I haven't owned a new GM gas engined vehicle since 1989, but have bought a few diesels (see below). OK, going to stuff wife's new Mercedes E500 up Mercedes posterior, and need to order her a new sub since no new D/Max sub yet. Buy new every two years - business vehicle for her. 100% writeoff! So - 1/2 ton or 3/4? 4X4 only! Prior to 2000 (still have and keeping 99 diesel sub as spare vehicle), 3/4 ton rode a little rougher. But she really needs the larger gas tank and a few other things you cannot get on a 1/2 ton. It will never tow, do any strenuous off road, or do much other than haul people who spend money. Drove Cads fake sub, and while it has throaty power, it is merely a sub on plastic steroids that cost $20K more. No better ride. Worse mpg. Most interested in getting as much mpg as possible. Thinking 3.42 rear. Have 4.11 in 99, and she drives it 70+ for a spare vehicle, and it uses alot more fuel than our 96 1/2 ton diesel did with 3.42. What do you have, 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton, what axle ratio, and what kind of mileage do you get, town and cruise control 65mph. This will be the 3rd new car she has had this year and I want it to end until 07. I can't ***** because she makes the $, and I'm the flake. All info appreciated on gas subs.

Are you kidding? She makes all the money and you're asking us what to get....the response is "Whatever the heck she wants, she gets!"

Wow! I've had fantasies about that for years (wife works, I'm the flake - your words, not mine) but some realities just never come true. You're living my dream!

Heck, I'd drive a 1980 Ford Pinto - orange in color with hippie flower stickers in the side windows - and she could have any rig she wanted.....to heck with everyone's opinion on the board at that point....):h

I have a 2002 Yukon XL for my wife. It's a half ton used to haul the kids(3) all over the place. 5.3 liter,3.73 G-80 rear and all the bells and whistles. One of the smoothest riding vehicles I have ever owned. The 5.3 has all the power she'll ever need and is also a lot smoother than my 6.0 found on my HD. Mileage around town is 12-13. I would drive both and you'll see that the 5.3 1/2 ton is a lot smoother than the 3/4. BTW, try both the autoride and standard version. I have the Autoride.

Wife has a 2003 yukon XL with 5.3 and 3.73 gears. 12 in town 16.5 on highway. I don't have the autoride and it's very smooth. My brother has the 3/4 ton 2002 and it's only marginally rougher ride. Same toys but he got the 8.1 and mileage stinks compared to the 5.3

The wife had a couple of new style tahoes then went to a couple of Subs, the Z71 Sub was nice, then she went to H2s.
On trips to Florida we ran close to 20mpg and running 75+ in the Sub and tahoe.

They all drove very nice and had all kinds of room.

As good as the Sub rides we think the airride H2 is smoother, especially on rough roads.
I'd definetely stay 1500 and the Z-71 is a nice package (and includes the good stuff)

I just went through this last year when we bought my wife's 04 2500 Sub.

Is comfort a big deal? if yes, go with a 1500. If you have to have a 2500, test drive a 1500 then drive a 2500 with AutoRide. When we were looking there was no 2500 Sub to test drive and no info on AutoRide. So like a fool I ordered a 2500 with the 6.0, 3.73, 4x4, LT trim without having driven one. DO not do this!!!!

Personal experience, we got the 2500 LT w/6.0L & 3.73 rear gears. If I had it to do over I would have gone with the 8.1L & Autoride w/3.73's, or maybe the 4.10 gears instead of the 3.73's then add larger tires. The 6.0 has to rev to the moon before things start happening. Sure it makes a bunch of horsepower, but who wants to rev over 5000 rpms to get it? Crusing RPM @ 70 mph is about 2450 - 2500...loud. My wife loves the Sub and swears it's the best vehicle that she has ever had, but even with the LT trim level it is not as "driver friendly" as the 1500.

Thanks. Comfort, ride, and fuel mileage are priorities, with mileage (none good) the most wanted. Had a ton of diesel subs - best mileage was 32 (I'll take a polygraph on this one) hwy on a 82 6.2 2WD 9 passenger. Would still have it, but one of my kids wrecked it at about 120,000 miles. Perfect vehicle once I replaced the injection pump with one with the SS sleeves (anybody else remember those days). Looks like I will go with a Z71 1/2 Ton. Have one here she loves, but it has 4:11 gears and that may hurt mileage, although the small V8 may need it. Any comments on 4:11 vs 3:42 on 1/2 tons as far as mileage goes?

How many people does or will the truck haul? Is it always full?

2 to 4. Rarely more than 4. Lots of miles just 1 person. Mostly town and countryside showing homes (wife is Realtor and a damn good one). This is just to tide me over til I can buy her a D/Max sub. tom

Got ya. I'd get the Burb with "almost" all the goodies. I think the longer Burb gives a better ride. My 3/4 has the Autoride and does very well but I have no Idea of the shorter version 1/2 ton Taho? If she becomes familiar with the burbs size......the Dmax/Burb combo may not get as much dammage.

Burb size is no problem. She has had over 15 new burbs since 1974. Tahoe is too small. All burbs we have had except the 82 have been 3/4. I'm just trying to get the best mpg I can get. She needs the room for people & stuff, 4X4 because of winter ice, and more ground clearance than most cars because of curved roads, snow debree, and unpaved crowned driveways. Every time I buy her a nice car, she either tears out the transmission or on the new Mercedes just hitting the way too low stabilizer bar took the airbag and all seatbelts to the tune of $3500. If I had my way, she'd be driving a new 10 wheel dump truck.:D :D :D

Everything they said but one more vote for a loaded 1/2 ton. You'll get better resale.

I'd vote for the Z-71 Yukon XL ! My wife has a 2001 Yukon XL w/ 5.3. It's really hard to beat. It even did very well in the mountains of Colorado this summer !

I really want to thank you all for all the input. Going to go with a loaded Z71 1/2 ton for resale value when a D/Max pops up. Must be Chev because the GMC dealer (who I dealt with satisfactorily for years) is TERRIBLE service as well as does not want to deal. Also have negotiated price on 07 D/A CC tied to invoice as well as D/Max sub tied to invoice. I buy a lot of vehicles, and they want my business because I send a lot of people to someone who treats them fairly with no BS. The Mercedes dealer gasped and hemmed and hawed when they saw the rear transaxle in their new piece of junk. Will see what happens. Probably will have to sue, but it will cost them a hell of a lot of Central Oregon sales. People are a little scared of me, but they all love and trust my wife - and is she p----d!

How about a Denali XL? I'm way impressed with the ride, power and features. Plus with AWD and the stability system, it makes for a good winter driver. Oh, and her clients will be impressed with the seats! Well, the whole truck actually. Might want to see if there are any '04's left in your area, SERIOUS CASHBACK offers right now...

Have one here she loves, but it has 4:11 gears and that may hurt mileage, although the small V8 may need it. Any comments on 4:11 vs 3:42 on 1/2 tons as far as mileage goes?
My brother switched from 3.73's to 4.11's in his '99 Z71 pickup 4x4 and he picked up 1.5 mpg around town, and when he tows his trailer, the truck stays in overdrive (better mileage). Good luck.
JP

Wife has 2002 Big Yukon XL 2500 3/4 ton with the 4.10 gears.
Gets 16 mpg highway, about 12 empty and around 9 mpg towing.
I think it sits up much higher than 1/2 ton.
4X4 works great. Good in mud with the BFG all Terrains. 38 gallon gas tank. @315 hp

Wifey has a 2002 Yukon Xl 3/4 ton 4 x 4 8.1 LT Autoride 3.73 gears. It gets 9 to 11 MPg in the city, 13 to 15 on the hwy, empty or loaded.

The Good:
The autoride is very nice. It rides nicer than most cars IMHO.
The 8.1 flat out hauls butt:D
Tows well, but not as good as the D-max

The Bad:
MPG, it Censored sucks.

Hope this helps.

I have an '04 3/4 ton Burb with 6.0L and 4.10s. That truck is just as good as any Caddy. I was shocked not only at the good fit and finish, but road manners as well. I got the 3/4 ton cause I haul between 6300 and 8700lbs of RV. If you are not doing that, the 1/2 ton as you spec'd it would be more than good for her needs.

On question I'd ask is if it mostly will transport 1 and on occasion 4, the Tahoe might also be a good idea...it too is 1/2 ton and has the more fuel eff 5.3L...again, if you were towing 5k, I'd say 34 ton, but anything in 1/2 sounds like your rig.

So, you are better off all around on a 3/4-ton 2500 XL with 4.10's instead of 3.73's? How does the top end suffer with the 4.10's?

My wife's Yukon XL rarely tows, but moves 4-8 passengers regularly.

-P.

Prophet, you're looking at the trucks like they have the same trans...:rolleyes: The 1/2 ton and the 3/4 ton are night and day different. The guts of the 1/2 run @ 10x speed and the rear is @ 20x speed. Just say that = "30" The 3/4 ton trans guts run @ 8x speed and the rear is @ 24 speed or "32". So yes, the 4:10's are reving just a little more but it's not a huge difference. If the haul is 6 to 8 folks and gear.......... I'd opt for the 3/4 ton with all the bells and whistelseteeeess. :D


Burner---------------------> :D

What about a H2 hummer? That will impress her clients!

.......er, ever tried to get 6 to 8 people (full sized humans) in an H2?