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New '03 Avalanche 4WD Z71 Test Drive....

L

ls1fun

GUEST
Well i finally test drove one of these.

Now keep in mind that i have been driving my wife's 2002 Explorer lately since we have been carpooling.

First off i looked over the mid gate. Pretty cool, even though i had to show the sales droid that you can have the gate down with the window still in. But the seats don't seem to go perfectly flat and there are rubber bumpers so no adjustment possible. Still no problem, it's pretty flat.

The step in height: kinda high for my wife, probably would want the step/running board. Entry/exit much easier in the explorer. I was a little surprised at the entry height. A lot better than my old 4X4 though. Door openings are about the same it seemed.

Seat belts(in back seat): Came across my wife's throat. Needs to be adjustable ala ford explorer.

Pick up: The gas peddle is kind of strange. Seems like you really have to press on it a ways to get going. This was not the power adjust pedals. Overall pickup was okay for a heavy vehicle but the explorer V6 is better and easier for pickup and pedal control.

Ride/handling: The Av ride is smoother. It also corners flatter with less drama than the ford explorer. This surprised me as the Av definitely feels a lot heavier, which it is. The ride of the explorer while not as smooth is very acceptable. The width of the explorer does make it feel very manuverable and visibility is very good. The mirrors on the Av were very good though which compensated a lot for this. Parrelell parked the Av as a test. No big deal, it was a lot easier than i expected. Very easy. Parking and exit of course were easier in the explorer because it is almost 8 inches narrower (while still feeling roomy inside). And of course have independant rear suspension on the explorer does help it take some potholes and bumps a little better, but not neccessarily smoother which is surprising. GM does a good job with the Av 'old style' straight axle suspension.

Interior room/quality: The explorer is pretty roomy inside and felt like it had just as much room easily in the front buckets. The rear definitely had a little more width and maybe a little better depth in the Av. Comparing interior measurement specs confirms this. The Explorer actually has 43.9 inches of front leg room, more than most vehicles. Rear leg room is similar. However the interior console and materials are more luxurious on the Av for sure. It is sad that ford has such seemingly cheap interiors, even though they do work well. The leather explorer seats are pretty good, but not as wide, and nice as the Av. my wife finds the explorer seats great (5'4") while they are a little small for me (6'1") but still pretty good. Just not as nice as the Av's.

Drink holders: The Av and explorer both have 2 up front. The explorer also has a shaped map holder in the door that has a spot for a sport bottle. Nice feature that all vehilces should have these days IMO. Not hard to do either.

Tranny: The explorer has a 5 speed auto which is smooth and nice. The shifter is also easier to operate than the Av's, though neither is that easy to operate. I feel that the tranny in the Av is more 'durable' feeling, but a 5 speed would sure be nice.

Passenger space: Well the Explorer has a 3rd row seat. The Av's is pretty good though.

Loading/cargo: The load height of the Explorer and the ease is great. Either the window cutout or the whole tailgate lifts up. Also the space behind the 3rd row seat is perfect for a load of grocerys. However any seriously dirty stuff would definitely mess it up and contaminate the interior. So it depends on what you will be carrying.

It depends on your needs of course. They are both great family vehicles. As an everyday vehicle the explorer seems a lot easier to manage. But if you want to carry something tall, long or dirty the Av is better. The explorer will actually tow over 7,000 pounds with the trailering package and 3.73 gears which while not as good as the Av , is pretty good. But if you want to carry more people or seperate the kids, that 3rd row seat is worth a lot.

Admitedly it wasn't a long test drive and a test drive cannot compare to owning one for a while. So any comments on the day to day commuting and erand running and owning of your Av would be appreciated.
 
My GF has an Explorer and we ALWAYS take the AV everywhere - I have much more room and the ride is much nicer.

I have found when driving here Explorer over bumps that I feel the bumps a lot more because of the shorter wheel base... in the AV I just glide over them :)

If you are going to pack up for a road trip, you will love the AV. With 4 people and gear, it is nice to have the extra space.
 
Why are you comparing an AV with an Explorer? One vehicle is a mid size SUV and the other is an AVALANCHE, and if you havn't notice it is a full size vehicle. Getting in and out of an AV is very easy with the running boards. Loading anything is easy. The room in the front and back are great! I don't want a third row of seats, if I did I would buy a vehicle with them and not an AV.
If you want to compare a GM product to a Explorer then why don't you test drive a Envoy or something that is in the same category as an Explorer? My 7 year old rides in the back and with the seat belt clip it is perfect for him.
My AV is perfect as an everyday vehicle, and I would not own a Ford Exporer as I think it is a much weaker, inferior everyday vehicle.
There is a difference in owning / driving a full size vehicle versus a mid size vehicle and that is the choice you need to make first. I drive my AV everyday all day and have no problems or complaints regarding my AV at this time.
Gabe
 
I would guess your GF doesn't have one of the newer 2002 4 door independant rear suspension explorers. There are a bunch of different models and the explorer 4 door was redesigned for 2002 and is a bit different from the earlier models. Better entry height, bigger door openings, IRS, longer wheelbase, etc... What year is it?
However when you go over some bumps you do feel a kind of 'jostling' in the explorer.
Thanks, its nice to know you feel the av is convenient to take everywhere and prefer it in your case with that explorer model( which one is it?).
I am not sure about the road trip space. With the 3rd row folded down there is a good amount of usable space in back of the 2nd row in the explorer. It would seem they would both have pretty good space. How many cubic feet is the back of the Av with the panels on anyway? Probably similar space.
 
Gabe:

The Envoy doesn't really compare either.

Thanks, it's nice to know the clip would have helped if she used it. Being in her ninth month of pregnancy she couldn't find/use it even though i could see it from the front next to her.

What kind of driving do you do everyday and where do you drive it, what city? Lots of stop and go? Tight parking lots?

Hey it's hard to pick a vehicle to keep for a long time these days. I am just relating my expieriences and looking for others expieriences. Thanks for the info.
I am thinking of selling my 1999 Camaro and getting a family vehicle. We are expecting our first child. And it is hard to choose. I don't want anything longer than an Av though for everyday use. And i like the Av better than the assorted crew cabs as an all around vehicle.
It was compared to give some perspective also.
 
I also own a '97 Mercury Mountaineer (Aka Explorer with different badging). We looked at the new '02 Mountaineers at the same time we were looking at the AV. I am not sure if the Explorer recieved some of the same interrior treatments as the Mountaineer, but if they did, I would have to disagree with some of your statements.

Having not been in the new '03 AV, I don't know the details on the new interrior. But, comparing '02 MM to the '02 AV, the AV's interior is much more user friendly. It is easier to get at the Steering wheel stocks, the seats are more comfortable, the MM's power adjust pedals were too awkard no matter where I put them. The V-8 was lack luster. Power to Weight, it should have impressed me more when compared to the AV, but it didn't. The 3rd row seat was a waste of space. Only small children could get back there (I was able to get back there after about 10 minutes of trying). The cover over the 3rd row seats (head rests) was flimsy, and I don't think I would want to put any real weight on them.

J. Mays did the "styling" for the interior of the MM. Guess what, it looks just like the interior of another J. Mays car.... the VW New Beetle. J. Mays is becoming something of a broken record.

When all was said and done, we liked our '97 MM over the '02 MM... and we bought the AV instead.

I am going to have to go out and test drive an '03 AV, and see what GM has done to it.... one of the main selling points for us, was how roomy and comfortable, and user friendly the AV interior was. I hope GM didn't ruin it.
 
ls1fun said:
Gabe:

The Envoy doesn't really compare either.

Thanks, it's nice to know the clip would have helped if she used it. Being in her ninth month of pregnancy she couldn't find/use it even though i could see it from the front next to her.

What kind of driving do you do everyday and where do you drive it, what city? Lots of stop and go? Tight parking lots?

Hey it's hard to pick a vehicle to keep for a long time these days. I am just relating my expieriences and looking for others expieriences. Thanks for the info.
I am thinking of selling my 1999 Camaro and getting a family vehicle. We are expecting our first child. And it is hard to choose. I don't want anything longer than an Av though for everyday use. And i like the Av better than the assorted crew cabs as an all around vehicle.
It was compared to give some perspective also.
I am in sales, and I do about 25K miles / year. I do lots of city driving and a fair amount of highway. I also have two kids 3 and 7 which I take to school everyday. The AV is great for them. The Suburban and Tahoe have an optional 3rd row of seats if you need that much seating space. If you fish/hunt or need to carry around anything that you want locked up or don't want to put in the cab of a vehicle then the AV is a great choice.

Gabe
 
spork_av said:
I also own a '97 Mercury Mountaineer (Aka Explorer with different badging). ?We looked at the new '02 Mountaineers at the same time we were looking at the AV. ?I am not sure if the Explorer recieved some of the same interrior treatments as the Mountaineer, but if they did, I would have to disagree with some of your statements. ?

Having not been in the new '03 AV, I don't know the details on the new interrior. ?But, comparing '02 MM to the '02 AV, the AV's interior is much more user friendly. ?It is easier to get at the Steering wheel stocks, the seats are more comfortable, the MM's power adjust pedals were too awkard no matter where I put them. ?The V-8 was lack luster. ?Power to Weight, it should have impressed me more when compared to the AV, but it didn't. ?The 3rd row seat was a waste of space. ?Only small children could get back there (I was able to get back there after about 10 minutes of trying). ?The cover over the 3rd row seats (head rests) was flimsy, and I don't think I would want to put any real weight on them. ?

J. Mays did the "styling" for the interior of the MM. ?Guess what, it looks just like the interior of another J. Mays car.... ?the VW New Beetle. ?J. Mays is becoming something of a broken record. ?

When all was said and done, we liked our '97 MM over the '02 MM... ?and we bought the AV instead.

I am going to have to go out and test drive an '03 AV, and see what GM has done to it.... ?one of the main selling points for us, was how roomy and comfortable, and user friendly the AV interior was. ?I hope GM didn't ruin it.
In my opinion the 03 AV interior is at least as good or better than the 02 Interior. No offense to 02 owners. You also have the options of the steering wheel controls which are great, and the bose stereo to name a few new options.
Gabe

 
spork_av:
The explorers take a little break in to feel zippy. As the Av might also and the one i drove was brand new. The Av does have a new 'wire' throttle and may be different than the '02 in feel. It was strange to me. Maybe i just needed more time to get used to it.
Our explorer is a V6(4.0 liter) XLT , leather seats, with 3.73 gears. It isn't bad. I would think the V8(4.6 liter) should be pretty decent. Maybe needed breakin time to loosen up a little? Haven't tried the V8 myself so cannot say. No power adjust pedals on our explorer either.
If you tumble the side seats forward (40/20/40 2nd row seat) the rear isn't that bad to get to and space isn't bad either with the newer porthole frame. Certainly not 10 minutes to get to. ;) And you can easily fold down/up the 3rd row with one hand. The cover seems sturday enough. Also not that much support needed for just the head rest area(a sliding cover on the 3rd row seat slides up over the headrests to provide a loading/cargo surface there).
As for the MM, we kinda disliked their styling and so haven't checked out what they are like inside.
Our explorer also has the 'pre-refresh' front seats which are high back buckets, no adjustable headrests. This was a January '02 change are salesman neglected to mention. Doh! (We bought in June '02).

Test drive the '03 Av and tell me what is different from yours. :) The one i looked at did not have the power adjust pedals.
 
I didn't have time to learn the steering wheel controls but they are a plus. The Eddie Bauer/Limited explorer would also have these. I would say the stereo Bose/6 disc changer/Cassette(?) was pretty nice. I do like the Speed compensated volume on my Camaro , which it looks like the new Av stereo did not have. Also with remote controls so cheap and plentiful on the aftermarket units why can't these manufacturers add one to these stereos? A remote is very nice. But neither of these have one.
I did say in my first post the interior is nicer in the AV and more luxurious with wider bucket seats for someone my size(6'1",200).
 
ls1fun
If you like the Explorer so much, and it works for you then just buy another Explorer. But why are you still comparing an AV with an Explorer? They are two totally different vehicles, and they will drive, act and respond differently. I am not quite sure what responses you are looking for.

Gabe
 
:D:Perhaps he was wanting an Av, but had to settle for an explorer, and is just trying to make himself feel better!!!! :C:

Found
On
Road
Dead

>:D
 
Gabe: Thanks for your responses. I am looking to the general daily drivability and a family vehicle that i may replace my 1999 Camaro SS with. :( My wife's explorer is easy in this respect. However i am not sure having 2 of the same vehicles in a family makes sense either. So i am looking at all the possibilities. As you know these vehicles are not cheap, and i will take a bath on the camaro. I don't want to buy another vehicle for awhile if i can avoid it. And from what i can see, leases don't seem to be very good anymore. Since i have a few months before i may get kid pickup/dropoff duty i am doing my research. I also tried a kid seat in the camaro...i hurt my hip for the first time in my like. That smarts! Just weighing my choices and doing research. :)

Flip221:

Hmmm....good rely .... not! :rolleyes:
 
I could not figure this out either. There is NO comparision from an AV to an Explorer. If you want to compare then look at an Expedition and an AV this would be better comparision in "like" vehicles. My wife drives a 4X4 Expedition and I have the Av. We are looking at a larger vehicle for her. I have ordered a 2003 Suburban 2500 with the 8.1 in 2 wheel drive with limited slip rear end and 3.73 gears. The Expedition is on a Ford F150 chasis as I recall, and the AV is on a Suburban chasis 1500 & 2500 . The explorer is not a "like chasis to compare size,handling, etc..etc..
 
Aegis:

I tried to answer this in my response to Gabe above.
Also the new Expedition frame is like the new explorer frame but upsized. IRS with the 'porthole' frame. And i am also looking at that vehicle. If you have driven and checked out or own a 2003 Ford Expedition vehicle feel free to comment.

Why did you go with the 2003 Suburban? What needs of yours did it meet?
 
We have not driven a 2003 Expedition ours is a 1998 4X4 with 17" rims. We travel to our vacation house in the mountains about once a month. It seems we have more and more junk to pack up and we don't have enough room. So the wifes vehicle gets larger and larger every 3-4 years. I think the overal quality of GM is better than Ford right now. The Ford dealer by my house has changed hands and is now an Autonation dealership. This dealer is now in the toilet as far as service. I don't think that Autonation has any idea what they are doing. It also helps that a friend owns a Chev dealer and one of my best friends is the Service Director.

 
Those are some good big reasons to buy Chevy. Otherwise i would also consider a Excursion if i were you. I saw a lot of them loaded, racked and towing on the way to Seattle when i drove up a couple of weeks ago.

Service is very important. It always puzzles me why some dealers fall down in this category. It can only hurt their sales.

Sounds like quite a Sub you have ordered there!
 
I am aware of Tom and his accessories. I have ordered the superchip from him for the AV . I am in the Torrance area South Bay. I am the Southern Calif Fan Club Cruise Coordinator. We have a planned meet for Sunday Sept 22nd if you are interested.

Gary
 
OK, My current company car is a 2002 Explorer XLT, my personal truck is an '02 AV z-71, and I traded a 2000 Suburban LT to get it.

1st, it all depends what you want. I prefer GM due to overall quality (& quality control), interior, customer service, etc. and am trying to give up the Explorer for a Tahoe or Yukon.

That being said, I am impressed with the Explorer re-design. With all the bad press, I must say Ford did a decent job.

You are considering Apples & Oranges. Explorer is much smaller, sits lower, appears to turn tighter, etc. The AV is bigger, rides smoother, more acceleration, and MUCH MORE FUN TO DRIVE! Plus, you have a truck if needed, but can still secure your load.

I would get something different, because if you need the explorer you can drive it, and if not, you have the AV. If 3rd row seating was a must, I would go with the Suburban or Tahoe. JMHO
 
I'm not knockin Ford...but I just know one to many people who have these little complaints about what they drive from Ford...that is one thing I wanted to avoid...I always heard Chevy made the best when it came to trucks and Suv's so hence my decision to go Chevy.....

As far as service goes I have no complaints in this dept. either...if anything it seems like there is always a letter waiting in my mail box about routine maintenance that needs to be performed....and they are very courtious and polite at every visit....I don't regret :B:buying :B:Chevy.. :B:
 
Aegis said:
I am aware of Tom and his accessories. I have ordered the superchip from him for the AV . ?I am in the Torrance area ?South Bay. I am the Southern Calif Fan Club Cruise Coordinator. We have a planned meet for Sunday Sept 22nd if you are interested.

Gary
My Wife's due date is September 18th so....no.
 
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