OT-Opinions on Chevrolet Avalanche
 

I am getting ready to move into a new home and need a new truck. I am going to trade in my 2002 Tahoe on it. The only problem is that the wife drives the Tahoe and refuses to drive a truck. We went and looked at the Avalanche and she agreed that she would drive it because the interior is the same as the Tahoe. This would be my 5th Chevy truck in 6 years and I have never had a problem with any of them but I just wanted to make sure that there were no major flaws (besides all of the plastic stuff which I am deleting for a credit of $600) with the truck. I was told that it sits on a 'Burban chassis which is a good thing but I am a little nervous about the rear window/ front bedwall deal. It will be used for light duty residential type stuff like mulch, bushes, lumber, moving, etc. Chevy does not make a 1500 4 door crew cab so this is my only half ton option.

She will drive this but won't drive a 2500 4 door crew cab. Go figure.

Opinions appreciated.

Mike

I have a crew Cab 2500 now but had a Avalanche 2 years ago. It was a great truck/burban. Wife could drive it and it rode nice. You either like the looks or hate it. It towed my 29 Fountain great. The mid gate works good and you can leave the widow in or take it out by turning the handle on the mid gate in the opposite direction. All in all one of the best all around vehicles they make. I just wish they would offer the Duramax as an option. Thats why I bought the crew cab.

Chevy does make a 1500 crew cab pickup. I believe they stopped in 2003 (or maybe this year) and it's called the 1500HD. It's a great truck and I couldn't be happier.

Get it with all wheel steering and your wife will be VERY happy driving it.

I have a 2500 Avalanche, and LOVE mine. Do a search on a Avalanche here in the General Discussion for more information.

Re: OT-Opinions on Chevrolet Avalanche
 

Only flaw is how it looks! At least it's a GM. :D:D:D

only seen their pictures, looks very nice

Love mine!! Lifted 6" over stock , Pulls my Pantera like it's not there! Going to p/up a boat in Fla., No Problem,Don't hesitate in buying it!!!!!

I Like em.:D

Got any pics? I may look into doing that too.

Brian, Will try to post some pic's by Sun. Dave

The 1500 Crew cab will be out in "early '04" according to the CD-ROM that came with Chevy brochure.

Take the plastic off the truck and it would look 100% better!

Why not one of these? Less the boat of course.

These SS's are about the hight of a two wheel drive, but run AWD! I love mine!

FYI this truck is built south of the border if that matters to you or not. I know it does to a lot of people.

MY buddy has 1 and loves it

My uncle has had one for a year now and LOVES it.

Chevy makes a good truck.

If you like the styling, or can live with the styling, go for it.

I have never heard of any problems!

I just bought an '04 2500/8100 and love it, other than the gas mileage. I was looking for something I could use everyday, but still have a 12,000 lb towing capacity. The pickup truck/convertable mid-gate was a real plus for those occasional trips to Home Depot or the machine shop. I just brought home 2 BBC's in the bed, without removing the midgate. You can't do that in a conventional SUV. Plus, the Avalanche is available with most of GM's best options. Heated leather seats, rear seat entertainment/dvd, etc makes for a good, all-around family vehicle that can tow almost any 35' offshore boat.

the only problem I've seen is snow build up in the back window, but you live in Florida. we just drove it to Florida and it's a very comfortable truck.

I love mine, an 03 2500. Mileage with the 8.1L sux (currently 11.4), but it pulls 12K#, can carry doors or plywood from Home Depot, and it still fits in the garage. The heated leather seats and rear seat DVD options rock. I don't get any snow on the rear window, but it does kind of pile up a little with a heavy snowfall. As for the plastic, I kind of like it. I can park it next to anything and nothing will touch the paint. Everyone's tastes are different, but I like the front end on the cladded version better than the WBH or the Sierra pickups.

We went from a Tahoe to the Avalanche and the one thing didn't like was not having access to the cargo area on trips.

Get the new SS i/2 ton and put a whipple on it. Now thats a truck!
Raylar:D

Thanks for the replies. I placed my order today for a 2004 Avalanche w/o body hardware. Got the fender flares, body side moulding, stainless tubular side steps, power everything, XM radio, etc. I ended up with dark metallic gray with medium neutral interior. Should look cool.

Mike

I have a 2002 1500,it now has 71,000 miles on it,no problems,runs great,& is the perfect vehicle to go to the lake & back in.I'd buy another one if it was time.

ask madcow just how well they tow:p

That image concerns me, especially as a new Avalanche owner, but I can't help but think that since the AV is merely a Suburban or Silverado, the same thing could happen just as easily, if not moreso, with those Chevy/GM models.

The chassis is the same as the Suburban and Silverado, and the AV also shares about 80% of it's body work, interior, and trim with those models as well. If there were a legitimate problem with the Avalanche's towing capabilities, it would most likely be evident in the Sivlerado's and Suburban's as well.