XL Family Wagon - Oppinions Needed

"7:07" (fanbrain001) 04/07/2019 at 15:07 • Filed to: Necessary Car Shopping with 7:07, porky

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Any of you have experience with either of the following trucks (SUVs) pictured below ? The lease on our minivan is up in a few months and want to pay cash for our next family rig. Right now I’m liking the GMT900 Suburban 2500 with the 6.0V8 or the Yukon Denali XL - power is king here. I won’t tow heavy, but power matters, MPG not so much. Needs to seat 7-8 and have some cargo space. 4x4 would be nice, if only for resale value and the occasional off road outing.

I’m considering the Expedition/Navigator twins, but haven’t driven them or know much about expected reliability.

Oppo, what full-size would you shop for in the $10-15k price range? I’m at the South end of Utah, but could shop in AZ and California if the deal is right.  I would consider other makes and models as well.

Tristan > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 15:32

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I know enough to know you’re not gonna get a nice GMT900 Denali XL or 2500 for sub-$15k. Sumbitches hold their valyoo.

If you do find one, know that the ‘07 2500s still came with a 4L80E rather than the 6L90E. I tend to lean towards the 3/4 ton when it comes to GM. The newer trucks are a lot better, but my experience with older GM half tons is they're made of paper maché.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 15:36

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My teammate has the GMC Denali that you posted. The 6.0 is quite something if power is all that you are looking for. He did have to go and disable the cylinder deactivation on it tho, he said its a common issue with those and you have to take off the intake iirc.

Sovande > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 15:40

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I have a 1983 Chevy Caprice Wagon I'll sell you cheap. Seats 8! V8 power! 

gettingoldercarguy > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 15:53

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I think you missed the part about this

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-gmc-suburban/

dogisbadob > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 15:53

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An AWD Sprinter

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 15:58

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Like most GM products, the GMT is a solid truck p owertrain but awful inside, even the Denali (something about that steering wheel angers me). Don’t forget to crossshop the Escalade ESV, the don’t hold their value as well as the Yukon for some reason.

Idk about your area, but in the NE Yukons with around 100k miles go for $15k all day.

You’ll be able to get into an Expy more cheaply , they don’t hold value as well. Interior is also questionable. I have more experience with Ford so that’d be my choice.

Me? I bought a LR4 cause I wanna be fancy. It can do all the stuff that those other things can and more, all while cradling my butt. 

7:07 > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 04/07/2019 at 16:22

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I’ve owned a Suburban before (2003) but that’s about the extent of my ownership. I lean more toward GM powertrains because of familiarity, so I hesitate a little to jump to a Ford.

7:07 > Tristan 04/07/2019 at 16:25

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I’m with you on the value thing. They are super popular here in Utah and carry a price premium. 

7:07 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 04/07/2019 at 16:26

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The 2500 Suburban doesn’t have cylinder deactivation and that’s mostly why I want it. Gimme the power! I’ll pay for it in the wallet, but I’ll enjoy every minute of it. 

7:07 > dogisbadob 04/07/2019 at 16:29

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We have been looking at both the Sprinter and  Transit, the Sprinter easily being $15k more do the same thing! I want to order a 2020 Transit Ecoboost low roof, short wheelbase. Those things scoot!

Racin'Jason002 > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 16:33

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I’ve never had much experience with any of those, however, YouT ube is a great source for these things. KBB has some quick, quality reviews:

They didn’t have a dedicated Suburban review, so here’s the Tahoe:

I’m also gonna throw in the Escalade:

If you have more time, Saabkyle04 has more, very in depth videos:

The Expedition that he looked at was a Funk Master Flex special edition:

Once again stumped on the Suburban, but here is his Tahoe video:

Also, throwing in the E scalade again, this is the ESV extended one:

I would look into a S equoia too, but it may not be what you need. Hope this helps!

HammerheadFistpunch > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 16:35

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2500 GMT will probably be the best value it terms of resale, people are going to be looking for these more and more for the cases of big families that want to pull a large camper for their large family.

HammerheadFistpunch > gettingoldercarguy 04/07/2019 at 16:38

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i grew up with an 88 GMC in that color.  not a 2500 tho.  HARD PASS.  cool but terrible to drive.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 17:03

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Aah good! Those LS sure do sound good too (I’m not biased at all, nope)  

jminer > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 17:10

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I’d recommend an econoline. They’re sturdy, both haul people and stuff well and even tow decent.  Plus they’re a ton cheaper than a comparable year full size SUV.

V12 Jake II- New and Improved! > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 17:39

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I have a lot of seat time in the suburban. I drove a 1500 LTZ with the 6L and it definitely had plenty of poke. It’s been pretty reliable as far as I know, I think it needed an air  suspension pump once and a wheel bearing over the course of 100000+ mi. It’s showing some rust in the rear quarter panel but I live in Minnesota so that probably wouldn’t be an issue for you. Great road trip vehicle though. 

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 18:04

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You should try a Flex, they are nice to be in. 

7:07 > HammerheadFistpunch 04/07/2019 at 20:11

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80mph speed limit up I-15 in this? Noooope

7:07 > Racin'Jason002 04/07/2019 at 20:13

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Awesome, thanks! I love saabkyle’s videos. The sheer detail more than make up for the cheesiness. 

7:07 > HammerheadFistpunch 04/07/2019 at 20:15

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I found a Yukon XL 2500 in Colorado with 3 cloth bench seats.  9 passengers! Looked like a unicorn.

7:07 > jminer 04/07/2019 at 20:17

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I’ve driven enough Econolines over the years to steer clear completely, even drove two different Ford custom vans in high school. If I go full-size van, it will be a Transit.

7:07 > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 04/07/2019 at 20:18

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I wouldn’t mind test driving one, though I think it will be too tight for 7 passengers.   My old boss has an Ecoboost and fully loaded version. Maybe I’ll stop by...

HammerheadFistpunch > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 20:29

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yup. neighbor just bought one and had to find it out of state

jminer > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 20:35

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I grew up in the back of full sized vans, when I met my wife she was driving a late 80's Club Wagon with the 6.7 IDI.

I’ve always liked them compared to large SUVs and they’re far more comfortable to put more than 6 people in than a Suburban too.

My wife won’t let me buy one, but I’d love to pick one up and turn it into a hauler/tower.  She keeps telling me that a guy without kids riding around in a panel van that isn’t a work van will draw too much attention...

HammerheadFistpunch > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 20:37

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yeah, I remember towing a boat down I15 during the big construction that made me realize how little I would want one of these one day.

Racin'Jason002 > 7:07 04/07/2019 at 20:41

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Me too, man! He is very comprehensive.

i86hotdogs > 7:07 04/10/2019 at 09:08

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The Flex is the same length as the Tahoe or Yukon (give or take an inch). It can fit 7 comfortably. You do sacrifice the enormous cargo room of the behemoth ‘Burbs and Tahoe XL’s, though. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > 7:07 04/23/2019 at 13:51

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Just stumbled on this, but those are good choices. I’m a big GM guy so the Suburban/Yukon/Escalade (not on your list but same thing) get my vote. Someone already mentioned the cylinder deactivation - I was talking to my neighbor who’s a mechanic and he said he’s had to replace quite a few engines in these due to it (I can’t remember what happens, something to do with it locking up when switching back and forth).

Also, re. vans, have you ever looked into a Quigley 4x4 van? They take a GM Express/Savanna van (they also do Econolines if you like Ford, which I saw you don’t) and swap under a 4x4 powertrain. The Fords get a solid front axle, but I believe on the GM you could choo se between a stick axle or the IFS off a GMT truck . The company is based up in PA, my dad and I drove up to their factory one time to check it out. The vans may be a little hard to find on the used market but they are out there and may be worth your consideration.

7:07 > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/23/2019 at 14:33

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I would much rather have a GM full-size than a Ford, it’s not even close. The 2500 Suburban has the 6.0 without the cylinder deactivation, which I was aiming for because of the unreliability. Lately, our thought is to buy something less expensive now, then buy a 3-4 year old Yukon XL Denali next year. All things considered, I’d like something newer than what 10 -15k would buy us, and I’m ok waiting. We tend more toward classy and timeless looks, and these just look great. Like driving a tuxedo . Though I’d try to find one without wagon wheels like this one:

Yes, I have looked into Quigly vans. I’ve always loved them, even the Ford versions, especially when it’s a diesel version. I point every one I see to my wife and she just rolls her eyes and says no.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > 7:07 04/23/2019 at 14:39

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I think the biggest engine Ford offers is the 5.4L which is a big of a dog for a truck motor, unless you go to an Excursion and get the V10, which apparently isn’t much faster, just burns a lot more gas.

My wife and I bought a Terrain Denali last year and its really, really nice. One of my dad’s friends has a Yukon Denali and I also love it. They are really nice vehicles for sure.

Sorry the wife isn’t onboard with the Quigley van.