I really did not expect to respond to this post when I first started reading it.
My first Avalanche was a Cladded 03 and it wasn't unti the day I went pick it up that I discovered the WBH Model. I gave it a quick consideration, but in the end, it didn't matter. I did the 24 Hour Chevrolet In The Driveway Campign. I liked the way it drove, checked out the Mid Gate, Rear Panels, Side Boxes, and it even Passed the Wife Test. (Thank you for the separate side heater controls!)
That poor 03 Avalanche was the only vehicle I've ever owned that accumulated the most Door Dings in the region between the top of the Cladding and the Door Handles of any vehicle I've ever owned. I'm sure the Cladding helped with the shopping carts, but I always wondered Why I acquired so many Parking Lot Scars with that Truck or Ute. For those that know me, I have had access to the Widest spaces available in all 50 States, most U.S. Possessions, and many reciprocating Nations I have ever visited or would desire to do so.
The 2010 was without dings in 35 months of ownership, and the current Black Diamond only has a serious Rock Chip/Ding on the hood.
Since I've had both, and more than one without Cladding, I'd still go with either if I had to choose again. They were all Great! The Real Question is to would I stay in the Past, or move on to the Future? I hope I'm buried with my current Daily Driver and not have to make that decision.
Upgrades to Bluetooth, Seat heaters/coolers, head units, and the underscored refinements to the AFM and various aspects peculiar to the entire range for what we have come to know the Avalanche to be, it may just come down to be a decision now for what the color is or not, how many miles, and how much work it may take to bring it back up to the way it was on the show room floor. (I can't wait until my 36 Months/3K miles happens so I can get rid of OnScare & Silliious XM too. Our Cell Phones can do so much more and have near Complete Connectivity too! (Yes, I took advantage of a an offering for the 7 years/100K mile extended warranty. I'm committed.)
Is there a Corvair Forum? (I'm just kidding, but in the end, does it matter?) I just Fact Checked myself and it looks like there is a Corvair forum. Time Warps are Okay for those that need them. We were all Young Once and may always still try to be.)
Keep your vehicles up to specs, mod as you desire, but please, understand, the iterations since 2001, as a 2002, went though a few variations/iterations to hit a target audience. I'm coming to realize there were many of us that jumped at the opportunity for change, others that just took a chance for something different, and then, then many that realized this could be fun. And many that jumped on to More Change since then too by moving on to other options for their specific needs.
On this eve of Thanksgiving, I'm grateful that we are still discussing this silly and special vehicle that I have always referred to being a Swiss Army Knife. How many vehicles are produced in Switzerland?
Enjoy your Ride.