BADalanche
Full Member
I had a great loan offer show up with a 3 months no payment loan at 2%, and was looking to save a little cash as we are gonna need a new home AC unit this year. I am also getting pretty close to needing new tires ($850), so in all buying a brand new truck was going to put almost 3 grand in my pocket (I usually get a new truck instead of paying for tires). The black book trade on this 13 is almost unbelievable - $32.5K on average retail (and mine is flawless). So I set my sights on a nicely loaded Sierra with a 6.2. With current deals and trade, I could pay it off in 4 years with the same payment I have now - and I still owe 2 years on my Avy. 2 more years for a truck 4 years newer - a no brainer right? Well that's what I thought...
It was a summit white SLT Texas Premium 4x4 with driver package, 6.2, heated wheel, roof - nicely loaded, and a good lookin' truck. They were asking just under $47K - about 10K off. Getting in the cab of the Sierra, the first thing I noticed was all the cheap looking smooth black plastic. Its everywhere. On the sunroof controls, the doors, and all around the screen. I know its a truck, but still. I loved the huge amount of storage, all the electronics (including DIC), and the plugs. I could put 2x as much in the console easily. I got in the back to check the room, and found it to be larger, but without AC vents. The fronts look big enough to hit back there, but that means less on me. I looked at the open bed and calculated at least another grand to get a cover. Backing it out, the first thing I notice is the incredibly annoying seat alert. 3 times just driving around lot to exit. I'm sure I could turn it off...
When I floored it from a stop as directed, she broke loose easily laying a long grub. Great power, but maybe not as much as I expected - definitely faster. Upon getting up to 50 mph, I feel a distinct vibration on the wheel all the way through 75mph - is it the dreaded shake I have heard about for years on this gen? Don't know if its the Goodyear Eagles or the driveshaft, but it is noticeable. Not a fan of those tires - even my alenzas have been pretty good for stock. I notice quite a bit more road and wind noise - funny cause the salesman was like, "See how quiet these new trucks are? Probably much quieter than yours..." I just laughed. Not even close. The turning radius was quite good for its size. Then we pulled back into the dealership, and I saw a small crowd of employees gathered around my truck that dispersed as we pulled up...
The Avalanche gleamed.
I quickly made up my mind. I told the salesman thanks, but there wasn't enough there to make me switch. I hopped in the black diamond, apologized to her for my wandering eye, and cruised right home to start looking for tires. So smooth and quiet - I must be getting old like Eastwood in Grand Torino. I hate missing out on a cash in, but I can't do it. Moral of the story - there is a reason they hold their value so much...
It was a summit white SLT Texas Premium 4x4 with driver package, 6.2, heated wheel, roof - nicely loaded, and a good lookin' truck. They were asking just under $47K - about 10K off. Getting in the cab of the Sierra, the first thing I noticed was all the cheap looking smooth black plastic. Its everywhere. On the sunroof controls, the doors, and all around the screen. I know its a truck, but still. I loved the huge amount of storage, all the electronics (including DIC), and the plugs. I could put 2x as much in the console easily. I got in the back to check the room, and found it to be larger, but without AC vents. The fronts look big enough to hit back there, but that means less on me. I looked at the open bed and calculated at least another grand to get a cover. Backing it out, the first thing I notice is the incredibly annoying seat alert. 3 times just driving around lot to exit. I'm sure I could turn it off...
When I floored it from a stop as directed, she broke loose easily laying a long grub. Great power, but maybe not as much as I expected - definitely faster. Upon getting up to 50 mph, I feel a distinct vibration on the wheel all the way through 75mph - is it the dreaded shake I have heard about for years on this gen? Don't know if its the Goodyear Eagles or the driveshaft, but it is noticeable. Not a fan of those tires - even my alenzas have been pretty good for stock. I notice quite a bit more road and wind noise - funny cause the salesman was like, "See how quiet these new trucks are? Probably much quieter than yours..." I just laughed. Not even close. The turning radius was quite good for its size. Then we pulled back into the dealership, and I saw a small crowd of employees gathered around my truck that dispersed as we pulled up...
The Avalanche gleamed.
I quickly made up my mind. I told the salesman thanks, but there wasn't enough there to make me switch. I hopped in the black diamond, apologized to her for my wandering eye, and cruised right home to start looking for tires. So smooth and quiet - I must be getting old like Eastwood in Grand Torino. I hate missing out on a cash in, but I can't do it. Moral of the story - there is a reason they hold their value so much...