Topic: help with buying avalanche

[puddytat]

I am so close to buying one of these trucks!-but I can only afford an older one with high mileage (~100K). Could you give me an idea of what I can expect to get out of one engine/transmission? Id hate to buy one and then have to throw another engine it shortly after. My saab had almost 200K on it when it was totaled-and still ran great. But I had a chrysler before that and it was always in the shop-I had already replaced the engine and trainy before 80,000 miles. So, could you give me any advice? Im going to test drive one this weekend. Anything you have to offer would be much appreciated-Ive never owned a chevy-so dont know their reputation and buying a high-mileage american car makes me nervous after my last experience

janine

[I CHNGE]

Some of what I about to say may sound negative...but the truth is the truth even when it's not what you want to hear.

Rule # 1
Murphy's Law: anything that can go wrong...will go wrong

Rule #2
Buy for the right reason.  If you can't afford the upkeep or maintenance or the gasoline in today's economy...then it is probably a bad decision to take on the purchase in the first place...and this applies to any purchase...not just a car.

Rule #3
Buy with your brain, not with your heart.  If rule #2 has you concerned...DON'T get in over your head.  Cars are ONLY a form of transportation...a method of getting from one place to another.  It doesn't matter if the paint is shiny or dull, if the seats are leather or torn, if it smells nice or like an ashtray...it is going to take you from point "A" to point "B".

The Avalanche is a BIG SUV/TRUCK !!!
It is over 19 feet long and weighs over 6000 pounds.
It does NOT get the best milage.  Even if you get a 2 wheel drive model you are not going to see 15 miles per gallon in city driving.

The Avalanche has it's pluses.
The 5.3L engine is a very good engine.  It will last a long long time if cared for in a reasonable manner...follow the maintenance as recommended in the manual.
It offers a large protective barrier for it's occupants as far as crash safety is concerned.
It will seat 5 to 6 adults in comfort (depending on which front seat configuration it has).
It is an excellent trip vehicle, you can ride for hours in one in very good comfort compared to smaller vehicles.
The chassis/suspension is very "car" like...soft and easy.
Brakes will last a very long time both in front and rear due to the fairly equal weight distribution...

You should have a few concerns about buying a used Avalanche:
The tires are big...and not cheap...especially when compared to import sized car tires...know this ahead of time...so you are financially prepared when it comes time to replace tires...
The transmission is known to be a "weak link" in the drivetrain.  You may be lucky and get an Avalanche and never have a problem...or...you may get an Avalanche that will need a transmission overhaul...there is NO timetable on when it may fail...some have happened with only 50,000 to 70,000 miles on them, others have failed at higher milages.  Most of us are mentally prepared for an eventual failure and are prepared for the cost of an overhaul ($2000.00+).

It scares me when someone says they want something so bad...but can only afford an "older one" due to the financial burden.

Sure there are plenty of really good used Avalanches out there.
Just as sure, there are plenty of "time bombs" waiting to go off in some of the other used Avalanches.

But one could make this case about any used vehicle really.  There is a risk associated when buying ANYTHING used because the reality is you have no idea how the previous owner/s took care of it...and every sales person in the world is going to tell you it was owned by a little old lady who took it to the Dealer for regular service all the time.

Buying ANY high milage used vehicle import or domestic is a risk...I don't care who makes it...because of the very things I have mentioned so far.

So in summary...the Avalanche is a very good very LARGE SUV/TRUCK with a very good engine that will last a very long time when properly cared for.  The Avalanches weak link is it's transmission...which may or may not have problems.  The transmission is a game of Roulette where the outcome is uncertain.  The rest of the vehicle is just like any other.  Problems can and will occur with power windows/air conditioning/power seats so forth and so on...just as with ANY other car import or domestic.  

Lastly...the Avalanche being so big...bigger costs more...as in tires, gasoline, registration, insurance etc.

Best wishes and good luck  


PS  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY AVALANCHE AND WILL KEEP IT UNTIL THEY PRY IT FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS !!!  

[I CHNGE]

So...if after reading my prior post if you still have your heart set on an Avalanche and come hell or high water you're going to get one...

Try to shop around...look at lots of them.

If you can afford to spend a little more money upfront it may pay dividends in the long run.

See if you can actually afford to buy one with say 60 to 70 thousand miles on it.  You may well be better served by getting into one in this "miles" region than say one with much higher milage.

For one thing...I mentioned brakes last a really long time.  It is not uncommon to see them last 50 to 80 thousand miles.  On my Av...I made some brake upgrades at around 60 thousand miles and the pads on the front and rear STILL had about 40% remaining.  If you can get into an Av with say 50 to 70 thousand miles it may well have had the brake pads already replaced and you may be able to avoid having to worry about a brake job for a very long time after your purchase.

The Av is a fun, versatile, comfortable truck/suv which gets a lot of attention whether it is stock or modified.  It is a true conversation piece that always seems to turn heads and get questions from "non owners".

I am sure you will fall in love with it the way almost all owners do...after driving one you are likely to be "bitten" by the bug as we have...

Remember there are now 3 different versions of the Av to consider...and you need to decide which one is the "apple of your eye".

From 2002 to 2006 Chevy built the "cladded" Av...this is the one with the "plastic panels" all around.  If you like this version from an appearance stand point...do not shy away from it if the cladding is faded...there are some VERY good ways to make it look new again that do NOT involve painting or anything really expensive.

From 2003 to 2006 Chevy built the "non-cladded" Av...this is the one without the "plastic panels" all around...it has been nicknamed the "Nekked Av" because it doesn't have "pants"/"the cladding".  You will still have the cladding on the upper portion...what is known as the Sail Panels and bed covers and side storage boxes.

From 2007 on....Chevy offers what is known as the GMT 900 Series Av...it is a new platform...some things changed with the body but the cladding on the upper portion is still there.

Also keep in mind the 2002 model has the lightest of the plastic panels...
In 2003/2004 the panels were a darker grey...they still tended to show what many think is "fading"...which it is not!
In 2005/2006/2007 the cladding continued to get darker shades, almost jet black in color...yet the "fading" can still be an issue.

About fading...it is NOT fading...it is a chemical release of the molding agent used in production of the panels.  The hot sun will cause this chemical to "rise" to the surface where it "oxidizes" from the sun.  A good scrubbing with Simple Green and a stiff bristle brush followed by the application of a "dressing" (there are a few really good ones members use) will restore the original color and give you years of beauty...performing this "appearance maintenance" is usually a once a year job on the Simple Green cleaning and then the dressing application is a once to 3 times a year job depending on which type you choose to use.

In summary don't be alarmed by faded appearance in the panels...the previous owner probably didn't know how to take care of them...you can...and can restore their beauty with just a little elbow grease once in awhile.

At the 60 to 70 thousand mile range I mentioned above it is also likely that the tires were replaced and you may be able to find an Av with new or newer tires which will assist you in avoiding that cost for a good long time.

Try to find one without ANY body damage. Buying used, don't be fooled that the price is right because it has a little dent here or there...believe me you can find one priced the same with no damage at all...

I have attached 3 photos of the 3 different Avs...

Top pic is the original cladded version
Second pic is the "Nekked" version
Third pic is the 900 Series version

Please ask any questions you may have...

And again, best wishes and good luck !!!

[RoarinRow]

I wanna buy another AV just from reading Cliff's response        I totally agree with what Cliff said and in way could have said it better.

[RikRotorhead]

Cliff pretty much nailed it.
Once you own an Avalanche, you are hooked. You will sell everything else you have before you sell the Avalanche.

[DIEGOROB]

Cliff pretty much nailed it.
Once you own an Avalanche, you are hooked. You will sell everything else you have before you sell the Avalanche.

just ask Mudd!!! 

[RoarinRow]

Cliff pretty much nailed it.
Once you own an Avalanche, you are hooked. You will sell everything else you have before you sell the Avalanche.

just ask Mudd!!! 

    

[dBOSS]

Cliff pretty much nailed it.
Once you own an Avalanche, you are hooked. You will sell everything else you have before you sell the Avalanche.

just ask Mudd!!! 

    

Or........his ol' lady.