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Need a push on buying decision

Harmsie

Harmsie

Full Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2002
Messages
79
Location
Apple Valley, MN
I have been drooling over the Avalanche since they first introduced it. I have been keeping my eyes out for a good deal and I think I have found it but I would like to get everyones expert opinion. It is a white 2002 North Face with 15k miles. The few options available for the North Face are installed on it (climate control, sun roof, heated seats...). They are asking $23,950 for it. The sticker on this thing was around $43,000. Am I stupid for even taking the time to write this and not going and buying it?

*UPDATE: I did some more research and called them again. Turns out that is has a prior salvage title because of the theft recovery and the guy does not own a dealership, the guy owns a salvage recovery business where they buy damaged vehicles, repair them and sell them. They still say there was nothing wrong with it and only had to replace the front bumper because of a scratch. Damn, there had to be something wrong.

Thanks,
Harmsie
 
Sounds cheap; what's wrong with it? If nothing, I'd go get it, IMO. When I was looking at used '02's in April of about the same mileage or more, they were in upper 20's, and were NOT North Faces.

Good luck.
 
That's really low miles for an 02. I'm not crazy about white, but that's up to the taste of the owner.

North Face is nice - I love those seats. Does it have a standard warranty or an extended one? How much is left on the standard warranty?
 
Harmsie, It sounds like a real good deal at first glance. I would suggest that you visit Kelly Blue Book at www.kbb.com to see what they suggest the price to be.

Also, get a price quote on a similar equipped 03 Z71 and compare. You might be able to get new for just a little more. End of the year deals have been pretty awesome from what I have seen here on the forums.

Good Luck with it,
Reidan
 
Just went to KBB and punched in some standard info to see what it would say. Used options listed below. Says it is worth 30K. Heck, go for it dude!!!!!!






Engine: V8 5.3 Liter
Trans: Automatic
Drive: 4 Wheel Drive
Mileage: 15,000

Equipment
NorthFace Edition
Air Conditioning
Rear Air
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control
AM/FM Stereo
Multi Compact Disc
Premium Sound
OnStar
Dual Front Air Bags
Front Side Air Bags
ABS (4-Wheel)
Leather
Power Seat
Sliding Sun Roof
Roof Rack
Privacy Glass
Running Boards
Towing Pkg
Alloy Wheels



Retail Value $30,335
The Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value represents the amount an auto dealer might ask for a specific vehicle. The Suggested Retail Value is a starting point for negotiation therefore the actual sale price will vary. Popularity, condition, warranty, color and local market conditions will be factors involved in determining a final price. This retail value is not a trade-in or private party value.

 
Here's the deal with the warranty. When the vehicle was new, someone took it for a test ride and left it in a parking lot. The dealership reported it as stolen and the police found it in the lot and returned it. Because the police were involved and it was deemed a theft recovery, the dealership had to void the warranty although nothing was wrong with it. The owner of the dealership then drove it as his vehicle for 15k miles. He said he could give me a bumper to bumper 3yr/45k mile warranty for $800. I would ask him to pick up half of that.
 
sounds a little shady to me ..... I would be a little bit worried about a test drive and left in a lot .(doesn't sound like you are getting the whole story) .... I would be putting the vin through Carfax.com .... for $15 it will give you a history on the truck ......

besides .... GM has a 3yr/36k bumper to bumper ..... it only has 15k on it? .... why should you pay $800 for a warrenty ..... something is not right here .....
 
Before you sign off this website, Just turn off your computer and go get your Avalanche........I have never been happier owning a vehicle in my 53 years!!!

Go now
Turn off your computer
It's a great buy

Bye, go quick, bye,

Mike
 

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I agree there is something fishy about this story. As a minimum, have a qualified mechanic go over the vehicle from head to toe to make sure there is no damage from flood or accident. A great deal is not so great if you end up with a suspect vehicle.
 
R94 LT 1 said:
I don't see how anything could void the standard GM 3/36000 mile warranty.
Click to expand...



I will Need Vin # To Give To My Gm Rep.

His Comments are Below :



" If it has a salvage or reconstructed title the factory warranty could be void. Theft will not void the warranty".
 
Get the VIN and check the vehicle history at carfax.com. If an insurance claim was submitted then there will be a trace of it's history. The report is only $19.99. I used this service to check on a car for my buddy. It turned out his "sweet" deal was a car that was involved in a flood.

I want you to get an Avalanche but I don't want you to get ripped off.

-AF
 
Harmsie- just read your update to orig post.

Dude - if you have a family or plan on it - I hate to say it, but pass on this truck. I want you to have an AV, but not this one.

My neighbor just decided he would start doing some of this and got a dealership license. Here is the thing - these cars are so unsafe I would not put a toy doll in one.

If the car was totalled - it means the vehicle cannot be repaired and SAFELY be put back on the road for less than what it's worth. Now if you ask anyone running a body shop if it can be fixed for less and they will say yes - you can slap some bondo and paint on a WRECK and make it look OK.

If you get into a wreck let me explain how bondo and filler absorbs energy - ZILCH. How sure are you those airbags are going to work? You do know those crumple zones only work once right?

Keep your family safe, look here at trucks for sale - guys here take care of their trucks. The MSRP on my '03 was $42,000 but I paid $10k less than that in July. You can get a good deal with the '04s coming in.
 
Ahhhh something's wrong here. Seems like he could wholesale it for more than that if he really wanted to 'get out of the business'. Who's carrying the warranty? Do the carfax check or just pass. Get something you don't have to worry about.

-Brian n8wrl
 
I hope this doesnt turn out to be a "I'm going to kick myself in the butt forever for this decision... that works both ways you know....


Good Luck... sounds like you've had some good advice!
 
You will be hard pressed to get insurance for your truck with a salvage title. There is always something wrong with it. If it truly is a slavage title, the parts are worht more then the whole truck. Try selling to someone else. Not mention the liability if you cause an accident. They will point out this truck should not have even been in the road. If there was nothing shady why would a dealer sell for so low? An employee would have sucked it up in a second for that price.
 
I am taking everyones advice and passing on the Ave. You have all brought up good points. Something did seem not right about the whole deal and the fact that they didn't tell me up front it had a salvaged title makes it even more suspect.

The search continues...

Harmsie
 
Harmsie - any update on the situation? Looks like you've got people coming out of the woodwork to comment on this subject! Everyone here wants you to get an Av, but a good Av. (y)
 
Yup, look one post up. :) I'm passing on it. I would probably end up worrying every time I drove it and there are just too many unknowns. I really appreciate the advice from everyone here. This is a great forum.

Harmsie
 
I'm changing my opinion after the further info...too shady for me to be comfortable with.

Good luck with whatever you decide :)
 
The value of a salvage title car is 50% or less of one with a clear title. Stay away from it, it is a lot of money that you invest in a rebuilt car. Unfortunatelly, the history stays with it, so it will always show up. As a matter of fact, no financial institution is financing a salvage titled car, as it is worthless to them.
My advice: pay a little extra and get a clean titled car. Check eBay or For Sale forum, or even local newspaper.
BTW, I am selling my AV, listed in FS forum, so check it out (the sunset orange in Dallas/Ft Worth).
 
The Av may have been stolen and stripped of parts and then totaled by the insurance company cause it was cheaper to replace than repair. If this is the case then the structural integrity of the frame and body should be okay. Or it may not have been found until after it was replaced by insurance and they salvaged it to recoup some of their loss.

But, brings to mind the quality of the replacement parts used. He may have taken parts from other wrecked Av's and did the repairs. This may or not be okay depending upon the damage that totaled the donor av. Front clip from an Av that has been rear-ended would be okay.

Guys who strip cars are generally not real carefull with things like wiring harnesses, mounting brackets, and such. May be hidden problems lurking.

I personally would be too wary of it, even if it was not wrecked. You need your transportation to be reliable. This Av is to questionable.

Reidan
 
Reidan said:
Hmmm, something wrong with this thread. I do not see my reply.
Click to expand...
I fixed......I think...I was having same problem so I tinkered with it....

Tell me if you see it now
 
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