April 2012 will forever go down in history as a particularly sad month for Chevy Avalanche owners, fans and enthusiasts. That was the month that General Motors announced plans to discontinue the Avalanche, a truck loved by owners far and wide, many of whom praised it as the perfect truck. That made GM’s decision to abruptly discontinue the vehicle puzzling, if not completely bizarre. Since then, it was universally assumed that the discontinuation was caused by low sales volume, which is partially true. But it’s far from the whole story.
We recently had the good fortune of speaking to someone who was part of the decision to discontinue the Avalanche program, enabling us to get the complete picture.
The Strategy
As our source tells us, GM’s strategy for the Chevy Avalanche program involved generating increased utilization of GM’s GMT800 (for the first-generation) and GMT900 (second-generation) platforms that were used by the automaker’s full-size SUVs (Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade) and pickup trucks (Silverado, Sierra), while also generating higher pricing power than the Silverado – which at the time was capped at the LTZ trim level and didn’t command the ATPs it does today. The business plan involved generating healthy sales volume and even healthier transaction prices from the Avalanche and its platform mate – the Cadillac Escalade EXT.
In fact, we were told that the Avalanche program was projected to carry about the same profit potential as the Silverado on a per-unit basis thanks to its price-positioning power.
The Sales
So, let’s have a look at those sales figures that are often cited as the reason for the Ave’s demise.
Sales started off strong in 2001 with 52,955 deliveries. The truck posted its best sales year in 2003, selling 93,482 units. But by 2011, the year prior to GM’s decision to discontinue the vehicle, Chevy Avalanche sales dwindled to a measly 20,088 units.
Calendar Year | Avalanche Sales | Silverado Sales | Avalanche To Silverado Ratio |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | 52,955 | 716,051 | 7% |
2002 | 89,372 | 652,646 | 14% |
2003 | 93,482 | 684,302 | 14% |
2004 | 80,566 | 680,768 | 12% |
2005 | 63,186 | 705,982 | 9% |
2006 | 57,076 | 636,069 | 9% |
2007 | 55,550 | 618,259 | 9% |
2008 | 35,003 | 465,065 | 8% |
2009 | 16,432 | 316,554 | 5% |
2010 | 20,515 | 370,135 | 6% |
2011 | 20,088 | 415,130 | 5% |
2012 | 23,995 | 418,312 | 6% |
2013 | 16,986 | 480,414 | 4% |
As such, rumors of GM discontinuing the Avalanche as a result of “poor” or “falling” sales do hold water… but it’s only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
What (Really) Happened
Almost from its inception, the Avalanche was universally loved by owners for its flexibility, enabled by its distinct midgate and integrated bed. Moreover, the truck consistently delivered overwhelmingly positive ownership satisfaction ratings. Coupled with a solid profit strategy and healthy scale economies (the best available within GM, in fact), the team working on the Ave’s business case thought they had found another gold mine for the automaker that would complement the automaker’s lucrative full-size SUV and pickup truck business.
With excitement rampant, the word “bankruptcy” – which came about 13 years thereafter – was unimaginable. So what went wrong?
At the time that the Avalanche was conceived, GM’s business strategy was driven, first and foremost, by manufacturing efficiencies, rather than true market demand. Due to unfavorable agreements with its labor force, GM’s master plan involved producing more vehicles than were demanded by the market at large, and then selling the overproduced vehicles at steep discounts, rebates and/or other promotions. As our source tells us, the practice “rapidly removed the vast majority of profit from a vehicle line”, while also having other negative secondary consequences, such as eroding brand equity and reducing resale value. But for GM, it was cheaper to keep factories running and producing vehicles that were not selling than to idle a line at a plant for a week, or two, or three.
Notably, the Avalanche was produced at the GM Silao plant in Mexico, which somewhat shielded it from the high costs of temporarily idling a plant. Unfortunately, GM’s “over-produce and over-incentivize to sell” strategy was in full effect across the corporation, and applied to the Avalanche as much as it did to any other product. The approach made the Avalanche less profitable than it really was. We’ll come back to this in a minute.
Then came GM’s 2009 bankruptcy. As managers allocated funds for future vehicle programs in the aftermath, “money was tight, and budgets were even tighter,” says our source. During a meeting associated with the roadmap for GM’s full-size SUV and pickup truck products on the then-upcoming K2 platform, a new-to-GM manager questioned the strategy of fielding two Chevrolet full-size pickup truck offerings – the Silverado and Avalanche. The question seemed pertinent, as it came during a time when “efficiency” was all the rage within the “new GM”, especially following the shuttering of Pontiac and Saturn, and the sale (and eventual shuttering) of Hummer and Saab.
An all-out study was commissioned to determine whether a business case existed to bring to market a third-generation Chevy Avalanche on the upcoming GM K2 platform. The results of that study determined that “all in costs” – those including development, tooling, production, marketing, aftersales support, and more – were higher than the return threshold to make a new Ave. In addition, some GMers felt that a large enough subset of Avalanche owners could be transitioned to the Silverado.
Our source tells us that the study wasn’t entirely accurate, since it relied on Old GM’s data that overproduced and over-incentivized vehicles – factors that made the first- and second-gen Avalanche seem far less lucrative “on paper” than it actually was. So, the new management – gun shy to take any unnecessary risk or create any conflict following a highly-publicized bankruptcy – decided to do away with the Avalanche, referring to the model as a product that “duplicated efforts” (when taking into account the Silverado).
The Irony
The GM we know today is one that has learned to manage profit-sapping incentives extremely well, while exhibiting very respectable levels of discipline. The automaker also doesn’t seem to care much for outright sales volume if it’s not profitable, significantly reducing its reliance on the unprofitable daily rental fleet business while also reaping the benefits of a friendlier cost structure for its manufacturing labor.
Taken as a whole, that means that the Avalanche could have very much been into its third (or fourth) generations had the GM of 2010 had the same freedoms, principles, priorities and general ways of thinking as the one we know today.
Alas, the Chevy Avalanche is not coming back. As far as we know, future GM product plans do not include a revival of a pickup truck with a combustion engine and the Ave’s innovative midgate . But we can always dream, right?
Comments
Sales tanked when they got rid of the cladding.
If you asked the dealers most struggled to get them off the lot without highly discounting them. The article skips over the fact they sat on the lot twice as long as its truck counter part and in the end didn’t bring the same profit. Its all opinion but i couldn’t stand all the cheap plastic cladding, reminded me of the Pontiac Aztec. I also never understood how anyone wanted a truck-ish vehicle with a such a tiny unibody payload capacity combo’d with piss poor fuel economy. Sure you could pull 5K pounds but it sagged horribly from even moderate tongue weight and if you wanted more then 2 average sized adults to ride along you pretty much had no cargo weight left.
Some automaker will hit that Cruck crossover sweet spot one day but i don’t think the Avalanche, Baja, or Ridgeline came even close to hitting what the market wants.
The body cladding was definitely something people either loved or hated, but I imagine the Avalanche sat on the lot twice as long partly because we went into a recession and GM tried to make the Avalanche it’s own high-price segment vehicle. Customers will go with cheaper options in times like that when the Avalanche was slowly morphed into a copycat of the Silverado with a midgate for more money.
They never should’ve targeted the higher price by loading it with bells and whistles, but rather keep the body cladding (which I loved – it kept my car free of scratches and dents even on two occasions when someone hit me when I was parked… I got out of my Avalanche and just shrugged my shoulders). If GM tried to keep costs down and market it the way Toyota FJ Cruisers are, which also have a loyal brand following, then GM wouldn’t have shot themselves in the foot in a recession without enough to make it different from the Silverado to justify the higher price.
Also, my ’02 Z71 Avalanche pulled my 4,000 lb dry weight boat + trailer just fine (even when I forgot to drain the 1,250 lbs of ballast before towing) and the Avalanche never sagged. Sounds like the Avalanches you’re referring to didn’t have the offroad suspension.
Fake news huh? Not sure where you are getting your info from, but pretty sure your entire comment is not based on any actual data, but things you “observed” rather than gathered through fact finding. Here are some true numbers for ya.
The days to turn on the Avalanche was almost identical to that for the Silverado LTZ during the time period that it was available. Given that it was not a work truck and wasn’t priced like one, this is actually good news.
Never seen one sag either. You sure you weren’t loading it up with 15k worth of ballast and five hefty heffers?
Clearly you never owned one. I had to wait 3 months to get my second one because there were none to be had, so it was found 2 states away and brought in to Long Island NY. I’ve owned two Silverado’s and two Avalanche’s. The ride difference was astounding. My 03 Ave has 300,000 miles on it and I tow a 26 ft boat What sag are you talking about? I had a load of cement blocks in each of my trucks and the Ave wasn’t down any lower than the Silverado. The Best tow vehicle of the 2 because of the comfort and quiet. There is a reason they use Coils in a suburban. I have to buy a new Silverado soon as this thing can’t go on forever and I have put about 300,000 miles on all of them before getting a new one. I would buy a new Ave in a heartbeat and will keep the Silverado until it reaches 250k. Or Maybe a new Suburban ?
That cladding sucked! Glad that was one of the first things Lutz got rid of!
Can anyone please tell me about the 05 Avalanche – is it sold ? Any ldea where it is ? I am supposed to buy it eBay has it in Texas. I have to buy 2 eBay cards & show them . Then they ship it to me in 2 days . I have 5 days to try it out ?? You know anything about it?
I hope you are kidding. This would be a scam 100%. Please dont do this.
Best, most versatile truck I ever had was my 2002 2500 Avy. The 8.1 would pull anything. Please bring it back.
8.1 you say… Now that’s a motor.
We have the 8.1 in our 2500 suburban and that thing is a beast!
The worst mistake of my life was selling my 2005 Avalanche 2500 with the 8.1L in 2010. I bought it new and built it the way I wanted it. It was my perfect truck. I sold it because I wasn’t using it much as I had sold my boat, but started regretting that decision within a few months. I still search craigslist in hopes of finding it up for sale one day and buying it back. In the mean time, I recently purchased a low mileage (73,000 miles) 2004 Avalanche 1500 Z71 with cladding to quench my Avalanche desires, and I love it. I think I like it more than my Raptor, although certainly not as modern.
I had an ‘02 2500 Sierra Crew Cab with the 8.1 too. It would pull a house but the mileage was horrible even with no load. It burned at least a quart of oil between oil changes right off the bat so I took it to the dealer for an oil consumption test and they told me it was within factory specs. I told them the guy who engineered that into the engine should be strung up. Utter stupidity.
I now drive a ‘19 Silverado LTZ 1/2 ton crew cab 4wd with the 6.2l gas engine. The absolute finest truck I’ve ever owned in every way.
I have extremely fond memories of the 2002 Avy the old GF and I purchased in 2002. Unique and fun. Loved that truck. Cloth and leather interior, sun roof…
My sister has a 2013…she feels the same about it.
Have a friend who had 2; an 05 and a 2010. She loved em both, and was devastated in 2015 when she needed a new truck.
She ended up with a Ridgeline and absolutely HATES it.
I own the first year 2002 and the last year 2013 Black Diamond . Both are going strong and still ride as good as a Suburban.
I also own the first and last year the avalanche was made. The ’02 has 320k and the ’13 has 140k miles. I so wished they were still making it. It is an ideal truck, road trip awesome! Not seeing anything else out there that even comes close.
One of my favorite features is the tight turning radius. Can park it anywhere.
I’ve always been kinda fond of these. I’d rather drive a 2001 Ave than a new Ridgeline. So much more truck, and better.
I have the first Gen and love it. 148 k and going strong. Original parts, never use after market. A Chevy truck will out last anything.
My uncle has a couple of these. He has a silver diamond edition and also one with the 8.1 engine in it. I hope one day they bring them back.
I own a 2013 Silver Avy Black Diamond edition and I love it!!! 106k miles on the clock and running strong!!! PLEASE BRING THE AVY BACK!!!!
I have a 2002 with 350,000 miles! It’s the coolest, most versatile truck. You can’t beat the Chevy Vortec.
My 2005 has 318K and still is the best riding vehicle I ever had
I have two 2013 Chevy Avalanche’s, one with 105,000 and 45,000 miles. Named them Ava and Ava II. My wife and I love them both. Both Black Diamonds LTZ. Most comfortable vehicle I ever owned, great on mileage, and never has any problems pulling my 30 ft trailer full and truck bed full with rear window up filled above the cab with mulch. I Own 5 vehicles including full size Blazer, Ava out preforms them all. Plan to keep forever washed, waxed, and beautiful. These are my girls. Chevy should bring them back. Fantastic vehicles
I’m not sure that I believe that cost of R&D was a biggest reason to cancel the avelanche. It’s practically a suburban with a bed and share about 90% of parts. GM should bring it back and build it in Arlington, TX along with suburban.
The way we were told about this, it wasn’t just the cost of the R&D, but the all-in costs that also included tooling at the Silao plant (an entirely separate assembly site from the Arlington plant where the Suburban is/has been made).
So faced with a choice between investing in a third-gen Avalanche versus making more Silverados or more Tahoes/Suburbans, the Avalanche lost out because it didn’t meet profitability targets (a certain figure that must meet GM’s internal return on invested capital goal).
But Alex, Is it possible that the Avalanche didn’t meet profitability targets because the leadership tried to steer the culture surrounding the Avalanche into being the same as the Silverado and Suburban? It clearly had a different product image when it was first launched compared to 2013. It went from being a rugged do-all vehicle to a luxury (“don’t scratch my expensive truck”) vehicle.
Had they kept a cladding option, without loading all the bells and whistles, surely GM could’ve competed for the customer segment that buys vehicles like the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Nissan Xterra right? Instead they seemed to keep redesigning it to look so similar to the Silverado that customers were no longer willing to pay more for such a similar vehicle, especially in a recession.
Just to add to/clarify my previous comment, these bed bars in the link below don’t typically get added to someone who has a sleek clean luxury truck. People who want this look (which mimics the Avalanche) are going with the rugged off-road look, rather than luxury look.
https://www.carid.com/go-rhino/sport-bar-2-0-bed-bars.html
With the newer Avalanche models marketed as high-priced luxury crossovers, it was sort of going through a gender identity crisis. Still awesome and I would drive a 2013 Avalanche in a heartbeat, but the Avalanche image was lost to customers who had to decide whether or not to pay so much more when they could just buy a Silverado.
I own a 2013 black diamond ltz with 22,000 original miles. Always garaged never been in snow or salt
One owner looking to sell 30,000
I paid 54,000 new
Where are you located?
The irony is that the Ram is eating their lunch with the same rear suspension design the Avalanche has had for years.
I can see GM bringing that rear suspension into higher trims perhaps Denali and High Country only.
Ram is eating its own lunch by giving away its products.
Buying market share does not work. Just ask GM circa 2008.
Yes the path FCA is following is the one GM and they followed to bankruptcy accept they are doing it on higher profit truck only and not just cars.
Owners are taking a bath on trade or resale value.
The Avalanche was the first to have storage bins on the bed right? Now Ram have his Ram Box, why GM don’t continue to use that on the Silverado/Sierra.
Ram box was built and invented by Magna, offered to GM first but they did not see the value or potential. Another missed opportunity.
I read a year or so back that GM is averaging $17,000 per truck in profits. Clearly that isn’t the case with a Cruze or Malibu. They have plenty of room to incentivize purchases when and where they need to without going into the red. I suspect Ram has similar margins, but without an extensive car line to subsidize (like the one GM is in the process of killing off), I believe they can discount like crazy and still make respectable money.
Generally speaking, all of the big three’s trucks are grossly overpriced – when a well-equipped (LTZ, SLT, Denali) truck approaches $70k, or, if a diesel, $80k, you’re north of a Mercedes 3 row SUV, and approaching S-class or 7-series pricing. That’s too damn much for a truck.
My 16 SLT sticker’d for $56,500, and I paid $41,900, thanks to incentives and a dealer who couldn’t sell a 6.2 – and GM still made money. They ALL need to stop ripping off those of us who need trucks by overcharging us to subsidize crappy econoboxes that they practically give away to keep their CAFE numbers in the right range.
I wouldn’t trade my 05 Avalanche for any truck. It has been the most useful, and reliable truck I have ever used.
I too have a 2005, bought in 2015 with 91K on it, now at 118K. It was kept basically showroom by an older gentleman 1st owner, and I plan to keep it that way, since it sounds like there’s no replacement coming… 🙁
I tow a couple 2500-4000 lb boats with it, and even with the 5.3, it does just great. I love the utility and the general layout of the thing, and almost sporty feel of the way it drives. And, it’s easy to work on. The PCM module did go out, apparently a GM achilles heel of that era, but it wasn’t terrible to fix. Other than that, trouble-free.
As so often happens when models get discontinued and there are fewer and fewer good ones left, now it seems like everybody wants one. Two of my buddies have looked for one in the past year, and cannot find a decent one that the seller doesn’t want an arm and a leg for.
I’ve seen stories on the rumor sites about GM being in development on a new one; one even went so far as to describe a Silverado-size, a Colorado-size and a small 4-cyl turbo version. But it was just somebody’s fantasy, I guess. Wish it were true.
I have a 2007 Z71 Platimun Edition brand new with 06 miles when I purchased it.
A Great truck, but they need to put a bit more HP & torque in them, without going to the6.2 Ltr extreme.
Silverados and most other GM built trucks have mush better performance, especially in HP and Torque ratios.
I plan on saving it as a classic especially after pay $60K for it when I got it in “07.Thinking of an upgrade with Turbo or SC. Either will cost me about 6 to 7K, but I will get an additional 36K on the motor warranty by the manufacture and installer of the Turbo or SC.
BTW I just bought my 2nd extended warranty, after the factory one ran out. Just want to make sure it’s taken care of and I keep FULL Insurance Coverage, Collision, Theft, Liability etc, on it
I or why it was discontinued,ITS A PIECE OF SHIT!!! My transmission went out at 76,000 and then bout a year later the motor went out because the oil pump quit!!! I have been all over your website since that happened asking for reimbursement with no response. I always ran synthetic oil in it since I got it Brand new and I am completely unsatisfied with it. Friends have Rice Burners and they get 200,000 miles w/o having to replace motor and transmission. This is completely unacceptable!! I have been a Chevy man all the way back when I had a 52 Chevy coupe!! I will Never buy another Chevy and neither will anyone I know. Thanks for building the Worst pos I ever owned. YOUR RIGHT IN DISCONTINUING THIS FRANKENSTEIN OF A PIECE OF SHIT!!!!!!!!!
My 2003 ran 221,pop miles with no problem. My 2009 had 160,000 when I traded for a 2013 so that I could drive an AV as long as possible. It now has 218,000 miles and going strong. Either you got a lemon or something strange happened. Don’t blame the platform.
Hey retard, this is a separate blog site reporting GM news, not GM corporate. If the motor blew because the oil pump quit, then you’re a moron for running it when you had no oil pressure. Those things on the dash are called gauges. You’ll figure that out when you grow up.
Come on………anyone with mechanical background will tell you by the time those gauges go off the damage is done.
The oil pumps and transfer pumps in a couple of the early 2000 half ton models where known to be crap. Its one thing to be a fan boy and another to know a vehicle for what it is.
With all due respect, Richie (which is VERY little). Nobody cares. Nobody cares that your tranny failed. Nobody cares that your motor blew. Nobody cares. Nobody on this site. Nobody at GM corporate. Nobody. Nobody cares that you’ll never buy another GM product again. Nobody cares that you were a “Chevy man,” back to your 52 coupe. Nobody cares. You lack any relevance at all in the Chevrolet world specifically and the GM universe as a whole. Run along.
Mine has been nothing but reliable. At 76,000 miles it was trouble free. Then, about a year later, it was still trouble free. Though, to be fair, my dealer and I used to laugh at another guy who had one and had the transmission go bad and then blew his motor a year later. We’d laugh and laugh and laugh. What a hoot!
I have always felt the opening cab technology would have been prime for the Trailblazer or Colorado crew cab.
Both are smaller and it would make the larger and most practical in class.
I’ve mentioned in the past also that the Avalanche should be a midsize Scott. Chevy needs a pure offroader with a removable top and midgate aimed directly at the Wrangler.
I think they should call it the “Apache ZR2” or “Apache HX”, remember the Hummer “HX” concept?
Do both and one could be a crew the other a standard or extra cab and put half doors in the accessory catalog, It would be awesome!
The real victim here is the Escalade EXT. Cadillac would be killing it right now if they still had a truck to offer. The luxury truck market is red hot. Just look at Denali.
I’ve often thought about that myself.
I know it seems kinda of “old GM-ish”, but I think that Caddy could do well with a Canyon based truck. Think; Denali with a sunroof, a “better” bed, tri-zone climate, more engine choices, an Escalade-ish front end and MUCH nicer materials. The Denali is already basically a money tree, not to mention Caddy would then have a competitor to the MB X-class.
I have a 2005 with 244,000 miles and shes my baby. Avalanches are a hot item still for the fans. People will buy used ones with over 100,000 miles on them because they are so reliable. I had a scare recently where I thought I would have to give mine up and started shopping around and I was depressed. Nothing ‘sings’ to me for originality. All the SUVs look alike and the Sierra and Silverados are expensive and boring looking. Avalanches are unique and fun. Need to being them back!
Very sad for me. I owe a 2006 Avalanche and absolutely love it. Was hoping to trade in for an upgrade soon. Best truck I have ever owned ❤❤❤
My 2007 avy is a great truck and would buy it all over again. 170,000 miles and still going strong. 541 miles range to a tank of gas!!!
Had a 2006 with 165k. Gas line rusted and developed a hole where it comes out if the tank. Long story short, caught on fire and burned along with my barn and everything in it. That is a common issue with that year. Love the Avalanche so much I bought another one. Replaced the fuel pump and gas lines as soon as I got it though.
Ricard Foote, My 2003 ran 221,pop miles with no problem. My 2009 had 160,000 when I traded for a 2013 so that I could drive an AV as long as possible. It now has 218,000 miles and going strong. Either you got a lemon or something strange happened. Don’t blame the platform.
I have to admit, I never understood the purpose of the midgate. It seemed a better option would simply be a longer bed.
As for GM learning to be more profitable, yes they are doing better than once upon a time but the huge backlog of Corvettes sitting on dealers lots is clearly showing GM hasn’t learned it’s lessons well enough. The Camaro also continues to be a slow seller.
The new C8 is causing the backlog of Corvettes because no one wants the current model with the C8 on the way. That’s understandable but GM should have realized this and reduced production accordingly.
The new C8 will give the Corvette a reprieve but I believe it will be short lived. If GM has truly learned it’s lessons the Camaro will be discontinued soon. And I will make a bold prediction that the Corvette will be discontinued at the end the C8 run.
GMs mission, one it misunderstood years ago, is it is company than builds general purpose transportation. More specifically, GM should not be in the business of building low volume products. The Avalanche , Camaro , and ultimately even Corvette are not markets that GM belongs in. As for the Corvette, the Corvette nameplate cannot complete with the lacks of Lamborghini. The Corvette lacks the prestige of ownership (and profitablity) of Lamborghini, et al.
The midgate is what made the Avalanche the best ‘general purpose’ vehicle. Without it, their trucks are no different than any other brand, and if low sales volumes were an issue – at least in my anecdotal case – it was a gateway vehicle to keep me and my family brand loyal to buy other models that might fit my family members better. Without it I started trying other brands. Six vehicles and brands later, and I still keep trading cars because I haven’t been as happy as I was with the Avalanche.
I think you fail to realize that vehicles with low sales volumes like the Corvette also give credibility to the performance of the BRAND, not just the vehicle model itself.
I had a 2002 Avalanche North Face Edition for 10 years. Most expensive Av offered that year. Loved the truck but had some of the common GMT800 issues. Sold it to a friend who restored it some and love the truck…180k on it now.
Then moved on to a 2007 Escalade EXT. Loved that as well and I had always wanted one since it came out. If you put a list of common issues those trucks have, I dealt with nearly every one of them. I turn my own wrenches but got tires of it. Sold her at 169k miles last October. I still hear from the new owner (who paid top dollar for it) and he loves the thing.
If GM continued to make them, I would own another. Instead I bought a new ’18 Sierra CC SLT Premium Plus, as optioned as closely to a Denali Ultimate as you could get without buying a Denali Ultimate.
The BS about reduced discounts is a joke. I bought mine out the door (before tax) for 17k under sticker. Sticker was 61k, I paid 44k. Sure sounds like a discount at 28% off.
GM did try an Avalanche copy with the K2 Silverado High Desert edition. Total flop due to being too costly of an option and the execution was piss poor at best.
Richard Foote: I’ve been a mechanic for a long time now and the ONLY thing that causes oil pump failures is (shocker) NO or LACK of oil. So whether you want to hear it or not. It failed because YOU didn’t take care of it the way you should have. That’s not the fault of GM. Most people that say… “I always ran synthetic” are the ones that put synthetic in because they either think or have been convinced that it is some crazy fluid that never breaks down and never needs changing. With some synthetics claiming as much as 30,000 mile change intervals. But no one ever reads the actual recommendations that if you’re towing, hauling or drive hard in general. You need to change it just as much as conventional oil. For example… I’m the drive it like you stole it type. Meaning the accelerator is more of an on-off switch when I’m driving unless I have the cruise control set. Because of this my oil gets changed every 5,000 miles and I also use full synthetic oil. My HUMMER H2 now has 250,000+ miles on it. And yes…The 4l60 series of transmissions are junk and should not be in trucks. So I’ll agree on that. At least not in full size trucks.
Very simple, it was eliminated due to $$$. Rather than continue to build vehicles like the Avalanche, that people actually like (see above), GM builds what they are sure will make maximum profits. They did offer a pseudo avalanche package, called High Desert. In typical GM fashion they forced extra features with the package so again they could charge a bundle and make more $$$. My ’16 Chevy SS is the last new GM car for me, never again.
GM sold many more HHR’s than Avalanches and it too died a similar death.
You would think with GM going all in on trucks and SUV’s bringing a new Avalanche to market would be ideal. I never wanted one but everyone I know that has one swears by the versatility. Last gen looked good!
Unfortunately, GM is not going all in on trucks and SUVs, they’re just selling a ton of them.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/gm-doesnt-expect-to-make-money-off-electric-cars-until-next-decade.html
I feel like maybe Mary Barra is to GM what John Sculley was to Apple, but time will tell.
I have a 2005 Avalanche with 273,000 miles. It’s my daily driver in Atlanta rush hour traffic. Only major issue has been a tranny failure at 88,000 miles. Best truck I’ve ever owned.
Would love to have a new or at least a GM truck with the midgate feature. If GM could make the rear window power down into the midgate, that would be the perfect truck for me. I like the increased rear seat leg room of the new Sierra and Silverado but that doesn’t beat the versatility of the Avalanche.
I’d plop down cash for a new Avalanche today if I could get one on the new truck platform with the 6.2L V8. Guess I’ll just have to keep driving mine till it dies…or another manufacturer steals the midgate idea for their trucks….Please don’t let it be Honda or Toyota. Save us GM!!
I have a 2005 Z66 Avalanche. 321k miles on it. Still going strong. Not one issue wrong with it.
In the past, the Suburban then Tahoe were all the same thing as the CK/Silverado trucks. The first Avalanche was also the same minus the pontiac like plastic cladding. But with the Avalanche you had the mid gate feature. So I essentially viewed it as a Silverado with a mid gate. I think GM got it wrong when they decided to change the trucks with the new 900 generation in 2007. The new Suburban and Tahoe stayed the same and the Avalanche stayed like both of those really taking the place of what would have historically been the SIlverado. Then GM did the odd thing and made a completely different truck for the Silverado that really wasn’t attractive IMO. I thought as a truck the Avalanche was far more attractive much like the F-150 at the time. It had the classic and clean Chevy lines. The SIlverado took on a bunch of bulges and odd shapes and lines. I firmly believe to this day that had the Silverado looked like the Avalanche without the midgate that Chevy would have outsold Ford again all on it’s own. I feel the same way about the trucks that came after as well. Had they continued in that clean-classic Chevy look like the Tahoe and Suburban did, they would have continued to outsell Ford and not even had to worry about the Dodge Ram thing now. Add to it, they could have built a proper Blazer that tied it all together as well. As we all know the Tahoe essentially is what the Blazer was. A 2 door version with more of an off road theme would have been perfect.
Had GM just stuck with the same formula they always had, the Suburban,Tahoe,Silverado and Avalanche would have been the same. If they would have just continued with that, the Avalanche would still be here for those who wanted one. We could also have a real Blazer. You essentially have a Silverado with a mid gate (Avalanche) and a 2 door off road variant of the Tahoe (Blazer).
Well, of course the Avalanche-to-Silverado ratio dropped when they removed the cladding… they removed a key differentiator. Giving it facelifts to look more like the Honda Ridgeline vs. a rugged truck was their demise (even though I love every Avalanche and would love to get my hands on another). The Avalanche platform was the 1990’s version of Apple computers, we just never got a Steve Jobs to save it from its demise. My guess is that leadership of the Avalanche platform were great employees who weren’t passionate Avalanche owners themselves. My cladding prevented so many scratches and dents even if it did require painting every 4-5 years. Kept my ’02 looking new for well over 10 years. Imagine a Nissan Xterra with no roof rack, lower suspension, sleeker paint design and less plastic… it goes against the culture of Xterra. Some dimwit at GM took the Avalanche this direction – still great trucks, just against the culture that differentiated it.
For analytics, Avalanche’s comparable customer segment never should’ve been the Silverado… it should’ve been Toyota FJ Cruisers, Nissan Xterra, and Avalanche should’ve kept things simpler without loading it full of all the bells and whistles to stay cost competitive. Avalanche could dominate that market at the higher price of THAT SEGMENT. Of course Silverado sales had a higher ratio when the recession hit, the Chevy Avalanche was trying to be an Escalade version with a Chevy symbol and people went with the cheaper options.
I’ve got a 2015 Yukon XL and would trade it for a proper Avalanche in a heartbeat. Never should’ve gotten rid of my ’02.
I’m just waiting for the day that Toyota leadership wakes up and realizes that adding a midgate to a Tundra would yield customer conversion from GM brands.
This has always been my favorite truck. My grandma got one when they first came out when i was 1. By the time i was about 4 i loved the thing, it was the best vehicle i had ever been in, rode better than any car i had been in, looked great. Now im 19 and paying off that same truck with 152k miles on it. Only problems its had in my possession was the original brake line gave out and it needed a new water pump recently. All this in the last year or 2. Love it so much and wouldnt trade it for anything. Even though i dont support gm’s newer vehicles, i’d still throw down for a new ave hands down.
I’ve got a newish 2015 Yukon XL and it’s good, but nowhere near as good as my ’02 Avalanche (Yukon quality, lots of trim coming loose, seat back mold doesn’t like to stay clipped in place, lots of squeaks, and I think the driveshaft is out of balance, ball joints need to be replaced at 65k… Avalanche never needed this even at 180k). I never had issues with the Avalanche until 7-8 years later, and even then it was only something minor. I guess it’s simply not profitable to make a vehicle that we’re going to hold onto for 10 years. Better to make something that people need to swap out when they get it paid off in 4-5 years.
Have a 2004 Avalanche,2500,8.1 motor. Only 72000 miles. Love it. Probably never get rid of it.
I always liked them but could not make a deal to buy one. I could always buy a Silverado a good bit cheaper and I wasn’t willing to pay the difference.
The Ave shared a lot of the Suburban parts. One problem: It was a preferred truck by drug runners in Mexico and the USA because of the side compartments built in the side walls of the bed. This was a versatile truck that handled well.
The plant in Mexico built both Suburban and Ave.
Chevrolet’s Avalanche was a niche market product and not everyone wanted the features that the truck offered; but owners of the Avalanche often love their truck and wish the Avalanche was still in production.
I own a 2007. It rides so much better than a pick up. And does way better in the snow than a pick up.
During SEMA, I was told by a very reliable Chevy representative that another reason why they discontinued the Avalanche was because people were treating it like a heavy duty pickup and putting payloads that far exceeded the Avalanches frame capabilities. Thus those owners complained about that the frame didnt meet standards and they started complaining via the social media giving the Avalanche bad ratings.
I have a 2007 LTZ Avalanche with over 260,000 miles and the only major cost has been a transmission replacement.
I still drive my ’03 AV WBC (with body cladding) and close to 293k miles and a rebuilt motor. I love it. It has met every single thing I’ve ever thrown at it. Car trips with 4 adults and lots of stuff, pulled a boat with no problem, hauled fill dirt, and more I’m leaving out. I regret not getting one of the last models but at the time, I wasn’t able to.
In a perfect world, I’d keep it and get an SS as a daily driver.
I researched the Ave. for a year before my purchase, Landscapers with a bed of 4x4s and a trailer, commercial snowplower’s DIYers with 30 -100 pound bags of concrete barely busting a sag on there third trip, couldn’t find any one who didn’t love them . I towed a corvette from north Ohio to the corvette museum and back ,W/ steel trailer @ 8 hrs. 75 mph hardly new it was back there. My owners manual has towing capacity at 8100 LBS with towing package including passengers and cargo. I find the only ones bashing them are people who don’t own one . Rich didn’t mention if he purchased his new but if it was used then that is a risk. What they should have done is kept making the 3/4 ton model !
Bought it bran new and ran synthetic oil since new. Towing a small haul trailer and yes it has tow package.Drove from Vegas to Georgia. Lost the transmission in Arkansas and the motor in Vegas. I can’t trust it anymore. Most people that see it think it’s a 2015 or newer. Put a lot of money in this truck and I’m very disappointed in it now. Serviced at regular intervals and Always perfectly maintained and Never abused!!! This model is just Junk!!!
Over the years I have owned over a half dozen Chevy trucks ranging from K5 Blazers one I bought new to regular cabs, extended cabs and an 04 crew cab 2500 and a Suburban to boot. My first truck was a 74 Chevy. Currently own an 03 Avalanche 5.3 and it has been great for our family and the best and most versatile truck I have ever owned. It tows our boat, hauls firewood and whatever, hope to get a newer one someday but this one is going strong at 160,000 miles. Well built and designed hope they come around again.
I’ve got a 2011 LT 5.3L ave. I love it.
I have a 02 Z66 with 260k original motor and tranny and 07 with 134k. Love both of them absolutely best vehicles I’ve ever owned.
I have the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 150 four door gas and I love I mean love my truck
I have a 2013 Black Diamond LTZ that replaced my 2011 when I heard they were discontinuing it (and I had a 2004). I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who said, “I had an Avalanche – wish I would have kept it). A silverado doesn’t fit in my garage, nor ride like my avalanche. A suburban or tahoe doesn’t have a bed for hauling dirty stuff, and you cant open up the back window for a near-convertible experience. I have driven to dealerships to buy a new silverado, sierra, suburban, and yukon; each time I left feeling that I wasn’t improving anything. What’s crazy is my trade in value has been going up lately. I actually bought a BMW as a beater so I don’t put as many miles on the Avy. How does that fit your plans GM? I’m not buying ANY new GM truck…
I had a 2003 Avalanche that ran like a champ. Hauled 3 loads of sand in it and it hardly squated each time the only thing I had to change on it was the fuel pump. My truck was in great condition with all original engine and trans. I had just hit 139k miles and that was 5 years ago. The body still look incredible. In 2014 someone stole my truck and i didn’t know what i was going to do to replace it. It was by far the best vehicle in had. Couldn’t see myself driving another truck nor car. So i took my insurance payout and bought me another Avalanche 2007. Here it is 5 or 6 yrs later and I’m well over 200k miles and it still runs like a champ! As long as there is an Avalanche on the road I will have to just keep looking for one. I really can’t see myself in anything different at the moment.
I REALLY HOPE THE AVALANCHE IS COMING BACK!!
I love my 05 avalanche but having to replace the engine and transmission at 76and 85 thousand miles is unacceptable! My truck has been maintained according to specs and Always ran synthetic oil. Transmission slipped at 76,000 and blew a rod at 85,000. Over ten thousand dollars at Under 86,000 miles is not right. My truck inside and out is like new except one dent someone sideswiped me parked. My truck was Never overloaded or mistreated or denied service, Ever. To loose the transmission and engine so soon is unacceptable. No one cares!!!
My 05 avalanche is a piece of garbage! It has been perfectly maintained and serviced but the transmission went out at 76,000 and then the motor blew up at 85,000. I have had the brake booster replaced, dash lights out, speakers blown, a squeak in the front end that Nobody can find! I did Love it till the transmission blew out coming from Vegas going to Georgia pulling the Smallest uhaul you can rent loaded with household furniture,!!! Right now the truck has Less than 140,000. I ran Synthetic oil since it was new! So I’m not really happy with this piece of JUNK!! Always been a Chevy man but I will Never purchase another GM product!! I think a lot of these reviews are LIES!!!
I have owned 4 Avalanches. I like the luxury ride. I don’t need a huge bed, so the midgate option works well for me. The AFM system is my only complaint due to it’s high failure rate,but that is a corporate problem. Not sure how Honda is doing with the concept, but I imagine sales are sluggish. I just hope to have a good relationship with the low mile 2012 I just purchased because there’s nothing out there that compares.
I was under the impression that there were mandated restrictions on manufacturing low MPG vehicles per auto company. A certain percentage of a manufacturers’ product line had to get a higher targeted MPG and they had to drop a model line to make the quota. Avalanche was politically “squeezed out” of production per the false “global warming” and “peak oil” concessions now being debunked.
Had a 03 Avalanche got it cheap from a old guys estate a few years back 45k miles clean but electrician system in these gm trucks is shit put in a 30000 watt sound system 21 inch subs in covered bed and the shit gm wires cout fire when I was thumping some nice loud bass the Avalanche was a total losse got it out of my garage just in time gm don’t use good wiring for custom upgrades big loose spent 12k on my sound system destroyed give me Honda and Toyota any day there awesome for customs
Bought my 1st Ava in fall of 2001 a Black LT Z71 it was so different I fell in love with them and 1 yr later bought an 03 Black LT with all the toys. With kids in college I had to keep it till 2008 when I spotted a LTZ sitting in a dealers yard with Hugh discounts posted in the window. Well that wasn’t Black, but I learned to love that Maroon Avalanche along with everyone I met. It drew many positive compliments. While visiting this same dealership in 2012, I was informed that the 13 would be the end of production and I might want to order if I wanted to Take it to the limits. I only had think briefly and when I sat down and ordered my Blue Black Diamond edition . I ordered every available option including the 22 “ chrome rims and matching chrome boards. This has been my baby since it arrived on the 4th of July of 2012. Yes it is still in my garage, driven in summer only, currently has 38000 miles . Still turns heads and I receive compliments every time it’s out. No new Ave’s, that’s Just wrong. But i’ll Keep mine. Even have the Black Diamond dvd and step by step build book that came with it.
Come on, GM – please bring it back! Absolutely the perfect vehicle for me. Own 2013 4WD after previous 2005. Have 177k on it and would buy a new one come about 2021.
Have two improvements to suggest. Put a Honda Ridgeline 2-way tailgate on it. Im getting old and the reach is getting harder. Also, something really got screwed up on the cloth seats between 2005 and 2013 – it is nearly impossible to get dog hairs out of the newer material.
I own a 2012 Av LTZ. Just turned 135k miles. It is my 3rd Avalanche. I’d buy a new one in a heartbeat if GM brought a new model series Avalanche to market. Midgate is priceless. It’s my SUV on a daily basis for my family of 5. From sports to Scouts, to home improvement projects or just looking good on a night out…..my ’12 Av is my favorite of all the vehicles I’ve owned (and that count is somewhere around 20). Many of the technologies under the hood are approaching their end of use. For example, the cellular capabilities used in the OnStar app remote start will cease to function around the 2021-2022 timeframe. Yeah, it’s definitely a first world problem, but it’s something I use regularly without having ability to park the vehicle in a garage (home or work). Love my Av. Everyone that rides in it asks me what year it is. I’ve taken such good care of it they are shocked to learn it’s going on 8 years old.
I have a 2007 Avalanche I bought in 2006. It’s one of the oldest GMT-900s in existence. I still think of it as a new truck. I don’t know why GM can’t make a new Avanlanche with all the other crazy vehicles they have made over the years.
I love my 2003 Chevy avalanche, I had to fight my husband in order to buy mine. I have 90 thousand miles on mine still going strong. I did have the computer unit replaced on it 5 years ago, so did my friend suburban . My husband drive my avalanche because we keep the back seat down for our dogs , they can travel and climb down without injuring themselves. I had a Chevy Silverado for 4 months and hatred it because it was light and I could not hide my stuff when shopping and had to make several stops. Please bring it back it was and is a great suvtruck. My still roars !!!!!!
I’m looking to purchase a 2013 Chevy Black Diamond Avalanche in Silver color with Tan interior. Loaded!
I got my 05 Avalanche new and still have it and will keep it as long as I can git parts for it. GM just piss me off everytime they make something people really love they stop making it should try and make it even better like better gas mileage for one.My son has 08 chevy Silverado 4×4 has had it in the shop to have the top end redone three or four times. The Avalanche is much better truck can do much more with it .GM ever learns from their mistakes pull your head out of your ass .
I just bought a 2002 Avalanche Z71 and I’m so impressed with it! I hope I can always find parts for it and that maybe I can get another one as well!
I own a 2008 Ave LTZ, by far the most versatile and dependable truck I’ve owned. Far better than my Silverados or F-150s. I’ve done a 3” lift all around, upgraded suspension, but other than that it’s pretty much stock. Whether I’m off road in the South Dakota snow or in the deep sands of South Padre Island, my Ave performs well and often I’m the guy pulling other trucks out. The mid-gate and covered bed make it ideal for year-round camping, even watching a dvd from bed. If I’d have known how versatile this truck was, I’d have purchased one long ago. Congratulations to the design team, shame on the marketing team.
If you were to bring this truck back I’d but at least one and convince several hunting and fishing buddies to do so as well.
I have 2010
I bought my 2002 Avalanche Z71 with 4 miles on it 2/12/2002. It had the protective cladding that saved a lot of parking lot dents. I drove it all over the southeastern U.S. especially all over Florida. I could haul and tow whatever I wanted or needed. I loved the mid gate and It had the power and great looks. The odometer got stuck years ago at 625,306. I continued to drive it until I had an accident recently and It was totaled. It was like saying goodbye to a dying old friend. I’ve never been that attached to a vehicle. I searched everywhere for another but most all were ones from up north with massive rust issues from all the salt. I finally purchased a 2012 Avslanche Z71 LT. with only 96K miles. Looks and drives like it’s brand new. I will learn to love this one like I did the other on and maybe one day find another 2002 Z71 in great shape. I wish GM would reconsider bringing them back. It was a great idea and the other manufacturers tried in their own way to copy. But There Is Nothing Like The Avalanche except maybe the Escalade EXT.
Why did GM never offer the Avalanche concept as a serious family “daily driver” & “weekend RV towing” product?
GM proved that including an open bed by “chopping the back top” from a Tahoe made the Avalanche a much more “family friendly” concept than a short bed pickup. . . . But why did GM not see/explore the even greater potential a Suburban-based Avalanche might provide a family, either compare with the original Avalanche or vis-à-vis a long bed pickup?
“Moms” seem to like (or at least tolerate) driving an Avalanche, Escalade, Tahoe, Yukon, or Suburban. But driving a pickup truck is a much harder sell for them.
Previously, a family wanting to tow a heav-ish trailer (except 5th wheelers) could keep everyone happy by buying a 2500 Suburban. But then GM killed the 2500 Suburban.
For many RVing families, the Avalanche wasn’t adequate: Not enough towing capacity & the bed wasn’t long enough to use a 5th wheel hitch.
It seemed that those drawbacks and the absence of the 2500 Suburban presented GM with a market opportunity it could seize quickly and at a relatively low cost, particularly compared to thwxyears and money required of any competitor trying to catch up.
I imagined GM only needed to put a lengthened Avalance body on a Suburban frame (instead of a Tahoe frame) so an “in-bed” hitch could fit (necessary for 5th wheel trailers, as many prefer) and to equip it with enough power (big Duramax?) & HD suspension parts to bring its towing capacity up to or near that of it’s already “5th wheel towing capable” pickups.
RV sales now are exploding through the roof – is there any chance GM will look into making a 5th wheel capable Avalanche-type family tow vehicle?
That’s a lot of misinformation. The Avalanche was always Suburban-based, and never Tahoe-based. Additionally, the first generation Avalanche was available in a 2500 series, with a 496 big block V8 as the baseline engine. It didn’t sell well enough to maintain its production for the second generation.
Thanks very much for the clarification! I hadn’t previously heard that the Avalanche was originally also offered in a 2500 model.
My comment about the Avalanche/Tahoe relationship was from what I was told at a Chevy dealership when I was considering buying an Avalanche several years back.
The topic came up when I asked about installing a 5th wheel hitch in the bed of the Avalanche to pull a 5th wheel trailer. I was told that because the Avalanche was based on the Tahoe rather than on the Suburban wheelbase, there wasn’t enough “distance” (I can’t remember whether he said it was from the front or back of the bed) to properly install a fifth wheel hitch. Then he also showed me a place in the manual saying the Avalanche was not to be used to pull fifth wheel trailers.
Assuming the same “no fifth wheel trailer” limitation was true for the 2500 version of the Avalanche, I still think GM missed a huge opportunity by not designing the Avalanche so that it COULD be equipped to pull fifth wheel trailers. I suspect that capability — alone — likely would have made that 2500 Avalanche much more popular.
I still believe most of the same people who feel the need to have a fifth wheel trailer would also prefer to be towing it with a more ‘sedate-looking” vehicle (such as the Avalanche) than with a pickup truck.
Anyway, I just never understood why GM seems to have deliberately “chopped off” access to what seems like would have been the only part of the recreational tow market in which Avalanche would have been the only “non-pickup truck” option.
We bought our 2002 Z71 on Oct 30, 2001 and it still looks and runs great. Over 180k on the clock. We also had a 2013 Black Diamond but it was totaled in a traffic accident. Had 90k on it and looked brand new. I would buy a new one in a heartbeat if GM decides to make them again.
I bought a 2006 avalanche z71 new best truck ever 3010000miles . A new one would be nice .. but like everything else if you like something let do away with it .
Three million miles? That’s impressive…600 a day, every day, for fourteen years. 10 hours a day at 60 mph, or 14 hours of high speed driving every day if weekends are taken off.
Biggest issue is that Gm has yet to fix the rear seal leaks in ALL V8. That should lk d be a RECALL. GM HAS KNOWN ABOUG IT FOR YEARS.
I would Never give u ppl my 07 AVALANCHE, BUT GM OWES US ALL A RECALL ON THE REAR SEAL LEAK.
WE NEED TO PETITION the issue and make GN FIX IT
Really down vote that GM hasn’t resolved their rear seal leak for DECADES?
Wake up. I have own Chevy trucks for 5 decades and they all have the same problem around 100K + or minus: REAR SEAL LEAKS.
Resolve the problem or issue a recall and pay for every V* that has a rear seal leak
Bought our 2003 new . The choice was to combine our need for both a truck and a car, having the heavy haul package,for our boat, most seating room for passengers, and the removable bed panels for hauling whatever. Avalanche is now 17, nearly 18 years old, still runs perfectly, and looks good too. We CHOSE to sacrifice fuel efficiency for the features we needed. When or if the need should arise, I would look for a used newer model !
L
I have the Z71 model from 06 with 208990 miles on it runs great much nicer rid than my Silverado
Z71 isn’t a model. It is a cheap suspension package option. My ’02 North Face Avalanche had it (standard on North Face). My ’18 Sierra has it – was a few hundred bucks and has nothing to do with the model at all.
I bought Two brand new 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche’s and never had any problems. Loved the style and mid gate. Since they don’t make the Avalanche anymore, I bought a 2012 with 134000 miles. I now have 146000 miles on this truck and it drives like a brand new truck.
Very comfortable ride. I wish General Motors would continue making the Avalanche.
All of the Avalanche owners, as well as myself would love to see the Avalanche back in production.
Best truck/suv ever made.
I just purchased a 2008 Avalanche LTZ. It is decked out with 22″ wheels and gorgeous Mags as well as chrome side panels and a beautiful pearl white. I got rid of my 2008 Ridgeline as it was just not hefty enough to pull my 3500lb trailer. My new Avalanche will have no problems pulling my little trailer. I am so happy with my New to me Avalanche. The owner took very good care of her(not a stitch of rust) and had her since new out of Detroit. I am in Canada, and the original owner never winter drove her. I love the ride, I just find the steering a little harder to get used to, as the larger wheel base has a bit of play in the steering from what I am used to with the Ridgeline. All and all I am so Happy I found this Gorgeous truck. 😉
I bought my ’07 – Z71 (4×4) with 2 miles on it. Fully loaded, Titanium Edition, all leather interior.
There is no steering issue with it. You need to get use to driving a full size truck. Ridgeline was a cheap knock off (my opinion) of the Avalanche, and a much lighter and smaller truck.
I have driven the smaller trucks as rentals. Would never own one and will never rent one again. Too light and noisy, unlike my Z71 which rides like a Cadillac. OEM wheels were 18″, at the time only 3 tire manufactures made them and they were over $350 each for the BF Goodrich All Terrain BAJA K02. After I purchased my first set of new tires (at 42K) I found that spending $1400 plus warranty, balancing etc and TAXes, total it was cheaper to go to 20″ rims and same tire (total $1195) Tires are only $195 each for 20″. $800) Along the line GM got the hair brain Idea of 18″ tires, but manufactures were not ready for them. They were not really making good all terrain 18″ tires for a reasonable price. To pickings were slim and expensive.
My Baja K02’s give me 72K and still good tread for another 10K or more. They are smooth and really quite for an all terrain tire.
My super charger is sitting in my garage waiting for a full fit up on to my 5.3L V8 Avalanche. Summit Racing and installer will warranty the SC and motor for 36K. By then I will have about 180K on the Avalanche. Since I was forced into retirement (tenure and age) by a company I spent 38 years with, It is time for me to get that SC installed and have fun at car and truck shows
I love my 2004 z71 Avy with the 5.3. Says 8k towing and I belive it. Tows my 21 foot 4k boat like …is there a boat behind me? Hardly notice. Just gotta keep up maintenance as one should. 200k miles. I’ll make it to 300k. 🙂
Love my Avalanche had him since they 1st came out vacation trips hauling or just out having fun
02 z71 ..bought in 02 w/68 miles on it..love this truck off road, hwy, snow , rain, bullead heat. Some fixes normal wear and tear…cladding great with the dummies around hear…paint job sucks…
Idk about your avalanche but Mine has been a piece of crap! Lost transmission at 76,000 and the engine at 85,000. I ran synthetic since new but I will Never buy another GM product!! My avalanche has always been trouble!! POS!!!
Sorry to hear that. Our 2002 Z71 – quite the opposite. Will be 20 yrs old at end of next month. Just turned 187K on the clock the other day. Only major repair so far was a fuel pump that crapped out after more than 18 yrs and 165K miles. Kept in the garage all these years and still shines like new.
Richard, sounds like you got a lemon. My 2003 Avalanche went 221K with no problems. Traded it for a 2009. Friend now has it and with over 200K miles it still looks and runs like new. Bought a 2013 in the last year of production so I could drive an AV as long as possible. It now has more than 250K.
Follow-up: we had a 2013 Black Diamond edition but I was involved in a traffic accident and insurance company totaled it. I begged them to repair it. Had 90K on it and was like brand new (except the collision damage of course). I even offered to cover any “new” repairs that might be discovered. Would buy another one in a heartbeat if GM ever brings them back.
I have a 2005 Z71. Bought it brand new and it still runs like a champ. Currently has 137k miles on it. Only way I’ll ever get rid of it is if GM brings back the line. But we all know that will never happen.
I’ve had a 02 4×4 170 some thousand miles and still ran and drive wonderfully. I made the mistake of selling it for a Colorado to lower my payments. As soon as I could I ditched the Colorado and bought a used 08 ltz! Absolutely loved that truck and miss it dearly. By far my favorite vehicle I’ve ever owned. I traded it in for a HD silvy to pull a large camper because of a little sag again a stupid mistake!! I was overreacting and totally regret that decision!! Every silver avy I see I stare at it in the hopes I maybe able to find a low mileage one to buy. I don’t care about the reasoning and what the haters say, if you ain’t had one you don’t know and if you had one and didn’t like it your one of the few!!! Goodbye my best truck I’ve ever owned. I’m tearing up writing this I miss it so much!!!
I hear ya. We bought a 2002 brand new and it is still running strong with 188k on it. We liked it so much we bought another one – a brand new 2013 Black Diamond. Treated it like a baby and looked almost new – until I got into a traffic accident and totaled it. Makes me sick to my stomach to just type this. I begged the insurance company to fix it instead of totaling it. They told me it was damaged beyond their dollar threshold for repairs so no can do. I even told them I would pay cash for any additional damage that was uncovered as they did the work. No dice. It has been a disappointment ever since. Oh well…..
I have a 2004 2500 av with 87234 and it’s a beast it is stil in great shape after 17 years it’s a sunburst orange with leather and has been trouble free….
I’m glad that I’ve kept my 2002 2500 with the body cladding. The Avalanche now has 233,000 on it and the only trouble I’ve ever had was the fuel pump.
The Griots Garage tire dressing has worked beautifully. The cladding is still gray.
I do have to say that there seems to be a difference in GM and it’s vehicles before and after bankruptcy. In my opinion, there was more innovation present in its products pre-BK. I do not believe that post-BK GM would ever take the risk in developing and producing a truck such as the Avalanche now. Far too much risk. Products such as the Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe are safe bets. These are “bread and butter” lines.
The Corvette has always been a stand-out.
Lastly, I would not consider buying a GM truck now that I’m in my prime earning years. And that is a shame.
D
The Midgate is coming back!!
The new 2024 Silverado EV will essentially be a new EV Avalanche. Electric, 400 mile range, 60/40 split Midgate with a bed that will max out at over 10 feet! It will even have 4-wheel steering, aka Quadrasteer.
I have my reservation in
I have my reservation in! Excited about it! It is the mid-gate feature that has me amped about this vehicle. Even better that is has the 60/40 split (as long as they’ve properly sealed it!). My ’12 Avalanche is still going strong at 163k miles….but with all of the known troubles like the dash cracks, bed cover seal leaks, chrome stock wheel pitting etc. However, I have not jumped to another vehicle as my driver because of the flexibility and drive comfort the Av has. **Disclaimers: I’m on my 3rd Av. Had other SUV’s in between. Kept coming back to the Av. For our 2nd vehicle, we’ve owned a Volt and had a great experience and very fun to drive (but have since gone back to Traverse and other SUV’s). Our driving habits gave us equivalent of 300+mpg. I’m not 100% invested in the EV aspect of this new truck, but the big 3 OEMs are pointed that way, the petrol giants are investing heavily in alt energy, there’s lots of infrastructure developing to support the new dynamics of EV’s (grid load, charge station partnerships, destination charging etc). Lots of changes happening in the world. So as far as electric vs gas…. I don’t pick a side because there are pros and cons. To each their own scenario and comparison basis. We don’t do a ton of hauling and we’re not trekking across the country. I’m not diving into the EV world to save the environment or to save a few bucks at the gas pump. I want a comfortable, flexible and capable vehicle that I can expect to keep for 10 years. Dropped about $56k on my ’12 Av LTZ, and feel great about that investment almost 10 years later. So, in today’s dollars (or next year’s), the $106k tag seems high….but will it in 2032? Maybe…..or maybe not.
BTW why do they always seem to report calendar year sales when the far more relevant number is model year sales. Calendar year sales are meaningless for first and last year of production as the vehicle is only produced part of the year. Any major model-year changes that can impact production numbers are obscured in calendar-year sales too. Just dumb.
We were excited to see the new look when it came out. It was just another pretty face. Impractical for a truck. Only a 4 feet bed! The MPG and the bulky body with a 4 feet bed was a total turn off.
The Avalanche product should be made into a Harvard Business Review case study for MBA 101 classes (if it hasn’t already). The product changed from when it was first launched as a rugged vehicle (Chevy = utility, GMC = utility with comfort, Cadillac = Luxury) and over time the Avalanche… CHEVY Avalanche started offering Cadillac luxury with their Southern Comfort editions and eliminated the rugged Chevy utility category with the cladding. MBA 101… they tried to get creative with offering products that didn’t align with their business model. Then they blamed it on being too similar to the Silverado, when in reality it was their own fault that was years in the making at the management level. If they truly do try to bring the Avalanche back as an all-electric, it will highlight how GM is still not understanding their own fundamentals between their brands.
I have a 2002 Chevy avalanche black 315000 miles still runs great put a new front end under it part by part but she still runs great transmissions great I change the will every 3000 miles running full synthetic and the oil stays Brown never ever turns black…. This is my 4th avalanche the other ones had rusted rockers but this one came from Texas and we’ll never have rest on it because I use fluid film.
My Avalanche is a 2005, 1500 2-wheel drive has 301,450 miles on it and drives like a Caddy. Smooth and quiet no major repairs. Best truck ever
I have a 2005 Avalanche LT Crew Cab 2500. Truck is sweet, except all four fender flares, right above the tires. Does ANYONE make plastic fender flares to match up to the cladding???
Woke Corporate morons who are gradually running GM into the ground are too stupid to bring back the real avalanche concept as a gas option or optional hybrid SUV/truck. There is a great Nitch demand for it. It would actually make a profit, but actual profits are not what the radicals who control GM are concerned with, it is being ‘green’ [actually globalist red] and snuggling up with government bureaucrats.
Im on Avalanche #3. 2010 with 330k miles. Had to have the transmisssion rebuilt once and deleted the DOD. Still runs, drives, and looks perfect inside and out. Amazing vehicles, I might buy a nice low milage 13 Diamond ed or EXT to put in storage in case someone runs into mine.