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Pickups Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra 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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Replying to: skytop1 (Jul 16, 2007 6:21 pm) Thanks |
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Replying to: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 6:57 am) Do you own due dilligence and you will make your own decision. |
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Replying to: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 6:57 am) 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.
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Replying to: 2007denali (Jul 18, 2007 9:06 am) 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.
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Replying to: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 10:01 am)
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Replying to: 2007denali (Jul 18, 2007 10:33 am) 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. |
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Replying to: dallasstb (Jul 18, 2007 6:57 am) 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.
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Replying to: vadaddy (Jul 20, 2007 12:53 pm) |
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I used to own a 2003 K2500 Crew Cab Silveraldo with the 8100 Engine and Allison Transmission. Somebody made me an offer I couldn't refuse, so I was able to go truck shopping. I found everybody had an opinion. The canopy guy swore I should buy a new Tundra. My son thought I should get another K2500 only with the Duramax. My wife wanted something different this time around. Upon taking one look at the new Denali, that was the one I chose. What does it feel like? A Lexus in a truck. It is an awesome looking and driving truck. Sounds great, feels great, drives wonderful! I only have a couple of suggestions...offer more color choices and accessories. I went with a Silver & Black combination and the larger 20" wheels. But, it needs molded mud flaps, a nurf bar, window-hood-sunroof plastic rain shields. It could also use a better insert on the body side molding as I already have a nick in the paint. Seems like it should be molded out of something that is bullet proof. Needs door edge guards, too. Am having a Arma-Coat bed lining installed along with enough under-coating to coat the inner rear wheel wells. One thing I have not found, and am sure somebody probably has it, is chrome wheel lip moldings, too. But all of these items are above and beyond the awesome truck that lies beneath. This is a killer truck and I am happy I purchased it! Happy in Eugene, Oregon |
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The more I think about it, this truck is actually an exciting thing for a guy who graduated from high school in 1966! I have had a bunch of neat cars over the years. My dad was a car dealer and started me out early with a new 1963 Split Window Bronze Corvette. Then two years later, he surprised me with a 1965 Corvette Green Coupe and added mags the following year. Then I jumped to a 1967 GTO, what a dog! Then I bought a 1967 Chevelle SS which I loved until it ended up in Watts, striped. Then, dad was going into the AMC Business, I bought a 1968 AMX. Fun little car, but lacked decent interior. Over the years, I have driven allot of new cars because I was in the car business. Had everything from a Pontiac Trans Am, like Smokey and the Bandit, to a Cadillac Allante. But in my old age, I have gone from a Escalade in 2000, to a 03 Chevy K2500 to this new Denali. Without a doubt, the Denali brings back the feelings I had back when I was young. It is beautiful and makes me think about the old days and how much better these days are. We are in the good old days when you can purchase a truck like this 2007 Denali Pickup. Like my dad always said, "the best is yet to come!" Never did I think he was referring to my new truck! Again, very happy in Eugene, Oregon 
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