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What would you purchase as your next vehicle if the Avalanche did not exist?

Since we now know that the Avy will bow out in 2013, I'll keep mine till the wheels all off.  If I just had to buy another truck, it would probably by GMC Sierra Denali package
 
Do not buy the Hemi! They are incredibly expensive to maintain! I own a 2008 Ram 1500 with a Hemi. Tune-ups every 30k, rear diff fluid changes every 15K, brake fluid & power steering fluid change, etc. All services are at 15 or 30K. VERY expensive to maintain. Not worth the money. And if you don't follow the service intervals the warranty is void. Fortunately I have a great service writer who knows how far you can let things slide until Chrysler gets pushy and the dealer's prices are competitive with the local service centers otherwise I would go broke maintaning this truck.
 
I had a 2004 Hemi.. NEVER again!

Its not for the price.. maintenance was not that bad.. not for the ride or the comfort.. but I would never own one again because the dang think started rusting from the inside out on the bed in only 6 years!!!  Sorry Dodge, you screwed the proverbial pooch on this one.  Its a "known" issue and since its out of warranty, no help.
 
been thinking about this a lot lately..i would easily buy a 3rd Avalanche if theyd still be made..honestly prolly going to look at low mileage used Escalade Exts, GMC Sierra 1500/2500 Denali, or LTZ Silverado. looking forward to seeing the debut of GMs new full-size line. i guess time will tell, but it looks very likely ill be sticking with GM for my truck needs
 
There is no question for me Sierra Denali 2500HD or sorry F@rd Raptor SVT.
 
MS03 2500 said:
There is no question for me Sierra Denali 2500HD or sorry F@rd Raptor SVT.
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nothing to be sorry about, you listed Denali first  (y) 

Buy what you need first, buy what you want if you can afford it.

Jay Leno's garage would make anyone drool
 
I'd buy a Chevy/GMC truck and if you factory order one you can possibly come to Flint Assembly to watch us build it. I'd enjoy being your guide, I'd really, really enjoy being your guide if I was on the time clock getting paid  :B: 

I don't own a Chevy because I work for GM,
I work for GM because they pay me pretty well but I do take pride in my work.
 
Flint4x4 said:
nothing to be sorry about, you listed Denali first  (y) 

Buy what you need first, buy what you want if you can afford it.

Jay Leno's garage would make anyone drool
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That is funny Butch when I was in the market for a Large GM truck I was looking at the Yukon XLs I did not want a pickup type truck. My first need was it had to hold a 4x8 sheet of building material (drywall plywood)

Then I saw a AV question answered.
 
MS03 2500 said:
That is funny Butch when I was in the market for a Large GM truck I was looking at the Yukon XLs I did not want a pickup type truck. My first need was it had to hold a 4x8 sheet of building material (drywall plywood)

Then I saw a AV question answered.
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That is funny Byron, I always wanted a full size 4x4 and was thinking the shorter Tahoe or Yukon not a pickup truck.

Owning an AV 11 years has spoiled me, I'd choose crewcab pickup over SUV now if I couldn't have the AV
 
I'd go with the SUV esp the 'Burban if I could afford it. The ride is better because of the coil springs and you have protection from the elements (not really needed here in AZ) without having to buy a tonneau cover or cap.
 
Hmmmm... Maybe I should order a 2013 Avy, mothball it, and put it storage for five or six years.  Then I could have a new Avy in 2019!!!  Might have to flush out all the fluids and repalce the tires.  Just a thought, thinking outside the box...
 
Transmission went up on my Av last weekend.  So, that's my first clue that I'm looking for a new truck.  I've had this one several years and I've got a high mark to live up to in the next truck, but it's now time to start looking. 

Unfortunately, GM has frustrated me enough to do something I've NEVER done before.  Look at trucks from all three companies.  IMO, GM let the Avy die.  First taking away cladding and the 2500 then, giving us a 6.0 and then taking it away again.  It seems pretty clear that GM didn't want the AV to be as big of a contender as it could have been. 

The transmission is the first big failure I've had in this truck.  And it didn't even leave me stranded (towed the boat home with just 1st and 2nd gear).  It's been reliable, tough and has done everything I asked it to do.  But I just can't blindly give my loyalty to GM anymore. 

What I plan on doing is testing out all three.  I test drove a F250 Lariat yesterday.  Not as nice of a ride as the Av, but it was nicely equipped and will do what I want it to do. I went to a Chevy dealer near here the other day and everything they had on the lot was not what I was looking for.  Haven't gone to Dodge yet.  Although, I'm glad I read about the Hemi on here.  I'll definitely take that into account.

In closing, it looks like I'll be a member here for another year, but there's another truck in my future.  It probably won't be an Avy, sorry to say. 

Many thanks to this website and it's members.  Your information and help have been a tremendous help. 
 
gn85 said:
But I just can't blindly give my loyalty to GM anymore.  
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We're down June 16-July 1 so the pickings could get slim but there should be some good deals on 2012 Silverado/Sierra if you can find what you want. I just read about Ford's updated 2013 F-Series trucks so they should be offering some deals on last year's models too.

I'm not blindly loyal to GM but I did get my $1000 bonus today.  :B: 
 
Ford is the best selling pickup truck until you count both Chevy/GMC, then add in thier popular SUV cousins.

You can find both new and used parts for Ford or GM trucks easy, cheaper too simply because of volume. More available aftermarket accesories too.
 
I was just doing some homework on cars.com (don't always find their data accurate) and they are saying the Av is rated to tow 5000lbs?  HUH?? Did GM downgrade it? 

Same website says my truck ('03 1500 Z71) tows 7900.
 
gn85 said:
I was just doing some homework on cars.com (don't always find their data accurate) and they are saying the Av is rated to tow 5000lbs?  HUH?? Did GM downgrade it? 

Same website says my truck ('03 1500 Z71) tows 7900.
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"Avalanche offers up to 8,100 lbs. of towing capacity"
http://www.chevrolet.com/avalanche-suv-truck/ 

Check the trailoring vehicle selector section at the website above, in the light trucks section only the Equinox can't tow 5,000, the Traverse can tow 5,000 lbs, Colorado a bit more.

At a quick glance employee price is about 40k on a 51k 2012 LTZ AV
 
gn85 said:
I was just doing some homework on cars.com (don't always find their data accurate) and they are saying the Av is rated to tow 5000lbs?  HUH?? Did GM downgrade it? 

Same website says my truck ('03 1500 Z71) tows 7900.
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My 2012 is rated to tow 8100 (non 4wheel drive with 3.42 rear end.  The All Star package for the LT (and LS) includes the heavy Duty Trailering kit and changes the standard 3.08 to the 3.42 rear axle ratio).  I believe 3.08 rear axle is standard on all 2012 models. 

Here are the additional notes to get the additional trailer weight (the small print).

Trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of total trailer weight (up to 600 lbs.). A weight-distributing hitch and sway control is required for trailer weights greater than 5000 lbs. A 7-wire trailering harness is standard on all Avalanche models. (K5l) Heavy-Duty Trailering package including (KNp) external transmission oil cooler and (KC4) engine oil cooler must be ordered in order to achieve maximum trailer ratings. Addition of trailer tongue weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed rear Gross Axle Weight rating (rGAWr) or Gross Vehicle Weight rating (GVWr). Avalanche is not designed to tow 5th-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
 
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