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Desperately Seeking AV Bliss!!

K

KnightHawk

GUEST
About 1 month ago I bought a used 1996 Chevy Blazer LT. I absolutely loved it, 4x4, leather it was enough truck for me.... Then the wife wrecked it after owning it for only 2 weeks... fortunately she was unhurt, and I got to go 4x4in in it at least once. ;)

Anyhow I thought the insurance process might get me enough cash to buy a new bitchin truck. Thus I found the 2003 AV. After spending weeks configuring my perfect AV I'm starting to think my hopes of a nice settlement are slim. But in this time I've found out I could afford a used AV.

Anyway I finally found one the other day a black z71 fully loaded lthr and all. Only 6000 miles and guy was asking 28,900. Anyway immediately I began arrainging financing hoping to snag the truck up fast, and to my horror the truck is no longer listed for sale, and I'm desperately waiting on the owner to call me back and tell me it is.... but the outlook looks grim :6:

So now I have another option out there, another black z71 fully loaded even with custom installed TV system. ;D But 30k miles on it, only asking 23,000 though.....

I'm sure it's probably in awesome condition, but the smoking and water problems I've read on these AV's worry me. With only 6000k left on warranty I'm worried perhaps these problems still exist and will happen to me at 36001 miles....

I figured with the 6000k truck hell I had 30k left on warranty damn thing is good as new just 10000 less :)

So now that you know my situation... someone please give me some kind words of advice. I'm desperately seeking to become an AV owner. :C:
 
First off let me welcome you knighthawk to the site and the board....I expect you will find everything to your liking....

Your situation is a weird one...I would assume that if you can't find the listing on the first av you mentioned it's because the owner probably sold it....he may have gotten more than what he expected and decided to sell....

Your second choice has a valid point...you don't want to get stuck with a truck so close to the end of the warranty and then have to shell out cash to fix problems....what you can do is check the born on date...most of the Av's with the oil comsumption issues and leaky midgates etc...were on the early models to roll off the line...chevy has since then corrected these problems across the board...you may still find some cases I'm sure...as for nothing is 100%...good luck on whatever you decide...we'll be here for ya..... :B:
 
KnightHawk said:
I'm sure it's probably in awesome condition, but the smoking and water problems I've read on these AV's worry me. With only 6000k left on warranty I'm worried perhaps these problems still exist and will happen to me at 36001 miles....
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If that is a concern, you could work with the present owner of the Av to get the GM Protection Plan before he sells it to you. He can purchase the extended warranty at any time up to the expiration of the factory warranty. This warranty is transferrable to the new owner.

If the seller is motivated enough I'm sure you 2 could work out a deal where you paid an additional amount to cover the cost. Then you'd be covered.

The Av's a great vehicle even with the few issues it had early in production.

Just my .02 :B:

SJP
 
Hmmmm.... could anyone give me an idea of what kind of coverage and how much this extended warranty would run?
 
Also from what I've read on the site... it would seem that vehicles dated 6/01 and after are "good" is this true is my date off?
 
KnightHawk said:
Hmmmm.... could anyone give me an idea of what kind of coverage and how much this extended warranty would run?
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KnightHawk,

Also.. WELCOME!! :)

Missed that in my first post sorry...

This can give you most of what you're looking for;

GM Protection Plan

Looks like good coverage, doesn't list pricing but is probably affordable. I plan on getting it before my warranty runs out, but that's a LONG time from now.

Hope this helps

SJP
 
Gidday and welcome KnightHawk,

Couldn't you just buy the thing and take it straight to your dealer and complain about the leaking and tailgate handle etc etc.

Just see what they fix! If they don't find anything then your complaint has been noted and should then be covered after the warranty expires.... is that how it works over there?
 
Skidd said:
Gidday and welcome KnightHawk,

Couldn't you just buy the thing and take it straight to your dealer and complain about the leaking and tailgate handle etc etc.

Just see what they fix! ?If they don't find anything then your complaint has been noted and should then be covered after the warranty expires.... is that how it works over there?
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Great idea. No matter what you are doing it always involves paperwork or so it seems.

I agree - get it documented by a reputible source and keep good records on your own. Make sure to see if the previous owner has any paperwork too.

Welcome to the site and the love of the AV.
 
Due to some of the information I've seen on this site, I've been lead to believe that the dealer invoice price on a 2003 fully loaded z71 to be about 33,500. So I think if I offer 34,500 without rebate to a dealer that is a reasonable price as they would then they're 2%

Thx to the guy who posted the gm pricing link username/pword :)

So anyway with this realization if I could get that price I could get a new 2003 fully loaded (black) Z71. >:D

What do you guys think?
 
You haven't drove it home yet? ;D ;D

Also, if you work for a company that might supply GM with anything... go to www.gmsupplier.net and apply for a form.

I work for SBC and I was able to buy for 4% over GMS price, which was 36k and change and still got $2000 in rebate and bonus cash incentives.

MSRP on mine was $41,201 and I ended up at $34,180 or something like that.

SJP
 
If you can afford a used Av for $28K, I would think you could afford a new one with the 0% financing. Or are you looking to buy it with cash?
 
I would add a couple of things to the good advice you have already received. Do a search under leaks and smoke and/or smoking. Get all the info you can and head to the dealer early and unannounced, preferably after it's rained. Have them open up the Av so you can inspect all of the problem areas that have been identified. If there is no rain in the forecast take a hose to it. If they don't want to do this, think twice about buying from that dealer. Have them start the vehicle cold, first thing in the morning in front of you. I believe most of the smoking problems were cured easily in one way on another. If it is not smoking by now with 30,000 miles, you're probably ok.
 
I haven't the cash to purchase this thing outright, financing all the way through the credit union. Unfortunately I have a payment limit of about 600 a month.

And sadly after doing the math even if I could land 34,500 I'm still a hair outside of the park. I need the price to be about 30,000.... *sigh*.....

So anyway back to looking at the 30,000 mile AV..... I could have that one tomorrow hmmmmm... the pain....
 
Small world! I enquired about those very same vehicles. I figured I would shoot for a new one, just had to find the right dealer, and I did. Glenn Ortiz at Camino Real Chevrolet in Monterey Park. I live 225 mile from him but I got what I wanted for the price I was willing to pay. Give him a shout 888-875-8674, let him know I sent ya.
 
Well I am close to bliss now... as it turns out... that 6000 mile truck is still for sale ;D

All I'm waiting on is my loan should come through this evening.

I just may become a formal member of this club yet


;)
 
Good luck, KnightHawk! You're going to like love this truck! ;D
 
:eek: I went back and fixed my last poet. You're going to love this truck! ;D
 
Hope you land the deal this evening....good luck and keep us posted on the outcome....don't forget the pics soon after so we can get some eye candy.... ;D :B:
 
Well the loan still hasn't come through yet... although the rep at the credit union assures me it's on the hot list for tomorrow but no guarentee. And the guy I'm buying the truck from is apparently working tomorrow evening... so my chances are looking slim for a Saturday pickup. But if the guy is willing to meet me after work (you know for me anytime is good at this point ;D )
and the credit union gets it together.... then saturday could be the day, sunday if the guy won't meet me after work, monday if the credit union doesn't get it together tomorrow.

The pressure is starting to wear on me.... been anxious for over a month now. lol

P.S. I feel like I"m getting married.... if I we're a women me thinks.
 
Knighthawk...if this is pressure what till you drive that baby home after landing the deal you will have permagrin.... :B:
 
KnightHawk said:
Well I am close to bliss now... as it turns out... that 6000 mile truck is still for sale ?;D

All I'm waiting on is my loan should come through this evening.

I just may become a formal member of this club yet
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Does that mean I'm not a formal member? :6:
 
Skidd said:
Does that mean I'm not a formal member? ?:6:
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Don't worry skidd...your not only a formal member..but a member of the Av family.... :B:
 
NJAV said:
Don't worry skidd...your not only a formal member..but a member of the Av family.... :B: ?
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Thanks bloke, that males me feel better. (y)

Even if it were true.. I can see my "formality" arriving soon. ;)
 
Hilarious.... 1700 some odd posts and no AV... Yeah dude I would think your at least a good candidate for fan club prez. LOL
 
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