WTB 2009-2014 Yukon Denali, help with best year/engine

[jason80919]

Looking to buy used Denali. Any help in identifying models/years to avoid.



I have been told to get the 6.2L as it is a more reliable engine, thoughts?



I am looking for

Sub 70K miles

What sort of life can I expect if I do regular schedule maintenance and oil changes? 200K +?

 

[Hi-psi]

'07 - non AFM, non FlexFuel (depending on the engine build date, may or may not have the AFM hardware, but even if it does, it isn't turned on in the tuning)
'08 - non AFM, non FlexFuel
'09 - non AFM, FlexFuel
'10+ - AFM, FlexFuel

So, that said, many are of the option that '09 is the best year as far as the engine goes, but only if FlexFuel ability means anything to you.

With the '09 (or newer) you do get a few different features, factory BlueTooth, then in the later years HDD based navigation vs DVD, etc.

Mechanically speaking, my opinion is that '08/'09 is the best/preferred years.

Expect to pay a decent amount for something <70k miles.

 

[jason80919]

'07 - non AFM, non FlexFuel (depending on the engine build date, may or may not have the AFM hardware, but even if it does, it isn't turned on in the tuning)
'08 - non AFM, non FlexFuel
'09 - non AFM, FlexFuel
'10+ - AFM, FlexFuel

So, that said, many are of the option that '09 is the best year as far as the engine goes, but only if FlexFuel ability means anything to you.

With the '09 (or newer) you do get a few different features, factory BlueTooth, then in the later years HDD based navigation vs DVD, etc.

Mechanically speaking, my opinion is that '08/'09 is the best/preferred years.

Expect to pay a decent amount for something <70k miles.

I am in Colorado so I am thinking I want to stay away from flexfuel?
I need to read some more on the AFM as I know very little about how it works etc.
I expect to pay $30-35K for around 70K miles

 

[Hi-psi]

The FlexFuel engines will make just a smidge more power (on E85) than the non ones will on 92/93 octane. It's usually a wash on operating costs. E85 is usually cheaper, but you get worse mileage on it, so most of the time it's a zero cost per mile change.

AFM is where it deactivates the cylinders to save fuel when cruising. Most remove it if they have it. LOL It does it by deactivating the lifters. General consensus is it doesn't really help the fuel mileage that much, or enough to deal with the extra (possible) failures having it brings. All of the 5.3 engines in the '07+ full size SUV's had it.

 

[swathdiver]

The newer it is the more refined it will be and with some additional features as mentioned by Robert. The L9H offered in 2009 is the most robust engine as it does not have AFM and has the same horsepower and torque rating as the later L94. Flex Fuel allows the engine to make more horsepower and if it is cheap enough, costs less to run than premium fuel. These engines love to run on E85!

In 2011 the AFM components for all were improved so these latter years will have less problems but it all boils down to maintenance and how well they were taken care of.

2009 Bluetooth was introduced as were the Cooled Seats and Side Blind Zone Alert. 2010 the USB ports were added. 2012 got the updated navigation and Hill Start Assist and Cruise Grade Braking - Normal Mode. In 2013 they all got Powertrain Grade Braking - Normal Mode.

Keep us posted and welcome to the forum Jason.

 

[jason80919]

how many miles is too many even if it has been well maintained? ie when will it start to nickle and dime me.

Since I will most likely be buying used (the wife still thinks maybe new, but I don't want the payment), how do you tell how much oil the vehicle uses? I am guessing you can not rely on asking the previous owner. Things to look for?

 

[swathdiver]

Hard to say but from what I gather about the GMT800s, around 200K. The motor will be fine but you'll be replacing little things here and there and some big things like Differentials, transfer cases, transmission, etc. Still beats a car payment. Paying good money for a low mileage unit up front will give you a few more years until regular repairs start showing up, generally speaking.

Bought mine last year and have just under 130K now. Non maintenance items have been a hub, an axle seal and replaced the cats; biggest single expense so far besides tires. We replaced the interior door handles as the chrome was peeling and will eventually fix the one mirror that doesn't fold. One of the engine oil cooler lines is weeping a little more, that'll get changed in the fall when it cools off. Two AC actuators are acting up and the built in cell phone antenna keeps throwing codes but works fine. Rear Passenger window switch replaced last year, would go down and not up. Now the other side is doing the same thing. Tightened up the armrests and need to make sure the 2nd row buckets flip and fold more easily, probably a little vacuuming and lube will solve that. AFM components were replaced just before we bought it at 111K.

Took the truck into the woods and sunk the front end, water over the hood and onto the glass and she powered right out of it, depth once out of hole was around the tops of the tires. Not a drop got inside despite the weatherstripping being a little worn, not even the lights leaked. Was only under about 4-5 seconds, felt like forever! Some of the trails were pretty rough and bouncy, thought for sure the original shocks would burst but they are fine.

 

[09 L9H]

We replaced the interior door handles as the chrome was peeling and will eventually fix the one mirror that doesn't fold.

Did you replace the interior handles under recall? I saw somewhere on here that GM only recalled certain years/configurations.

 

[swathdiver]

Did you replace the interior handles under recall? I saw somewhere on here that GM only recalled certain years/configurations.

No, my daughter did them. Never knew of a recall, besides the truck was eight years old at the time.

 

[jason80919]

The FlexFuel engines will make just a smidge more power (on E85) than the non ones will on 92/93 octane. It's usually a wash on operating costs. E85 is usually cheaper, but you get worse mileage on it, so most of the time it's a zero cost per mile change.

AFM is where it deactivates the cylinders to save fuel when cruising. Most remove it if they have it. LOL It does it by deactivating the lifters. General consensus is it doesn't really help the fuel mileage that much, or enough to deal with the extra (possible) failures having it brings. All of the 5.3 engines in the '07+ full size SUV's had it.

Is the 5.3L worth considering. I will not be towing anything, but do go into the Colorado mountains a fair amount. I am more concerned about reliability and longevity than power.