This truck belongs to a co-worker of my father and I can get it for $22k...
2007 Chevrolet avalanche - $23000 (Blairsville )
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche very good condition. Black leather interior. New battery, digital trailer brake controller, tinted front windows. 83,500 miles.
It has every option but navigation and with the mileage, the NADA rough trade-in is about $24k, so it isn't a screaming deal, but fair.
It's come time to shit or get off the pot and buy a "real" vehicle I guess. Have to start looking professional at work and all. Plus I don't think the caliber of women I associate with are going to find my jeep "cute" for much longer.
80% of my yearly driving is on my motorcycle so mileage isn't HUGE for me, but the Avalanche does well at 20+ mpg on trips and 16-18 around town. My daily M-F commute is 40 miles total.
I'm doing just fine with my 89 XJ getting about the same mileage. I'm ready to make it a dedicated wheeler though. It's no longer cool I guess. And the electrical issue is still on-going. AND some ass clown broke the windshield with a beer bottle and that just isn't going to get fixed (no it wasn't me).
I'm drawn to the Avalanche because my dad is on his third and I'm used to driving, towing, and using the features of the Avalanche cargo area which have worked well for me. I like the dedicated hard top and the space in the quad cab is great.
I'm not excited about the monthly payment, but I can get a 3.75% rate through my credit union, which is affordable. I'm approved for it so I'm just contemplating it some more before pulling the trigger.
At first I thought about buying a newer XJ or even a beater car, and having that for a DD, then making the 89 XJ a street legal wheeler. That would certainly be the cheapest route.
Now I'm thinking I should get this avalanche, a cheap tandem axle 16' or 18' trailer from craigslist, and tow my XJ like I have enjoyed doing with my dad's truck and trailer in the recent past.
I feel like the Avalanche is a good size. Not too small that it can't tow an XJ on a trailer, and not a huge truck. I can only recall have one or two scary moments pulling a trailer with the Avalanche, and those were my own fault for not allowing enough braking distance or going too fast. When I really need to move something big I always have the Deuce to fall back on.
Borrowing my dad's truck and trailer is off the table. I'm a big boy now. Time to get my own junk.
So does anyone have some constructive advice? Reasons I shouldn't buy this truck or reasons I should do something else?
Those chrome door handles and mirror covers would have to go.