Av Questions

[Mach1Man]

OK, I/we (my wife and I), have an 02 Toyaota 4-Runner. 2 kids, 2 and 3 yrs old, and not enough space. I am 6'6" and can't ride very well in a normal sized SUV and there is no space for anything but the car seats in the back. We were looking at an F150/Silverado/Sierra with the Crew Cab. We don't need 4WD because it will never get used in CA. Anyways, while looking at Silverados with not much intrest the salesman asked us if we had looked at the Avalanche. So we liked quite a bit about it. Plenty of room, covered bed, plenty of room, better gas milage, and plenty of room. Now i just need some suggetions as to the packages to look at. I was thinking of the Z-66 with the chrome running step and no plastic lower half. No need for leather or too many expensive options. Looking to keep MSRP around 33-34k. With the rebates and discounts it will take me down to the range of 25-27k.

Does this seem to be a good line of thought are are there anythings you wish you had gotten on the truck? I am a car guy and don't know a whole lot on trucks, so any suggetions would be great.

 

[WCFields]

You're on the right track for pricing and potential benefits of the Av as opposed to other vehicles. Think of it as a big car with a huge trunk.

Do the 24 Hour Test Drive. You 'll have a better feel for what it is like to drive, you can make sure it fits in your garage, and you'll probably have a salesman that will be in a better position to make a great deal so you don't get away.

 

[RONALDFS]

I live in the northeat so I have a basic 4X4. The only thing I wished I had got was the full DIC (drivers imformation center) I do have a partcial DIC but the full version give you a lot more imformation as oil life percentage average gas mile on the current tank.

You also might want running boards. This will help getting into and out of the truck.

Once you start reading all of these threads you will see how many members have added different things to there truck and a lot of them leave comments good and bad.

One other thing you may want with haveing two young childern is the snakeeyes back up camera. This will help you with backing up and with the camera will help you to make sure that you do not run over any of their toys, ect.

Good luck and I am sure that you will love the truck.

RON

 

[whitethunder]

OK, I/we (my wife and I), have an 02 Toyaota 4-Runner. 2 kids, 2 and 3 yrs old, and not enough space. I am 6'6" and can't ride very well in a normal sized SUV and there is no space for anything but the car seats in the back. We were looking at an F150/Silverado/Sierra with the Crew Cab. We don't need 4WD because it will never get used in CA. Anyways, while looking at Silverados with not much intrest the salesman asked us if we had looked at the Avalanche. So we liked quite a bit about it. Plenty of room, covered bed, plenty of room, better gas milage, and plenty of room. Now i just need some suggetions as to the packages to look at. I was thinking of the Z-66 with the chrome running step and no plastic lower half. No need for leather or too many expensive options. Looking to keep MSRP around 33-34k. With the rebates and discounts it will take me down to the range of 25-27k. Does this seem to be a good line of thought are are there anythings you wish you had gotten on the truck? I am a car guy and don't know a whole lot on trucks, so any suggetions would be great.

I think you have the right idea the Z66 is probably your best choice as far as options the OnStar is worth it stick with the the cloth with the front bench seat go with the plastic running steps the Chrome ones are good but more for looks! if you buy one get the tires changed before hand the stock ones are not the greatest I would suggest the Bridgestone Dueler Revo's make sure to also get the trailer package and make sure that all the heavy duty equipment is added like a high watt alternator.
You may not need it but it's good to have!

Good Luck!

 

[carndt]

Where in CA?

We have a 4Runner as well, and just got my Av about a month ago.

I'm a little shorter than you (6' 4") and the Av fits me nicely. Her Runner is a little cramped for me now. I'd been driving an '82 Datsun Kingcab, so the Av is palatial to me.

I don't know enough about the packages to remember what comes in each.

However, if your wife is a lot shorter than you, and you will both drive the Av a lot, I'd look at the 10 way power bucket seats (and maybe the Driver Convenience Package). The key is the Driver 1/Driver 2 memory. Then the seats. mirrors, pedals, radio, and climate control adjust to your settings or hers automatically, as well as moving for Easy Exit when you remove the key from the ignition. It sounds extravagant, but I like it every time I drive my truck.

And you might rethink the leather. A lot of people says that, with kids or dogs, leather cleans up easier and absorbs stuff like spills and barf less.

(Be aware that adjusting the pedals all the way forward for you lanky frame might interfere with full throw on the accelerator pedal. It does on my 03.)

Being a family man, you might want the Personal Security Package (working off my window sticker now) for the Front Side Impact Airbags.

Let me know of you are close to San Luis Obispo and want to talk about any of this in person.

 

[Mach1Man]

I am a bit north of you actually in Vacaville. The power seat seems like it would be real nice as my wife is just 5'5" But i don't know if i can accept the 1095 bucks it would cost me. seems like a lot for a chair.... my Lay-Z-Boy was only 600

Oh and one other question is the Z-66 on road suspension worth it? I just built and priced one on chevy.com and didn't seem to bad.

 

[ygmn]

I love my Z66 ride.....the self load leveling suspension is great if you tow trailers or haul heavy loads....

Also with the Z66 package you do get a few other nice things....HD rubber floor mats...etc etc

 

[carndt]

I am a bit north of you actually in Vacaville. The power seat seems like it would be real nice as my wife is just 5'5" But i don't know if i can accept the 1095 bucks it would cost me. seems like a lot for a chair.... my Lay-Z-Boy was only 600

Oh and one other question is the Z-66 on road suspension worth it? I just built and priced one on chevy.com and didn't seem to bad.

I don't know about the Z66 vs base suspension question. I wound up with a Z71 4wd. Which brings up another point. Cruise the net and look for other deals on Avs rather than ordering new. There are some interesting deals out there. We bought our 4Runner through a local outfit that buys to order from auctions. It was a lease return with only 6k miles on it. This really works if you have the time and patience to wait for the right car to come up.

(About low milage lease returns: According to our guy, dealers will put anyone they can in a car. Then the lease company reviews the deal and lessor's credit. Sometimes they take the car back, and refund the lessor's money. Since the car belongs to the leasing company now, they send it to auction, rather than back to the dealer. The lady he learned about this from drive her car for 2 months before the leasing company took it away.)

When I was looking at Avs, on-line I found a red and blue pair at the local GMC dealer for sale as used, with about 100 miles on each of them. I was ready to buy the blue one, and went down a block to the Chevy dealer just to see the Silver Birch Metallic color. In passing, the salesman mentioned that the sales manager was driving a demonstrator that he could sell me.

I got a loaded 2003 (see my sig) for a heckuva deal, with 8k miles on it. It was only $2000 more than the plain-jane Arrival Blue one I almost committed to.

 

[Chuck]

mach1man-
I'm a new member too. As a matter of fact this is my first post. I bought a z66 a week ago and am thrilled with it. I also traded in a 4runner. Mine is dark blue metallic, WBH, stainless running board, etc... I opted for the better suspension and info center. (can't remember the name of the package) The only things I didn't get that I wanted was sunroof and leather. Your right about the pricing now too. Seems to be a great time to get into a new veh. I've been very pleased w/ my choice.

 

[MOTOX6]

get the DVD player for your kids, they will for it and it eleviates the