Article Comments - 2007 GMC Sierra Denali Full Test

128 messages, Last post on Mar 28, 2009 at 1:25 PM

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Article comments for Full Test: 2007 GMC Sierra Denali - The 2007 GMC Sierra Denali is GM's top-of-the-line luxury pickup, but it emphasizes the truck part of the equation as much as the luxury part. (more)

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#51 of 128 Personal comments by lionclawz Jul 16, 2007 (3:48 pm)
Personal comments are what base the review for others to see. Not negative Just a Honest Positive feedback
#52 of 128 Re: Buyer beware of Paid Blog reviews [lionclawz] by skytop1 Jul 16, 2007 (6:21 pm)
Replying to: lionclawz (Jul 14, 2007 7:30 pm) The choice was between the new Toyota and the new GM trucks. In spite of the rave reviews on the Tundra, I decided not to send my money on a trip to Tokyo and help the home town company. That was the underlying purpose of my selection and choice. However, this truck and GM have let me down. GM service, GM techs acknowlede my problems but do NOT have the fixes. For one example, the my '07 Denali has the brand new adaptive learning 6 speed tranny which is primarily controlled by computer and not just hydraulic pressure as older units. The software running the tranny computer firmware is seriously flawed and cannot cope or properly interpret very slow speed driving or decelerating conditions, or deceleration and then mild acceleration situations. It does not learn and sends conflicting commands to the tranny and the engine causing the engine to accelerate even though I am trying to stop. It also signals the engine to accelerate as you are stopping sending torque through the driveline as you try to brake and causing sizeable jolts from improper shifts. GM doe NOT have a fix now or in the immediate future. I have to live with a defective transmission that even creates unintended acceleration when stopping. What you think about my posts and your inane remarks are of little importance. These posts are not for you but for other victimized Denali owners and those considering the vehicle. I only wish this kind of info was available before I ordered my truck. The fact is that GM has placed into production a half baked not ready for prime time transmission. They sell it, they know it does not function properly, they have no clue or method of fixing it, but they put it into full production so they could induce people to buy their trucks. Shameful and a total lack of conscience!! They sacrificed their integrity for the buck but lost me as a customer in the process. Everyone buying this expensive truck is suffering with it. It's not General Motors to me anymore but rather, Private Motors. Replies to this message: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 6:57 am) skytop1 (Jul 18, 2007 8:56 am) 2007denali (Jul 18, 2007 9:06 am) dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 10:01 am) and 2 more... vadaddy (Jul 20, 2007 12:53 pm) markisliev (Jul 20, 2007 2:40 pm) 1oldcarguy (Aug 10, 2007 10:55 am) skytop1 (Aug 10, 2007 12:06 pm) 1oldcarguy (Aug 10, 2007 3:58 pm) and 1 more... guysykes (Aug 18, 2007 12:24 am) and 1 more...
#53 of 128 Re: Buyer beware of Paid Blog reviews [skytop1] by dallasstb Jul 18, 2007 (6:57 am)
Replying to: skytop1 (Jul 16, 2007 6:21 pm) Being on the verge of making a final decision on whether or not to purchase a Sierra Denali, I'm trying to find good, honest opinions on the vehicle. The vast majority of the printed and online reviews are positive. This last post has really made me think tho, so I'd like any other Denali owner's to step in and voice their opinions and experiences. I will appreciate the insight Thanks Replies to this message: skytop1 (Jul 18, 2007 8:56 am) 2007denali (Jul 18, 2007 9:06 am) dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 10:01 am) 2007denali (Jul 18, 2007 10:33 am) and 1 more... vadaddy (Jul 20, 2007 12:53 pm) markisliev (Jul 20, 2007 2:40 pm)
#54 of 128 Re: Buyer beware of Paid Blog reviews [dallasstb] by skytop1 Jul 18, 2007 (8:56 am)
Replying to: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 6:57 am) Look at my other posts regarding my vehicle problems. I am dismayed, disappointed and very disheartened by the entire experience with GM. Do you own due dilligence and you will make your own decision.
#55 of 128 Re: Buyer beware of Paid Blog reviews [dallasstb] by 2007denali Jul 18, 2007 (9:06 am)
Replying to: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 6:57 am) I purchased an Onyx Black 2007 GMC Sierra Denali two weeks ago. It is AWD, with 20 inch chrome wheels, sunroof, heated steering wheel, and dealer installed chrome oval steps. Overall, it is an extremely nice truck and I am extremely pleased with the purchase. Skytop1 makes some valid points, but may have blown a few points out of proportion that would have made me think twice about purchasing mine if I had read his post prior to my purchase. First, the transmission does seem somewhat “confused.” I expected very smooth shifts out of a 6 speed, but have found that my previous truck, which was a 2004 Chevy Silverado LS, extended cab, short bed, 4.8L V8, 4 speed transmission, 2WD was much smoother. Second, to address the gas mileage, I’ve been unable to get near the 13city/19hwy claim made by GMC. I’ve tried my best to baby it (my wife has accused me of driving like my grandfather) and use cruise control, but no matter how I drive, I have found the gas mileage to be between 10 and 12 mpg. I am taking it on a road trip this weekend, so I’ll let you know how far below the 19 mpg claim it falls. My old Silverado was supposed to get 14city/17hwy, which it did. I could drive around all day with my foot in the gas tank and still do no worse than 13 mpg. All that being said, shame on GMC for the mpg claim, but seriously, when you pay $45,000 for a pickup with 403 horsepower, you should expect to pay for it at the pump and you should be able to afford the gas. To address ergonomic issues, headroom is lacking (perhaps due to the sunroof and I’m 6’1”) and the tilt steering wheel is a joke (and by the way, how about some telescoping action?). GM used the same design on the tilt wheel as they did on the 2004 Silverado and 2000 Deville I used to own. It’s weird because it worked on those two vehicles and doesn’t on the Denali. There is not an entry assist “A” pillar handle, which would have been nice, but I’ve not found it to be a problem with my dealer installed steps (which look nice too). I haven’t had any trim pieces fall off and I’ve found no problems with the build quality. The instrument panel cluster is actually quite easy to read and very attractive. I personally love the center console. If you want perfection in a pick up truck, wait until Lexus comes out with one (don’t hold your breath). Until then, there is no nicer or better production truck on the planet. I’m sure GM will get the computer bugs fixed with the transmission through a recall in a few months and the rest of the issues pretty much fall into the “so what” category. I think that you take the good with the bad, and trust me this truck has a lot of good without too much bad. If I was to grade this truck on a 100 point scale with 100 being the best, it would score a 95. My suggestion to Skytop1, and trust me, I hate to say it, go trade the Denali for a Toyota, life’s too short to be that upset with your truck. Replies to this message: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 10:01 am) 2007denali (Jul 18, 2007 10:33 am) dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 10:52 am)
#56 of 128 Re: Buyer beware of Paid Blog reviews [2007denali] by dallasstb Jul 18, 2007 (10:01 am)
Replying to: 2007denali (Jul 18, 2007 9:06 am) Thanks 2007Denali. Your detailed description is very helpful. You seem to have purchased the exact configuration that I'm looking at right now, even with the silly heated steering wheel. Also, I'm around 6-2, so your note about the head clearance is much appreciated. It looks like I'd be safe as long as I'm not wearing a hard hat. I'm a little concerned about the transmission and gas mileage. I felt that GMC was being a little aggressive with the 19MPG estimate they published for the 6.2L engine, but it is still disappointing to hear. My current vehicle is a 2001 Suburban and it gets about 16-17 MPG average for my usage with the 5.3L V8. I was hoping for something at least close to that. The new-six speed transmission problem is also unfortunate. BUT I've read that the Tundra's are having similar or worse problems with their version of the six-speed. I hope it is a correctable problem. The 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty gives me some comfort in that regard. Are there any other of Skytop1's comments on the interiors that nag at you? Thanks again for your assessment, 2007Denali, and I would appreciate anyone other Denali owners' comments about the vehicle. Replies to this message: 2007denali (Jul 18, 2007 10:33 am) dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 10:52 am)
#57 of 128 Re: Buyer beware of Paid Blog reviews [dallasstb] by 2007denali Jul 18, 2007 (10:33 am)
Replying to: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 10:01 am) At 6'2" headroom WILL BE TIGHT. Have you test driven one? If there is not one in your local market, you'll get a pretty good feel for ergonomics and headroom from a loaded Sierra w/sunroof. You might consider no sunroof, which should add an inch maybe two of headroom. I remember when the Cadillac XLR came out. I went to the dealer (somewhat dreaming) to test drive one. They had one on the showroom floor and I sat down in it with the top down. I went to close the hardtop and the roof hit me in the head (with the seat full down and back). I swear you've got to be less than 5'10" to drive one of those! The interior quality is the best I've ever seen from GM. It's not quite like a Lexus LS460 or a Mercedes S class, but it's darn close, and hey it's like $20K less too. I remember sitting in a brand new 2004 Dodge Ram one time and opening the ash tray and having it fall off in my hand, certainly nothing like that has happened in the first 600 miles on my Denali. Replies to this message: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 10:52 am)
#58 of 128 Re: Buyer beware of Paid Blog reviews [2007denali] by dallasstb Jul 18, 2007 (10:52 am)
Replying to: 2007denali (Jul 18, 2007 10:33 am) I have in fact driven one with a sunroof, and thought that the head clearance was acceptable. From my inspection of the interior, I also thought that the build quality was pretty good also. I ran my finger nails in the all the joints that I could reach, tested the panels to see if they were snug and stable, and generally opened and shut everything several times. That's mainly why I'm a little disheartened by Skytop1's comments because I either overlooked many of the issues he found, or they simply weren't there on this unit. I did notice that the tranny acted a little "odd" as I went through the test drive, and that's one of my main reasons for posting these messages. General building quality and the quality of the new technologies have me a little nervous. I'd like to keep this truck for years, not months. Thanks again for your reply.
#59 of 128 Re: Buyer beware of Paid Blog reviews [dallasstb] by vadaddy Jul 20, 2007 (12:53 pm)
Replying to: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 6:57 am) I bought my 07 Sierra Denali at the end of May and have 3,000 miles on it. Overall I love the truck and have recieved a ton of compliments on it. It's black with black interior, which if you're getting the truck looks awesome and was the only choice for me with a 2year old and 5 year old. I bought it without the sun roof and it has ample headroom for me (6 feet tall, no NAV or DVD but did get the heated steering and sliding rear window (a huge plus) and 20" wheels. I searched for over a year and awaited both this truck and the new toyota, I drove both before deciding. I have to admit that I preferred to go American but would have bought the Toyota if I liked it more. I'll give you my pro's and cons on the GMC and a little reasoning behind my final decission. PROS: (subjective) looks way better than the toyota great acceleration and smoother transmission than toyota The motor feels and sounds better ride and handling are very good Interior is far superior to any other truck Seats are richer and more comfortable and the dash fit and finish are great. The interior fit and finish are a major reason for getting the 07. It's as good as they say. locking rear (makes all the difference when it comes to getting stuck) available aftermarket parts better CONS: Low and painted front bumper I will end up scaping it! would like a more aggressive tire the manual shifgt function won't hold a higher gear so it down shifts anyway thus not as easy to save gas on the highway. I find the trailer shift mode best for the engine braking. This is the biggest complaint. the torque management holds back a little too much some times No bluetooth handsfree the back-up sensor doesn't alert until 18", some adjustment needed. It does run better and get 1-2 mpg better milage on 93 octane than regular. No option for 2 wheel dr. All that said nothing beats the 6.2 and 6 speed and comfort and performance. There is not a better all around truck. On trips the wife and kids love it too. The Toyota had 2 big drawbacks, fit and finish (it looks and felt cheap) and no locking rear I put one side of the Toyota in a muddy ditch and it didn't want to come out without being in 4x4 and even then had to cowboy it. The GMC spun a little locked up and walked out as it should. To let you know about milage the truck gets around 13.5 to 14.2 around town and 16.6 to 18.3 on a highway trip. The bed cover I put on added atleast 1 mpg. The K&N cold airintake is nice adding some throttle response .5mpg and a nice growl under hard acceleration. Replies to this message: markisliev (Jul 20, 2007 2:40 pm)
#60 of 128 Re: Buyer beware of Paid Blog reviews [vadaddy] by markisliev Jul 20, 2007 (2:40 pm)
Replying to: vadaddy (Jul 20, 2007 12:53 pm) Thanks for an honest opinion...I pick up my Sierra Denali in 2 days. It's 2wd...I will tell yall know 2wd milage is in a few days....200lbs less weight and less drive train loss...should be a quick truck if I am graceful with the throttle....