Topic: Avalanche Wanted!

[jtsharps]

Hello all,

I'm a newb here about to ask some newb questions so prepare yourself.  I've wanted an Avalanche for about 3.5 years now and am still just wanting one.  I was oh so close to buying one 3.5 years ago when that one person got in the way, oh yeah she goes by the wife.  I used to have a Sport Trac and absolutely loved it but I like the full size trucks.  I figure the Avy is basically just that only full sized.  I have a Dodge Ram now (had to settle for a 97 Ext Cab 3.5 years ago) and I do really like all the extra room I have in the cab, especially with 2 younger children.  Anyway, my main questions have to do with MPG and towing.  I'm looking (once I'm actually ready to really look in about 6 months) to stay around $10,000 so that means I'd be looking at about a 2003-2004 model year range.  What I'm wondering is what kind of MPG should I expect (when not towing) and what rear axle ratio should I be looking for?  I do mostly highway driving and pull a 4x8 enclosed trailer about 1-2 times a month for hauling the dirt bike.  My truck now pulls it like shit, even though it can't weigh too much, but my truck has 217,00 miles on it and is just plain tired!

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!!


JT

[Ten for Tin]

but I like the full size trucks.

Try searching related threads on this site, do a lot of reading for yourself.
You might research several full size GM truck sites too.

10K would buy an average to below average Avalanche on craigslist.com in your community.

Good hunting........

[@uncledude13]

I bought a 02 last year paid 13 grand it had 150xxx miles in great shape

[Enkei]

MPG's better then the Ram..  Ram's were never that good in that dept..  Avg for a Av with 3.73 gears is 14-18 MPG. As for towing you should have no problems. My old 02 pulled a 20 ft enclosed trailer with a show car at 65mph with ease. Just upgraded the brakes and had a controler for the trailer..

Keep an eye out $10 g's will get you something nice but with High miles..

[oHIobellboy]

Ditto what the others have said.

Keep in mind that with the Avy being discontinued after 2013, The older ones are starting to hold their value a little better. You may want to think about increasing your budget if possible by a few thousand.

[bigdog9191999]

I just got mine ( like 3 weeks ago)  they were asking 11,900 for it after knocking down a little and selling my other stuff I financed just under 10,   it is an 02 with just about EVERYTHING ( dual heated power leather, moon roof ect)  . And 106,000.

There is one local to me for like $8,500 that is 02 with 150k but is more a base model. There are some decent deals if you look.

So far I am getting 14 or so but don't have good highway miles yet. But will report what they are in a few weeks ( taking bikes on trailer to Tennessee and back.)

But overall I love the shit out of it. It won't be the pulling horse my 454 dually was but for no more and no more often I will pull heavy it will be fine. But I will have allready installed trailer controller, and will be putting a trans cooler in soon too.

Digitized from my thumbs to your screen with the help of my Droid X and tapatalk 2

[jtsharps]

I bought a 02 last year paid 13 grand it had 150xxx miles in great shape

And what are you getting for MPG?

Thanks for all the great info guys.  Much appreciated!  It sounds pretty much like I thought and what I've seen with my research thus far.  It seems that I should be able to find something decent at the price I'm looking at but it will have some miles on it.  I just hate big monthly payments, I have better things to do with my money...like upgrades to my 2 wheeled vehicles! 

This deal here makes me think there's either something I'm missing or I need to try to convince my wife to jump on this deal!!:  Thoughts:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2013&zip=53520&photosOnly=true&engineCode=8+Cylinder&sellerType=d&transmissionCode=AUT&maxPrice=10000&modifySearchId=55993050&modelCode1=AVALNCH&driveCode=4WD|AWD&showcaseOwnerId=70292&makeCode1=CHEV&startYear=2002&bodyStyles=TRUCKS&searchRadius=100&listingId=311816587&Log=0

[Alaska_AV]

come up with 18k I might sell ya an 2002/05 duramax Avalanche

[Enkei]

And what are you getting for MPG?

Thanks for all the great info guys.  Much appreciated!  It sounds pretty much like I thought and what I've seen with my research thus far.  It seems that I should be able to find something decent at the price I'm looking at but it will have some miles on it.  I just hate big monthly payments, I have better things to do with my money...like upgrades to my 2 wheeled vehicles! 

This deal here makes me think there's either something I'm missing or I need to try to convince my wife to jump on this deal!!:  Thoughts:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2013&zip=53520&photosOnly=true&engineCode=8+Cylinder&sellerType=d&transmissionCode=AUT&maxPrice=10000&modifySearchId=55993050&modelCode1=AVALNCH&driveCode=4WD|AWD&showcaseOwnerId=70292&makeCode1=CHEV&startYear=2002&bodyStyles=TRUCKS&searchRadius=100&listingId=311816587&Log=0

Sounds like a good deal...  Looks nice Get a carfax on it and make an offer...

[ARMYtango]

And what are you getting for MPG?

Thanks for all the great info guys.  Much appreciated!  It sounds pretty much like I thought and what I've seen with my research thus far.  It seems that I should be able to find something decent at the price I'm looking at but it will have some miles on it.  I just hate big monthly payments, I have better things to do with my money...like upgrades to my 2 wheeled vehicles! 

This deal here makes me think there's either something I'm missing or I need to try to convince my wife to jump on this deal!!:  Thoughts:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2013&zip=53520&photosOnly=true&engineCode=8+Cylinder&sellerType=d&transmissionCode=AUT&maxPrice=10000&modifySearchId=55993050&modelCode1=AVALNCH&driveCode=4WD|AWD&showcaseOwnerId=70292&makeCode1=CHEV&startYear=2002&bodyStyles=TRUCKS&searchRadius=100&listingId=311816587&Log=0

I would definitely jump on that deal!  Make sure you test drive it well, though!
I bought my 04 in Nov last year with 123k for $8800...and that was without a trade in....so I definately would snag that deal....

Good luck...and  !

[Intimidatoruag]

 

and I agree with the other members .... in this day and age a car fax is a must! .... that cost is a very good one in my book ... almost too good .... be sure and have a mechanic look it over before buying it .... check the frame ... make sure there is no damage that wasn't reported in the car fax ....

you can also look on ebay.com .... they sometimes have really good deals .....

John

[Ten for Tin]

kinda different Av

[avalanchemann]

And what are you getting for MPG?

Thanks for all the great info guys.  Much appreciated!  It sounds pretty much like I thought and what I've seen with my research thus far.  It seems that I should be able to find something decent at the price I'm looking at but it will have some miles on it.  I just hate big monthly payments, I have better things to do with my money...like upgrades to my 2 wheeled vehicles! 

This deal here makes me think there's either something I'm missing or I need to try to convince my wife to jump on this deal!!:  Thoughts:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2013&zip=53520&photosOnly=true&engineCode=8+Cylinder&sellerType=d&transmissionCode=AUT&maxPrice=10000&modifySearchId=55993050&modelCode1=AVALNCH&driveCode=4WD|AWD&showcaseOwnerId=70292&makeCode1=CHEV&startYear=2002&bodyStyles=TRUCKS&searchRadius=100&listingId=311816587&Log=0

Not a bad looking truck has a lot of nice little extras and for the amount of miles the price isnt bad. Ask for some fresh rubbers and make sure the brakes are solid.

This one has been on Craigslist in Cleveland for bout a month now: