW, when I sold my 2008 Platinum Escalade, it was a tough sell because in later 2008, all Platinum Escalades had the LED front headlamps. Mine was an early 2008 build and did NOT have them. Well, nearly every person who looked at that truck asked where were the LED lamps? Surprisingly it was a tougher sell than I thought it would be.

I'm a car dealer. You'd be surprised how much people research things before they buy.

The 8-speed is a major upgrade in the Grand Cherokee and it affects resale values on those vehicles on the auction block.

Anyhow, it was well worth it for me. Too bad it isn't for you.

Lol. You're about the only one that should do this deal. Unless you're a dealer this would be a ridiculous thing to do.

 

[motorwerks]

Of course...as I stated in the original post....It was approximately $1700 difference (actually around $638 net after some recouping some post sale profits); and that is why I considered and completed the transaction.

BTW, my 2015.5 will also be perpetually for sale in case anyone is interested.

I'm so hoping that GMC comes out with a larger color palette (i.e. graphite, charcoal, blues, etc.)

 

[JackJare9455]

Lol "outdated"

Coming from the 4L60e days, 700r4, th350, th400... The six speed is pretty damn sweet..

I dont have any of these "gear holding" issues.

The six speed proved to be a pretty solid transmission and outside of this thread, i havent really heard anything negative about them.

What always scares me with new electronic comfort improvements... Like wifi... Or even electronic power steering.. Who foots the bill for repairs after 36k miles? Maybe i was a mechanic too long and look at things from the wrong point of view

 

[motorwerks]

Pay $2420 and GM foots the bill for 7 years/100,000 miles

---------- Post added at 04:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:23 AM ----------

FWIW...from the Cadillac forums:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...forum-2015/563402-more-2015-5-info-dates.html

 

[sssiglover]

Lol "outdated"


The six speed proved to be a pretty solid transmission and outside of this thread, i havent really heard anything negative about them.

Someone is just super excited about this new 8 speed. I think its funny i get a good laugh everyday reading his posts

Man I'm just glad they aren't adding a supercharger to the 2015.5 because then I would really be pissed. This 8 speed not so much

 

[soulsea]

Actually the six speed, if it is the same iteration as it was on the GMT900s, is a terrible transmission from a drivability point of view, characterized by horrible bogging down issues when shifting up through low gears. Heck, from a standing start on a slight uphill your entire body moves forward when you're shifting up. Only a significant reprogram of shift points and other variables through a tune can make it tolerable, and even then it can never be correctly remedied.

I had three of these 6.2 six speed GMT900 trucks of various years and they all suffered from this. This is pretty well documented and experienced to various degrees by anyone who's ever driven one of these vehicles. So to say 'pretty damn sweet' someone's comparative point must be a sixteen year old learning how to drive stick. Is it reliable? Yes. Relatively efficient for its time? Sure. But a pleasure to drive it is not.

And if the GM eight speed is half as good and smooth as the one I am driving now, and there's no reason it shouldn't, believe me when I say it will be night and day between it and the current six speed.

 

[07Burb]

My dad has a '13 silvy which has the 6 speed (although just a 5.3) and it experiences the same things that Serge points out in his post. My burb with it's 4 speed is much more enjoyable to drive than that 6 speed is for sure!

 

[JackJare9455]

Actually the six speed, if it is the same iteration as it was on the GMT900s, is a terrible transmission from a drivability point of view, characterized by horrible bogging down issues when shifting up through low gears. Heck, from a standing start on a slight uphill your entire body moves forward when you're shifting up. Only a significant reprogram of shift points and other variables through a tune can make it tolerable, and even then it can never be correctly remedied.

I had three of these 6.2 six speed GMT900 trucks of various years and they all suffered from this. This is pretty well documented and experienced to various degrees by anyone who's ever driven one of these vehicles. So to say 'pretty damn sweet' someone's comparative point must be a sixteen year old learning how to drive stick. Is it reliable? Yes. Relatively efficient for its time? Sure. But a pleasure to drive it is not.

And if the GM eight speed is half as good and smooth as the one I am driving now, and there's no reason it shouldn't, believe me when I say it will be night and day between it and the current six speed.

I was never debating that the new 8-speed might be the most super awesome fantastic transmission to ever grace a GM product...I am all for improvement and updates (to a point). I was only defending the fact that I have never experienced these issues with the two 6 speeds that I have owned..

Perhaps I am just not AS "picky" as some?? I drag race for a hobby. I also drive lifted 4wd's (one was a '13 Silvy with that horrible trashy six speed). I guess this makes me not as accustom to British luxury shifting? Heck, you should hop in my 96 jeep Cherokee... you might literally shit yourself with how it shifts...

I don't mind feeling my vehicle shift a bit.

regardless... our posts are only our own opinions...

---------- Post added at 10:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:04 AM ----------

My dad has a '13 silvy which has the 6 speed (although just a 5.3) and it experiences the same things that Serge points out in his post. My burb with it's 4 speed is much more enjoyable to drive than that 6 speed is for sure!

I might have to accept that this is the truth.. and I am just lucky? lol