Anything I need to know before buying an Avalanche?

[SpatiallyAware]

See this thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2098188&

The F150 is 231 inches. My garage is 232 inches (apartment, can't park outside, and am not waiting a year before buying a vehicle). The avalanche is a really tight fit at 222 inches but I think I can make it work with a parking mat.


An avalanche will suit my needs just fine, I'm not doing any heavy towing anyway and a bike will fit in the back. I'm pretty disappointed that it doesn't seem to have cooled seats, I also hate GM. If I get one I'm going to try to get a tag that says "UOWNIT" (joke). The interior (LTZ) doesn't seem anywhere as nice as the F150 platinum, and it's about due for a refresh that I bet will be major. Their used (and new) prices are astronomical.. People want $38k for an 09, I can get a brand new platinum for about that.

Also reliability is.... suspect... I'll be getting a 2009 for the 6 speed, which sounds like it might be a bit more reliable - anyone know?

Also there are two engines, I think the 5.3 will be fine but the mpg for the 6.0 are about identical, and I read that it's a better built motor.

consumerreports says there are lock/latch/leak problems - which I'm not surprised considering that midgate stuff it does, but I tend to park inside and keep a close watch out for leaks so I'm not too concerned. The pre 2009's have transmission problems but I'm not worried about that since I know a few good mechanics, and am prepared to put $2-4k into a rebuilt in 100k if needed.



Any other thoughts?


Thanks all

 

[JulesMaximus]

I can't understand why any passenger vehicle would need a new transmission within the first 100k miles.

 

[RedRooster]

Do you NEED a quad cab? Why not a regular cab F-150?
Regular cab shortbox with a bed extender will carry a motorcycle all day, as well as fit in your garage easier.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Do you NEED a quad cab? Why not a regular cab F-150?
Regular cab shortbox with a bed extender will carry a motorcycle all day, as well as fit in your garage easier.

I have a regular cab ranger and it's a PITA. I regularly 'need' to carry 3+ people and can't, and end up taking another vehicle (for work, out with friends, etc). I also am buying a vehicle that I will keep for at least 10 years, I'll most likely have kids by then and don't want to have to sell in 4-5 years to get something with a decent backseat.

I need and use my truck as a truck at least once a week. Renting a truck won't work and I don't have room to keep my ranger around.

Regular cab trucks are fail. I was once a believer, but will never do the regular cab crap again. I *might* be able to get away with a supercab, but at that point I'd rather just get an avalanche for the full 4 doors.

 

[Malak]

Don't forget the added expense of shiny feet.

 

[Sluggo]

Also there are two engines, I think the 5.3 will be fine but the mpg for the 6.0 are about identical, and I read that it's a better built motor.

I've had an excellent history with the 5.3 I have, to date 289,000 miles on the original engine and trans. But for every good story like mine, there is another story of someone with horrible luck, GM is really a crapshoot on reliability.

I'll agree with you on pricing, on virtually all used trucks, they are till wanting 16-20 thousand dollars for 5 year old truck with almost 100k miles. I have been looking around a bit because I know my truck can't last forever, but i just hate to part with the cash right now. I should have bought one for $9,000 when gas was $4 a gallon.

 

[SparkyJJO]

If you don't like it, why get it?

 

[LTC8K6]

A platinum F-150 starts at $43K, according to Ford.

 

[mizzou]

02' 5.3L V8 Chevy 1500

100k and still like a rock

(knock on wood)


Oh, and I hate Avalanches! Get a real truck!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You're willing to pay $40 k on a new truck but not a dime for a decent size garage? How about a decent used truck and spend the rest on the garage?
Sorry, I missed the part about it being an apartment. Still, get a used truck and save the money for getting out of the apartment.

 

[Paperlantern]

*drool*

Now that's pretty. And will most definitely fit in that garage, the longbed wouldnt, but the shortbed most likely will. At < $20k easy. ~80k - 100k miles used just getting broke in.

 

[IcePickFreak]

*drool*

Now that's pretty. And will most definitely fit in that garage, the longbed wouldnt, but the shortbed most likely will. At < $20k easy. ~80k - 100k miles used just getting broke in.

Does it come with the dump bed option?

Careful with the Toyota trucks, they had some major issues with the frame rusting. They issued a recall for the 1995-2004 model years, but I've heard people with ever newer than 04's with the problem. You should be able to take the truck in to a dealer for a free inspection on it.

 

[SparkyJJO]

*drool*

Now that's pretty. And will most definitely fit in that garage, the longbed wouldnt, but the shortbed most likely will. At < $20k easy. ~80k - 100k miles used just getting broke in.

I fail to see the infatuation with toyota trucks. If you buy a truck because it is "pretty" then you need to turn in your man card 😛

 

[Paperlantern]

I fail to see the infatuation with toyota trucks. If you buy a truck because it is "pretty" then you need to turn in your man card 😛

Any man's truck can do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5NrVg4hC88&feature=geosearch

Ive seen plenty of trucks that the manliest of men use everyday that cant do that. Granted its modded a little of course. But its still a Taco. Sit down son. I'm keeping my card.

Yes i'm aware of the body issues, its not an issue on EVERY taco, you just have to get it looked at before buying to make sure nothing serious is wrong, as with ANY car you buy used.

 

[Tristicus]

Any man's truck can do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5NrVg4hC88&feature=geosearch

Ive seen plenty of trucks that the manliest of men use everyday that cant do that. Granted its modded a little of course. But its still a Taco. Sit down son. I'm keeping my card.

Yes i'm aware of the body issues, its not an issue on EVERY taco, you just have to get it looked at before buying to make sure nothing serious is wrong, as with ANY car you buy used.

I'm pretty sure many trucks can do that. A lot of them. Wow.

 

[mmntech]

What are you hauling?

 

[XZeroII]

I have the 6.0L in my G8. It's been rock solid so far, but only 13k miles on it so far. I've read a lot about it and it's known for being very reliable.

 

[Paperlantern]

I'm pretty sure many trucks can do that. A lot of them. Wow.

Yes they can, chevy, ford, gmc, toyota, nissan, doesnt matter, any truck can do this type of thing, and BE a TRUCK. I don't get what ALSO LIKING what your truck looks like has to do with possession of this so called "man card". I like the the way the toyotas look, i also happen to be fond of the styling on the rangers, but I like the smaller looking trucks. The smaller ones would suit me as just a homeowner to haul firewood a couple times a year, furniture, flooring, drywall, trim pieces, yard refuse or mulch/decorative stone... the list goes on. The 4x4 is desirable for the Ohio winters as well. Damn straight id get a Tacoma.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Usually "pretty" is not a term a guy uses to describe his truck. That's all. Rattling your chain, and it rattled pretty good it seems 😉

 

[Paperlantern]

Didn't know certain vocabulary was off limits to men... You have a strange outlook on the world man...

 

[LTC8K6]

That's a heavily modified Tacoma that cost quite a bit of money to modify.

its an 04 with a fabtech 6" with 35's...TRD supercharger, chipped, e locker, and it cost me about 20 thousand in 07..now its&#65279; possible to pick one up for 16...15,500

 

[IcePickFreak]

Yes i'm aware of the body issues, its not an issue on EVERY taco, you just have to get it looked at before buying to make sure nothing serious is wrong, as with ANY car you buy used.

Whoa settle down their chief, I said in my post to have it inspected at a dealer. If you were aware of the issue, you may have wanted to pass that info along to the OP who you suggested buy one.