General Thoughts on 2014's vs. 2015's

[Gottsmoney]

No debate here, I've owned both and won't go back to a 5.3, I just posted a real life experience about 2 trucks and 2 truck owners. My buddy runs 87 in his, I don't. I'm one of those anal people about power, if I set the cruise I want to stay that speed regardless of the hill and when I pass I want to do it quickly. Honestly the MPG difference is not much. 1 MPG per tank amounts to using one extra gallon or so per tank with a 6.2 So the cost of going to 91 over 87 and that 1 MPG is less than $10 per tank. It's up to each individual if they are willing to pay it. You can run the 6.2 on 87 and that probably makes it closer to $5. The 15's 6.2 have the 8 speed, 14's have the 6 speed. I buy a new truck almost every year and it seems like they are putting more options that I think are more for increasing the sticker rather than things people are really requesting. I have a dealer who treats me very well and makes it hard not to trade. My 15 has things I wouldn't have classified as things I couldn't live with out but the packages almost force you to get them. Initial impressions, I only have 300 miles on the 15, doesn't seem to run in V4 mode as much as the 14 did on the highway, but time will tell, still running the dealer 87 gas in it and I only run 91 non corn gas. 15 has 3.23 rear gear, 14 had 3.42 gear. I also cut out the stupid flapper valve in the exhaust as soon as I get them. Buy what makes you happy, Good Luck!

 

 

That's some good information from first hand experience. I've never owned a brand new truck so I'm used to buying used but keep me updated on your thoughts about your 2015 as you drive more.

 

 

 

I don't know where you live, but I've also had the same thought as to buying a used 14 with low miles. In looking at those, the price isn't more than 2-5 thousand difference from buying new from Laura GMC in Illinois. As soon as I get my car sold, I'm going to fly to St Louis and get a new Denali at Laura. That's only a 7-8 hr drive back home for me though.

I'm in Northern Indiana. That dealership comes up on my Autotrader search and I was thinking the same as you. It'd be worth the trip. I'm not sure if other local dealers would be willing to match the incentives given by Laura's.

 

Anyone on here but a truck from there?

[Isriam]

everyone here seems to buy from laura.

 

fyi i wouldn't trade your caddy in for this truck unless you go full blown denali, and i'd do a 2014 not 2015 because of the 8speed+magnaride. You're looking at some costly repairs in the future along with possible issues like recalls and bulletins.

 

your caddy holds its value way better than these vehicles. i was looking at a 2012/2011 ext and they still want 50k+ for them. my 2014 fully loaded denali is kbb 45k in excellent condition.

[paxtonman]

 

 

That's some good information from first hand experience. I've never owned a brand new truck so I'm used to buying used but keep me updated on your thoughts about your 2015 as you drive more.

 

 

 

I'm in Northern Indiana. That dealership comes up on my Autotrader search and I was thinking the same as you. It'd be worth the trip. I'm not sure if other local dealers would be willing to match the incentives given by Laura's.

 

Anyone on here but a truck from there?

Tried to buy from them, Sid Dillon beat them by $4500

[Jordan18]

Just picked up my 6.2l max tow. I am in love with this thing. Better mileage and tire ripping power to boot.

[PMurray]

Why dump the Caddy, other than to show you Gots money? There will never be a legit financial reason to trade vs. maintain. You want a new p'up - go for it, but all of the smoke being blown as advice on here is still just smoke. 14s&15s both have "new model" issues which may be gone soon, but not yet. The new 5.3s have more torque than older 6.2s, and paired with the 3.42 rear it is scary quick. 6.2s are for egos, not light-duty p'ups.

[hurricanoday]

lol

[Gottsmoney]

everyone here seems to buy from laura.

 

fyi i wouldn't trade your caddy in for this truck unless you go full blown denali, and i'd do a 2014 not 2015 because of the 8speed+magnaride. You're looking at some costly repairs in the future along with possible issues like recalls and bulletins.

 

your caddy holds its value way better than these vehicles. i was looking at a 2012/2011 ext and they still want 50k+ for them. my 2014 fully loaded denali is kbb 45k in excellent condition.

Yeah I love the Caddy and it has a decent kbb value for how old it is but it's the the cost of maintaining it as things need fixed that are starting to add up. Obviously it's not going to add up to the cost of a new truck but there is value is not having to mess with fixing or paying to have things fixed on a semi regular basis.

 

 

Why dump the Caddy, other than to show you Gots money? There will never be a legit financial reason to trade vs. maintain. You want a new p'up - go for it, but all of the smoke being blown as advice on here is still just smoke. 14s&15s both have "new model" issues which may be gone soon, but not yet. The new 5.3s have more torque than older 6.2s, and paired with the 3.42 rear it is scary quick. 6.2s are for egos, not light-duty p'ups.

Haha the username is a nickname using the first part of my last name. I'm sure many of you guys have more money than me! So the username isn't an ego thing. It's more of just wanting a different username than ones I had on previous forums.

 

Obviously the new 5.3s are strong, just am looking for some guys experiences and why they went with either and if they regret the decision. There are going to be pros and cons for both.

[wurgs]

Why dump the Caddy, other than to show you Gots money? There will never be a legit financial reason to trade vs. maintain. You want a new p'up - go for it, but all of the smoke being blown as advice on here is still just smoke. 14s&15s both have "new model" issues which may be gone soon, but not yet. The new 5.3s have more torque than older 6.2s, and paired with the 3.42 rear it is scary quick. 6.2s are for egos, not light-duty p'ups.

Instead of putting down everyone else's advice as "smoke" and stroking their own ego why don't you answer some of his questions he asked in his original post.

Most posts here are telling him their personal experiences to the questions he has asked not blowing smoke.

[OhmMega]

Its a truck, buy them for their practicality. I need mine for towing a 22ft boat and hauling materials and tools for my house.

 

Otherwise golf clubs will fit in the back of a 2016 camaro.

[Gottsmoney]

Its a truck, buy them for their practicality. I need mine for towing a 22ft boat and hauling materials and tools for my house.

 

Otherwise golf clubs will fit in the back of a 2016 camaro.

That would be a good idea if I lived somewhere where it didn't snow or I lived close to work. If I'm going to have one vehicle that I drive everyday of the year, I want 4wd/AWD and some clearance.

[Isriam]

honestly, id keep the caddy. no matter what the cost, its going to be a better vehicle. i have a fully loaded 2014 denali and i'd rather have a 2013 ext.

[P-Funk]

So there was a noticeable difference between the two in terms of ride quality?

 

Btw nice rides! I miss my 04 CTS-V in the summer.

 

It was noticeable to me but that could be because I was expecting there to be a difference (I knew it had mag ride and the othr didn't while test driving). The '14 drove nice, I just thought the '15 was better.

 

Yeah, the V is nice in the summer. It was my daily driver until I bought the truck, now it can be my nice weather car.

[redwngr]

Well if your current truck has coils in the rear then that just means it's setup more like an SUV which lowers the towing capacity. A truck will have leaf springs rather it's a Denali or basic work truck because it's an actual truck. It's for better payload and towing. Your Escalade EXT and the Avalanche I honestly thought had leaf springs since they're more of a truck than an SUV but I guess I assumed wrong.

 

You may miss the ride, but these new trucks ride great in my opinion. The ride is the same between the 2 years unless you get a '15 with magnetic ride control. Just remember the smaller the sidewall the rougher the ride. If you don't tow then there's no point in a 6.2, especially since it's in high demand and you'll have a hard time finding one you completely like. The 5.3 is plenty strong in my opinion, but I've also went way up in power since my last truck and I haven't had a chance to drive a 6.2. If you really want a 6.2 then fine, but I wouldn't let a 5.3 be a deal breaker. Think about it like this, if you found the perfect truck except it was the 5.3 would you walk or still get it? I'm stubburn so I know what I want and maybe you're the same, but I'm also the type that I won't buy something just so I can say I have it.

The Escalade based on Avalanche IS built on an SUV style frame, not a pickup style frame.

 

They do not have the flat rear rail section that is under the box of a pickup. Like SUV, the rear rails are arched over the rear axle.

(and FWIW. they were built in the suv frame plant, not in the pickup frame plant)

[Gottsmoney]

Would the High Country be move comparable to a 2014 Denali or SLT in terms of finishes and ride quality?

[jamin87ss]

HC is bowtie answer for Denali, LTZ=SLT

HC however I understand does not have the magna ride, looked a t a 6.2 HC tonite that I so want except its black and about 10k to much lol