Request Your Thoughts

[dirtfan21]

I have been quietly searching for a vehicle that will be a bit better on mpg's and also very reliable for the long run. I drive around 20,000 miles a year, 90% highway, do to my significant other living 150 miles from me. The truck handles the miles well mechanically but 15-16 mpgs highway running premium, and wearing out larger, expensive, tires is starting to wear me thin. In my searches over the past few months I have found nothing that really caught my eye until now.

 

I found a 2006 Yukon SLT fully loaded with 54,000 miles on it Tuesday at a local dealer. It is in mint condition exterior, interior, and service records are outstanding. The list is $22,999 but I can get it for $21,000. I owe $12,8xx on my truck and the dealer offerd $17,000 for a trade in. With that said my payments with be almost exact per month with an extra year tacked on. My plan is to run whatever vehicle I have to 200,000 miles and I feel I may have better luck with the Yukon.

 

What are your thoughts? What is the typical mpg's on a Yukon? Do they hold up with required maintenace similiar to the GMT 800 trucks? I need to make a decision soon as I have already test drove it twice and do like it. I am just in a whirlwind of pros and cons at the moment and need an outside source's feedback for help.

 

Here is the link: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=77595051&listingRecNum=2&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26mkId%3D20061%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D22393%26rd%3D10%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId%26zc%3D46383%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national

 

Thanks everyone!

[Stevens03]

I don't doubt its a nice vehicle, but if your going for mileage, I don't think thats the route to take. I can't see it doing any better than what your driving, especially if you drop back to a stock tire.

 

If I were in your position, I'd drop the tire size down, and have BB retune for mileage.

[dirtfan21]

I definitely agree but I don't want my truck to look goofy with the smaller tire. Mileage is a big concern but the dependibility over the long haul is the major one. AFM motors in the higher miles scare me quite a bit, even with mine turned off.

 

I love my truck, a lot actually, but the motor worries me because money for a rebuild or dropping in a used or crate motor in the ladder years most likely won't be in the equation.

[Patch6713]

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2006_GMC_Yukon.shtml

 

This link shows you what the fuel economy is supposed to be.

 

If you get the 18 mpg they are saying, you will have a yearly savings of $550 a year in gas at $4.00 a gallon (don't know what your paying, just a number a I chose). Its really up to you if you want to change the vehicle.

 

If it was me I would be buying a VW Jetta TDI. I currently have a older model and get 55 mpg and the new ones get around 45 mpg.

[RyanbabZ71]

I wouldnt say our Tahoe has a large difference in mpg.

 

Here is some data (15 fillups with E85, had to use this to compare as that is all I run in my truck). Similar driving, 60-70 city and 30-40 highway. Also the Tahoe is 2wd vs my truck is 4wd.

 

Tahoe: 12.54 mpg

Silverado: 11.1 mpg

 

* We can get 18-19 mpg on the highway running 87 octane in the Tahoe. I can get about 15-16 in my truck.

 

*last 15 fillups on 87 octane has yielded a 16.54 mpg on the Tahoe

[music]

I definitely agree but I don't want my truck to look goofy with the smaller tire.

 

 

I don't think they look goofy with stock tires and rake (please don't tell me), and I get right at 19/20 mpg highway on long trips. Granted, they probably look better leveled with a little more rubber, but they're far from bad. You're not going to beat that with the SUV, and I think your worries about possible issues on the 5.3 are unwarranted. The only way to get really good economy is to go to a light weight car with a small motor.

 

[dirtfan21]

I cannot go to a car because winter traveling, where I live it can be hours to days before it is plowed. Stock trucks do not look goofy with 265's, but a truck with 3.5" of lift I believe would. I'm also not trying to get 20mpgs but drive a vehicle that is comfortable on the highway, is very dependible with routine maintenance, and that I could see a gas savings with. Mind you with my BlackBear tune I run 93 and the tune has been on it for 40,000 miles. I'm hesitant to pull it or change they dynamics of the tune do to the life span I have had it installed.

 

If this this platform truck will take me 200,000 miles then the deal is set, I'll keep it. I know answering that question is like peeing into the wind with all variables considered but, I have not found many high milleage reports on these new 5.3L's yet. With that said my truck is VERY well maintained mechanically.

[ChevyMan23]

In ALL honesty, and please dont take this the wrong way, I cant keep anything stock myself, but if you were that worried about longevity of the truck, you would have never modified it. We all know that messing with the factory dynamics has its risk of shortening the life span. I agree with the other guys here. Swallow your pride and de-mod the truck back to more efficient, longer lasting vehicle, not step down to an older, heavier pig.

[03blackz71]

If I were you I would keep it. Only thing I would suggest is to remove the RC kit and remove the rear block and run a 285/60/18 Nitto terra grapplers. I bet it will ride a little better and you will get a little better mpg.

 

 

I did kind of what you are thinking and regret it somedays. I traded my 07 Sierra in for an 08 Tahoe and I get the same mileage and I really miss my Sierra lately. If I would of kept the truck it would of been paid off and have a Rancho lift on it!!!

[dirtfan21]

I didn't take that the wrong way and I respect your comments. The motor is my only worry and from knowledge on this site I removed the AFM with a tune almost immediately. Trannies can be rebuit pretty cheap, front end parts wear out, u-joints go, ect, and I'm fully willing to swallow those pills when they arrive.

 

I don't want to get off topic here and it may be my fault. Question is: Would you buy the ticket and take the ride with my truck, or get this Yukon for a good deal which could save me some money in the long run. I believe I have alreay gotten my choice backed up, I was planning on keeping it as is. Just wanted to know what your guys thoughts were without disclosing that fact.

 

Plus, if I'm keeping this truck I wouldn't spend the money to bring it back down to stock for mpg's, that is money that could go into the tank.

 

Thank you all for the input.

 

 

EDIT: FYI, I will be going back to a less aggressive REVO 2, Silent Armor, or Discoverer AT/3 when these Trail Grapplers wear out. That will probably help as they are about 10lbs less a tire in the same size.

[SouthCo]

I've got a tahoe and the pickup (the wife drives a yukon denali xl). You are not going to get better mpg in a yukon. You owe 12+k on your 2007 and you want to trade for a 2006 that you'll owe 17K on (if you put the 4K you get from trade in towards the price of the yukon). I wouldn't do it. That 4+k more you'll owe will buy alot of gas. Doesn't make sense if looking at mpg. If you'd rather have an suv than a pickup than that is a different story.

[07 CC Sierra]

I think you are worrying about your motor way too much. Especially since you stated that you keep up with all the maintanence. If you don't believe that it'll hold up to miles you intend to put on it, then why did you buy it in the first place? I think your truck will hold up just fine.

 

I also have a Tahoe and the milage sucks. Plus you'd be financing more on an older grocery getter. If a car isn't an option, then I'd keep your truck.

[dirtfan21]

Funny story about the "why did you buy it if I was so concerned with the motor" question, as it is a good question. I had no idea about the AFM issues until I joined this site about 6 months after purchase. I did the, I've had four checy trucks and they were great so this one must be immune to sickness also, haha.

 

I should probably mention that I take 3 to 4 people to dirt track races hours away many times a year and the comfort of an suv was a pro in the equation. I guess my drained after work mind left out a few important details. I'm open to criticism of the thought and I'm glad I asked as almost all of my pros/cons where brought up from you all.

[RyanbabZ71]

truck > SUV

 

I was without a truck from August until Nov (2009) and it was painful. Had to borrow a trailer to haul some tables and chairs (a bunch). Pickups are much more handy for their versatility.

[Stevens03]

Your worried about nothing. The 5.3 is a rock solid motor and has for MANY years. You only hear about the few that have issues, not the millions that don't. If thats your only worry, drive it into the ground. You'll be fine. If your not having troubles, and your taking care of it, I'm sure that motor will last well past 200,000 miles.