Tell my why I don't want an Avalanche...

[Zeke]

...other than the fact that they are ugly. I see beginning in '05 they lost the awful side/door rocker trim. That helped a little. Still has that useless business on the bed. I hear removing that stuff really leaves a mess of holes and fasteners.

But, the idea behind the thing isn't bad in that it's a car/truck capable of hauling sacks of manure or whatever w/o messing up the interior of an SUV. E.g, you can hose it out.

I'm having a hell of a time locating a used truck for any kind of value. PU's are freaking gold right now. I think pound for pound (looking at that many ways, towing etc.), I can buy an Avalanche for half the money.

Is it that ugly?? Do I lose my man card? (Don't give a fook about that anyhow.)

Then there's the Honda Ridgeline. Somehow I ain't warming to a Honda.

[HardDrive]

I just don't see what would make one better than a super crew cab pickup truck.

[Zeke]

Looks like some people have figured out how to paint out the sail panels smooth and shiny.

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I just don't see what would make one better than a super crew cab pickup truck.

Did you read the part about price?

[gwmac]

I had a 2002 until the first of the year, I loved it and it gave very good service, great traveling with 4 adults because of the huge trunk, if you occasionally need an 8foot bed you can drop the back window etc. I would not reccomend if you need an 8foot bed every day however. I would have bought another one but the little woman wanted seating for seven and I have two Tacomas already.

[rouxroux]

I guess GM let the Pontiac Aztek designers have a final fling. Just get a regular crew cab...

[foxpaws]

Avalanches are unibodies - and they are a lot nicer on the butt than a crew cab...

Ridgelines - well, as the guys in the shop used the say "they just have that 'delicate' suspension problem".... don't tow with them - or do any other truck stuff with them...

[exc911ence]

You'd only look more like a douchebag in a Hummer H2....

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by foxpaws

Avalanches are unibodies - and they are a lot nicer on the butt than a crew cab...

Ridgelines - well, as the guys in the shop used the say "they just have that 'delicate' suspension problem".... don't tow with them - or do any other truck stuff with them...

Good information. I didn't know about the unibody. I'm kind of a body-on-frame-RWD guy. Please tell me the Avalanche isn't a FWD. I would give up my MC if that were that case.

BTW, if you folks want to talk about trucks, I don't necessarily want a 4-door crew cab. But, I've never had anything behind me but a window. The extra room of the ext cab looks nice plus it will haul some people if necessary.

I don't have company much in my vehicle.

Originally Posted by exc911ence

You'd only look more like a douchebag in a Hummer H2....

I might agree, but if I WANTED an H2, I'd buy one. Really don't give a fook about what others are thinking.

[foxpaws]

Well, RWD or 4WD... smile - manly enough...

[sammyg2]

They sell those at Pep Boys, right?


Iffn you can get past the looks they're good trucks.

[stomachmonkey]

Don't see the issue here.

It was my impression that the Avalanche is what you get when you cross a Tahoe with a Silverado.

Both quality American iron.

Basically a 3rd body option on a proven platform.

Love my Tahoe.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Iffn you can get past the looks they're good trucks.

I have a friend who *LOVES* the looks of the Avalanche. It's his dream vehicle, right next to the BMW X6 M. He has not stopped gushing over those vehicles for the past 5 years that I've known him. He's also a big fan of the Honda Crosstour, Toyota Yaris (his current car), BMW 6-series (especially the new model), and just about the entire Kia lineup: Soul, Optima, and Sportage.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I just don't see what would make one better than a super crew cab pickup truck.

This is probably accurate. If you need a pick-up, the crew cab is the better choice.

[porsche4life]

Zeke, seriously move your search inland and you'll be able to get a crew cab truck...

My ex g/fs mom had an avalanche and I wasn't that impressed. The way the rear seat folds down means its pretty crappy as a seat, and the bed really isn't that useful as a bed either. I think a tahoe would honestly be more workable than it. To me it always felt like it tried so hard to be good at too many things, and it ended up being just mediocre at all of them. Seriously, a crew cab pickup will be better for hauling stuff, and our '05 has a more comfortable back seat than the avalanche I think.

I think they look decent, they're just a bit useless as a truck or as an SUV....

[JAR0023]

Avalanches are NOT unibody vehicles. It's body on frame. Think of it as a Suburban with the roof cut off, which is basically what it is. Honda Ridgeline is a front wheel drive unibody vehicle. Avalanche came in 1/2 ton and 3/4 builds and tows just like any other Chevy truck.

I think the early ones are uglier than man a$$. The later ones I don't mind. I've been in and out of enough of them that I can see the appeal for a certain person. If it fits your needs go for it.

FWIW my 'truck' is a 2004 Expedition. I want the lockable storage space and have the regular need to seat seven. If I need a pick up bed I hook up my trailer. That being said there are plenty of times when I wish for a pick up so I could just toss crap in the back and hose it out later. -J

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Noah930

I have a friend who *LOVES* the looks of the Avalanche. It's his dream vehicle, right next to the BMW X6 M. He has not stopped gushing over those vehicles for the past 5 years that I've known him. He's also a big fan of the Honda Crosstour, Toyota Yaris (his current car), BMW 6-series (especially the new model), and just about the entire Kia lineup: Soul, Optima, and Sportage.

Was he dropped on his head as a baby by chance? Or maybe even as an adult... I'll give him that some of those are decent looking... But.....

[Zeke]

Joe Bob: "Shut up, Sid."

[recycled sixtie]

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder then all I see is ugly. Yes crew cab etc looks better. Don't forget you have to look at it every day if you take it out but perhaps you see beauty!

[porsche4life]

Hey... You asked what we thought of the Avalanche, and I gave you an honest opinion based on facts from having driven, ridden in, and worked on one vs the '05 Crew cab my dad has...

But I forget... nobody around here wants facts...

[Zeke]

Sorry there, Sid. All I saw was the "Was he dropped on his head as a baby?" post. Your post #14 did contain some useful information. Other than that, I thought the Joe Bob comment was funny.

How far inland? I've even checked Bakersfield, but I don't want a farm truck.