Camaro vs. Avalanche (new buyer) - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

gbuc40 · 06-22-2011, 12:05 AM

Hello all. New Here and first post, btw.

I have only owned and driven SUVs (2005, 2008 Avalanches) in the past so this will be quite a change. I loved them both but gas prices are crazy. I was hoping you guys could give me some insight on the Camaro. What are some of the "must have" options or some things I should avoid? For example, I read here that there have been problems with brakes in the 2010 models. How's the real life gas mileage? I'm obviously leaning towards a 2LT V6 to save on gas. I love my truck but I think it's time I moved to something still badass but more fuel efficient. Lastly, I will be ordering a 2LT RS 2012 model from the dealer. Have they budged quite a bit on MSRP or no?

Thank you all and great forum. I am part of an avalanche forum and I'm glad this is here in case I do make the switch.

Here's a pic of my truck just for fun

08-G35s/6MT · 06-22-2011, 01:51 AM

Just get a Honda Ridgeline. Same thing as your Avalanche but more fuel efficient....

gbuc40 · 06-22-2011, 10:56 AM

oh my a ridgeline..... lol, not even close brother

gstev · 06-22-2011, 11:57 AM

ridgeline is horrible looking IMO and they leak too and it not an AMERICAN vehicle either. We all need to try to buy AMERICAN.

Moorepheus · 06-22-2011, 12:02 PM

and I beleive they are not making them anymore

FiveO · 06-22-2011, 12:02 PM

gbuc40, I'm not sure if you own a house or not but I strongly believe that every man with a house need to have a truck. I was in the same boat as you last year, I currently own an Avalanche and considered trading it in for a 2011 Camaro. However, after considering all the times I needed a truck and didnt have to bother my friends, family or neighbors to use theirs it felt quite comforting having my own. So, I kept my Avanlanche and bought the Camaro and I dont have any regrets. Got the best of both worlds. But if it's not in your budget to keep the truck and purchase the camaro, I would at least recommend getting the V8 because supprisingly you will see better gas mileage than you will with the Avalanche. I know a couple of people that have traded their V6 in for the V8. Do it right the first time!!

gbuc40 · 06-22-2011, 01:45 PM

FiveO,

Thank you. I just graduated college and landed my first real job (whoo hoo!). Problem is, it is 35 miles away. I can't move out there because I still want to go to graduate school close to my current location. I do not own a house. FYI, I'm from Covington, LA. I lost my house in Katrina and my 2005 Avalanche was a lifesaver. I think the Camaro is a good decision at this point in my life. I can always buy an Avalanche later on in life when I have established myself more in the workforce as I'm pretty young.

gbuc40 · 06-22-2011, 01:48 PM

Can someone discuss if dealers are budging off MSRP? I read here that dealers were asking way over in '09/'10. Has that calmed down a bit?

justa25thTA · 06-22-2011, 02:19 PM

yes they have, and the used market is coming down as well.

04Ram2500Hemi · 06-22-2011, 05:08 PM

If I could only have my truck or my Camaro, the Camaro would have to go. I live in an area where there’s too much winter to not have a four wheel drive, and the amount of time I like spending in the woods is too important to give up the truck. I also have to tow the boat twice a year (once in the lake, once out), and I help my brother get hay every year (5 tons behind the truck on the trailer). For me the Camaro is a toy, but it comes out a lot more than that once the weather turns nice (first day in the 80’s today where I live). What you need to do is ask yourself if the Camaro will do what you need it to. You said yourself that the Avalanche was a lifesaver when Katrina blew through. Would your Camaro be able to be a lifesaver if you needed it to, just like your Avalanche was? It all boils down to can the Camaro be a true daily driver like you’ll need it to?

fielderLS3 · 06-22-2011, 05:16 PM

Since you live in Florida, I'd say make the switch, unless you need to haul a lot. You'll never need the 4-wheel drive unless you go off-roading through the swamps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08-G35s/6MT

Just get a Honda Ridgeline. Same thing as your Avalanche but more fuel efficient....

Not even close. The Avalanche is a truck. The Ridgeline is a cross-over.

Camarowguy · 06-22-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstev

ridgeline is horrible looking IMO and they leak too and it not an AMERICAN vehicle either. We all need to try to buy AMERICAN.

What? Leak? I've owned two of them and they didn't leak. And they were Awsome vehicles. I'd buy another one, if I trade my camaro in, that's what it will be. You won't like the ridgeline by just looking at it. You'd have to own one or at least take it home to understand. Btw, I've been working at a Honda dealer ship for over 5 years in the parts dept....and never heard of them leaking.

Camarowguy · 06-22-2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fielderLS3

Since you live in Florida, I'd say make the switch, unless you need to haul a lot. You'll never need the 4-wheel drive unless you go off-roading through the swamps.

Not even close. The Avalanche is a truck. The Ridgeline is a cross-over.

While it may not be a true truck, it does a damn good job of pretending to be one. I feel compelled to take up for it because I've owned two and most people don't know the truth about it. While it is underpowered for my liking, it drives so so good and the 4wd comes in handy. I've pulled quite a few real truck out with it. As a matter of fact I have a short unbelievable story. Guy I work with has a jacked up Nissan 4wd hardbody. He wanted to go through the pond behind my work. Of course he got stuck in the middle. 2500 chevy 4wd diesel goes to get him out. Stuck too. Ummm...we hooked the ridgeline to it and to our disbelief it pulled both trucks out at same time. The whole dealership heard about it within 5 minutes.

Noturday · 06-22-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08-G35s/6MT

Just get a Honda Ridgeline. Same thing as your Avalanche but more fuel efficient....

no, go sit in the corner with your dunce cap

saying a ridgeline is like an Avalanche is an insult to Avalanche drivers

back on topic, i think you would pay the same, if not more for gas with a camaro, because it uses premium and i know i would have my foot in it most of the time.

so, it really just depends on what you want to drive, a bad *** truck, or a bad *** car

your Av looks very nice BTW. Black is my favorite color for them.

06-22-2011, 12:05 AM	#1
gbuc40 Buccaneer Drives: 2008 Avalanche Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 12	Camaro vs. Avalanche (new buyer) Hello all. New Here and first post, btw. I have only owned and driven SUVs (2005, 2008 Avalanches) in the past so this will be quite a change. I loved them both but gas prices are crazy. I was hoping you guys could give me some insight on the Camaro. What are some of the "must have" options or some things I should avoid? For example, I read here that there have been problems with brakes in the 2010 models. How's the real life gas mileage? I'm obviously leaning towards a 2LT V6 to save on gas. I love my truck but I think it's time I moved to something still badass but more fuel efficient. Lastly, I will be ordering a 2LT RS 2012 model from the dealer. Have they budged quite a bit on MSRP or no? Thank you all and great forum. I am part of an avalanche forum and I'm glad this is here in case I do make the switch. Here's a pic of my truck just for fun

06-22-2011, 11:57 AM	#4
gstev Drives: 2012 SS Camaro convertible Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 152	ridgeline is horrible looking IMO and they leak too and it not an AMERICAN vehicle either. We all need to try to buy AMERICAN. Last edited by gstev; 06-22-2011 at 12:12 PM.

06-22-2011, 12:02 PM	#6
FiveO Drives: 2011 Camaro SS 6speed Manual Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 128 View My Garage	gbuc40, I'm not sure if you own a house or not but I strongly believe that every man with a house need to have a truck. I was in the same boat as you last year, I currently own an Avalanche and considered trading it in for a 2011 Camaro. However, after considering all the times I needed a truck and didnt have to bother my friends, family or neighbors to use theirs it felt quite comforting having my own. So, I kept my Avanlanche and bought the Camaro and I dont have any regrets. Got the best of both worlds. But if it's not in your budget to keep the truck and purchase the camaro, I would at least recommend getting the V8 because supprisingly you will see better gas mileage than you will with the Avalanche. I know a couple of people that have traded their V6 in for the V8. Do it right the first time!! __________________ New Orleans Saints, "America's Team"

06-22-2011, 02:19 PM	#9
justa25thTA Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,630	yes they have, and the used market is coming down as well. __________________ Yeah, I'll get around to it...

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06-22-2011, 01:51 AM	#2
08-G35s/6MT Drives: racecars Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: BMN Posts: 1,776	Just get a Honda Ridgeline. Same thing as your Avalanche but more fuel efficient....

06-22-2011, 10:56 AM	#3
gbuc40 Buccaneer Drives: 2008 Avalanche Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 12	oh my a ridgeline..... lol, not even close brother

06-22-2011, 12:02 PM	#5
Moorepheus Drives: 2013 Dodge Charge R/T Plus AWD Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Niagara Falls, NY Posts: 1,307 View My Garage	and I beleive they are not making them anymore

06-22-2011, 01:45 PM	#7
gbuc40 Buccaneer Drives: 2008 Avalanche Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 12	FiveO, Thank you. I just graduated college and landed my first real job (whoo hoo!). Problem is, it is 35 miles away. I can't move out there because I still want to go to graduate school close to my current location. I do not own a house. FYI, I'm from Covington, LA. I lost my house in Katrina and my 2005 Avalanche was a lifesaver. I think the Camaro is a good decision at this point in my life. I can always buy an Avalanche later on in life when I have established myself more in the workforce as I'm pretty young.

06-22-2011, 01:48 PM	#8
gbuc40 Buccaneer Drives: 2008 Avalanche Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 12	Can someone discuss if dealers are budging off MSRP? I read here that dealers were asking way over in '09/'10. Has that calmed down a bit?

06-22-2011, 05:08 PM	#10
04Ram2500Hemi Drives: 04 Ram 2500 & 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Missoula, Montana Posts: 1,301	If I could only have my truck or my Camaro, the Camaro would have to go. I live in an area where there’s too much winter to not have a four wheel drive, and the amount of time I like spending in the woods is too important to give up the truck. I also have to tow the boat twice a year (once in the lake, once out), and I help my brother get hay every year (5 tons behind the truck on the trailer). For me the Camaro is a toy, but it comes out a lot more than that once the weather turns nice (first day in the 80’s today where I live). What you need to do is ask yourself if the Camaro will do what you need it to. You said yourself that the Avalanche was a lifesaver when Katrina blew through. Would your Camaro be able to be a lifesaver if you needed it to, just like your Avalanche was? It all boils down to can the Camaro be a true daily driver like you’ll need it to?