So long beloved Eurovan....hello Yukon?

[crazylev]

A sad day, but one with lots of great memories. I am putting my 2001 Eurovan VR6 2.8 Weekender up for sale, and am probably going to get some sort of GMC Yukon or Chev Tahoe.

Thanks to Silvertwinkie, as ussual for guidance and patience.

Dealing with car dealers has to be one of the most un pleasant experiences next to colonoscopy. I just love the chain of command: sales guy who talks with manager, who talks with GMC powerbuyer. And don't even plan on leaving a dealership unless you've said good bye to everyone and their family. And the "what can we do to close the deal for you mr...". I hate preasure tactics and inacurate inforamtion.

This seems to be systemic through out every dealer I've dealt with even for different car companies.

Sorry to vent....

I am looking into new 2005 year model of Yukon 4x4 with the 5.3, tow package, a 3.73 back end (but I think dealer is lying, as this is not listed anywhere, only 3.42 and optional 4.10, and I've seen very few 4.10's)

Good price, and they have 0% financing which is real tempting.

I test drove a 2wd w/5.3 and some special package that the dealer claims they upgraded. It's and SLE but not really, more like the SLT. Very confusing. They also claim that the 2wd thatt I drove and the 4x4 that I will look at next week both have the locking rear differential, but I couldn't find documentation as to whether that was standard equip, as they supposedly are on the 2006.

Anyway, I'll probably go with an 05 if it has been demonstrated to death.

The 06 don't have 0% financing like the 05's, unless that changes. Who knows.

This to pull my '04 Bambi around for a few years.

Your comments and bereavement thoughts welcome.

Thanks.

Jonathan

[warbler5]

Originally Posted by crazylev

A sad day, but one with lots of great memories. I am putting my 2001 Eurovan VR6 2.8 Weekender up for sale, and am probably going to get some sort of GMC Yukon or Chev Tahoe.

I am looking into new 2005 year model of Yukon 4x4 with the 5.3, tow package, a 3.73 back end (but I think dealer is lying, as this is not listed anywhere, only 3.42 and optional 4.10, and I've seen very few 4.10's)

Good price, and they have 0% financing which is real tempting.

Jonathan,

You will absolutely LOVE the new vehicle.....until it's time for a fill-up! Then, the fond memories of the Eurovan will reeeeeeeeeeeeaaaly come flooding back . Actually, when not towing and if you can keep the speed down, the Yukon/Tahoe with the 3.73 rear end should get 13-15; towing, more like 10-11 (which is what we get towing or not with the 4.10 rear end on our Yukon XL). However, our Yukon XL has a 38-gallon tank...an empty tank sends you into sticker-shock when you go to fill it up!

Unless things have changed, the 4.10 is only available on the 3/4 ton/long wheelbase vehicles (Yukon XL/Chevy Suburban), and more than half of those on the lots are 1/2 tons. I think the 3.73 is still available, but the 3.42 is a new option. It might not be a good choice for you, since you will be towing....I have no idea what the mileage difference might be.

With gas prices what they are, dealers are in a world of hurt with all these gas guzzlers on the lot! You should be able to name your own price....I would try offering $100 over dealer invoice.... I do agree with you, though...dealing with the vultures is unpleasant. I would take the car-buying experience over the colonoscopy any day, however!!!!!

Let us know what you end up with...

Cheers, Dee

[davidz71]

Stay away from the 3.42 rear end ratio. If you ever run into hills of any type you will be sorry. This is from personal experience.

[overlander63]

After rebates, it is $33900:

Model & Type: (Select New Model | Select New Type ):

Model: 2005 Yukon
Selected Type: 2WD
Style: (Select New Style):

Selected Style: SLT 1SD

• Includes SLT 1SC content plus:
• Front leather-appointed, heated, 10-way power-adjustable bucket seats with power lumbar, two-position driver-side memory, storage pockets and floor console
• Inside rearview mirror with eight-point compass, outside temperature display and right-front passenger frontal air bag status
• Outside rearview, power-folding, power-adjustable, heated mirrors with turn-signal indicator in glass, auto-dimming feature on driver side, ground illumination and curb-tilt
• AM/FM stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer
• Steering wheel-mounted controls for audio and Driver Information Center
• Third-row vinyl 50/50 split-bench, three-passenger, removable seat
• Vortec 5300 V8 engine with 295 hp
• Cargo Package
• Power-adjustable pedals

Colors (Modify):

Exterior: Summit White
Interior: Pewter/ Dark Pewter Ultrasoft Leather Seating Surfaces
Seat Type: Seats, front leather seating surfaces power reclining full-feature buckets, includes driver and passenger adjustable head restraints, power lumbar, driver and passenger 10-way power adjustable, inboard armrests, heated cushion and seatbacks, power bolsters, 2-position driver-side memory, storage pockets and floor console
Options & Packages (Modify):

Air bags, side-impact, driver and right front passenger$ 350.00 Air cleaner, high-capacityNO CHARGE Air conditioning, tri-zone, automatic, individual climate settings for driver, right front passenger and rear passengers, includes front and rear HVAC systemsNO CHARGE Assist steps, Black, mounted between front and rear wheels NO CHARGE Body, liftgate with liftglass, rear door system, includes rear-window wiper/washerNO CHARGE Cargo Package, includes (AP9) cargo net, (V1K) luggage rack center rails, (B39) cargo mat (not included if 3rd row seat is ordered) and (RYJ) cargo shade (not included if 3rd row seat is ordered)NO CHARGE Cooling, external transmission oil cooler, auxiliary, heavy-duty air-to-oilNO CHARGE Cruise control, electronic with set and resume speed, includes telltale in instrument panel clusterNO CHARGE Differential, locking, heavy-duty, rearNO CHARGE Engine, Vortec 5300 V8 SFI, (295 HP [219.7 kW] @ 5200 rpm, 335 lb.-ft. [452.3 N-m] @ 4000 rpm)NO CHARGE Fog lamps, front, rectangular, halogenNO CHARGE Glass, Solar-Ray deep tinted, (all windows except light tinted glass on windshield, driver and front passenger)NO CHARGE Mirror, inside rearview, electrochromic, (light-sensitive auto-dimming), 8-point compass, outside temperature indicator and right front passenger air bag statusNO CHARGE Mirrors, outside rearview, power folding, power adjustable, heated, color-keyed, driver side electrochromic (light-sensitive auto dimming), turn signal in glass, with ground illumination and curb-tiltNO CHARGE Moldings, bodyside, body-color, with bright insertNO CHARGE OnStar, 1-year Safe and Sound Service, includes automatic notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle tracking, emergency services, roadside assistance, remote door unlock, remote horn and lights, GM Goodwrench remote diagnostics, AccidentAssist and online concierge. Drivers can also obtain the available voice-activated, hands-free Personal Calling service and Virtual Advisor that provides location-based traffic and weather reports and other personalized informationNO CHARGE Pedals, power, adjustableNO CHARGE Power driver seat adjusterNO CHARGE Pref equip discountNO CHARGE Rear axle, 3.73 ratio$ 100.00 Recovery hooks, 2 front, frame-mounted$ 38.00 Seats, middle leather appointed 60/40 split-folding bench, 3-passenger with center armrest and storage trayNO CHARGE Seats, rear 3rd row vinyl 50/50 split-bench, 3-passenger, all-belts-to-seat, removableNO CHARGE Sound system, ETR AM/FM stereo with in-dash 6-disc CD changer, includes seek-and-scan, digital clock, auto-tone control, speed-compensated volume, TheftLock and Radio Data System (RDS)NO CHARGE Spare tire lockNO CHARGE StabiliTrak, vehicle stability enhancement systemNO CHARGE Steering wheel, mounted controls, includes audio and driver information center controlsNO CHARGE Suspension Package, Premium Smooth Ride, includes 46mm diameter high pressure gas shocksNO CHARGE Tires, P265/70R16, all-season touring, blackwallNO CHARGE Trailering equipment, heavy-duty, includes trailering hitch platform, 7-wire harness (harness includes wires for: park lamps, backup lamps, right turn, left turn, electric brake lead, battery and ground) with independent fused trailering circuits mated to a 7-way sealed connector. Also includes (K47) Air cleaner, high capacity and (KNP) Cooling, external transmission oil cooler.$ 330.00 Transmission, 4-speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive and tow/haul modeNO CHARGE Wheels, 4 - 16" x 7" (40.6 cm x 17.8 cm) 6-lug bright machined aluminum, includes steel spareNO CHARGE Xm radio not installed$ -325.00

PRICING



Base MSRP: $43,610.00
Color & Options Total: $398.00
Total MSRP (Payment Calculator): $44,008.00

[wahoonc]

Johnathon,
One thing you can do is get the VIN number and ask for a "build sheet" it will give you what the factory says was installed on the vehicle. I did this with a 04 Quadrasteer we were looking at. Good thing to, because the salesman was telling me one thing about the rear end and it warn't true! BTW left it there when they wouldn't budge on the price.

Aaron

[warbler5]

Originally Posted by davidz71

Stay away from the 3.42 rear end ratio. If you ever run into hills of any type you will be sorry. This is from personal experience.

Soooooo Craig.....what kind of mileage DO you get with the 3.42 rear end? My guess is that they came up with this ratio just to increase fuel economy.

Cheers, Dee

[crazylev]

Aaron and everyone.

Thanks for the input.

The "build sheet" is exactly what I need to get since I don't trust anyone. For example, if the dealer SAYS that the vehicle has a 3.73, or 4.10 or locking differential, I'm assuming that aside from taking the back end completely apart, there is no way to tell what ratio you have.

Is the build sheet something I can just ask for from my sales guy or is this privlidged information. Is there an official sheet. I realize that this is only around a hundred bucks for different back end options, but from what I've learned here is that the higher the ratio, the better off I'd be, though worse gas mileage.

Am I way overthinking this, and would a v8 5.3 with the 3.42 and tow package be sufficiant to tow our 19' AS? Do 4x4 even have locking rear differentials? So many dumb ??? and so little time...

I am actually impressed with the ride from the 2wd I test drove yesterday. Quite a departure from the 'ol Lev(euro)Van.

I tend to use my wife's Corrola when I'm driving around chicago, and use our tow vehicle for photography assignments and camping.

I am fully anticipating a gas fill-up along the same line as the exxon Valdez...

[wahoonc]

I asked for the build sheet at the dealer I was at and they provided one. Another thing you can do is look for a sticker (on GM products I think it is in the glove compartment) it will list a code that when you decipher it, will tell you what rear end came installed from the factory. You can also crawl under and look for a tag attached to one of the bolts on the rear end cover. IMHO the best bet for towing your 19 would be the 3.73 Limited Slip if you can get them. 4.10 will pull the house down but will cut into your mileage. FWIW my current tow vehicle is a 03 F150 4.6 V-8 with 3.73ls and it gets about 19 over the road and 12-13 towing a 6000# Airstream. My new tow vehicle is no comparison...Power Stroke with 4.10 ls rated to tow 20k# Hopefully SilverTwinkie will chime in, he knows where to get the ratio information.

Aaron

[dmac]

Since you are buying a new vehicle, don't "settle" for one that's not exactly what you want! If you need 3.73 gears, then it must be so! It seems that many Bambi owners move up in size, and you may wish to at some time too.

I'm not current on GM vehicles, but my last GM truck (1995) had a sticker in the glove box that had lots of code numbers on it. With the list of codes the parts department can tell you exactly what the vheicle has, including axle ratio.

I just bought a new 2005 Ford truck... the axle ratio is printed on every price sticker. The dealer was able to search every dealer's inventory within hundreds of miles using his computer. Within minutes we located the all trucks with 5.4L V8, 3.73 ratio, tow package, etc... that we wanted. Then we picked a color and the next day the truck arrived from an outstate dealership and I picked it up. BTW: The incentives and discounts took $11,000+ off the list price.

[warbler5]

Originally Posted by crazylev

Am I way overthinking this, and would a v8 5.3 with the 3.42 and tow package be sufficiant to tow our 19' AS? Do 4x4 even have locking rear differentials? So many dumb ??? and so little time...

Jonathan,

Unless you are planning to use the vehicle off-road or in the snow, 4WD and a locking differential are not necessary. However, resale always makes this option worthwhile, mainly because some folks won't even look at your vehicle without it. As I recall, the locking rear differential is available for a nominal fee, and this is really a necessity if you DON'T get 4WD (and helpful even if you do).

IMHO....you should go with the 3.73 rear end to tow the Airstream....especially after hearing Craig's input.

Lotsa decisions to make for a $$$$ investment!

Cheers, Dee

[davidz71]

Originally Posted by warbler5

Soooooo Craig.....what kind of mileage DO you get with the 3.42 rear end? My guess is that they came up with this ratio just to increase fuel economy.

Cheers, Dee

Dee,
I had the 3.42 in my Z71 with 5.7 engine and 5 sp. manual transmission. Using synthetic oil in the rear and in the engine, I was getting a little over 20 mpg on the highway at 70 mph w/o AC running. I also had a Jacobs Milemaster electronic ignition with Jacobs spiral core wires. I liked the gas mileage in town and on the highway and I could get the 31' Excella 500 hauling at 70 mph but the first big hill had me downshifting all the way to second gear. The 3.73 rear end would have been the ticket. While some have said that the 5.3 is a stronger engine than the 5.7 it replaced, even that would not have helped if towing with a 3.42 rear end ratio. My wife's Astrovan has a 4.3 litre engine and runs the 3.42 rear end ratio. Great on gas mileage 24-25 but tough to tow my father-in-law's boat.

[crazylev]

Thank you, fellas.

So, the glove compartment, or a least underneath the vehicle on a bolt on or near the differential.

I did a web search for GMC build codes, but did not find much. I'd love to have this info in hand when at the dealer. Here is where my problem came to play: the vehicle that I did a test drive in had no window sticker with all the options, msrp, and so on. I did not ask to see that sticker, as I was not that interested in the 2wd yukon, yet.

Does the dealer have to present that window sticker if requested? This was obviously a new vehicle, smelled new, engine not dirty. Gut said new.

If I am looking at a "new" 2005 vehicle (not 2006) is it reasonable that that vehicle has 500 miles on it? The '05 Yukon 2wd was a "brand new" vehicle, but it did have 500 miles on it. At what mileage does a new car fall into used or demo?

Again, I'm leaning toward the 2005 because of the 0% financing. My cost for the 05 yukon 2wd v8 tow package would be 28,500.00 + tax etc.

The 4x4 with sunroof cargo package and an sle package with(upgraded) leather, supposedly done by dealer, v8 we left at about 33,000.00

How does this sound. Again the contigency is the back end stuff, locking rear differential.

Thank you for your continued therapy...

Jonathan

[warbler5]

Originally Posted by davidz71

I had the 3.42 in my Z71 with 5.7 engine and 5 sp. manual transmission. Using synthetic oil in the rear and in the engine, I was getting a little over 20 mpg on the highway at 70 mph w/o AC running. I also had a Jacobs Milemaster electronic ignition with Jacobs spiral core wires. I liked the gas mileage in town and on the highway and I could get the 31' Excella 500 hauling at 70 mph but the first big hill had me downshifting all the way to second gear. The 3.73 rear end would have been the ticket. While some have said that the 5.3 is a stronger engine than the 5.7 it replaced, even that would not have helped if towing with a 3.42 rear end ratio. My wife's Astrovan has a 4.3 litre engine and runs the 3.42 rear end ratio. Great on gas mileage 24-25 but tough to tow my father-in-law's boat.

Our Yukon XL gets 10-11mpg...towing or not...which sucks! The nice thing is....I have yet to encounter a hill where I cannot maintain speed or even accelerate while towing the 30' Classic, with the 8.1 and the 4.10 . I had the 5.3 with the 3.73 in our previous Suburban, but I notice that there is never a struggle to get up to speed or negotiate an uphill with the 8.1/4.10. If the Duramax diesel had been available in the Yukon XL, I might have gone for that....although they are kinda pricey, and they are difficult to find out my way (all the farmers and construction firms buy them out, I guess).

That mileage you get sure sounds tempting.... I am wondering what GM has to say about towing with the 3.42 rear end.

Cheers, Dee

[wahoonc]

Johnathon,
It is required by FEDERAL Law that a new car for sale MUST have a window sticker showing MSRP and all the other goodies. Monrovey Law IIRC. Not sure at what mileage demo versions start. We bought an Exploder a few years back that had 3k on it and was sold as a demo model(IIRC the service manager's wife had been driving it) They should give you the build sheet if you ask for it. The dealer I was at had the parts department print one out for me. To me 500 miles is still new... but that is coming from a guy that has a truck with almost 300k on it
Good luck with the search and let us know how it comes out.

Aaron

[overlander64]

Greetings Jonathan!

Originally Posted by crazylev

Thank you, fellas.

So, the glove compartment, or a least underneath the vehicle on a bolt on or near the differential.

I did a web search for GMC build codes, but did not find much. I'd love to have this info in hand when at the dealer. Here is where my problem came to play: the vehicle that I did a test drive in had no window sticker with all the options, msrp, and so on. I did not ask to see that sticker, as I was not that interested in the 2wd yukon, yet.

Does the dealer have to present that window sticker if requested? This was obviously a new vehicle, smelled new, engine not dirty. Gut said new.

If I am looking at a "new" 2005 vehicle (not 2006) is it reasonable that that vehicle has 500 miles on it? The '05 Yukon 2wd was a "brand new" vehicle, but it did have 500 miles on it. At what mileage does a new car fall into used or demo?

Again, I'm leaning toward the 2005 because of the 0% financing. My cost for the 05 yukon 2wd v8 tow package would be 28,500.00 + tax etc.

The 4x4 with sunroof cargo package and an sle package with(upgraded) leather, supposedly done by dealer, v8 we left at about 33,000.00

How does this sound. Again the contigency is the back end stuff, locking rear differential.

Thank you for your continued therapy...

Jonathan

I haven't purchased a new vehicle for a few years, but always utilized the new car and light truck guides published by Edmunds that were available on almost any Newstand and from most bookstores. They will list the alphanumeric codes utilized by the auto manufacturers to identify every option placed on a new vehicle -- when I bought my GMC Suburban in 1998, I went into the dealer with a list of my required option codes based on the Edmunds guide.

Each state will vary in how a new car is classified when being sold by a dealer. When I have purchased new vehicle's that were sourced via "dealer-trades", I have had a new vehicle with as many as 1,200 miles at delivery. I have also purchased a "demonstrator" that had 6,000 miles on the odometer -- had all of the priveleges of new car ownership as well as a new car title, but with a significant price break due to the demonstrator mileage on the vehicle. I have received the new vehicle window sticker on both "dealer trade" vehicles as well as the "demonstrator" vehicle that I purchased -- I would insist upon being supplied the window sticker if purchasing any vehicle represented as new.

Good luck with your research and purchase!

Kevin

[crazylev]

Kevin.

Thank you for that advice. I'll definately insist on the sticker.

jonathan