My New '09 Avalanche Z71 2wd :-)

[caddycruiser]

Years ago, we had an '02 Avalanche Z66 and then an '04 Suburban LS 2wd that replaced it, both always being AWESOME trucks, and I remained a fan ever since. The GMT-900's came out and I knew one day I'd have one again, finally, and now do.

 

It was a hard day even thinking about getting rid of my 4-door Corvette, heh, in the form of a modded and accessorized '09 Pontiac G8 GT that I swore I'd NEVER get rid of, but in came winter again and I test drove some trucks and it all went from there. I just always wanted a truck for so many reasons, and if I finally could have one, I wanted to.

 

Looked locally and within a couple of hours for remaining new '09s due to the rebates and the long term, low financing from GM. Started with 1LT's in both 2wd and 4wd, looking to max out around $45k sticker, thinking I wanted cloth but essentially every other option. Both trucks we had before were 2wd and though that makes for a lot of "it's not a real truck...", for my driving and uses, I still preferred 2wd with a locker. Kept looking and with the GM sites, randomly found a '09 2LT Z71 2wd loaded with everything but Nav & DVD (perfect) at a dealer way down in Atlanta. Just out of curiosity, sent off a quote request and the rest of that day turned into back & forth emails with their salesperson, pictures of the truck that day on their lot by request, and then a trade price for my G8 by the next day. Never touched the truck or even made a phone call, all via email and within a week had settled on a deal, them delivering the Av to me and taking the G8 back.

 

Awesome experience, and I can't recommend Jim Ellis Chevy in Atlanta, GA more. Just terrific. One of the managers drove the truck up to me Sunday, we met at a local gas station, did all the paperwork in the truck and then he drove my G8 back. Made for some miles on the Av, but at right around 750, the warranty didn't start until the minute I signed and with what was on the odometer then, so pre broken in, the perfect truck, and I didn't have to go anywhere. Worked for me. VERY late build '09, built in October (oddly, the same build month as a '10 Z71 2wd I drove locally), and even after the GM emblems were no longer put on the sides. So really a fresh truck, year old by invoice or not.

 

2LT 2wd, Summit White, Cashmere interior, Z71 Package, Rear Camera, Luxury Package, Sunroof, Roof Rack

 

Picking it up:

 

Before, on the dealer lot:

 

I love this thing. Awesome. So glad I got fully decked out with the heated leather, sunroof, Bose, and the Z71 bits too, otherwise I think I'd always feel like it was lacking something. Such a luxurious beast. Even better, in a week of driving, I'm getting the same gas mileage--but with regular gas--as I did in my tuned 6.0L G8 GT. It's not nearly as powerful, but still really peppy and SMOOTH. 3.08 rear end helps it further, and the 6L80 is great, just as it was in my G8.

 

Already up to almost 1000 miles, only one issue. Shaking and/or waddling vibration. The tires. Felt like it had a light waddle the first day I drove it home, but wasn't sure. Drove it for the week and more and more the constant wobbling felt in the seat, floor, and steering wheel was driving nuts. Pumped the pressures up a bit which made it at least a little crisper but didn't help the shake much. Took it to the local dealer Friday (not my favorite, but alas) who said 1) they felt the shake, 2) checked all 4 tires and they WERE (at least 2) out of balance, 3) drove it after and "it still has a shake...but drive it and see. Sometimes those tires are like that." Drive it and see. Nice answer. I wanted to hit them. Drove it after, and it not only shook worse, the tire pressures were all over the place and mostly low, anywhere from 2-4psi under even the door sticker. Pumped them up again today and it still shakes constantly, but just a hair less so and isn't as sloppy. Quiver, quiver, down the road like on blocks.

 

The Bridgestone's they use on the 18" Z71 wheels are really low rated and the truck has already been driven 1000 miles, so I don't think there's much more breaking in to do if they were flat spotted, etc. And I don't want to take it back to them again. I'd be much happier with the Alenza's or otherwise, as on the factory 20's. Trying to find out if I can get a Bridgestone dealer to warranty them or do an upgrade for little to no cost, if at all possible, or whatever I have to do. As long as it doesn't involve my terrible local dealer any more, if I can avoid them. Get the tire issue worked out, and it should be good as gold.

 

Crap shaking tires aside, truck ROCKS. Love it

[Daryl LBZ]

[MS3DALE]

Nice!

I'm impressed that the dealer down there drove it up to you,but then again we've done that at our place a couple times also,I know one time the one salesman took a new Cadillac from here (Pittsburgh) down to the coast of N.C.,and took a bus back home! (no trade)

[caddycruiser]

Nice!

I'm impressed that the dealer down there drove it up to you,but then again we've done that at our place a couple times also,I know one time the one salesman took a new Cadillac from here (Pittsburgh) down to the coast of N.C.,and took a bus back home! (no trade)

 

As I was told "we do this all the time...it's an internet age, and you have to expect buyers from all over and be able to serve them." More from my perspective, wherever you're at, if you can simply respond to me by email and not make it like pulling teeth, you're likely to get my business. Having worked with a local dealer in person and by phone, another dealer in Virginia by email and phone, and so on, this dealer all the way down in Georgia was 10x easier and the pricing was better than any of them, no haggle. Same for the trade, after I sent them specs and then pictures and videos galore. That again made it even easier.

 

Saved money vs. local, got a great trade price, and a truck I'd have had to order otherwise that's perfect. Couldn't beat it. I've purchased several new cars in the past few years, this was the easiest and from the furthest away.

 

Now, if I can just figure out a way to get a Bridgestone tire dealer to rid me of the shake & bake tires on it, I'll be over the moon.

[99silveradoz71]

Looks nice, congrats

[snarkee]

i hate white avalanches lol

[gmowner4life]

Very nice!

[2009SierraZ71]

Very nice truck. Congrats!! Hope you get the shake worked out soon.

[SierraFan]

Great looking ride! Hope it treats you well for years to come.

[caddycruiser]

Very nice truck. Congrats!! Hope you get the shake worked out soon.

 

Me too. It's always something with every new vehicle I buy, literally, at least one thing. Just to start with some aggravation, I guess The choppy vibration should be simple, if I have some success with "these tires have problems...can't balance...can I upgrade?"

 

Otherwise, thanks guys. Nice to be back in the GM truck fold. Yesterday driving around in the sun with the roof open, butt warmer on & tunes cranking, it was just GREAT

[MacA]

...Nice to be back in the GM truck fold...

 

Very nice!!

 

WELCOME BACK!!!

[obe-kenobe]

Very Nice! I hope the tire issue gets fixed soon. It might be worth to see if the dealer have the Hunter Road-Force Balancer. You have a new truck. If they can't fix the tire issue, they should replace it.

 

Good Luck

[mato27]

Sounds like one helluva an impulse buy

 

Very nice ride!

[caddycruiser]

Very Nice! I hope the tire issue gets fixed soon. It might be worth to see if the dealer have the Hunter Road-Force Balancer. You have a new truck. If they can't fix the tire issue, they should replace it.

 

Good Luck

 

They do, and that's how they were balanced. Or at least should have been. Yet the driving on blocks feel remains. Odd.

[Royal Vader]

Very nice truck - Congrats! You will love the Avalanche versatility - people - cargo - dogs etc! The side compartments double as coolers - even drain to the ground!

The midgate is sweet! I've done the "transformation" many times and everyone asks if that is some kind of custom mod! I say they all do that! Everyone likes it.