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Factory Ordering An Av

midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

Charter Member
SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2002
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3,580
Location
New Jersey - Exit 5
Has anybody on this forum ordered an Av instead of buying one off the lot? I was wondering what the downfalls of this would be, and how long it takes to build and deliver an Av. I've heard horror stories with other vehicles taking 6 months to be delivered when they were promised in 2 months. I've also heard stories of people not getting specifically what they ordered.

I realize you only get the rebates or incentives that are active when the vehicle is delivered, not when it is ordered. Are there any other issues involved with ordering a vehicle?
 
I never thought of it as my dealer had about 27 to choose from and the exact one I wanted all the options and the colors as well.

I did go shopping around to 4 different dealers and well it was kinda fun test driving etc.


I would be afraid when ordering one that it could have problems with it at delivery and then be stuck with it.

 
The only factory orders I've heard of are Av's with neutral cloth bench seats. That's a rare animal. I also have never seen an Av with the snow plow prep package or the extended mirrors. I'd say that's pretty rare too.

If you're looking for any other combination I'm sure a dealer could find one doing a dealer search. Mine found four in the area with exactly what I wanted and did a swap. If the dealer tells you they can't find anything you can confirm their search at GM Buy Power http://www.gmbuypower.com and search the inventory of other dealers. Sometimes to pressure you from taking inventory out of THEIR stock they'll tell you something isn't available when it is.

Whatever you do you should make up your mind fast - $2,002 rebates go away on 2/28 and rumor has it they are going to $1,000...
 
I ordered my AV on January 7, 2002. Is was built January 21, 2002. It arrived at the dealer January 30, 2002. Not Bad. As for the mirrors, I have the camper style mirrors. I also was able to order my AV with all the options and colors I wanted. GM is paying attention to their customers.
 
midlifecrisis said:
Has anybody on this forum ordered an Av instead of buying one off the lot? ?I was wondering what the downfalls of this would be, and how long it takes to build and deliver an Av. ?I've heard horror stories with other vehicles taking 6 months to be delivered when they were promised in 2 months. ?I've also heard stories of people not getting specifically what they ordered.

I realize you only get the rebates or incentives that are active when the vehicle is delivered, not when it is ordered. ?Are there any other issues involved with ordering a vehicle?
Click to expand...

Hi,

I ordered my Av from the factory (after the only example on the dealership lot with a 4.10 axle had the rusty roof problem from the roof rack).

It was ordered in early December, built in late December, delivered on January 18th.

This is a far cry from the games the dealer was playing in late November to try to get me to take one out of inventory - having a guy walk down the hall saying "we're currently expecting April delivery on Avalanches"

Yes, you only get the incentives that are in place at the time of delivery - but in my case the deal was better by $2002 (rebate).

Just be sure to walk through the entire order with the dealer - ensuring that you get everything correct on the order sheet. Overspecify rather than underspecify (for example, check LM7 for the 1500 engine, even though there aren't any other alternatives).

It was well worth it in my opinion - good luck!

ed
 
I ordered mine after the new year and picked it up the first week of Feb. Had no problem getting what I wanted. Red Z-71 leather 4.10 roof rack (checked, no rust). Runs like a champ!!
 
WOW! I'm impressed with all the experiences in ordering an Av and the short turnaround time. As someone mentioned, I am looking for the neutral cloth bench seat and there are none to be found on GMBuyPower.com.

Thanks for all the informative and quick responses.

And also, does anybody else have the neutral cloth interior and how is it holding up? I would like to get it with the Victory Red exterior.
 
I have a bench with natural interior and indigo blue exterior. The light color is holding up great. The good part is where you sit on the seat it is a blk and brown weave. You really don't see the dirt. The other good thing is the carpet is dark gray or blk not sure. So you don't have to worry about a light carpet getting dirty. The color of the carpet is what sold me on the natural interior. I was looking for gray with bench but could not find out so I settle for natural.

Good Luck,
 
Sorry that was me the post before. I for got to log in.

Again Good Luck with your AV,
 
I went through autobuytel and they put me in contact with a dealer within 250 miles who had exactly what I wanted and he delivered the Av to my office with all papers and financing done.
 
I ordered Indigo/Neutral Leather/Sunroof, etc. Z71 on 7/6/01 and took delivery 8/22/01. It sat at the railhead in St. Louis for about 5 days, too.
 
I ordered my AV in July and they told me it would be 6 to 8 weeks. It came in in 5 week. I wouldn't buy any other way. I ordered because I didn't want all the toys they had on the ones in the lot. I also wanted neutral cloth interior but with bucket seats and that was the only way to get them was to order it.

One thing I like about a ordered AV is you are almost sure that some one hasn't had it out for a test ride and screwed up the engine. I broke in my AV like it said in the manual and I haven't had any problem with burning oil.

I don't have any rust because I didn't order the roof rack.

If you go to www.kbb.com (Kelleys Blue Book) you can do your home work before set foot on the lot. Then you know what the dealer cost is and they normaly will sale you a ordered truck for 3% over dealer cost.

If you would like to see some pictures of my AV's cloth interior go the the site below.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=618150&uid=479825&members=1

Good luck on you new AV which ever way you go. :D
 
Rogerh, cool looking decal! Is that supposed to be the final official one, or is that just one you thought up?

I didn't order mine, because the 0% financing was "set" to expire at the end of Oct. although we know the extended it a few times, and I wanted to get the great financing. Sooo, I went to the buypower site like the Chief mentioned, and found one about an hour away in a little town. Called my dealer and they swapped and had it in a couple days. I was a bit ticked by the fact that I couldn't go get it or at least go along with their guy (insurance reasons so they said), because I was worried about them not driving it right during the trip back, but my salesman told me the guy was older (not some kid that would screw it up) and did this all the time. He let me meet and talk with him, so I was a little more comfortable after that. Mine has used about half a quart of oil though before the first change, so not sure, but it doesn't smoke or anything, and I don't see any oil spots in the garage....who knows...
 
rogerh - that neutral interior is sweet. I did not realize it was a two tone like that. That really looks great on the seats and door panels. All I've ever seen around here in NJ is the darker cloth interior.
 
Midlife: Tick Tick Tick, The $2002 rebate expires tomorrow. I was going to factory order with the tan interior but the rebate changed my mind. Cost is an issue to me [Scottish blood]. Looks like you want victory red?
? Go find one with graphite leather and sport cloth. The sport cloth is also in the side door panels and breaks up the all graphite interior. You do not get the memory or heated seats but the look was worth it to me.
? I drove my wife crazy, looking at brochures, taking her on multiple test drives, Avalanche screen saver, looking at the car ads in the paper, and of course on this web site every day until------ WALA! she broke down and said "lets go get it" It was a long term effort for months to get the wife to say yes but we have our truck and we love it.
?The neutral interior is nearly impossible to find on a dealers lot [Seattle] but I did see one with the orange exterior. The interior was good looking but I could not take the orange.
?I posted a question regarding the neutral interior on "another website" and was rudely blasted about this interior being ugly. Color is a matter of taste and its nice to see you can ask any question here and get polite opinions.
?I am also a midlifer and after loosing a sister in law to cancer and about to loose another, both in their 40's, plus 9-11, I'm glad I bought in time to enjoy some summer trips this year.
? There is only one way to end your suffering and you know what you have to do. ;) Good Luck
 
I actually went in thinking that my Av would have to be ordered without a doubt, I just didn't think I would be lucky enough to drive off the lot with it....

They didn't have the Av that I had initally put in the order for but had one with everything I wanted and thensome. I believe thinking back the OWL was the only option that I had not originally ordered....

Nonetheless I agreed on the tires, and as a matter of fact they really grew on me since......the only time I spent waiting on my Av was for dealer-prep....
 
Midlife - Is it still a crisis, or, have you got an Av? Interested in knowing after all the querying you've done.
 
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