Hi All. I'm new to the AV Fan Club as of today, 9-9-07. I'm not new to owning an AV though. Had I known that this club existed I would have joined when I bought my first AV.
I bought my first AV in December 2003; it was a MY2004 AV. Even though it didn't have all of the options, it still had a lot more on it than what I had considered requirements {e. g. , no sunroof, a front bench seat (too bad you can't get this in leather), the Z-71 package (too bad this isn't offered in the MY2007 Victory Red paint color and so far not in the MY2008 Victory Red paint color), etc. } at that time. Comparison-wise, it even had more options on it than other trucks that were also on my 'short list' for purchasing during that time period. Am I glad that I bought my 2004 AV and not any of the other trucks that were on my 'short list'.
Does anyone know what one of the major signs is that you have bought the right thing at the right price at the right time for the right reason? The novelty, excitement and enjoyment of the item you bought never wears off; even when you are making payments on it. This is how I know that I had bought the right vehicle for me - I still enjoy my 2004 AV. I enjoy it best while driving it, but, I enjoy just looking at it too.
Even so, I have traded that one in on a new 2007 AV. And let me say, this one is even better that my 2004 AV. It too has everything on it that I wanted, and more. The only options it doesn't have that I have identified so far are the 6. 0-liter engine (I required the 5. 7-liter), the power running boards, the Navigation System (having this deletes the 6-disc in-dash CD changer that I required), and the factory-installed back-up camera system (the navigation system was required for this). As far as I know, it pretty much has everything else - and yes, even a power sunroof for those of you who were wondering why I didn't get one on my first AV. I might write about that one in a future post.
As with my first one, I have added some accessories to it. Again, I might write about those in a future post as well. But for time's sake, it has pinstriping, some chrome items, added lighting that includes red-lighted "AVALANCHE" door sills. I found the lighted door sills at www. wooddashexperts. com Click on the "Chevrolet Dash" link in the left column. The lighting colors are available in blue, green, red, orange, yellow, pink, white, and purple. FYI - I am not affiliated in any way with the manufacturer, this company or website. The way I envision this, we're all here to help each other out.
If you would like to see my 2007 AV, it is located north of Des Moines, IA, on Interstate-35, at Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny, IA. As of now, I pick it up this Saturday, 9-15-07. It is getting protections and sealants applied to it the first part of this coming week, and the last I knew it was sitting in their Accessories Showroom. It's exterior color is Victory Red. It used to be Karl's (the owner's) demo vehicle.