What replacement would you choose for 02 Av?

[Tiger]

Well, the Autoline BBB worked for me! They agreed that Chevrolet must replace my 2002 2500 4x4 Avalanche with a "comparable" new one under NC Lemon Law. Within 45 days. The issues were interior water damage/leaks, drivetrain problems, and various manufacturing defects.

Anyhoo, What would YOU choose? I love the Av, but must admit I'm considering replacing it with something more water resistant!

In searching and reading I have found that some leftover 2003's are available. Price is not an issue on a 2003, but I would be responsible for any difference (prices went up!) on a 2004 model. Would you get a minimum content 2004 or a leftover but loaded 2003? I've listed all the models that I think would work for me.

Vote!

Must decide, must decide...

 

[MooCowWithSpots]

I voted for the yellow Av.. only one year for that color... it's an instant classic!

 

[Yoshi5674]

Where's the Cadillac EXT? Oh, there might be a $ issue. I would go with the black Av or the HD 2500.

 

[mikenmo23]

I'd go with the most loaded Av for the price (03/04) and then you can always put a snug-top on it. This is what we are considering since we are having water leakage issues....

~monique

 

[King]

You gotta go with another AV -- I have an 02 without any problems so I know they exists, besides is there any other choice?

My vote is for the loaded 03.

Good luck!

 

[Yoshi5674]

I'd go with the most loaded Av for the price (03/04) and then you can always put a snug-top on it. This is what we are considering since we are having water leakage issues....

~monique

Is the snug top the one that looks like bed cap? If so, I've seen a couple around Indy and they look pretty good!

 

[bigdaddy]

Always go with the best you can get. I would say the black north face. But if you want to stay with the 2500 get them to go pick up the yellow.

Glad you got them to take care of you

 

[Cisco04]

I would go for another AV, you got to have his and her AVs....I would chose the Yellow for my wife like Tdybr27 said...it's an instant classic

Cisco04

 

[ardens]

I voted for the Suburban - I sense you are 95% there based on the clues in your post and in the survey.

Water seems to be an issue here. Even if you replace your 02 with another AV, you will always be concerned with leaks. Best to get something that gives you peace of mind based on the experience to date.

Hey, a Suburban is a pseudo AV! (and a Chevy)

 

[whitethunder]

There is no replecement for an 02 Avalanche?

 

[ygmn]

TNF.....they do not make em anymore...so it would be rare

 

[suthrncop66]

I would have to go for the HD Diesel if I wanted something different

 

[james21]

I have an 02 NFE, wish I had been able to get a yellow, but I'll always love my NFE. So I would say either get the black 03 NFE, or the Yellow 03 2500.
You cant go wrong with either one, as long as it is an AV.

-James.

 

[mikenmo23]

Is the snug top the one that looks like bed cap? If so, I've seen a couple around Indy and they look pretty good!

the Snug tup is the only topper made for the Av...it makes it look like a KING-sized Xterra....it's totally hot....the only isssue I have is that I am not spending $2K without seeing one installed in person...so if anyone knows of a snug-topped Av in Florida please let me know so I can go see it!!!

~mo~

 

[pdxkevin]

I can say which one I would go for but our needs and uses are probably different than your.

You never said if you tow things alot of use the bed to haul gravel/rocks/dirt/etc... How many people? too many other factors for me to say which one would be best in your situation.

For us, we use ours as a truck and dirty up the bed a handful of times each month. We take ours off-road and do use 4-lo on some trails. We regularly carry 4 adults and occationally carry 6. Never more than that (s far the need hasn't arisen) Never had a leak issue with our '02... so if we were to trade we would go for the most-for-the buck, I beleive that to be the '03 NFE.

 

[sparky]

I voted the 1500 Z-71
I have an early 2002 with no water issues. My opinion is that another Av is a safe bet

 

[Avalanche44]

I would go with the NFE. I really loves my wifes. I get to drive it alot. I love my 2500 also. If you do get the north face, make sure you get the bags and the back packs that go with it, and the NFE floor mats. If you do decide to get the NFE, and you don't get the 2 bags and the back packs let me know, My wife bought extra one on ebay, because we didn't get our until we joined this club, and found out it came with the bags.

 

[sperry]

My loaded `03 hasn't any water issues to date. Weird they couldn't fix all that did.
`Burbs are nice but kinda common. To me, Av's & EXT's are rather elite.

 

[danlwil]

I traded for the 04 2500.... Its' AWESOME

 

[Tiger]

Thanks so much to everyone for their responses!

I went away this weekend to do some Camping, mountain biking, and white water rafting. In short I drove the Av for the first time in many months. What a great truck. To look at the many other vehicles on the road and at the campsite that were packed so full of stuff you couldn't see in the windows...was an eye opener.

I got home last night and was really surprised at some of the thoughtful responses to this thread. That's whay I posted my question, to hear from fellow enthusiasts like YOU. Needless to say some brought up points I hadn't considered. Thanks ya'll!

Looks like I'll have a couple of weeks to decide. I will definitely let in on what my decision has been. The feedback definitely helps.

PDX Kevin and others:
I ride/race mountainbikes/off road motorcycles.
I need a vehicle to tow the Boston Whaler Outrage 18' boat.
My father races cars, so it's smart to have a vehicle that can tow his race trailer.
I often work off road on my property here at home, but rarely for fun.
If the Av also sat 6-7 people, it would be the perfect vehicle for me.
I'm leaning on this wonderful Av/Burb platform due to the ride, handling, side impact airbags, and sunroof.

Will report back soon!

 

[FLINTaVa]

I voted for the Yellow AV 2500, but on second thought I build crewcab Silverado HD. You can get a factory sunroof, DVD player and sliding rear window on the 2005.

 

[batav]

I voted for 2500 03 yellow, you have 2500 already. Only truck with this great fan club. Never seen Suburban GTG.

 

[Tiger]

I voted for 2500 03 yellow, you have 2500 already. Only truck with this great fan club. Never seen Suburban GTG.

I must admit, he has a darn good point!

PS Chevrolet just called and is asking me/my dealer for a VIN#! Here we go!

 

[Tiger]

Well, the saga is over! Thanks to everyone for voting!
Turns out, most of the poll options were unavailable! Many had been sold long ago.

In short, thanks for your feedback! I'm gettin' a new loaded Av!

2004 Avalanche 1500 4WD Z71
VORTEC 5300 V8 SFI GAS ENGINE
4-SPD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BLACK/MEDIUM NEUTRAL

MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
STANDARD VEHICLE PRICE $ 35,870.00

Options installed by Manufacturer
10 WAY POWER HEATED BUCKET SEATS WITH DRIVER MEMORY AND
LEATHER SEAT INSERTS $ 800.00
P265/70R17 OOR WOL TIRES $ 125.00
DRIVER CONVENIENCE PACK INCL:
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING
HOMELINK UNIVERSAL TRANSMIT.
POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS
STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED CNTRLS $ 540.00
CRUISE CONTROL NO CHARGE
SUN AND SOUND PACKAGE INCL:
XM SATELLITE RADIO-100 CHNLS
OF GO ANYWHERE ENTERTAINMENT
SERVICE FEE EXTRA 1ST 3MO.INC
RECLINING BUCKET SEATS
REAR AUDIO CONTROLS
BOSE PREMIUM SPEAKER SYSTEM
IN DASH 6 CD PLAYER
POWER SUNROOF $ 2,995.00
BLACK ROOF LUGGAGE CARRIER $ 195.00
PREFERRED EQUIPMENT SAVINGS $ -1,000.00
STNLESS STL TUBULAR ASSIST STEP $ 585.00
Z71 OFF ROAD PACKAGE INCLUDES:
DEEP TINTED GLASS
P265/70R17 OOR TIRES
SPECIALLY TUNED SPRINGS
LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL
OFF ROAD SKID PLATE PACKAGE
HIGH CAPACITY AIR CLEANER
AGGRESSIVE FLOOR MATS
17" ALUMINUM WHEELS
TRAILERING PACKAGE
PWR FOLD AND ADJUST HEATED OUTSIDE MIRROR WITH TURN SIG
AND DRIVER SIDE AUTO DIMMING
ONSTAR SYSTEM INCLUDES 1 YEAR SAFE & SOUND
STEERING WHL MOUNTED CONTROL $ 1,955.00
SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS $ 350.00
BRUSHED ALUMINUM GRILLE PROTECTOR
*** DEALER INSTALLED *** $ 465.00
GROUND EFFECTS PACKAGE
***DEALER INSTALLED OPTION*** $ 195.00
7000 LBS GVW RATING
NO CHARGE
REAR AXLE - 3.73 RATIO
NO CHARGE
TOTAL OPTIONS $7,205.00
TOTAL VEHICLE & OPTIONS $43,075.00
DESTINATION CHARGE $850.00

TOTAL VEHICLE PRICE* $ 43,925.00

STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Items Featured Below are included at NO EXTRA CHARGE in the Standard Vehicle Price Shown at Right

SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES
? DUAL LEVEL FRONT DRIVER & RT
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WITH

RT FRT PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM
? 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES WITH ABS
? DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
? AUTOMATIC HEADLAMPS
? INTEGRATED SAFETY BELTS
? ADJ. RR SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS
? THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION LOCK
? PROGRAMABLE AUTO DOOR LOCKS
? CHILD SECURITY RR DOOR LOCKS
? DRIVER LOCKOUT PREVENTION
CONVENIENCE FEATURES
? NO DEDUCTIBLE BUMPER-BUMPER 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE LIMITED WARRANTY SEE DLR FOR DETAILS
? VEH FUNCTION MONITORING SYSTEM
? 24 HOUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
? 40/20/40 SPLIT FRONT SEAT
? 60/40 SPLIT FOLDING REAR SEAT
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS FEATURES
? INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION
? MULTI-LINK COIL RR SUSPENSION
? AUTOTRAC TRANSFER CASE
? AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH SELECTABLE TOW/HAUL MODE
? 16" ALUMINUM WHEELS AND TIRES
? UNDERBODY SPARE TIRE
? STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST
CLEVER/ADAPTABLE FEATURES
? CONVERT-A-CAB (TM) FEATURING MIDGATE (TM) PANEL
? PRO-TEC (TM) LOCKING TAILGATE
? THREE PIECE RIGID COMPOSITE CARGO COVER
? LOCKABLE TOP BOX STORAGE
? INTEGRATED STEPS IN RR BUMPER WITH CARGO AREA GRAB HANDLES
? REMOVABLE RUBBER CARGO MAT
? LIGHTED CARGO AREA/TOP BOX STORAGE AREA

While every effort is made to assume this information to be accurate, variations in the manufacturing process, dealer installed accessories and mileage figures may cause this window sticker display to vary from that on the vehicle. Check with your dealer for complete information.

*Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment are extra.

 

[Cisco04]

Sweet Congrats, don't forget those pics!

Cisco04