06 Chevy Avalanche vs. 06 Titan SE Crew Cab

gchu · 08-01-2006, 08:19 PM

I know this is a loaded question - considering the forum, but I'm asking a similar question on the Avalanche forum.

I had an 05 Titan KC SE 4x4 that I had to get rid of when I started my new job back in march of this year - I had a daily commute of 160 miles round trip. I traded it on a 06 Civic Hybrid that I wound up averaging almost 50 mpg (not bad considering I cruise at 75 mph) - a big difference from the titan (I was getting about 16 mpg).

Well I am now starting a different job next month where my round trip will be under 11 miles! Plus they are paying for all gas, insurance and maintainace, as well as the a stipend for the car.

I want a crew cab this time around (I have 2 kids now - a 4 year old and a 4 month old) so I'm considering either the 06 Avalanche vs. an 06 Titan SE Crew Cab. The Avalanche is about $10K - $13K off MSRP (includes a $6K rebate) as the 07's are out. So I can get a $40K+ vehicle for under $28.

I got my 05 Titan KC SE 4x4 for about $6K off so if I do the same or better I should be in the same price for either a SE or LE Crew Cab 4x4 (depending on options). What are the latest prices for 06 SE or LE Crew Cabs 4x4?

Also, consumer reports rated the reliability with it's lowest rating. I only had my last titan for under 10 months (less than 8K miles) but loved the truck - aside from the brake recall. How is the reliability for trucks (05 and up) with 40K miles?

Did anyone else have to make a similar decision? Why did you pick the titan?

Thanks!

George

ewxlt · 08-01-2006, 08:33 PM

You should choose the Titan based on the simple fact that the Plastilanche is the gayyest looking truck ever produced...coupled with its near useless cargo area.

Heck, even the El Camino looked better.

On top of all this, you have a crumbling brand that is basically giving away their vehicles.

Oh yes, the Titan is faster/stronger too.

Anything else?

**P's Titan** · 08-01-2006, 08:37 PM

what he said....

top20cc · 08-01-2006, 08:40 PM

I think the deal you can get on the Avalanche is too good to pass up. Ofcourse Resale Value will be poorer for it. I was always a DieHard Chevy fan. But I just think the product is very bland nowadays. The 06's are no exception really. But the content for the amount you spend on the Avalanche is hard to beat. A Titan SE CC I think is a better truck with a much better interior and better drivetrain. I dont think this reply has helped but Im trying to give an honest opinion and honest facts.

top20cc · 08-01-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewxlt

You should choose the Titan based on the simple fact that the Plastilanche is the gayyest looking truck ever produced...coupled with its near useless cargo area.

Heck, even the El Camino looked better.

On top of all this, you have a crumbling brand that is basically giving away their vehicles.

Oh yes, the Titan is faster/stronger too.

Anything else?

I agree to an extent. I think the non-bodyclading trucks are very clean looking. The technology the Avalanche was built with is very far behind todays standards. Titan is a better truck in just about every aspect. But with the prices this low it makes the Chevy a competitor again. Hopefully GM wont have to compete this way for much longer and they will compete with a strong vehicle.

archer75 · 08-01-2006, 09:21 PM

Data that I have seen on the net rate the 2006 Titan as the most reliable truck in it's class.

Chevy's ranked the worst.

Treebasher · 08-01-2006, 09:22 PM

Those were the same two trucks I considered when I bought the Titan in 04. I went with the truck that gave me more truck for the money. I made a true comparison of what I was getting for the money, all the options.

IMO, they are both great trucks and the Avalance's appearance is much better now, without that plastic body cladding on the lower half.

CdnTitan LE 4x4 · 08-01-2006, 09:26 PM

http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/comparison/select.html

phillipyang · 08-01-2006, 09:39 PM

The reliability has risen so much after the 04, 05 that you don't have to sweat it anymore. Nissan has fixed all of the problems and most of the problems now are cosmetic or all random probablilities of statistics or (sadistic)

ptvolly · 08-01-2006, 10:48 PM

Make sure you test drive them both!
I think the new gm trucks are a lot better than they used to be...after all, look at how much stuff is on the new trucks that the Titan has, albeit the avalanche is really only the front suspension changes similar to Titan, but their interior has always been nice (I've owned 9 of them..) At least if you drive them, and pick the Titan, you'll know why and know that for you, you made the right choice.

SPEEDDMON · 08-02-2006, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gchu

I know this is a loaded question - considering the forum, but I'm asking a similar question on the Avalanche forum.

I had an 05 Titan KC SE 4x4 that I had to get rid of when I started my new job back in march of this year - I had a daily commute of 160 miles round trip. I traded it on a 06 Civic Hybrid that I wound up averaging almost 50 mpg (not bad considering I cruise at 75 mph) - a big difference from the titan (I was getting about 16 mpg).

Well I am now starting a different job next month where my round trip will be under 11 miles! Plus they are paying for all gas, insurance and maintainace, as well as the a stipend for the car.

I want a crew cab this time around (I have 2 kids now - a 4 year old and a 4 month old) so I'm considering either the 06 Avalanche vs. an 06 Titan SE Crew Cab. The Avalanche is about $10K - $13K off MSRP (includes a $6K rebate) as the 07's are out. So I can get a $40K+ vehicle for under $28.

I got my 05 Titan KC SE 4x4 for about $6K off so if I do the same or better I should be in the same price for either a SE or LE Crew Cab 4x4 (depending on options). What are the latest prices for 06 SE or LE Crew Cabs 4x4?

Also, consumer reports rated the reliability with it's lowest rating. I only had my last titan for under 10 months (less than 8K miles) but loved the truck - aside from the brake recall. How is the reliability for trucks (05 and up) with 40K miles?

Did anyone else have to make a similar decision? Why did you pick the titan?

Thanks!

George

We have an Avalanche and a Titan, my wife basically says that the Titan is a man's truck and does not enjoy driving it.

IMO if you are looking for performance straight out of the box the Titan is the clear winner but in terms of utility I mean moving a lot of stuff at a time 12ft carpets, cabinets, sofas etc the Avalanche has the edge. The interior of both top of the line models, I would again give the Avalanche the edge in terms of comfort but other than that it has a very dated interior. I find the seats are darn comfortable and the lumbar adjustable hits the sweet spot everytime, I also find the heated seats spool up quicker in the wintertime than the Titan.

Fuel economy with the Titan is way better than the Avalanche as well. Considering everything the Titan works for me because I am into performance and the bang for the buck cannot be beat !!!

mtofell · 08-02-2006, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Fuel economy with the Titan is way better than the Avalanche as well

What's way better? 13.1 vs. 13.2 mpg?? All of the full-size trucks these days get pretty close to the same.... I have my Titan and have driven an F150 and a Silverado each through a couple tanks... any one is better on any given day, depending on what type of driving you're doing.... at least in my experience.... I don't think fuel economy is a deciding factor when comparing any of the full size trucks.....

Nismom · 08-02-2006, 02:45 AM

I know the Silverado is not the same as the Avalanche but if it's any hint of the quality GM puts in the Av, I'd have to say Titan hands down. And then some!

My best friend has a new Silverado 4x4 and it is a total dog. I've driven it a couple times and it's slow and clunky and the windows whistle and the interior is almost as bad as a futon. They paid for than I did and they don't have 1/2 the features I do.

When I knew they were buying a truck to tow their boat I tried to get them to buy a Titan but they didn't listen to me and, after riding in my truck several times, they've told me they wished they had.

gchu · 08-02-2006, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archer75

Data that I have seen on the net rate the 2006 Titan as the most reliable truck in it's class.

Chevy's ranked the worst.

Where did you see that?

In consumer reports, the Titan's reliability was poor. The Tundra was actually ranked as the most reliable.

Before I had bought my 05 Titan KC SE 4x4 I had test drove the Avalanche as well. I did like the way the Titan rode as well as it's powertrain. I thought the Avalanche rode a little softer and the powertrain did not sound as "fun". What really sold me on the Titan was that it was the KC was almost $3500 cheaper than the Avalanche. I know it wasn't a really fair comparison in price as I should have been looking at the Crew Cab pricing, but I wanted at least a 6' bed (which the Avalanche did with the midgate down, but not the Titan Crew Cab).

Now my projects have gotten "smaller" and my family has gotten bigger (2 kids now) so I'm looking the Crew Cab is more important feature.

I do prefer the Titan powertrain over the Avalanche's, while the Avalanche has the edge in versatility. The pricing is a wash, if not a slight edge for the Avalanche (the 06's).

I'm a little concerned about the reliability rating from consumer reports - for the guys with 06's, have you had any problems?

k2dunks · 08-02-2006, 06:24 AM

I purchased an 06 King cab on June 28th and now 6400 miles on it. It has been flawless so far. My two previous trucks were Chevy. Both were in the shop for little things a few times before 10k getting the bugs out. I had stearing wheel clunk,power steering pump and some other little things. It has been nice just getting in and driving and not having to worry about taking the time to go to the dealer as my job keeps me on the road. I hope the Titan keeps running without trouble. I purchased this truck over another Chevy because it seemed the Titan was so well thought out. The utilittrack and bed liner were included. It is so nice just buying a truck and not having to add anything to it!!