2003 Avalanche First Drive!!!

[Chief]

I just got back from spending the afternoon with a new 2003 Dark Gray Metallic Z-71 Avalanche!

​

click for hi-res photo​

It's fun being Goo sometimes ​

New Bose System w/ XM radio and dual climate control​

Steering wheel radio/trip computer controls and 120mph speedo​

New wider center console​

Review mirror with OnStar ... I had temp/compass off
There is also an message whether the passenger airbag is on/off​

Transfer case switches and headlamp controls​

Driver controls with adjustable pedals​

Rear audio controls​

Power signal mirrors​

Some new Arrival Blues ... Just Arrived!​

Compare the new darker cladding to this '02 Z66​

_____________________________________________​

Z71 - OFF-ROAD SUSPENSION PACKAGE
62U - DARK GRAY METALLIC
AN3 - FULL FEATURE BUCKET SEATS
CF5 - SUNROOF
GT5 - 4.10 REAR AXLE
U2K - XM RADIO DIGITAL SOUND
UC6 - 6 DISC CD, AM/FM STEREO, BOSE SPEAKERS
PDH - DRIVER CONVENIENCE PACKAGE
PDQ - PERSONAL SECURITY PACKAGE
UE1 - ONSTAR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
UK3 - REDUNDANT RADIO CONTROLS / MSG CENTER - STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS
Z82 - TRAILERING PACKAGE
ZM9 - CONVENIENCE PACKAGE
AJ1 - DEEP TINTED GLASS
AJ7 - SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAGS
JF4 - POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS

MSRP as tested ... $41,526.

2003 Z-71 Avalanche provided by:

Danny Mireles of
Smith Chevrolet
13483 IH 10 W
San Antonio, TX 78249

phone: 210-697-6000
toll free: 888-608-6000

Thank you for your support of our local chapter!

 

[EarthQuake]

How do you luck up like this?

Do you go down to Mexico and drive them from the factory to the parking lot or something!?

 

[EarthQuake]

THAAAAT IS SWWEEEETTT!!!

 

[BlackAv2002]

OK GOO ? now calm down and post the pictures. ?you got to have all the fun ?now we wanna see....SOO are you trading in the GLOW MOBILE for a 2003?

 

[RichUF]

I just drooled on my keyboard after seeing a "real" photo of that new color combo. I knew I was going to like the darker cladding; can't wait to see it in person.

 

[EarthQuake]

I just noticed that the insturment cluster is different. ?It has a 120 mph spedo and the other gauges are arranged differently like the fuel is on bottom and oil is above. ?
May be missing a few things too, but could just be the angle.

 

[Ambalanche]

I love it! I wish I could afford to trade my '02 But, that one looks like it had the XM Satalite radio because it looks like it had two antenna' on the roof. Did it drive any differently?

I just got back from spending the afternoon with a new 2003 Dark Gray Metallic Z-71 Avalanche ... review to follow ?

It's fun being Goo sometimes ​

 

[jackalanche]

Goo you Female Dog! (yes I know that will be changed to a dog that is expecting puppies)

lucky boy! I am soooo jealous.

 

[Ambalanche]

How much was the List?

 

[byron]

Oh my goodness......

That is SWEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lsuflyingtiger]

That truck rocks. I like the new steering wheel. Does it perform any better?

Jim

 

[Gabe]

That is the truck I am waiting to buy. The color looks good with the cladding. Was this off the lot or ordered?
Gabe

 

[Chief]

Photos are posted ... Enjoy and ask questions!!!

I am going to do some writing now to answer the questions coming in.

 

[Chief]

That is the truck I am waiting to buy. ?The color looks good with the cladding. ?Was this off the lot or ordered?
Gabe

It was off the delivery truck getting prepped to go to the lot

 

[Chief]

I just noticed that the insturment cluster is different. ?It has a 120 mph spedo and the other gauges are arranged differently like the fuel is on bottom and oil is above. ?
May be missing a few things too, but could just be the angle.

Just the angle ... everything is there and then some.

 

[wrchism]

That is NICE . . . . I really like the color combination.

And I'm drooling over a number of the new gadgets that the 2003 has . . .

Still no tranny temp gauge and at first I thought that there was another blank spot on the cluster above where the tranny temp gauge should be . . . but am guessing that that's a reshaped 'message center'

A couple of other questions . . .

Is the trip computer display on the cluster or in the overhead console?

Where's the switch for the passenger airbag disable?

 

[Chief]

Is the trip computer display on the cluster or in the overhead console?

Where's the switch for the passenger airbag disable?

The trip info displays on the new cluster.

The passenger side airbag is enable/disabled by detection only. ?It was off when I drove to my friends house and on after I picked her up

 

[lbotkin1]

The improvements look great but $41000!!! Wow! You can get a fully loaded EXT for $45000 from my local dealer.
Are there any incentives such as 0% interest on the 2003's?
The cladding doesnt really look that much darker than the 02's to me. How is the brake feedback versus the 02 model?
I am getting a 02 z66 tomorrow for $31000 (all options including the sunroof) plus tax, and 0% interest. I did the math and the 03 with 4.9 percent would end up costing about $8000 more the 02. My dealer seems relutant to discuss incentives on the 03's, does anyone know of any upcoming deals? I read there was $1000 rebate but thats not worth it.

 

[Chief]

The sticker is $41K. ?

The members around here are not paying that! ?I have seen posts saying they are getting deals for $100 - $700 over invoice.

According to this dealership, right now you can get either the $1000 cash back or the 4.9% for 60 months on the 03's. ?The 0% and other rebates only applies to the 02's.

The brakes and driving are smoother than I expected. ?I am a Z66 owner.

The darker Body Hardware looks cool in person. ?I really didn't see a reason to paint the one on the Dark Gray Metallic.

On another note:

The Z66's were delivered with the decals. ?This goes against the information on the June 14 document I received. ?We will have to see how long this goes on for.

 

[Chief]

...SOO are you trading in the GLOW MOBILE for a 2003?

It did cross my mind

 

[otisboy]

I just love it! Let me tell you how wonderful I think that AV looks. When I first purchase my pewter AV I had wanted a dark gray color but it wasn't offered. Nevertheless, I still love my AV but I gotta give my props to the new 2003.

Thanks goo for the pics.

 

[mmdavidw]

*covering eyes*

No... I love my truck. I promised it that once I got it that I wouldn't look at any other trucks ever again. I can't betray its trust...

Must not look..... must....not....look....

David

 

[imaniguana]

That is SO COOL!!!! I hope they offer that dark cladding when I'm ready to trade in around 2004 or 2005.

 

[chevroletavalanche]

I thought the front was going to be different. I seen pics of the cladless Av and the front is different. Is the front different because there isn't any cladding?

 

[Mikez66]

Cool! Glad to see that the front end still looks like and Avalanche! Looks much better than the claddingless version in an earlier post.