Anyone with a gmt900 daily?

[81cutlass]

Anyone have a 09-14 gmt900 gm pick up or SUV as a daily? Thoughts?

I've had a 04 gmt 360 Rainier 5.3 for almost 5 years, I've put 75k on it and it's at 250k now and starting to rust out. Got it for $1900 lightly wrecked and I'm happy with it, my dollar per mile is super low, but at 250k I'm concerned something could fail any time and I'd like to move into something with lower miles and gain a 6 speed trans. I like the small size V8 power and Buick "luxury". It is really better for it's size than anything else I know of.

My requirements are 4wd, ability to tow a car trailer so 5500lb plus towing, V8 rear wheel drive full frame, heated seats for the up north life and nothing huge so no 2500's. Prefer something in a interesting color so no white or silver.

I'd like either a 09+ GMC Sierra 1500, avalanche, Tahoe or Yukon. I'd like a 14+ Sierra SLT extended cab 6.5ft bed but they are still worth more than I want to spend, 25k+, and like 90% are bs giant cab tiny box crap. Silverado in that 07-13 era are ugly. Absolutely no 4dr giant cab with tiny 4ft box suburbia pickups. Finding one with the options I want is really tough.

I have narrowed it down to a 09-14 Yukon or Sierra. Crap they hold their value. My issue is they seem to all be rusty or overpriced for what I think they are worth. I will only consider a 6l80 6 speed. What do 150k mile rust free 09-14 ones sell for down south? They seem to be 15k+ for a rust emerging one with 150k+ miles. I see 250k mile 09-14 clean Tahoe's for $12k+ which I think is insane.

Stumbled on a 09 5.3 Yukon SLT in a nice slate blue with options I want. 160k $10k. But rust is creeping in and I'm afraid of buying something that expensive that has rust starting on every fender lip.

What good/bad things do people have to say BESIDES AFM cam issues? People seem to hate on the 07-14's gmt900's that they are junk and 99-07 seem better interior more reliable and better value.

Can anyone say if they actually think 07-14 are junk and that I need to just pony up and spend the money on a 14+ and wait a few more years with the Rainer to let the prices on 14+ fall a bit more?

Other option is a 14+ grand Cherokee 5.7 but again those are kinda pricey still. Also, a 09-11 ish canyon or Colorado 5.3 but they are $15k+ and I might as well get a full size and 6l80e for that price.

Is there another option I'm not seeing that fits my criteria? I'm partial to GM since I have hp tuners and all my knowledge but I'm not blindly loyal.

 

[Streetbu]

I have a '14 Silverado double cab 6.5' box. Love the truck minus a few things. I HATE the transmission shift strategy. Absolutely horrendous. Under normal driving it's fine, long coasting followed by light throttle tip in results in a very harsh bang and an extreme shift. It's "normal" they all do it. Get's better the newer truck you get, then they went to the 8 speed. Handles excellent, I installed a 2.5" front and 1" rear lift kit and 275/65/20 tires. Makes it look so much better but does ride slightly rougher. Overall I do in fact like it. Only two options I couldn't find that I wish I had. Factory trailer brake controller, it's not available to put in as an "over the counter accessory" so I installed a standard style controller and the Bose stereo even though the mid grade stereo with the 8" touch screen is very reasonable. Here's mine with 1400 lbs of laminate flooring in the bed last week.

 

[Texas82GP]

I have an 08 Sierra so I'm disqualified. I bought my truck new. My brother has an 02 Sierra that he bought new. They are both in the mid 170k mile range now. His is a better quality truck. I don't like the 6L90E trans, so again, I'm disqualified. I realize you have fewer options where you are since everything is eaten alive by rust. Good luck with the hunt!

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

I have a 08 Tahoe LTZ bought it with almost 160k on it. It is still a 4l60 4spd auto since it’s a 08 driveability and dependablility are great however my only complaints are really cosmestic problems that seems to plaque these with the cheap gm quality the dashboard in these cracking I have two cracks one on drivers side and one on passenger side above air bag, the next complaint the female part of the seatbelt buckle failed and it’s about 100+ buck part new haven’t had a chance to scrounge the yard for a new one. Me personally I prefer my older gmt800 Tahoe I think it is more comfortable and the ride is better. Also the quality imo is better I just think gm really got cheap on the gmt900 platform the dashes should not be cracking even the newest gmt900s are doing it

 

[pagrunt]

I got rid of my '08 Silverado Z71 last year after having it over 5 years cause of a ton of issues that developed a year after I got it. Up here in Pa the rockers & bed wheel lips are now rotting away. Atleast on the '07-'09 trucks there are issues with electrical connector corrosion, had to replace all the battery cables, main fuse box & BCM due to it. That caused a lot of electrical gremlins on the body/dash circuits (lost the complete dash & exterior lights when it hapened.) The '07-early '08 have had an issue with seat belt retractor detonators for no reason (had my do while sitting in it talking to a friend & it will make you question if you need clean underwear when it happens.) I'd suggest looking at the '10-'14 trucks as GM did a better job with QA on those years.

 

[455'ed80Regal]

If you want something that fits your search criteria that's not rusted out yet, you will most likely have to buy a truck that hasn't spend it's life in the upper half of the US, but I'm sure you know that already. With that said, I see trucks in those years around here that are rusting out over the front and rear wheels already. I can't imagine what they look like in the northern states.

 

[gnvair]

The 07-up GM trucks have their own set of problems and they rust out like the 99-06 trucks did.
Seen plenty of the 6L90s fail, steering racks leak, power lock actuators (GM never had problems with them prior to the 07 trucks).

 

[81cutlass]

I hadn't heard of the 07-09 electric corrosion. I basically ruled that blue one I liked at it due to the rust. Looks like I'll have to look for a 10+

I try to keep on the 8-10 year old vehicle buying cycle. Buy at 150-170k at 8-10 years old, the registration and insurance is as cheap as it gets and parts are available in salvage yards. Drive for 4-6 years, get them to mid 250k range and by that time a rust free or low rust 160k vehicle will be on the verge of being pretty rusty by the time it gets 250k or so. At 250k the seats, body and other not easy to replace parts are near their end of life.

The 14+ I think are a LOT better but I'm too cheap to pay all that registration tax, insurance and lack of depreciation.

My other option is find a late 07-08 envoy Denali or Saab 9-7x 5.3 with under 100k and swap a 6l80e in, gain some milage and drive it for 10 years, but although they do tow cars fine they are just a bit short and I've had some trailer sway problems when towing with my Rainier and heavier cars.

 

[CaliWagon83]

I’ve got an ‘04 Avalanche (GMT800). I bought it used with 163k on it. Currently at about 175k. Runs like a champ. Just a few basic fixes and maintenance. Can't speak to the 900s.

 

[pagrunt]

GM kinda hid the electrical issues (like other issues) but never issued a recall. I've seen videos simular to what happened to me with the cluster going into seizure mode with all warning lights flashing, gauges going dead, door locks locking & unlocking, loss of brake lights & turn signals, "popping" in the speakers. GM covered parts but not labor. My '14 in the long run is cheaper than the '08 was.