In market for 12-13 LTZ or Denali. Cant decide

[Slow5.0]

I have 07 LTZ and now im in market to buy newer LTZ or maybe Denali
I tested a lot of 12 and 13 LTZ and Denalis. I like Tahoe front end and 4WD. Denali have 6.2 and you can tell its faster than 5.3 but not much. I dont like AWD since you get only AWD. Im in MO but dont drive much at all, like 5k a year so snow isnt big problem
Also once in while i like to power brake for no reason lol, with AWD good luck
In future im planing do some mods on engine to get more power, forced induction. So how good or bad is AWD in Denali
In my 07 LTZ i didnt have much problems just seleniod on transfer case and thats it
Both cars goes $35-42k with low milage. Dont know which way to go. Thanks
Both have almost same options so not much difference in interior. Also it will be black on black. Will do blackout in near future, sux bc these 10+ have much more chrome

 

[FatDog]

I have driven the Tahoes for work and have owned the Denali and currently own an Escalade. Personally, I lke the Denali / Escalade with the 6.2 and AWD better.

More power with the 6.2 and its a solid motor, not that the 5.3 isn't, its just hard to beat the 6.2. You can feel the power difference, especially when it's windy and or running in the hills. The AWD is really nice too, as the traction is awesome and it's always there. It's really nice in the winter here, with as crappy as our roads get, you never have to think about it switching to four wheel drive. Just drive and it handles everything great!

When we bought our first bigger SUV, I went back and forth with the same question and ended up with a Denali and now the Escalade, no regrets at all!!!

 

[Slow5.0]

How about AWD system, any problems with it ?
I know G80 will lock it when needed but is front diff locker or open?

 

[FatDog]

How about AWD system, any problems with it ?
I know G80 will lock it when needed but is front diff locker or open

Nope, never had an issue.

In fact the wife really likes it and I actually like it better for her as well. No "wondering" for her, should I put it in four wheel drive or not, its already tko, just drive. Only issue or potential issue is just being more careful when you know it's getting icy. The only reason I say that is because the all wheel drive will drive down an icy road almost too good and give you a false sense of the conditions.....until you tap the brakes.

All in all, very satisfied with the 6.2 and AWD and the next one will probably be the same again!

 

[Slow5.0]

Well same problem here with my wife. On summer and nice day on winter she drive 09 Altima, but when start snowing she switch to 07 LTZ, and keep asking should i switch to auto or 2wd. On summer i runs 22" liquidmetal wheels with Nitto 420s 305/40 tires, but for winter i install 17" Tahoe wheels with 265/70 Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 studless winter tires. Yes with those tires and auto setting it will go on snow. But those 17" wherls and tires will stay with my 07 so ill only have 22" for next ride. I did have for like 2 yers OEM 20" wheels and tires and they wasnt that bad on snow.
I dont care if it snowing, i just leave it in 2wd and just keep driving because i drive 80k lbs semi for living that is basically RWD with option of locking both rear diffs on low speed. And i drove and owned many RWD Bimmers older and newer and heavy moded 94 Stang GT vert on snow as long i can remember and even i drove my Stang a few times on Nitto DRs on snow. So i doesnt need AWD for my self, just for my wife lol

I know 10-14 LTZ and Denalis have more chrome and it nice and eveything but im more blackout guy when vehicle is black. That being said Denali have huge grill and headlights and its more luxury front end and i dont know if is possible to blackout one if wanted to do later on. Tahoe front end is more aggressive and i did blackout my 07
So pretty much only thing i dont like on Denali is front end, but thats just me, and only thing i wish LTZ have is bigger 6.2 engine. I know with nice blower i could fix that
Here i created thread about blackout Denali so check it out http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/need-pics-of-blackout-denali.83342/

 

[FatDog]

Well same problem here with my wife. On summer and nice day on winter she drive 09 Altima, but when start snowing she switch to 07 LTZ, and keep asking should i switch to auto or 2wd. On summer i runs 22" liquidmetal wheels with Nitto 420s 305/40 tires, but for winter i install 17" Tahoe wheels with 265/70 Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 studless winter tires. Yes with those tires and auto setting it will go on snow. But those 17" wherls and tires will stay with my 07 so ill only have 22" for next ride. I did have for like 2 yers OEM 20" wheels and tires and they wasnt that bad on snow.
I dont care if it snowing, i just leave it in 2wd and just keep driving because i drive 80k lbs semi for living that is basically RWD with option of locking both rear diffs on low speed. And i drove and owned many RWD Bimmers older and newer and heavy moded 94 Stang GT vert on snow as long i can remember and even i drove my Stang a few times on Nitto DRs on snow. So i doesnt need AWD for my self, just for my wife lol

I know 10-14 LTZ and Denalis have more chrome and it nice and eveything but im more blackout guy when vehicle is black. That being said Denali have huge grill and headlights and its more luxury front end and i dont know if is possible to blackout one if wanted to do later on. Tahoe front end is more aggressive and i did blackout my 07
So pretty much only thing i dont like on Denali is front end, but thats just me, and only thing i wish LTZ have is bigger 6.2 engine. I know with nice blower i could fix that
Here i created thread about blackout Denali so check it out http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/need-pics-of-blackout-denali.83342/

Have you thought about an Escalade? Our last one was a Denali and now we have a Premium package Escalade. The Premium has more painted and two tone parts verses more chrome, plus it comes with the dual exhaust rear bumper, and 22" two tone wheels. It wasn't much more then the Denali and the interior is more refined.

Anyways just a thought but a blacked out Eski would be pretty cool, and then you have the 6.2!! win win!!

 

[Slow5.0]

Dealer that have 13 Denali with 40k miles for $42k also have 13 Esky Platinum with 40k miles but he wanted $52k. And also 13 Esky Premium for $48k. Way too much. I havent check other local dealers for 12-13 Esky. They are nice but i bet same year and everything it will be buch more than LTZ and Denali

 

[FatDog]

Dealer that have 13 Denali with 40k miles for $42k also have 13 Premium Esky with 40k miles but he wanted $52k. Way too much. I havent check other local dealers for 12-13 Esky. They are nice but i bet same year and everything it will be buch more than LTZ and Denali

Keep shopping, there out there.

2 months ago we picked up a 2012 Escalade Premium with 40K on the clock, one owner, super, super clean for 38K!!!! Granted the dealer was 1200 miles from me but shipping wasn't horrible.

 

[the blur]

The 5.3 motor is under powered for the suburban. The 6.0 & 6.2 motors are amazing.

 

[adventurenali92]

I love the AWD in my Denali. It handles fantastic in the snow up here in the mountains where I live and handles like a champ in the summer going up and down the curves and grades of the mountains roads. I was a little iffy going from 4x4 suvs to the AWD but I dont regret it at all!!