Anyone have an Avalanche?

[Jim McK]

Hey gang, has anyone taken delivery of a new Avalanche yet and if so, what are you impressions, comments, etc.?

[Zane]

Hi Jim, your name sounds familer!?

We have a member called "Jessejames" who has an Avalanche. (If i'm thinking correctly, you might know who he is)

Welcome to the site!

[RyanbabZ71]

Jim

Check out edmunds.com

There are a few guys who have recently purchased them.  Overall they like them

 

[Jim McK]

Hi guys. Yep I remember Jessiejames from the Corvetteforum and that's probably where you remember me from too.

I still have the C5 but it has been modded quite a bit since the old Forum days and the first Forum Cruise-In. Now I am looking forward to my new Avalanche and some serious truckkin'.

One of my first questions is gonna be "are there performance parts for the Vortec 5300?" Wonder if anyone will come out with a performance exhaust system for the Avalanche...

[Shaners]

My wifes boss ordered one and it arrived today as I was picking up my new 2500HD crew.  His Avalanche is Indigo blue and every possible option.  Sticker was (more or less a couple of bucks).

My god was it beautiful!!!  It's the only one I've seen that color!!!

[Chuggernaut]

I don't own one, but today I found the first production one on a local lot.  WOW!!  Granted, the concept was cooler, but I'm glad to see that they didn't deviate to much from it when they went to the production truck.

This was a Victory Red Z71 with Graphite leather and cloth interior, and every option.  Sticker was ?,013. The 17"s with the Z71 package will be a definite when I order one.  

Jim McK, with the Avalanche being 80% Suburban, I'm guessing new exhaust and other aftermarket components are already available.

[Avalanche]

I just bought an Avalanche 2 days ago (Z71, victory red, leather/cloth seats) and these are my impressions:

1.) The Avalanche needs a standard cassette player (I commute and like to listen to books-on-tape). This is currently not an option

2.) The vehicle is so new that accessories are running late in getting to the dealerships. I have to wait for my roof rack.

3.) This vehicle rocks. People don't just look, they point! The concept is so novel that its almost embarrasing...almost I said!

4.) I managed to stow my hard cover bag under the seat. Its very bulky and takes up space, but I found some.

5.) Get the comfort package. It comes with Onstar and electrochromatic mirrors, which are a real must. Onstar's pretty cool too. It really makes you feel like you're driving a car of the future. I bought the package and it was worth it. Try driving at night. What a difference!

6.) I got the combination leather/cloth seats. I find them to be quite attractive. The leather's graphite and the fabric behind the knees is a nice touch (inhibits sweating -I live in Texas). Overall I'm happy with the fabric, but I got a fabric protection pkg just in case. As a jet skier, I'm wet a lot.

7.) The ride is superb, much like a Suburban. You feel real safe in this truck/suv/hybrid, or whatever you call it. I call it useful.

It somewhat pains me to know that this concept is definitely going to take off. I don't want a bunch of victory red Z71 Avalanches around here. But right now, it really stands alone.

P.S. I drove next to a hummer yesterday and looked down on the poor soul who blew a huge chunk of change on what now looks pretty sorry next to an avalanche. To me, it resembles a hummer more than a suburban.

[Frank S]

Quote: from Jim McK on 1:53 pm on June 29, 2001

Hi guys. Yep I remember Jessiejames from the Corvetteforum and that's probably where you remember me from too.

I still have the C5 but it has been modded quite a bit since the old Forum days and the first Forum Cruise-In. Now I am looking forward to my new Avalanche and some serious truckkin'.

One of my first questions is gonna be "are there performance parts for the Vortec 5300?" Wonder if anyone will come out with a performance exhaust system for the Avalanche...

 

Jim

As mentioned before,since the Avalanche is 80% Suburban,it will share the same performance parts and they are probably the same as those that belong to the Silverado.

I'm quite sure that you can get a K & N Intake as well as a Hypertech PP3 for it right now and it will probably also have the same or similar cat back exhaust aftermarket options.

[jessejames]

Hi Guys

I'm looking for some performance intake and exhaust source for my 5300 in th Avalanche.

I forget it's a truck when I drive it...smoooooth. Good fuel mileage.  Built in beer cooler  --> who could ask for more?

Anybody want to buy the side steps, roof rack or tonneau cover (still in the factory boxes). I ordered EVERY OPTION and won't be using these.  Sticker: ?,971  ouch:)

[Zane]

Quote: from jessejames on 3:10 pm on July 2, 2001

Hi Guys

I'm looking for some performance intake and exhaust source for my 5300 in th Avalanche.

I forget it's a truck when I drive it...smoooooth. Good fuel mileage.  Built in beer cooler  --> who could ask for more?

Anybody want to buy the side steps, roof rack or tonneau cover (still in the factory boxes). I ordered EVERY OPTION and won't be using these.  Sticker: ?,971  ouch:)

Hey JJ a K&N FIPK would work wonders on the intake side of things. Not sure about an exaust.

Too much money? What about your Porsche? ;)LOL :biggrin:

[Avalanche]

Hey gang, I'm back. I've now had my Avalanche for four days. I've driven 400 miles over the last few days since I want to break it in to ride my Jet Ski over the 4th of July weekend. These are my latest impressions of the Avalanche:

1.) I still am mad that a cassette player is not an option, but since the Avalanche's audio is the spitting image of the Tahoe's, maybe I can work something with the dealer to get it installed. I'll be checking tomorrow.

2.) I thought I heard a little squeal in the brakes last night when I took the wife on a run to Taco Bell. It was raining last night, and since then I've been listening very closely for brake squeal and its gone. Maybe a little squeal is normal while breaking in the breaks too. This is my first truck, so maybe someone out there can ease my mind and tell me that a little squeal while moving forward at idle with the foot lightly on the brake is normal during break-in. The brakes certainly feel better as each day goes on, probably because I'm getting used to driving my new behemoth.

3.) The rain last night took away that clean truck look, that's when I got to thinking that washing this monster manually is going to be a much bigger job than on my old Millenia - more flat surfaces, but a lot more body.

4.) I'm getting used to the bigness of the truck in driving. As a former car driver, the transition to driving an Avalanche has been much smoother than anticipated. So far, zero regrets.

5.) Someone asked somewhere in this forum whether the bed cover leaked. It doesn't. I purposefully left my bed exposed to rain all night to answer your question and be your Guinea pig. Not a drop; you could store an Egyptian mummy in there.

6.) I wish the Avalanche came with an optional GPS navigation system, like in the Infiniti and Lexus high-end SUVs. Onstar can help in that regard with its Virtual Advisor (this isn't free), but don't you know, real men don't ask for directions. Pity Chevrolet, your loss. I would have bought it.

7.)So far, I give Chevy a borderline 5-star rating for the Avalanche and my hearty endorsement. They need to get with it on accesories though (e.g. cassette player).

8.) last impression - the rubber pads in the bed are really good for hauling groceries. One doesn't really think about groceries when in the process of falling in love and buying a car/truck, or at least I don't. So I was pleasantly made aware of the practicality of hauling small items like grocery bags that you don't want to have slide around or fall over in the bed. The rubber matting prevents all slippage, but the downside is that when you want to scoot something back to make more room, you have to lift it up. It just won't slide back. That's a good thing though.

I'll close my report with a question to those out there who know more than me about these things. The manual says that I should break the Avalanche in for 500 miles driving below 55. After that, I can tow a trailer, but under 50 MPH for an additional 500 miles with the trailer attached. Does this apply to a lightweight trailer such as a jet ski too. It weighs about 1,000 lbs with the ski on it, so its a pretty light haul for an Avalanche. Any advice from y'all on whether I need to drive a full 500 miles at such a low speed with such a light load? I was thinking of shaving off a few hundred miles on that rule. Whadd'ya think?

I hope these impressions are useful to you prospective Avalanche buyers. I know I've enjoyed reading the advice of early buyers in this forum, so hope my comments were of service to you.

[Zane]

Avalanche,  I believe that the Jet Ski trailer would be no problem. Its so light, i bet you don't even know its back there.  In fact, i've seen someone tow a double trailer with a C5 Corvette!!

After 500 miles, i think your pretty safe.

[jessejames]

"FIPK" ...what's that Merv Z?

[Zane]

Quote: from jessejames on 10:12 am on July 3, 2001

"FIPK" ...what's that Merv Z?

 

Its a product from K&N. it replaces the filter box, and air inlet all the way to throtle body.  I've heard of some decent SOTP gains. I think they advertise 5-15hp.

The FIPK is to the trucks like the Vortex is the to Corvettes.

[Qmac]

Greetings, I've had my Pewter Avalanche for three weeks now and I absolutely love it!  The attention this thing draws is incredible.  So far I have no complaints.  This truck is so practical for me since I can haul stuff WITH my wife and three kids unlike with my short cab Silverado.  I have followed this thing since it was a concept sketch.  I saw it in Boston, Providence, Greenville SC and Atlanta.  It was definitely worth the wait!