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Was looking at an Avalanche...


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Posted

I know opinions are like @$$ holes, everyone has one, but heres mine on the Avalanche.  I stopped to look at one up close today and that is the ugliest thing I've ever seen.  Don't know what the GM engineers were thinking.  The interior is nice but outside is way to much tupperware for me.  I"ll stick with my ext cab Sierra.  Hope I don't offend anyone but it's just MY opinion..

 :thumbs:

Posted

I used to think the same when I had a 99 ext cab Sierra.  I liked the idea of the Av, but wasn't crazy about the cladding.  Once I drove one (big mistake if you want to keep driving the Sierra), got a close look at all the features (rather than the Detroit auto show), and worked the numbers with the GMAC financing, one just had to come live in my garage.

Posted

At first I felt the same way about the AVY, the plastic wasn't cool, but then again I didn't like the new body style chevys & GMC's either.  But, upon comparison to the old style they looked more appealing every day.  The AVY's have grown on me as well, I'd like to actually get a good peak inside, drive one, and try out the midgate.(hint to any avy owners in WI, lemme see your truck)  The plastic gives it that two tone look.

Posted

I was not a big fan of the Aval at first. When I test drove one and looked at all that came standard on the Aval I was blowen away. After the test drive I could not believe how smooth the ride was compared to my 96 K1500 Z71. The 4 doors really help compared to the ext cab 3 and 4 doors. The hard top and plastic molding are all a plus on the truck. You can not compare a ext cab to a Aval.

 

George

Posted

Of course I am gonna ditto all of the above. When I saw the picture of the concept I knew then that I had to have one. I have managed 250 miles on mine since Saturday and I get more comfortable every day. It will almost lull you to sleep it rides so good. :thumbs:

Posted

Here's my opinion...

I was not even in the market for a new vehicle. But the first time I saw an Avalanche at the dealers I was blown away by it's contemporary great looks and features, including the cool cladding. Then I went and test drove it and that was it, I had to have one! I have a Grand Prix GTP that I really like. So, I got my girlfriend to sell her Jeep Wrangler. Now she usually drives the GTP and I usually drive the Avalanche. Best impulsive purchase I ever made!

Posted

I had a dedicated F**d bigot sitting in the backseat of my Av today and he said it was the first GM product he'd been in that he liked.  He was especially impressed with the ride.

Posted

I realize it isn't the smartest thing to disagree with the majority of guys in this forum, but we are entitled to our own opinion.  Before it came out I was drouling (sp?) over it, I loved everything about it, especially because it was a mix between a truck and suv.  

Now, I don't like it at all.  I think this is a vehichle to have for a year, maybe two, then it is gone; sorta a novelty vehicle.  I see many problems with the overall design.  I will share a couple.  In the following posts, all you AVY owners can tell me why I am wrong.  I don't like the plastic bottom at all, I think dirt and other materials will get inside the plastic and start scratching and rusting the paint underneath.  I also don't like the design of the midgate.  I think that many AVY owners will begin to experience a whistling in the rear window soon, if they don't already.  I realize that most people just buy these to ride around in, but it is not very functional as a truck.  Why would I want to take the rear window out every time that I hauled something long?  Why would I want to fold the seats down?  If I wanted to haul something that is long and it is raining, I am flat out of luck, I sure don't want the window removed in the winter either.  Maybe there is something I am missing or don't understand about the midgate system, but my overall feelings are thumbs down.

Posted

Midgate means nothing to me. Doubt if I ever take the rear window out. I've got 2 other trucks if I need to haul something. Other Av owners may use it and can tell you. I bought it to drive on the weekends. Had an Expedition. I like a big ride and I liked the looks of the Av better than the Suburban. Everyone has a Suburban and it seems they are all the same color. Avalanche was cheaper, cooler looking, and rides great. I think I only lose a foot in bed length from a shortbed with my Av, but I gain a lot of rear seat room.

Posted

2002-Z71,

You're definitely entitled to your opinion, hopefully nobody here would say any different.  Since you asked, I will try to address your points with my views and experiences... One thing I've been hearing a lot lately is about the plastic cladding.  Then I started looking around - Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Escape, Toyota 4-Runner, Lexus (and many more) all have similar cladding - it may not be as "in your face" but it's very much there.  I think if you start looking for it, you'll see what I mean.  There must be a reason so many manufacturers are doing it - aesthetics? modern? functionality? - I'm not entirely sure, but I do know that mine has already prevented at least one or two door dings, and I've only had it 2 months.  I'm sure it will also prevent the nasty rock chips that always appear near the rocker panels and the rear quarter panels.

As for the window, no noise yet from mine, and I think Chevy specifically designed the sail panels and overhanging wing to help prevent that.  Ride in one sometime with the back window out - you may be really surprised.  There's not much wind noise, and very little wind coming in through the back window.  I read that it was designed to help keep the rain out of the cab when driving with the window out and midgate down.  And, when hauling long objects, you can leave the window in, lower the midgate, and leave the bed cover on as long as the object isn't too tall as well as long.  If it's the obligatory 4 x 8 sheet of plywood (or even a stack of them,) you can even close the tailgate and have everything totally enclosed - not bad even in a snowstorm.  I recently hauled several peices of 16 foot baseboard trim in mine - midgate down, rear window in, tailgate down - with no problems.  Probably not something you could do easily in your short bed.

I do think they will have a few kinks to work out in the future model years, but for a first shot, I think they've done remarkably well.  I'm still amazed at the amount of engineering that went into this vehicle.  Hopefully you'll get a chance to take a closer look at one - even take one for a drive.  It just might change your opinion!   :thumbs:

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