2018 vs 2019 Sierra Denali

2015 High Miler · April 3, 2021

OTR, this is a def option for me. I am not driving as much as I once was pre-COVID so keeping it and doing a complete tune up/upgrade may been smart. I used to drive 5-6000 a month but now I am at 25-3000.

This whole process started because I started adding up the tune-up/maintenance/repair costs and I thought that would be a great down payment on something newer with less miles, and a moonroof with 22's. LOL

To your point about values, Im seeing 100,000+ miles for sale at 31,000! 8-/

lmentzel · April 3, 2021

This is such a no brainer..

Why on gods earth would you buy first year production on anything these days.

Always buy the last year in a production cycle. Then the bugs are worked out.. and NOT by you! If there is a reoccurring problem there will likely already be a solution you don’t need to wait long for.

The 2018 is the last year in that production cycle.. Then 2019 is totally new everything. Exactly why I bought a 2018!

Get the 2018 for smokin deal especially if it still has warranty. Hopefully it has the “whoa is me” chevy shake so you can get an even better deal.

Then go get the garbage trans fluid changed for $200 and away you go.

They are ALL going to have a handful of problems. So get the one that already has the solutions too..

lmentzel · April 3, 2021

Yes, I work very hard for the money, but I have to be cognizant of cost. The 19+ are $10-15,000 more and I have a daughter getting married next year (surprise) plus 3 other daughters. LOL I may just hang on to what I have for the time being.
My 15 has the GM clunk in the shift at times but I have gotten used to it I guess. I also have an for intune 2 and have dialed in the shift fairly well.

To the Chevy shake and other issues, it always concerns me buying an older low mileage vehicle like what I am looking at. Did they just not drive much and trade every 3-4 years or was it a buyback or was there something wrong with it and they just got rid of it...I would asume they would have to note its a buyback but that doesn't mean they do.

The used 19's are not are not that far off from a new 2021s. Used 19's are $55-60,000. New 21's are $60-68,000. Used 18's are $43-47,000 and not many at 43. Most are $45-47. These are all Denali's.

Also my down shift clunk in 2011 went away after installing Range AFM disable module. It was clunking on decel. I think ECU gets confused when going to 4 cycl mode and decelerating and down shifting. Once it was locked in v8 mode it is SO much better. I am at 180k miles on my 2011 5.3 6 speed.

Wife love love loves her 18’ Denali. Heated steering wheel is a chick magnet for sure. She would sell me to keep it.

2015 High Miler · April 8, 2021

Not sure asking here has had any benefit as there are opposing views in both directions. LOL what else could I excect by asking a generic question on an internet forum!

I do appreciate the feed back. Looking at a couple more trucks this weekend so i may be back with more questions....

TNTSierra · April 9, 2021

On 4/3/2021 at 1:38 PM, lmentzel said:

This is such a no brainer..

Why on gods earth would you buy first year production on anything these days.

Always buy the last year in a production cycle. Then the bugs are worked out.. and NOT by you! If there is a reoccurring problem there will likely already be a solution you don’t need to wait long for.

The 2018 is the last year in that production cycle.. Then 2019 is totally new everything. Exactly why I bought a 2018!

Get the 2018 for smokin deal especially if it still has warranty. Hopefully it has the “whoa is me” chevy shake so you can get an even better deal.

Then go get the garbage trans fluid changed for $200 and away you go.

They are ALL going to have a handful of problems. So get the one that already has the solutions too..

You can have your 2018! I had one and it’s 8 speed with 6.2L combo was complete garbage. I also had a 2016 with the wonderful Chevy Shake. Not fun to deal with. Thank goodness it was bought back by GM.

My 2019 High Country with 10 speed and 6.2L is better in every way. And I’ve had about zero issues with mine other than the rear window leak which was fixed with 200 miles on it and I now have 16k and not a drop leaks . It’s also made on June of 2019, so it is very close to a 2020. A lot of the bugs I believe were worked out of it, compared to the trucks made in late 2018 and early 2019.

redwngr · April 10, 2021

On 4/3/2021 at 1:49 PM, 15 hi miler said:

OTR, this is a def option for me. I am not driving as much as I once was pre-COVID so keeping it and doing a complete tune up/upgrade may been smart. I used to drive 5-6000 a month but now I am at 25-3000.

This whole process started because I started adding up the tune-up/maintenance/repair costs and I thought that would be a great down payment on something newer with less miles, and a moonroof with 22's. LOL

To your point about values, Im seeing 100,000+ miles for sale at 31,000! 8-/

3000/month is still a LOT of miles per year -- compared to average / typical users.

I guess I'm biased because I'm happy with mine, but that seems like a perfect application for the 3.0L/10 speed.

Edited April 10, 2021 by redwngr

Nitrousbird · April 10, 2021

I've decided to make the upgrade as well. I have an '18 SLT Premium Plus with the 6.2L. It was as close to a Denali Ultimate that you could get without getting one - I then did then the Denali cluster (which in the '19+ is the AT4 and Denali cluster) and wheels to get it that much closer.

The '19+ trucks have a lot more toys available than the '14 - '18 trucks For me, I'm fine with the cab room, ride, power, etc. on my '18 - heck, if it wasn't for the stupid money being offered on newer, low mileage vehicles like mine, I'd just keep it. But the newer ones are nicer for sure.

No complaints about the 8-speed, though. I had the shudder issues and the dealer flushed it with the new fluid that totally resolved the issue. After looking at the '21 Denali and AT4, I like the AT4 better. I think it looks better and I won't complain that is is cheaper. Only difference is all the chrome and fake wood I don't like, Mag Ride I have very mixed feelings about, and power running boards I could always add later (and likely would).

One downside is the tonneau covers for the '19+ are differnet, so my $1000 Undercover Ultra Flex won't transfer over. Unless I get more for trade, I'm pulling that and selling it but will lose my butt on it I'm sure. Catch can is different between the 6.2 motors, so that will be sold as well. I expected to keep her for several more years - who would have thought I would be getting offers for more than I paid for it new 2.5 years later?