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Chevrolet Avalanche
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Invested, Jupiter here. Got the truck from Ed Morse.
The only thing I have noticed so far is the Comp/Temp buttons on the mirror shut off both displays. I was under the impression that they were independent
Thanks!
I see some of you planning road trips over the week and would like to here your thoughts on the smoothness and road noise of the Z71 option. I would like to be able to get the Z66 option on a 4X4 but it appears that is not an option. I have found the same option on a Silverado a little stiff and jarring. From some of the updates this may not be the case with the AV (could be the extra weight).
Another concern, which some have already asked deals with the knockouts for front end alignment. Still have not seen the answer to that one.
My last question deals with the "leak" issue. My driveway is downhill and I am more than a little concerned with water collecting against the rear window and, if the cover is off, the midgate. I had a Scottsdale (remember that model?) and from time to time the drain holes in the bed would plug with pine needles and water over 2 inches deep would stand in the bed. So, as anyone had to deal with this yet? I did get a chance to look over one yesterday and I did notice what looked like a slotted grill right at the midgate, is this a drain?
Thanks in advance for all your help. I have found this forum very informative, has others have stated it gives me a leg up on the dealers who seem to know very little about this product.
Cheers,
Bear
Chris
The grate behind the midgate covers a channel designed to drain the front of the bed. It is removable for cleaning out debris, etc. It sounds as if you might want to park an Av with the nose uphill in your drive.
Saw the Av in Pewter at a small dealer in my hometown. It had been delivered Sat. morning and no prep work had been done. Nice look with the colors; the cladding did appear toned down with that combo.
I'm still trying to get over the cladding - The previous post that mentioned the Jeep Grand Cherokee had it right - a variety of cladding colors to go with your selected paint would be a good start. I think a "no side cladding" option would increase sales immediately. GM may not want to take away from the Cadillac EXT version coming out soon, however (No cladding, caddy-plush, and estimated pricing around $55,000).
Anyway some have mentioned pricing issues. I found the following on Autobytel - invoice appears to be about $4000 below MSRP. Of course this does not include hold back, dealer incentives, etc. Go to autobytel and search on Avalanche to verify following information.
Invoice Base MSRP
2002 Avalanche 2500 $28,127 $32,145
2002 Avalanche 2500 4WD $30,752 $35,145
2002 Avalanche 2WD $26,464 $30,245
2002 Avalanche 4WD $29,089 $33,245
-mount1
As for the cassette deck, I would expect you should be able to get the same unit that the Tahoe uses. It is a separate unit and fits in the dash where the AV has an opening. Since both use the same radio and dash I expect the dealer will install one for the right price...
Bear
I also saw a white Av yesterday at Dan Young which had an interior roof that was medium neutral and from the tops of the pillars down it was all graphite. The dealer tried to tell me that was the new two tone look. Looks like a mess up to me.
I'm ordering my Av next week. My Av will be identical to Timfarn's. Can't wait!
Anyone know how to turn on/off the self dimming rear and driver side mirrors? I've tried holding the temp button for ~6 sec. but can't tell if there's a difference. The rear window is dark enough that it's hard to tell, but I want my driver O/S to be on.
Thanks
Well the 750+ miles from Jupiter to Wolf Laurel was a real pleasure to drive. Much less road noise than my 97 F-150 and much smoother ride. The AV feels like driving a bus. The only complaint I have is some lower back pain the may be attributed to a new seat or adjustment.
The truck handles the mountain roads just fine and it made the trip to the top of Big Bald mountain with ease. Mine is a base 2wd with limited slip.
The only problem I had was going down an old, unimproved road. I went through a pretty deep ditch and bottomed out the front and rear bumpers. The cladding under the front nose was slightly pushed in and the rear pulled out. I was able to push the rear back and have not messed with the front yet.
I hit some pretty heavy rains on the way up and the back was bone dry when I checked it.
I'll keep you updated as the trip goes on.
Cheers,
Bear
I was told that the GMS price can be found on the dealer invoice. It's the price GM employees pay for the vehicle. My boss just bought a new Rado and the GM supplier discount came out to be 11.9% off of MSRP [any configuration].
I'm looking to buy an avalanche too, but none of the dealers in central Illinois are willing to deal below MSRP [the GM supplier discount is optional - the dealer does not have to honor it]
Here is the link for the GM supplier discount website: www.gmsupplierdiscount.com/
"Each dealer invoice will list a GMS price, which is the price a General Motors employee would pay for that vehicle purchased out of dealer stock. Your cost is that GMS price, plus 4 percent of the GMS price. You can then compare your cost to the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price to calculate your discount."
Hope this helps,
Rick
Cheers,
Bear
Robbins - green with the tan interior should make a sharp unit. I have yet to see anything but graphite; we were willing to take the gamble on looks for the lighter colored interior.
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Pickups.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
I've been looking in the Peoria area for an Av. There's only one available as of today, but they want MSRP for it, which I will not pay. I got a call from the local Autoweb affiliate today, and they also want MSRP: that's 4 dealers so far. I'll either find a dealer farther out that's willing to deal with me, or wait it out until the end of the year.
on a $3500 incentive below MSRP. I wish I was ready to buy now.
The test drive was great. I have read all the reports on this group
and really do like the AV. I am a bit skeptical about the mid gate
seal. Any more reports on leaks or not would be very good from all you
owners.
Thanks Joe
-Mark
of a local Chevy dealer(Dallas) claiming they will sell
Avalanches $4000 OFF MSRP!!!! I want to say it was
Steakley Chevrolet.....but I'll keep my ears open again!!!
I'll be up just west of Rhinelander on Little Horsehead the week of 8/13, keep an eye out for my Pewter Z71...flag me down. I paid ~ $3500 under MRSP through a soon to be relative. It was their only one until fall, they needed two sets of lips with all the noise when I drove it off the same day it came in. Still very rare in Madtown.
Good luck on your hagglin' Great truck.
Sign me Muskiehunter
Rick - I think with the larger dealers in Peoria, Bloomington-Normal and Springfield, the number of Avs should be increasing daily. Be patient or talk to a dealer who gets one or two on the lot about a sold order. As they sell, they are receiving additional allocations quickly. Our order was an allocation hot on the heels of selling a stock unit and another sold order. Oddly, I haven't seen either one on the road since.
They actually mailed out a brochure today on the 2500 series AND included a little 1:64 scale matchbox Avalanche in the new dark orange color. My kid collects those little cars, so he grabbed it up pretty quick.
Oh well, a gift for the nephews...
-Eric