I just want to say Thank You to everyone that offered up their opinion/advice. I do appreciate all of your help! As of today, I'm still undecided. Can anyone tell me if the Magnetic Ride Control makes that much difference?
Thanks again!
To me, yes it made a difference. I drove a GMC Yukon SLT, Denali, and Tahoe Premier all on the same day. The sales people at both stores said I wouldn't notice much of a difference, but I did. My wife drives the Tahoe and she was coming out of an Audi Q5. I felt the magnetic ride control was more responsive, if that makes any sense. It made it a bit less trucky which was the goal for my wife coming out of a smaller Audi. I drive a 2002 Yukon SLT so for me,it didn't really matter. It was more for her.
I felt the Tahoe Premier was a nice balance between the SLT and the Denali. The Denali was a bit too flashy for my liking. I don't have the same issues passing on the highway as some others complain about. The car has its max horsepower at around 5k rpm, so if you're passing on the highway, you should get to that. Maybe I'm more tame of a driver but if a BMW sedan is doing 75, I usually don't need the extra umph the 6.2L would provide to pass him.
So here is why I went with the Tahoe Premier:
Magnetic Ride Control
5.3L takes regular fuel and to me, has enough power. If you're doing a lot of hauling...you may want to consider the 6.2L in a Denali or Silverado
I like the look of it better than the GMC. I like the bowtie and Chevy grille over the GMC
Easier to find with 20" wheels in my area. I drove both 20s and 22s and found the 20s to be a world of difference
Wife wanted HUD
I also didn't like that GMC stamps "Denali" on every damn piece of trim in the car. Headrests, steering wheel, etc. I'm driving a GMC...I know what it is. Don't need to try to fool me.
So it really comes down to your preference. Have you driven all of them? My advice is go and drive a GMC SLT and Denali. Then go over to the Chevy dealer and drive a Tahoe Premier within an hour of each other. See what you like. Drive different wheel sizes if you're unsure there. It DOES make a difference. I felt every little bump on the 22s. The 20s were better. I'd prefer 18s but you cant get a premier in 18s.
Also, look at prices. Maybe the Denali is nice and you like it, but stacked up against the Tahoe...you may not $8,000 like it.
I don't know where you live. Laura GMC near St. Louis or Everett in Little Rock generally post their rock bottom prices. See what's in their inventory and do some comparison shopping. Your local GMC dealer probably won't come close. But it should give you a base to negotiate off of. And if you can take the trip, go get the GMC at one of those stores. For Chevy....it's a little more difficult to find that high volume discount dealer with inventory. Quirk in Massachusetts is one. Classic in Texas is another.