Thinking about buying a 03 Denali

[Wick3d]

Hello everyone! Thinking about picking up this Denali. I read the sticky " Thinking of buying" and it said "Awd Front diffs like to eat themshelf" What do I look for? How do you know if it's going out? Also how is the reliability on these SUV's? What else should I look out for? other problems with them? link to SUV http://nashville.craigslist.org/ctd/5502767033.html

Thanks for the help

 

[OHSIXX]

Looks like a clean one. Not sure what to look for on the front diff situation as I'm not a mechanic....I think the NBS models are very reliable as long as you keep up on the servicing end of things like coolant,trans, and diff flushes. Any service history? Carfax? Check to see if the rear air ride turns on after you start it.....it should come on each time you start for a few moments to air up the back. Personally I have had mine going on 5 years now and have had only a few small things besides typical maint items....I wouldn't trade mine for anything newer....

 

[WhiteTrash]

Agreed, that thing does look clean. And with less than 100k miles, I don't think you would have anything to worry about. But then again, I don't really know much about 4wd systems besides they go in the mud. Haha.

 

[Wick3d]

OHSIXX How many miles does yours have? As I been looking at CL I see some with 200,000 in really good condition. Are they too good to be true? I wish I knew more about them.

https://jackson.craigslist.org/ctd/5498396173.html
http://jackson.craigslist.org/cto/5487954466.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/5513009457.html

 

[OHSIXX]

OHSIXX How many miles does yours have? As I been looking at CL I see some with 200,000 in really good condition. Are they too good to be true? I wish I knew more about them.

Bought it with 82K...sitting at 111K. They will run along time if maintained properly although I'd stay away from ones over 150K unless you know their history.
@Wick3d

 

[NathanJax]

Crazy expensive...

KBB says $6,600 private party around my area, and $7-10 from a dealer with the mileage...

 

[tsuintx]

Crazy expensive...

KBB says $6,600 private party around my area, and $7-10 from a dealer with the mileage...

+1 Probably around 7K, give or take some, around here.

Nice and clean and all that stuff, but the price is really out there. Then again, it's your money and as long as you are happy with the price, then go for it.

 

[Wick3d]

I'm just hunting around right now. I would like to get the best deal on both sides. I live in Michigan and I'm going to travel down south to get one. I'm thinking they will be cheaper in the south I hope and not rust Other than the 6.0, AWD & trim is there and advantages over the Denali and the Yukon? The AWD is the only thing I'm worried about. If it goes out the truck its down but in the Yukon if the 4WD goes out I can still roll with 2WD.

 

[pnwdan]

Love mine. That being said..
The AWD is okay with maintenance
The 4l65e trans is an upgrade from the 4l60e but still undersized for the 6.0 so don't beat on it.
Some 6.0s prior to mid 04 eat cam bearings. Mine did it at 165k.
The kids love the heated captains chairs in the back and I like the power of the 6.0 vs the 5.3.

 

[Rocket Man]

If you buy one, I just suggest changing out all the fluids (transmission including dropping the pan and changing the filter, transfer case, differential) as the best preventive maintenance. I bought my '02with around 110k a little over a year ago for 7500 so that price is way up there. I love my Denali, wouldn't trade it. A few performance and suspension upgrades and they drive and handle sweet.