1-Recommendations Avalanche vs GM SUVs
Question:
> I had a 99 Grand Cherokee, and it messed my back up big time, so bad I > traded it for a full size GMC truck. No more back problems. I hated > that Jeep for so many things, none of them seemed to bug me on the test > drive, but within a couple of weeks, I really regretted buying it. > BDK
My wife had a 97 JGC Laredo, which was trouble free the whole time we owned it. We just bought a new 2003 JGC Overland a few weeks ago, after looking at many other midsize SUV’s. It has a very powerfull V8. It rides dramatically smoother than the 97. Interior finish is much nicer than GM’s offerings. It drives more like a car than a truck. I also have a bad back, herniated disc at L4. The seats have a nice solid lumbar support. It’s not really big enough for me on a fulltime basis, being as I am 6′4" and 260. The seats are big enough, plenty of head ,& ample leg room, but a bit cramped in shoulder room. I prefer my full size Chevy crew cab. But for my wife, or someone else 6′ tall or less, the Jeep is a great vehicle all around, IMHO. I’m a chevy person going back to my first car in high school, & will probably continue to buy chevies into my old age. That said, I think the Avalanche is the most butt ugly thing chevy has ever put out in the truck/SUV category. If they removed all the plastic cladding & eliminated the "conversion" feature, changing it to more of a fixed mini-bed Crew Cab, I might consider one as my next vehicle. For now, I’m thinking a Suburban will be my next vehicle. David
Response:
I am planning to purchase a new 4-wheel drive vehicle and would like to hear recommendations from the crowd. I do not plan to haul a whole lot of stuff, just some lumber and personal junk sometimes. I need seating for myself and two teenagers. I need a vehicle which provides excellent driver seating as I am disabled with lower back problems. Also, the vehicle needs to have a very good ride with exceptional handling. I currently run a Nissan Altima which responds well on the road and has average driver’s seat support. The Altima has a smooth ride as well as good traction control when cornering. The Avalanche has very comfortable front buckets with lower lumbar adjustments however, it maybe difficult to enter and exit if you have back problems because of the height of the seats. It does handle and ride well but it is not car like. The center of gravity is much higher and it weighs alot more. I guess that in the past 9-10 years, improvements in these vehicles should provide a ride which either matches the 1994 Altima or surpasses it. I do not drive very often. I live in Carlisle, PA and it has snowed nearly everyday in the past 2 weeks. So I am looking for good winter weather traction. I would also prefer an 8 cylinder engine and anti-lock brakes. I guess I want something that will be better than GMs competition. The Avalanche comes stock with a V8 and ABS.It handles winter conditions better than extended cab pickups because the weight is more evenly distributed. Bossman
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Jeep Grande Cherokee? > I am planning to purchase a new 4-wheel drive vehicle and would like > to hear recommendations from the crowd. I do not plan to haul a whole > lot of stuff, just some lumber and personal junk sometimes. I need > seating for myself and two teenagers. I need a vehicle which provides > excellent driver seating as I am disabled with lower back problems. > Also, the vehicle needs to have a very good ride with exceptional > handling. I currently run a Nissan Altima which responds well on the > road and has average driver’s seat support. The Altima has a smooth > ride as well as good traction control when cornering. > I guess that in the past 9-10 years, improvements in these vehicles > should provide a ride which either matches the 1994 Altima or > surpasses it. > I do not drive very often. I live in Carlisle, PA and it has snowed > nearly everyday in the past 2 weeks. So I am looking for good winter > weather traction. I would also prefer an 8 cylinder engine and > anti-lock brakes. I guess I want something that will be better than > GMs competition. > Your comments and recommendations are welcome > — > John Metz > Network Engineer > US Federal Gov’t (ret’d)
I had a 99 Grand Cherokee, and it messed my back up big time, so bad I traded it for a full size GMC truck. No more back problems. I hated that Jeep for so many things, none of them seemed to bug me on the test drive, but within a couple of weeks, I really regretted buying it. BDK
Response:
Jeep Grande Cherokee? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am planning to purchase a new 4-wheel drive vehicle and would like > to hear recommendations from the crowd. I do not plan to haul a whole > lot of stuff, just some lumber and personal junk sometimes. I need > seating for myself and two teenagers. I need a vehicle which provides > excellent driver seating as I am disabled with lower back problems. > Also, the vehicle needs to have a very good ride with exceptional > handling. I currently run a Nissan Altima which responds well on the > road and has average driver’s seat support. The Altima has a smooth > ride as well as good traction control when cornering. > I guess that in the past 9-10 years, improvements in these vehicles > should provide a ride which either matches the 1994 Altima or > surpasses it. > I do not drive very often. I live in Carlisle, PA and it has snowed > nearly everyday in the past 2 weeks. So I am looking for good winter > weather traction. I would also prefer an 8 cylinder engine and > anti-lock brakes. I guess I want something that will be better than > GMs competition. > Your comments and recommendations are welcome > — > John Metz > Network Engineer > US Federal Gov’t (ret’d)
