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GMC Yukon / Yukon Denali

3279 messages,  Last post on Apr 17, 2012 at 4:54 PM

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What is this discussion about? GMC Yukon Denali, GMC Yukon, SUV

Messages Page 230 of 329

#2282 of 3279 zaishy and state of the art by dako_tian

Jan 02, 2004 (2:45 pm)

touche! Good points all and congratulations on being a spry 80.
 
Though only pressing hard on 50 myself, I'm thinking "spry" has a pretty good sound to it -- especially trying to keep up with our 5 year old and 2 1/2 year old!
 
There are some inconsistencies as far as the offered features/options between the foreign and domestic companies. The lower and middle trim levels on domestic vehicles have more features/options on them than the comparable foreign offerings. The lighted controls on the door, automatic-volume-adjusting stereo, electric mirrors/locks and excellent seat comfort on even my old 1999 F150 SLT Supercab are examples of things not available on any but the highest trim levels of Toyota or Honda bigger-than-passenger-car offerings. Add to that the Bose stereo, left/right/rear-individually-adjusted climate control, power driver's seat, auto-leveling, and quieter cabin of my Yukon XL SLE.
 
I'll give you that the top ends of both lines might leave the GMC's on the low side of the balance arm. But the situation reverses when you look lower down the trim level lines as I see it.

#2283 of 3279 Trim Levels and Features by blockislandguy

Jan 02, 2004 (8:41 pm)

Dako_Tian, nice analysis about domestic vs. import trim levels. You're right: a base US vehicle has more gingerbread on it than a base import. BUT the discussion wasn't about the level of gingerbread but about technology. GM seems to have decided (and probably rightfully so) that they can make more money by offering just enough technology to stay in the ball game and putting the extra money into marketing (i.e., rebates) and little features that people can see. GM, I think, feels that safety and engineering don't sell so they don't have leading edge safety canopies, dual caliper disc brakes, or even premium tires on their big SUVs, etc. etc. This, again, is probably a good business decision but it leaves the car nuts out there looking at the import market for the engineering features.
 
Saying it differently, I think that no one really gets up in the morning and decides to actually BUY a GM car (e.g, a Cavalier). Instead of people buying GM cars, GM SELLS them thru rebates, agressive dealer-level arm twisting, etc.

#2284 of 3279 04 prices by ezrapon

Jan 02, 2004 (9:38 pm)

I saw several 04 Suburbans today for 8 grand off sticker. I'm not in the market, but thought that was a pretty good deal. Probably a volume discount. They were at Elco chevrolet. Elco is Enterpise leasing's car outlet... big money dealer. Also had about 40 new vettes in stock. I think that's unusual for most chevy dealers. Looks like the new vettes (05) will have the 6.0 engine 400 HP. Vette taking an engine from a SUV...I'm honored!

#2285 of 3279 Vette taking an engine from an SUV, ctd. by avolvofan

Jan 03, 2004 (4:17 am)

Ezrapon, while you might feel honored to think that Corvette is taking an engine from an SUV, don't feel too honored. The only thing that is shared between the two is the displacement. The block is different, the heads are different, the performance profile is different; I could go on, but I think you will get my drift. Lets feel honored about the engineering effort that has gone into each engine relative to the competition.

#2286 of 3279 Denali technology by erinsquared

Jan 03, 2004 (10:04 am)

You cannot automatically discount a pushrod engine as indicative of a low-tech engine design. There are a few advantages pushrod engines have over conventional overhead cam designs: less parts (cheaper to manufacture and less points of failure), lower friction loses (less parts rubbing together), smaller packaging (overhead cam hardware take space!). I think the Vortec engines are some of the best in the business. The 6.0L returns 320 HP, has a 6k rpm readline, is extremely low maintenance, and regularly returns 17-18 MPG for me on the highway 75-85 MPH. This engine still outperforms much of the competition even though the basic design is now a few years old. The computer controlled autoride and handling are the best in class for a full size, body-on-frame SUV. I have an '01, so I cannot speak for the Stabilitrak or the Nav system, but my guess is that the competition does offer better electronics. The nav. systems I've seen in Toyotas or Lexus seem to be hands above German and US Manufacturer offerings.
 
One thing the whole truck does lack is the refinement that people expect in expensive luxury cars. Things like the cold start piston slap and interior material/ergonomics are not quite par with the class. I personally bridge this shortcoming by the fact that I view this vehicle as a truck and am willing to live with the compromises since the overall package is so well executed.

#2287 of 3279 Less is More by blockislandguy

Jan 03, 2004 (7:11 pm)

Erinsquared, good points about less is more in terms of GM engines and "You bought a truck, not a Lexus, so enjoy it". Incidentally, when an OHC engine overheats the rebuild cost is thru the roof. Chrsyler minivans with the 2.6 Mitsi engine ( DOHC?) regularly self destruct when the auxilliary cooling fan doesn't come on when you park it. The result is a big shock to the now-second, out of warranty owner. I shudder to think about the cost to fix our 2.5T Volvo engine if this cooling fan switch ever breaks after the warranty expires.
 
On the other hand, it would be nice if GM would go to a three valve or four valve head, improve the interior (climate controlled seats, maybe even offer "sport seats", heated steering wheels, safety canopies, less plastic), etc.

#2288 of 3279 features in Denali by erinsquared

Jan 04, 2004 (7:18 am)

Adding additional valves to the head would improve engine breathing and raise power in the upper rpm band, but conventional wisdom states that the power available up high is not as usable for truck driving conditions as is low end torque. The 6.0L in the Denali is almost as fast off the line as the Escalade because the difference in power does not occur until later in the rpm band. Besides, GM already is getting 405 HP out of the Corvette Z06 engine which still uses a pushrod OHV design and they could easily fit this in the Denali/Escalade engine bay without a major engine redesign. I for one would rather have this as an extra cost option because I would rather pocket the difference.
 
GM probably will milk this design for as much as they can until the redesigned Tahoe/Yukon platform is released. My wish list includes: head/curtain airbags, folding third row (aka Expedition), rack & pinion steering, Xenon headlight option, fully reclining captains chairs (instead of partially reclining), and upgraded materials/ergonomics. Many of these they will need to do in order to stay competitive. Would be nice if they came up with a couple of good innovations.

#2289 of 3279 Navigation and XM? by rusilly

Jan 04, 2004 (9:24 am)

To those with the Navigation system, is it XM radio capable? Does it display the artist and song titles? And does it play DVD movies (when in park)?
 
Thanks!

#2290 of 3279 Navigation System and XM, ctd. by avolvofan

Jan 04, 2004 (2:05 pm)

Yes to XM radio capability for Navigation System. (It also controls AM and FM tuning.) If you want movies, you need to get the Entertainment System.

#2291 of 3279 rusilly...an answer by ezrapon

Jan 04, 2004 (2:15 pm)

yes, yes, and no. I too have not enjoyed the amount of recline available on the denali seats. Probably, they are truck seats and were designed as such, not to recline into the back of the cab. Same might be said of the middle row buckets. Horsepower for the 6.0 is limitless. The vette is now using this configuration,(avolvofan) yes with a aluminum block and different cam, head design etc, but, the same engine family, with many interchangable parts. It must be remembered that the current truck engines were borrowed from the vette in the first place...chevy small blocks are chevy small blocks. Remember... a 327 with a 283 crank is a 302 Z'28 engine. Ahh the good ol' days!

Messages Page 230 of 329

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