Rocket ships.

A couple weeks ago I put the finishing touches on my search for a new vehicle. I had never considered the GMC Yukon or Cadillac for the big SUV I desire to drive because they were equipped with AWD (all wheel drive) only, and AWD doesn’t play so well in the deep sand we get on the Hatteras Island beaches. I discovered that GMC dropped that some time ago, so the Yukon XL with the Denali option got on my list. In fact it became the one I wanted since it had the larger engine and in 2018, a 10 speed tranny. Yes, you read that correctly a Ten Speed Transmission*.

With the Suburban at 320K and 19 years, and the Avalanche at 300K and 17 years I had decided I’d go for something much newer and less miles than my norm. Stunned everyone.

So I now have a black as night 2018 Yukon Denali with the 6.2 engine and ten speed transmission. All the bells and whistles and 460 ft/lbs of torque…

At 55mph I put my foot in it to pass a too slow line of 4 cars and a box truck and very shortly after the heads up display reported 110 and climbing, at which point I eased off the velocity pedal to avoid a ticket. Smooth, silky smooth in fact. At almost 6000 pounds it’s quite amazing.

I’m an old car guy, having gotten my DL at the age of 14, and a new 69 Camaro Z-28 at the age of 16. Started racing cars at age 20. I’ve built cars, built and highly modified engines, owned 3 Suburbans plus the Avalanche, and assorted high performance vehicles over the last 56 years and this thing is stunning. Drove it to the coast the day after the purchase and home yesterday. A rocket ship it may be but it is the most comfortable car I’ve ever owned. This partly due to the space GM carved out and partly due to the luxury items of power steering wheel adjustment. Both telescoping and up / down is infinitely positionable within the limits My older and long body appreciates the legroom and ability to adjust positions while driving.

Of course this all comes at a cost. Since 2008 I have bought 3 cars including my wife’s car. Take the total price of all three and multiply by two and you get the bill for this one. And that is still very near 1/3 of the new price. I’ve done pretty well with cars and I hope I don’t regret spending that much.

At 75-80mph on the interstate I was getting 20-21mpg.

My wife thinks it looks like a hearse.

*GM and Ford co-developed the 10 speed for high performance applications if I understand it correctly. It’s a damn marvel IMO.

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