Drew Dowdell

It's all over google.....and please... not even Italians are that large

I hear the Rasputin look is in this year....

Just make sure the lid on your Kool-Aid is on tight when you're trying them out.

I currently own a 2003 Avalanche. Prior to my purchase of this truck, I was very anti-SUV. I only purchased the truck out of necessity for the management and maintenance of my apartment business. I picked the Avalanche because it was by far the most versatile truck on the market. Since then, I've grown to love the truck so much I can't imagine not having one. I do have my gripes, but lets talk about the new one. The Good The interior upgrade is phenomenal, but anyone with eyes and working fingers can tell that. I never gave much thought to the interior of my '03 because I've always considered it a "work" truck...even though it's a loaded Z71. The switchgear in this truck feels solid and rugged without feeling hard. The dash layout is mostly good, though the Nav/Radio could stand to be a bit higher. Climate control is ice cold... a minor complaint I've had with the '03 is that it sometimes struggles to heat/cool the cabin. Seats are firmer... which most of you might consider a good thing... but the seats in the Avalanche were perfect and really didn't need to be improved. In taking long trips, Chas and I would generally prefer the Avalanche over the CTS for comfort... it was only the gas mileage that gave us pause. Active Fuel management works seamlessly. When you set the DIC to readout instant economy, you get an indicator for V8 or V4 mode. Moderate uphill grades put the truck back into V8 mode. I have the feeling here in Pittsburgh, I wouldn't get too much use out of V4. I have an E85 station near my house.... this Avalanche would be a regular visitor there. The truck is still very nimble and doesn't feel as large as it really is in tight maneuvers. The 5.3 in this new truck sounded much more hushed and smooth than my own. The Bad The ride has stiffened considerably compared to my Z71. Think '02 STS v. '04 CTS. Again it's a comfort thing. I don't need a stiff suspension in this vehicle. That's what the CTS is for. The damn 4-speed auto!!! The one thing I was hoping would be overcome by the slightly more powerful engine. The transmission still has that annoying hesitate/hunt around 45-50mph. Feels damn fast off the line, then you get into bog down land, then above 55 it's all happy sailing again. I've never been much of an anti-4speed kinda guy, but in this application the deficiency really shows. Overall The original Avalanche didn't need much in terms of hardware. The interior wasn't class leading, but also not bad. The versatility has yet to be matched. This new Avalanche keeps all the great things about the previous truck and improved on many areas, but that transmission is a glaring omission. That said, I've been wanting to trade up to a new Avalanche, but it's not something I'll move to till my one major complaint about my existing truck has been resolved.

With a soft top you actually get a usable trunk.... and modern soft tops are so good <but slow to operate> they can easily be an all year car.

pluck the two hairs

no no... she said she feels like sleeping with a teenager......

some of us prefer a ragtop

Even the Torrent is at least on par with the CRV

You've gotta be kidding me. There are 8 shades of gray in that thing! and you're saying it is "clearly" superior to these? I don't think it's "clearly" superior to any of these. Sure the turn signal lever might have a nicer feel to it... but come on. What are you smoking and do you intend to share?

OMG TEH RADIO ISN"T INTEGRATED INTO THE CENTER STACK! MORE GM CRAPPOLA BUILD QUALITY! GM IS THE SUXORS! oh... it's a honda? Never mind.

smart move choice is good

security chip in the key, or the reader in the ignition is going bad

To save yourself $30k compared to a new M5?

have they cut the road and engine noise down to a level where the radio is usable?

sorry, I literally LOLed at this one. I never had a problem as a kid with opening my own door and not banging the car next to me. We had a Dodge Colt Vista which was about as mini-van as you could get without the sliding doors.

I'm sure there are still some Terrazas out there for sale. If you want "value" pricing. Don't shop a Buick. I don't understand where people have such an issue with car doors at malls. I never have a problem parking the Avalanche at the mall with 4 friends in it. But then again, I'm not talking on the cell phone, playing with the iPod, checking the Nav screen, and syncing my PDA while I'm trying to park either. If you pay attention it shouldn't be an issue.

didn't it actually beat the RX in sales one year?

you're not fooling anyone saying that the reason you booked Rehoboth is because OC is full. :AH-HA_wink:

once again Fly shows why he's the boss.

all he has to do is drive an hour and half south

You're a strange little man. BTW... for today... Pants off!

*reserve not yet met*