New Here, Ford Convert

puppyduks · June 21, 2009

After almost 20 years of driving Ford Rangers (two of them bought brand new) I have tired of their motors developing major probs at a little over 100K. Our family has grown and I have been looking for a kid hauler. I absolutely loathe minivans, so was looking for a good used SUV that is NOT A FORD. I have recently committed to buy a 2003 Yukon Denali with 118K miles on it. I am getting it for more than two grand under book (owner wants out of the payments) and it was a deal I could not pass up. It goes in for its mechanic inspection next week and assuming it passes I will buy it.

I did a search on this forum and read through all 31 pages. Looks like the trannys in these need overhauls at 150K? Any other problems I should be saving my money for? I really only know about Fords and am in the dark about what to expect with a GM product. Any info you can give me on this Denali would be helpful.

It is going to take me a year to figure out all the gadgets and features this thing comes with!

2007VictoryRed · June 21, 2009

Welcome to GM Trucks

Gm's transmissions arent the storngist thing in the world but they are good, They tent to go befor the engines, But it all depends on how the owner befor you took care of it? Did they change the oil every 50k? It all depends. To be safe I would get a complete flush for it.

June 21, 2009

Welcome! You will love your Denali, Great trucks, good power.

punmax · June 21, 2009

Welcome. It all depends on how it was driven. The transmissions can last you up to 150-200K easily. And I agree with Matthew, if you purchase it, I would replace all of the fluids. Enjoy it!

Stevens03 · June 21, 2009

Congrats and welcome!

misteroman · June 21, 2009

Congrats and welcome to the other(correct ) side.I'm sure you'll love it and if you keep it nice it will last you almost forever.There was an 05 Tahoe up here in buffalo on CL for sale with 260K miles on it awhile back and still looked nice

P71_CrownVic · June 21, 2009

New Here, Ford Convert

Another person making the right choice.

Congrats and welcome!

fbachman · June 22, 2009

Welcome. I too was a long time Ford guy and experienced the same Ford frustrations as you as of late. I think you have made a choice you will not regret.

Enjoy the forum. You can get tons of useful info here, and there is always someone around who "knows the answer"...sometimes MORE than 1...

Ex-Clerk · June 22, 2009

Welcome

I was also a Ford guy and had injector vibration and spark plug issues with my 05 5.4 Super Crew. It wasn't only the problems with the truck - it was the failure of Ford to accept responsibility for the problems.

I am 63, this is my first Chevy, and I am really pleased with comfort and performance. The extra 3 mpg really helps too!

Kenny

rvsahs · June 22, 2009

Welcome to our world!

puppyduks · June 22, 2009

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. I will change all the fluids as you say. I also want to change out the water pump, preventive maintenance. The vehicle was a fleet vehicle until last year, when this gal bought it. She was overwhelmed with the payments and I suspect she wants to sell it and pay off the loan before it gets repo'd. She says it has had its 100,000 mile service but does not have the records to prove it. She does have other maintenance records, though. we shall see what the mechanice says. I hope it comes back clean because I really like the car.

Question- I have always called SUV's cars, because they are enclosed and do not have a bed. My friends say I am wrong, that they are called trucks because they are built on a truck chassis. Who is right?

punmax · June 22, 2009

I'm not too sure about that, but I call them trucks. How much are you getting the Denali for?

OLY-JIM · June 22, 2009

I think it is presumptious to think / expect that you're going to get reliability out of any vehicle with a 118K miles on it. That's not to say that you won't; however, you have no idea how the previous owner treated the vehicle and it's a gamble. No deal is a good deal if you spend most of your time paying for the previous owner's indiscretions with the vehicle. Look at all the videos out there where morons just run the piss out of their trucks, then polish them up and sell them as a well taken care of machine. If I was going to buy a vehicle with that kind of mileage on it to start; I would personally have to know the owner(s) and be familiar with his/ her/ their driving habits for the life of the vehicle before I would commit to the deal. Needless to say, that's a tall order and it's difficult to do and know. Of course, it your money. Good luck.

That being said, congrats on choosing GMC! Smart choice IMHO.

fbachman · June 22, 2009

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. I will change all the fluids as you say. I also want to change out the water pump, preventive maintenance. The vehicle was a fleet vehicle until last year, when this gal bought it. She was overwhelmed with the payments and I suspect she wants to sell it and pay off the loan before it gets repo'd. She says it has had its 100,000 mile service but does not have the records to prove it. She does have other maintenance records, though. we shall see what the mechanice says. I hope it comes back clean because I really like the car.

Question- I have always called SUV's cars, because they are enclosed and do not have a bed. My friends say I am wrong, that they are called trucks because they are built on a truck chassis. Who is right?

If she's willing to tell you what dealer performed the 100k maintenance, get the VIN, call the dealer, and see if they are willing to tell you that it was, or was not, done without compromising any personal info. Worth a shot?

May be worth it to pull a carfax report as well.... I mean, these trucks ( ) tend to do OK beyond 100k, but 100k IS getting "up there" to take an extra pre-caution, or two.

gmrubin · June 22, 2009

With the key out, push and hold in the trip meter button. It will display total engine hours. Divide the mileage by the engine hours to get an idea if the vehicle was driven more highway or city.

As an example, my recently purchased 00 Yukon XL had a bit over 2000 hours for it's 86k miles which gives an average speed of 43MPH definitely driven more on the highway and less in the city. Highway miles are likely easier on the vehicle.

I recently switched from Ford too. Much nicer driving experience in the Yukon XL