New member question

[Werd The Barbarrian]

Hey everyone,

I joined about a month ago while i have been looking to trade in my old car for a Tahoe/yukon. Since my old car got stolen and written off i have been looking more and more about just buying one but i want to do some research. I just have a couple questions

first off im looking at this vehical because i have 2 big dogs and i like to go camping and the old WRX just wasn't camping friendly with the mutts. i will have a fairly lenghty comute , 45min to an hour each way on the highway so i am kinda looking towards the most MPG's but in another boat there will be a small travel trailer in my future so i don't want to go any lower than the 5.3.

whats the pros and cons of the 2000+ model VS the 96+ model? any reason i should pick one over the other other that looks preferance?

what options should i look out for? what are things that are commonly wear out parts? i have read things like the trans and 4x4 system if they are abused.
im sure there are more questions but thats it for now , thanks for your help in advance

 

[JKmotorsports]

First, welcome to the forum!
If it were myself, I'd look at the GMT-800 models (00-06). As with any vehicle, the newer the generation, the more advancement there is in terms of mechanical reliability and creature comforts. You have more available hp and tq with the 5.3 than with the 5.7 in the older models. 05+ models have more hp/tq and slightly better fuel mileage. Most of the gmt-800 models come standard with an aux trans cooler, so that usually means there's less chance that the tranny was ever overheated by the previous owner. Newer models may cost you more than the older body styles, but most are going to have less mileage and less wear/tear.

 

[Werd The Barbarrian]

Thanks for the Reply,

i should have mentioned im from Canada and with our winters , especially this close to the rockies , i need 4x4.

Was 3rd row seating an option or standard on all models? IM leaning towards an LT or SLT what year were the heated seats offered? moon roof would be nice but not required.

 

[Werd The Barbarrian]

also what year were the "drivers center" standard on? with the oil life indicator and MPG estimation on?

 

[02tahoeindiana]

Drivers Center is 03-06

 

[JKmotorsports]

As stated above, DIC is 03-up, oil life monitor 00-up, heated seats available on 00-up models as well as some of the older body styles, though not exactly sure which yrs. And 3rd row seating was an available option an pretty much all models if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Hoebag03]

how come my 03 doesnt have the MPG? it has damn near everything else:skep:

 

[boostaholic]

Welcome to the site :cheers: I have a lowered denali and it gets me everywhere around snowy colorado in safety and comfort. Pick up some good tires and you'll have a burly truck that will get you just about anywhere.

 

[Gordo]

what thats strange that you dont have mpg, mine is an 03 denali too and it has it, I guess thats the price to pay for a nice truck!

 

[Werd The Barbarrian]

thanks boost , i figure with AWD in a truck it could get just about anywhere and more my old WRX could go , hows the Mileage on the 6.0L compared with the 5.3? Can i tow anymore with a denali than i could with the regular tahoe/yukon? to justify the $4000 at least extra for the truck?

 

[boostaholic]

Not sure about the towing, the trans is way better and the tcase on the 01-02 is just as burls as the 3/4ton. I can't feel 5000lbs except inclines at altitude, truck gets decent mileage but the awd eats some gas as I usually get 14-16 city driving like a madman. AWD on the 01-02 is ridiculous, my truck with these pro comps will drive through anything as long as 1 wheel in on the ground.

 

[Werd The Barbarrian]

well it looks like im just going to be looking at tahoe/yukons cause denalis are atleast $10000 more up here than the standard full load hoe/kon

but the dream was good while it lasted