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Why Avalanche Over Silverado Or Other Truck?

9

98dvl

GUEST
Hi there.

I'm new here. My fiance and I are thinking of trading in my Jeep Wrangler on a new vehicle. I LOVE my Jeep but, I'd also love to have the extra room of an extended cab truck.

We both like the Avalanche. Although, we really can't justify why we'd want to spend more for a convertible truck over a regular truck like a Silverado.

The thing I like most about the Avalanche is that the rear cargo area has a nice cover over it. However, that can be taken care of with any tonneau cover. Although, I realize it's not easy to store a tonneau cover like it is to store the panels on the Avalanche.

Anyway, I'm just curious why you all chose to buy an Avalanche over a truck? What pros and cons are there with this decision? I haven't priced things out yet, but it looks like a Silverado with all the options that the Avalanche has would cost a bit less than the Avalanche. Or am I wrong?

OK, thanks!!!

Brent
 
Versatility, capability, the 'cool' factor, etc . . . there are many posts on this board to help fully indoctrinate you into Av mania. ;D

A Silverado crew cab with long bed won't fit in a garage, and it won't take long cargo in a protected fashion like the Av will. Not to knock the Silverado - my boss has a DuraMax 2500 - nice truck - but the Av's got it beat in versatility!
 
For us, we had an Expedition. It was my first Ford and a great truck. However, for a family of four, it was a bit much. But we also had a Grand Cherokee LTD which wasn't enough. The Expedition was perfect for weekend trips but overkill as my daily driver. The Av was perfect for us because we still have the SUV-like seating area (a little smaller than an Expedition's front seating interior) but also have the ability to do truck-like hauling jobs that you'd never do in an Expedition for fear of ruining the interior.

For us, there was no question this was made for our needs! Heck, I even have more power and better mileage now. Only downside is the Av is actually about 14" longer than the Expedition. Barely fits under the loft I built in my garage.

Jamie
 
While it will never come close your Wrangler, if you're into 4wheeling, you'll like the fact (even though it is still a HUGE rig for off-road) that it does have a shorter wheelbase than an extra cab Silverado. Better breakover angle.

On top of that, the back seat in the Av is full size, better (a lot!) than the seat in an extended cab Silverado. If you move up to the crew cab silverado HD, the wheelbase is even longer and it's nearly as expensive.

Just some things to consider :)
 
It was a toss up for me.....well maybe a little....well maybe not much....between a hd1500 crew cab and an avalanche. The avalanche stole my heart and I have not regretted it at all. You'll have to make your discision based on what you are going to do with it. And yes it is worth a little extra money for an av. Go test drive one you wont regret it.
 
I'm all over this one. I have an extended cab Chevy PU and have ordered an Avalanche to replace it. There is nothing that the PU has over the Avalanche but the Avalanche has much over the PU.
1) Lockable weather resistant rear storage.
2) Plenty of room and access for adults (and large kids) in the back.
3) Shorter wheelbase and turning radius for parking.
4) More bed length.
5) You can sleep in the back of the Avalanche, out of the weather.
6) Shorter OAL for parking.
 
At the time I was shopping for a new truck I was considering the Av against the Duramax diesel. The Av was bought as a compromise between the wife and I. That being said, I will never regret not buying the Silverado 2500HD. The AV is less money and can perform many more of the functions I need it for. It's much more versatile than the HD would ever be. I'm looking foward to sleeping in the back of the AV with the covers on. It would seem like a great camping ride. The only thing that it really needs is a 6" lift, diesel engine and Allison tranny. But I have no regrets with the 8.1L gas motor.
Durwin
 
Welcome to the club, 98dvl. We were also pondering between the Avalanche and Silverado. We have a lot more pros than cons with the Avalanche. What's better about the Silverado is the bed is longer than the standard AV bed if you're really looking to haul a lot of cargo and people; the rear visibility is better; and its fuel economy is a little better. The Avalanche has a TON of advantages. You won't believe how versatile it is. I think you get more for what you pay for with the Avalanche. Sure, it costs more than an extended cab pickup but it's priced similar to the crew cab but the Avalanche is clearly the better choice. I love the Avalanche styling and it seems much more exciting than a Silverado. It is FAR more versatile. And the ride is just like a Cadillac it's so smooth whereas the Silverado rides rough. Everyone owns a Silverado but it's still exciting to see an Avalanche on the road despite the fact they've been around for a year. Go with the Avalanche. We thought we'd be extended cab pickup truck owners forever but the Avalanche is can do everything a Silverado can do and a whole lot more and we made the switch.
 
I just traded a 2000 ext cab Silverado for my Av.

In my opinion there are 2 things that cannot compare to an ext. cab truck.
1. The back seat is bigger, more leg room.
2. The ride quality in the Avalanche totally took me by surprise. I expected it to be like a truck and it is sooooo much better. :D

About the pricing I think you are correct. A similarly configured Silverado will be less than an Av. I think you can get a better deal on a Silverado too since there are more of them to get rid of, if your thinking of an '02.

I was a little concerned that I might be making a mistake when I traded my truck, I really liked my truck but I have wanted an Av since they came out. I have not had one regreat, the Av is a great truck...and its really cool too ;D

Good luck with your purchase.

-Mark


 
Why we traded in our Jeep Grand Cherokee for the Avalanche:
  • Storage that can be inside or outside
  • We can sleep on an air matress in the bed with our heads in the cab
  • Comfortably carries 6 large adults (we got the bench seat in front)
  • Bed rails store a bunch of gear
  • Locking rear diff (Z71 pkg)
  • Skid plates (Z71 pkg)
  • Not everyone has one
  • Leg room - front and back
  • Tighter turns
  • Interoir bed lights
  • Bed is weather resistant, lockable and taller with covers in place (all standard features)
 
1: My first new vehicle was a S10 pickup. ?I loved being able to throw my dirtbike or whatever in the back. ?I ended up selling the dirtbike and wishing I had more room for people.

2: ?Bought a ZR2 S10 Blazer. ?I could carry 4 people to the beach, and was great having a SUV's rear cargo area for the keep-dry stuff... ?....I then bought a few motorcycles.

3: ?Bough the Av. ?It can carry 5 adults comfortably, and still carry a dirtbike or streetbike in the back. ?It doesn't have the schoolbus wheelbase of a four-door short bed, or the tiny 5' bed of a four-door like a SportTrac. ?It's the best of both worlds.

Also, I was looking at getting a TJ over the winter for the summertime fun thing. ?Nothing can probably beat the coolness of a Jeep in the summer, but the Av is pretty decent when you have all the windows down, back one out, sunroof open/cracked and five people (comfortably) inside.
 
Extended cabs can be a lot of hassle. First of all, the backseat is really for small people. I got sick of my knees touching the back of the front seat. Then there's all the confusion with the back doors with having to shut the back door before the front door or else none of them would shut. That was very easy to forget for me. The Avalanche has a large back seat with plenty of legroom. Virtually anyone can sit back there quite comfortably and feel the breeze come through the back window when it's open ;). When it comes to trucks, the Avalanche is by far the best you can get.
 
98dvl said:
Hi there.

Hey. And welcome.

We both like the Avalanche.

'Nuff said right there. Either vehicle is going to cost you a sizable chunk of change. If you both agree on the Avalanche, why bother compromising for second best?
 
I think Tymcneal wrote it as short and sweet as it gets.

Only add would be take an extended test drive! Let the AV show you why we love it.
 
I traded a 2001 Z71 Silverado for my Av.I don't miss my
Silverado,the Avalanche rides better,has more
cab room and it is just more "flexible"and can adapt
to just about anything you want to carry!
 
I traded an old compact pickup and Minivan for the AV. What it has over a pickup (IMHO) is.

- Lockable Weather Proof Storage
- A real usable back seat
- Room for 8' cargo out of the weather
- Open access to the bed (good for mulch, rock, tall stuff etc)
- Better ride than a pickup

I couldn't find another vehicle that did all of this.

My wife really misses the minivan, so it is great that both of you like the AV.
 
I use mine mostly as a "SUV" I haul people more than I haul cargo. But, atleast once a month I end up having to haul some large items. Our Mountaineer just didn't have the room in it. So, I needed something inbetween a truck and a SUV, and the Avalanche fit the bill perfectly. And did anyone mention how cool it is!? >:D
 
1 word:

WHY NOT >:D

Well make that 2 words........
 
If was in your shoes last year. I had a 96 ext cab. When my lease was up I was looking for a truck with 4 real doors. The only 2 I could find with a bow tie of course were the HD and the Av. I was all over the HD truck just could not find the one I wanted. So the sales person told me that the only other 4 door truck was the Av. All I needed was a test drive. If you price the Av and the HD truck they are about the same once you add all the options that the Av comes with to the HD truck.

You really don't want a ext cab. If you plan to carry more than 2 people go with the Av.

My Av is used for carrying people and carrying materials for work. There nothing like going to lunch and you can get 5-6 adults in the Av. At the same time I can load 2 8' ladders and materials to a job site with the tail gate closed and the cover on.

The Av is just best of both worlds. :B:
 
I was interested in the avalanche the first time I saw the concept. I was kinda like a lot of people here... I wanted an extended cab, then I decided to go for the crew cab and when I priced the 3/4ton crew cab against the AV, they were about the same price. So, I got the truck of a lifetime... The Avavlanche!!!
 
Things a Silverado can do that an Avalanche cannot:
1) Tow a 5th wheel trailer.
2) Haul anything 4'x4'x4'.

The comprehensive and definitive list. ;D


#1 likely meaningful only on 2500* models.
#2 just an example--Avalanche cargo space is subject to all sorts of quirky restrictions that Silverado's open bed just doesn't have.
 
? Well now!

? I also was looking for a crew cab to haul my family, plus whatever in the back. ? The one I was looking at was the same price as the Av, with less features and UGLY. (IMHO) ? Around here, the big dogs drive diesel pickups and once in a while they even pull a fifth-wheel trailer or put something in the back. ? They call the Av a tonka truck, or toy, and their wives ask me if I will take them for a ride! >:D

? The Avalanche may seem a little pricey, but consider it's base price is about $8000 less than the Suburban, and that's a lot to pay for an extra seat with a top on it. (same chassis) ? It is 14" shorter than an extended cab and has the turning radius to prove it, and as far as the crew cab---fuggeddaboudit!

? I drove a new extended cab up to the scale, to get it's weight for licensing, and was amazed at how the back end hopped around on a road that the Av handled very smoothly. ?With it's 53/47 weight ratio, the ride is better, and it gets around in the sand pit in 2wd, where my old pickup would only go in 4wd.

? If you want to conform, go with the ext. cab. ? If you want to drag a big fifth-wheel, go with the Peterbuilt. ? If you want the best, well, you know! ;D ;D :B:
 
Benefits of the Avalanche Over Fullsize Truck:

1) Superior ride due to 53/47 weight distribution. This also provides superior traction on 2WD models and when in 2WD mode. Car like ride and handling.

2) A real back seat with fullsize comfort for five or six depending on how equipped. Cabin the size of limo.

3) Ability to carry 8 foot long cargo in a secured waterproof area and still be able to fit in the average parking spot.

4) Will fit in the average house garage.

5) Better off-road performance due to shorter wheel base.

6) Versatility features not found in a fullsize truck including side storage compartments that double as coolers, hard cargo panels that lock in place, a locking tailgate that secures my goods, and that awesome midgate.

7) Removable back window plus sunroof equals 5,800 pound convertible on warm summer days.

:cool: On 2002 models almost everything you could ask for is standard including the towing package and upgraded accessory items like the alternator. Also comes with transmission cooler out of the box. It costs more - but you're getting what you pay for.

9) Tried and true Suburban C/K-1500 platform with mechanical bits coming right off currently shipping vehicles, less "first model year" kinks.

Well - that's my why - and finally the "cool" factor. Everyone has a Silverado or an F-150 - I like being able to find my vehicle in a parking lot (although I did walk to the wrong Avalanche about three months ago). ;D
 
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