Ok guys, help me decide...'06 or '07 Yukon Denali

local dealer has two trucks that I'm very interested in:

1) 2006 Denali XL. 10k miles, GM certified, every available option, $35k

2) brand new '07. The one I'm looking at has pretty much everything except power steps and rear dvd (would like to add headrest dvds anyway). Sticker $56k, can get it for $46k (plus it'll cost about $1,500 extra for the DVDs). Only downside is it has second row buckets, which the wife doesn't prefer. '06 has a bench

I'm trying to be somewhat prudent with my spending, and would probably feel better about spending less dough. In a similar situation a few years ago, was planning on buying a 5 series...choosing between the new body style and old, I went with the old (an '02). Got a great deal, and have never regretted it.

That being said, the new '07 Denalis are definitely sweet. Plus $12.5k sweet? I'm not sure. I know the new one has more power and 6 speed tranny, but either truck will be a big step up from our current ride (an '01 Durango), so I'm sure we'll be happy either way.

I'm sure most will say to go '07, but interested to hear thoughts/feedback. I know we definitely have a few Denali drivers on here with both body styles.

I'm taking the wife down tomorrow morning to see them both, as she hasn't been there with me yet. I know she'll be ok with either (she doesn't even notice the body style difference).

anyway, thoughts & feedback welcome...

i would just go with the 06. with the money that you'll save it'll be plenty to trick out the new ride with rims, sound system, dvd/tv's, maybe even a lift if your into them.

No lift on the Denali. Comes standard with 20's (both the '06 and '07), and that's as big as I'm going. Might still put in the headrest dvds, though the '06 has the drop down unit...

That 12.5K will have grown to more like 70K by somewhat conservative measurements when you want to retire. Assuming you retire in 20 years. You'll have to work another year or more for the new vehicle. Not sure how to feel about work... but I can tell you how I feel about it.

Either way it won't effect my retirement. Been maxing out my (and my wife's) 401(k) for too long.

If I was really smart, I wouldn't own a boat or even think of a new(er) truck, and retire all the sooner...but gotta enjoy life too, right?

do the 06 and use the extra cash for a week in fl @ a wakeboard training centre...or to simply pimp out you boat....and add rims tires and bars to your 06

save the money.... you'll need it to pay for gas in that beast

I've already done a day in Florida with Shapiro, and I still suck...lol.

As for paying for gas...believe it or not, the Durango gets me about 11mpg when I'm towing. Doubt I'll be doing much worse.

Buy the 06 and use the extra $$$ to make it WAY more powerful then the 07...SUPERCHARGE IT!

You planning on buying a new boat anytime soon? The ~$12k you'd save on the '06 would go a long ways towards a new/new to you boat.

However, in most cases I'd say go ahead and pony up for the new ride. In a couple years, yours will still be a current body style, while that '06 will be starting to show its age. In the big scheme of things, isn't 12k worth it so you're as happy as possible rolling down the highway. You don't get to take the cash with you when you go.

Always wise to let someone else take that first depreciation hit and save some $$. That said, '06 to '07 had quite a few changes. More than just sheet metal. The '07 has the 6.2L with more HP and increased torque and the new six speed tranny is very smooth.

As far as the second row buckets, we had them on our previous Denali XL and they were great. Easy access to the 3rd row seat and it keeps separation between kids if you happen to carry them. The buckets are also more comfortable than the bench seat.

Second what Patrick said, you can modify the '06 for just a few $$ if the HP isn't enough. Here is a helpful website: www.denalitrucks.com.

i agree with nick, save the 12k for gas...no brainer considering the tough times of today, unless you're just rollin in dough. you may get a little better mpg with the 06 anyway..2-3mpg is better than nothing.

the 07 is well worth the money, they are not even close to the same vehicle

Yeah, you guys are pointing out all of the things that are going through my mind right now. I look at the '06, and it's a HUGE step up from what we're cruising in now. Then, I go in the showroom and look at the '07 and realize it's another big step up. I know that either way we'll be very happy, guess I'll see what the wife thinks today.

Go with the 07. The 06 being the old body style is going to depriciate ALOT faster then the new one. If you want to save the money and your going to go with the OLD body style, buy a low mile 03 or 04.

thanks for all the input guys. Had pretty much decided that we were going to get the '06...pulled up at the dealership with the wife, and someone else was driving away in it

We did get the opportunity to test drive the '07, both agree that it's a REALLY nice rig. We didn't pull the trigger today, but will continue to consider our options...

I have the older Denali XL and I love it. I had the opportunity to drive the 07. The 07 is WAAAY better! If there is only $12K difference between the two, go with the 07. You probably can get better financing on a new car vs used and your payments may even be better. That being said, imho the new body styles are ugly. The XL's look better than the smaller Yukons but I still like the older body. Good lick, can't really go wrong with either...best towing vehicle I have ever owned

How about a compromise? Buy a preowned 2007 from a private party!! Its a win win situation, you get the rig you want at the price of the 2006 at a dealer.

i got a really clean 03 denali in january for 25K looks the exact same as an 06

Get whatever vehicle fits you. You'll always be able to find a vehicle thats a step up from the last. You have to draw the line on where your personal limit is and that's not something that any of us can tell you. I remember a time when I walked into the dealer and I knew 15k was my max and now I look at that as a throw away car but you know the saying, one mans trash is another mans treasure. What is the nicest vehicle you are pay for? This will give you the answer on which vehicle to purchase.

I dug the '06, and it seemed like a really good deal, especially from a dealer. Had every available option and looked brand new with just 10k. I saw it myself on Sunday, but walked away knowing I wouldn't feel comfortable unless my wife drove it and was able to compare it to the '07.

At least she got a chance to drive the '07, and needless to say she thought it was a great truck. Even though there's great deals to be had on them right now (the fleet manager told us right off the top that we could get a new one for $10-11k off msrp), I think we ultimately decided two things:

1) we'd like the '07, or an '08
2) we're going to hold off for a few months until it makes more financial sense. We were comfortable spending $35k on the '06, but if it's going to be $45-50k, i'm holding out for a few months until it makes more financial sense...

Have you considered the Ford Expedition EL? Saw the limited at the stealership a couple of weeks ago and it is really nice. A big plus over the Suburban was the flat floor. Feet height is the same throughout unlike the Chevy which has a hump in the back making your knees ride high while sitting in the third row seat. No only that but my 9.5 shoe size would barely fit in the space available between the 2nd and 3rd row seats.

2007 of course.

we did look at the EL. Wife doesn't like the styling at all...

I am selling our 06 Denali XL.26K miles. $35K with every option including 22"s. Sorry for the hijack.

Body Style Sport Utility
Mileage 26,000
Exterior Color White
Interior Color Gray
Engine 8 Cylinder
Transmission Automatic
Drive Type All wheel drive
Fuel Type Gasoline
Doors Four Door

Seller's Comments
V8 6.0 Liter; Automatic; AWD; StabiliTrak; Air Conditioning; Power Steering; Power Windows; Power Door Locks; Tilt Wheel; Cruise Control; AM/FM Stereo; Cassette; Multi Compact Disc; Premium Sound; OnStar; Navigation System; DVD System; Dual Front Air Bags; Front Side Air Bags; ABS (4-Wheel); Traction Control; Leather; Dual Power Seats; Moon Roof; Roof Rack; Privacy Glass; Running Boards; Towing Pkg; Oversize Wheels 22'' DUBS with Pirelli Scorpion Zero 305/40 ZR 22. We also have the stock wheels and tires.
Installed Features
Driver Air Bag
Anti-Lock Brakes
Air Conditioning
Alloy Wheels
Cruise Control
Compact Disc Changer
Compact Disc Player
Passenger Air Bag
Rear Window Defroster
AM/FM Stereo Cassette
Leather Seats
Power Door Locks
Power Mirrors
Power Windows
Power Steering
Power Seats
Side Air Bag
Sunroof/Moonroof
Tinted Glass
Tilt Wheel
OnStar and XM paid through next year.
Wadd$

No worries, but if you're going to hijack, I'm going to call you on the fact that I was going to get a better deal from a dealer!

GM certified, 10k miles, every factory option, including factory 20's (which I'd take over aftermarket 22's)...$34.7k

very nice!
still 07 has way more improvements over the 06 and if you think the 06 will suffice then thats the way to go.
but from what ive heard the 07 will be well worth the extra doe

totally right, I forgot that they changed them for 07...thought it was 06...i have to say...Go for the 07./..they are fantastic....

that's what we're going to do, hold out for the '07 (or maybe '08)...might just be a few months before we get there.

Even today, I noticed a local GMC dealer advertising a used '07 XL with 23k miles, fully loaded for $40k. Holding out for something with lower miles or possibly new, but we'll find what we're looking for I'm sure...

Get the 06'..... give me the cash difference and everone wins

How does that 6.2L do for fuel mileage towing? I test drove an '07 Denali Pickup last Thursday and man was it sweet! The only downside was that I read a blurb in one of the auto rags that had a long term Escalade with the 6.2 and they said on one towing stint they were averaging ~ 4MPG!!!! I can't afford 4MPG towing! Wanted to hear some real world experience. Sticker on the pickup was $42k and it looks like I could have gotten that for around $35k.

I tow with the 6.2L in my new 07 denali and the 4mpg is way off!! I would say avg on my VLX would 7mpg and thats in the hills! I get 12 in town and i am a hard driver, i could proably make it better if I was trying.

For what it is worth:

EvilOne, I assume the numbers you are posting are what dealers are paying at auction for these? Can you run the numbers for '07 denali xl's? Talking to one of my buddies last night, he said he has a friend who has a dealer license, can potentially hook me up directly with an auction vehicle. That would be nice...

Dam. I dropped 54K on it last year and I can't even sell it for what I owe! Talk about taking it in the shorts!
Wadd$

No wadd I think you took it in the shorts when they sold it to you..

Doesn't show the correct motor but here's what I got.

Hey Wadd, i was just clowning with you really. The one I was looking at was a steal of a deal. I did quite a bit of shopping around, and it was priced below everthing equivalent I saw.

Yours is priced about right i think, equal to what I was seeing out there for most of them.

The only reason i didn't buy the one I was looking at was because my wife was out of town, and I wouldn't feel right without her at least giving the thumbs up, even though she gave me the go ahead. Dealer even told me that he thought it was underpriced, especially because they had one exactly like it on the lot with 30k miles at the same price. Obviously it was priced low b/c it sold the next morning. I didn't think anybody would steal it on a Monday morning!

Evil, thanks for posting. Keeping my eyes peeled for a steal of a deal on an '07.

Remember anything with a V8 is not worth much once driven off the dealers lot. Right now with the economy the way it is (Foreclosures all over the Bay Area), you will be able to find a low mileage rig for around low book from a private party. The GM certified does not mean a whole lot when a vehicle is still under warranty, and has less than 20K miles on it. Keep searching and be patient. Buying it from a private party will save you thousands. If you want it inspected pay the $120 or so to a good independent shop and have them inspect it.

FWIW Dealers are offering thousands under low book for buy backs when people run out of money.

I got an 07 for my wife a few months ago. We love it. Good luck.