2003 Spotted?

[LazKat]

Near Washington DC I just spotted a 2003 Av headed in the opposite direction on the highway. The blue was noticeably brighter than mine and the cladding was dark. Has anyone else seen '03s on the road yet?

I wish I was headed in the same direction. I'd have gotten a better look and followed him/her until we had a chance to talk.

 

[ColoradoAV]

Yeah I strongly believe I saw an '03 Avalanche on I-94 west of Detroit on our way from here in Denver to Erie, PA 3 weeks ago. That one was going the other way (like always). It was yellow, which I heard on here that that will be a new color for 2003, and it had darker cladding. So it sounds like they might be popping up a little bit.

 

[gandolphxx]

News Flash - they are here! As some of you know I am in Pontiac Michigan on a consulting job - went to the store today in the rain and what do I see - a yellow 2003 Z71.

This is a color to want - in the flesh it is really nice, cladding darker and the yellow is very nice.

 

[Chief]

Very nice G-xx ?

Did you check the interior out?

I wonder who this lucky guy or gal is. ?The rest of world has to wait until January 2003 for this color ?

goo929

 

[NYAVALANCHE]

Nice pix. Talk about spy shots. I think I can cancel my subscription to Motor Trend !
Great work.

 

[AvaLance]

Hay that's my next AV (I wish) Great pics

 

[gandolphxx]

Very nice G-xx ?

Did you check the interior out?

I wonder who this lucky guy or gal is. ?The rest of world has to wait until January 2003 for this color ?

goo929

It was pouring rain, darn near drowned the camera, and no, I didn't think to look inside

Keep in mind that I am about 10 miles from the main Chevrolet truck division complex - probably some lucky exec driving it.

 

[LazKat]

Gandolph... I know, beyond any reasonable doubt, that you surely left a club brouchure..... right?

 

[steelheadchaser]

Looks pretty cool in the photos Gandolph! Was it wearing dealer or manufacturers plates? The cladding doesn't look that much darker in the pix, is that just from the photos, or is the cladding not significantly darker than the '02's ?

 

[CQB4Me]

I agree with Steelhead. That cladding doesn't look that much darker. Are you sure it was an '03? They aren't supposed to start up the line until the week of July 29th. Maybe it was an '02 that was an aftermarket paint job? The '03's have turning lights underneath the side mirrors like the Trailblazer's do...I didn't see them there but it could be the angle. Also it looked like there was a bowtie on the drivers seat. Those too are gone for '03? Or maybe I'm and idiot....probably the latter. If its an '03 gandolphxx you rock . Good eyes and way to get it up on the this site so fast. Thanks. It takes away some of my worries on the darker cladding on my ordered black '03

 

[Chief]

I agree with Steelhead. That cladding doesn't look that much darker. Are you sure it was an '03? They aren't supposed to start up the line until the week of July 29th. Maybe it was an '02 that was an aftermarket paint job?

I thought the same thing. ?That is why I asked him if he saw the interior. ?This would have to be a promotional production version if it is a '03. ?Like I said, the new yellow won't even to available to the general public until January next year!

The '03's have turning lights underneath the side mirrors like the Trailblazer's do...I didn't see them there but it could be the angle.

The turn signals for the new power mirrors are on the mirror glass and really can't be noticed until the signal is flashing.

Also it looked like there was a bowtie on the drivers seat. Those too are gone for '03?

True the Chevy Bowties are gone for '03. ?I cannot see them in the photo ... I am going to have to enhance the photo. ?Maybe G-xx can provide us some hi-res versions ?

Or maybe I'm and idiot....probably the latter. If its an '03 gandolphxx you rock ?. Good eyes and way to get it up on the this site so fast. Thanks. It takes away some of my worries on the darker cladding on my ordered black '03

I am sure if G-xx noticed the Darker "Body Hardware" then it is a '03.

Here is a recent photo that was taken at the ranch that made the cladding look darker:

It does look darker if you compare his signature photo to the yellow AV.

goo929

 

[gstreak]

Looks like '02 cladding to me. I think it is an '02.

Goo- Did you know that the '03 cladding is darker? ROFLMAO

 

[steelheadchaser]

Here is a recent photo that was taken at the ranch that made the cladding look darker:

Hey Goo, I couldn't help but noticing in the photo that your tires look underinflated compared to everyone else's

 

[Chief]

Goo- Did you know that the '03 cladding is darker? ?ROFLMAO

Really that is news to me ?

Not only is it DARKER but it also being called "Body Hardware" for '03!

goo929

 

[Chief]

Hey Goo, I couldn't help but noticing in the photo that your tires look underinflated compared to everyone else's

Just looks that way being surrounded by a 16 inch rims

 

[steelheadchaser]

Really that is news to me ?

Not only is it DARKER but it also being called "Body Hardware" for '03!

goo929

Body hardware? Out here on the left coast that means studs, bolts and other piercings through various body parts! I can see it now, a silver stud poking through the cladding on the front and rear bumpers, among other places Ouch!

 

[gandolphxx]

OK, given the rain and cars trying to run me down I may have found a repainted '02 - I have looked at the hires and noticed no Xm antenna - can't be sure - if I see it again I will run it off the road and get a VIN and interrogate the owner.

The photo doesn't do the yellow justice - cheap digital, but it is really sweet in person.

 

[wrchism]

Hmmmm. . . are there 2003's roaming the roads or not?

Ya see, I thought I saw a dark grey Av with the dark cladding here in Greeley Colorado this past Saturday. Unfortunately, I was stuck in a left turn lane when I spotted it, so I couldn't chase it down.

We'll just all have to keep our eyes open!

 

[gandolphxx]

Hey Gandolphxx,you mentioned twice in 2 seperate posts how sweet that yellow paint job looks.Is there a paint job in the future for "The Ultimate Urban Assault Vehicle"?I've wanted to paint mine since I bought it.I love my Av in red but I agree the Av in yellow would look sweet.

That yellow was sure sweet looking, oops, thats three times. No, I like my black, considered red but didn't find the right combo.

If i bought again, the yellow would be right up there on the color chart.

 

[jstrickl]

I agree with you G, yellow with dark cladding and black rims (not polished or stainless - just black) would be very sweet! Ever notice how many yellow Xterra's you see? The ones around here are predominantly yellow and for good reason... it is a good truck color.

Jamie

 

[kodeski]

If that yellow AV had "manufactuer Plates" then it was an exec car...being that close to detroit...a good possibility.

 

[gandolphxx]

If that yellow AV had "manufactuer Plates" then it was an exec car...being that close to detroit...a good possibility. ?

Sorry - I checked the hi-res from the camera - std Michigan plates. But, this is close to GM truck headquarters and it is not unusual to see a car [vehicle] driving on the streets with canvas covering it - the natives don't even bother to look.

 

[Mikes_AV]

Hey Everybody, new guy here. Just bought my AV on the 15th and love it! Anyways, I'm also from around Pontiac and have seen this truck a few times (in the sunlight). The cladding is in fact darker but not by much. I've also seen a couple in the new blue color. I think I like the Indigo a lot better They ARE out there!

 

[midlifecrisis]

I saw this on the list of changes for the 2003 Av and was wondering what it meant:

Four-position headlamp switch

 

[jstrickl]

Could it be off, auto, marker/parking, lamps? I have read of the dissatisfaction with not being able to completely and permanently disable the auto headlights. Many other manufactures have this configuration so you can run in auto or manual lighting without pushing a button four times that only works once.

Jamie