Perfectly fine way to get by. Nothing wrong with it, and nothing unusual, either, even for young white boys, who, believe it or not, aren't automatically trusted either. The same premise as the old TV show "Remington Steele". ... View more

I've had an Avalanche, an original 2002, and it was as rattle-free as any vehicle I've known. That's a complaint I haven't heard from real owners. Rode like a dream and handled surprisingly well for something of its size. I've never been a GM fan, but there was a tremendous amount of thoughtful design in a number of their cars of that period, like the Avalanche, C5 Corvette and even the forgotten Malibu MAXX. And I have to admit that their pushrod V8, automatic transmissions, and air conditioning of that period were the best in the world. A lot of innovation then. Chrysler was on a roll, too. The Avalanche was a real trendsetter. The original Honda Ridgeline was an obvious scaled-down copy, and even the much-maligned cladding was cribbed for the Ridgeline and Element. It set the model for the now-ubiquitous 4-door pickups with tall, shortish beds. I think that's what doomed it: the midgate wasn't essential for the sales formula. ... View more

Kowalski... ... View more

Perhaps it's no coincidence that '71 was peak car, too (before today's magnificent revival). '72 started net horsepower ratings, which foreshadowed '73's nonsensical bumper regulations and the contradictory emissions and fuel-economy mandates that plunged the world into the malaise era. ... View more

And, in the south, mildew. ... View more

On an unrelated note, how could Ford have owned Volvo for years and still make such abominably uncomfortable seats? ... View more

I have to disagree in a sense. I dislike BAD leather interiors. And, unfortunately, most leather interiors are bad, just as described here. Glove soft, nicely contoured leather is a real joy. And I can shift slightly in the seat for comfort, unlike when I'm held in the viselike grip of velour. And new cars have gone to PERFORATED leather. What an abomination. It is MADE to get filthy. And what do they do to postage stamps to get them to tear easily? They PERFORATE them. Convertibles and pickup trucks are meant to have good ol' honest, unpretentious vinyl. Long wearing, hard to stain, easy to clean. ... View more

Cloth seats in convertibles are nasty. ... View more