Tips on Buying Cars: Buying a brand new truck, wheel drive option, vihicle

Question
Hello, I am interested in buying Avalanche next fall this would be my first vihicle i just have my drivers permit now but will have test for my full liscence next september. I am really confused I was looking on the Chevy website about teh Avalanche truck but I don't know what theere talking about maybe you can help you see I'm looking for a 3/4 ton truck but the website isnt saying what they are...I think you can get assorted sizes of the avalanche truck but I'm not sure the website is:
http://www.chevrolet.com/avalanche/

If I don't get one of these(if they don't come in 3/4's) i'd be looking at a 3/4 ton silverado.... if those come in 3/4 ton.

Could you inform me on the prodecers of buying a truck brand new off a lot? I will be 18 this november (living in canada) would this be considered old enough to have the truck and insureance in my name? I can afford the truck payments no problem I work full time but was wondering if they'd sell to someone my age and if there s a down payment on a new truck? I will have 2000-3000 put away for the truck by then or most likely more. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Tara, you have a lot of great questions. First, it sounds as though you are a Chevy person eh? That's good. The new Avalanche does come in both the half ton as well as the 3/4 ton version. The body looks the same, with the major difference being in the engine, transmission and gear ratio combination that you choose. The 3/4 ton for example will more than likely be the 6.0 engine with a 4 wheel drive option. The standard engine is the 5.3 V8. Check with the sales rep at the dealership for exact details as the new bodystyle 07's and 08's are still a little new to me. With the Silverado, it's a little easier to identify. The half ton is the Silverado 1500 available with a 4-wheel drive package and a whole lot of options. The 3/4 ton will be the Silverado 2500 also with available 4 wheel drive and a large array of suspension upgrades. My advise is, unless you are constantly towing real heavy loads, stay with the gear ratio 3:73 that is standard on both the Avalanche and the Silverado. The optional 4:10 gear is a monster that will pull a mountain, but it will kill your fuel economy and top end speed. I really like the 5.3 V8 Engine with the active fuel management. It is a proven reliable engine with some upgrades that make it really fuel efficient.                                                       Now, here's the straight talk about young buyers. If you have no credit established at all, it is almost as difficult to secure financing without a co-signer, as it would be if you had bad credit. But don't fret. If Mom or Dad would co-sign, you should be OK. If you are enrolled in a College or you are soon to be, GMAC, which is General Motors finance division has some special programs for students. I would check with the Finance Manager at the local Chevy dealership about your financing situation BEFORE I look at trucks. Let them work out a basic program for you, so that when you find the vehicle you want, everything goes smoothly. The dealership staff should be willing to do this for you. Don't let a sales person push you into looking at trucks before you get qualified to buy one. If they want to pressure you, find a Chevy dealer that will work with you, There are plenty out there.   Best of luck with your truck shopping and let me know if I can be of any assistance.---Jim Sears.