Looking for opinions. I currently have a 2001 Chevy 2500 HD Extended cab LT with the 6.0L. I can get a really good deal on a 2003 Avalanche 2500 with 8.1L and Allison tranny (Loaded up with leather and everything like mine).

I have always had an extended cab pickup. What are the pros/cons going to an Avalanche? Is it a pain to convert the bed when you need the xtra room?

It will be a daily driver too.

I know it's tow rating is more than mine with the 8.1/Allison.

What are you towing? I have a 04 2500HD Crewcab 6.0 and the MPG sucks. The 8.1 must be worse. I'm glad I don't drive mine everyday.

no Allison in an Avalanche. Sorry.

The 8.1 is a torque monster big block.
had an '02 GMC HD 8.1/Allison. It was a great truck.

spoiled rotten by Duramax now though.

I enjoyed laughing at the 6.0 guys...blew their doors off and got 9-11 MPG all the time with my foot in it.
And had the features of the Allison as well.

for less than 2K retail new you can, and have been, able to get the 8.1/Allison over the 6.0 in an HD.

why the hell would anybody who tows buy the 6.0 and get the same mileage as the 8.1 loaded or not?

Towing a 31 Sonic. My current truck tows the boat fine, but I heard the 8.1 has a lot more power.

I thought it had Allision tranny, guess I was wrong.

no pros. that's why GM was giving 'em away.

cons...just plain ugly!

Opinion are like a** holes, everyone has one and they all stink but mine.

I like my Avalanche, and I think that you will enjoy one too. They removal of the bed panels is a breeze. They ride really nice and the four full doors are nice. I usually get a different vehical every 6 months to a year. I have had alot of different trucks and this is one of my favs. I have gone the diesel route hated the truck when I sold it, too much of a hassel warming up, looking for stations that sell diesel at a decent price etc. The Avalanche has been a hot and cold vehical, sometimes you can't give them away and other times we have sold 3 in a week. If the price is right pull the trigger, I think you will be really happy.

who's diesel? and do you tow? Where in the woods do you live?
9 of 10 convenient stores sell diesel here, not to mention the truck stops (I'm near an interstate)...all within a nickel of each other

My LLY Dmax warms up very much like a gasser, and once warm is nearly as quite at idle. Very quiet running until the pilot injection shuts off at 2500, and if you hear that, your either doing some serious work or...flying!


Better be a good deal on that Av. Resale sucks on them, they are dogs to move used, just like they were new.

and that's not opinion...it's fact. Check around.

The only way to go is Diesel. My 7.3 runs like a gas engine, just with a lot more clatter...which I love. Fuel is consistantly cheaper, they are stump pullers and you cannot believe how nice that is, just put the cruise on and it will pull hills and not loose 1 mph. Better resale and the rebates on them now make it the same as the 8.1. Really, they are just plain the last truck you will ever need , as long as it is Diesel. Just drive one. I see 15mpg towing 6500 lbs.

EXACTLY RIGHT!

Other than I think you have to live with one for awhile to really feel the love.

One test drive will not get you. Living with, towing with, and beating up on ricers and other trucks will!

I look forward to driving this truck every time.

I towed my buddies 292/Eagle tonight (8000lbs total?), and after towing my 353/Eagle (12-13K total)...it was like I was unloaded.
Didn't even breathe hard, accelerating damn near like empty!

it takes 10+K behind you to give you any real effect.