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Cadillac Escalade

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What is this discussion about? Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade EXT, Cadillac Escalade ESV, SUV

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#219 of 994 tow/haul by rsholland Oct 19, 2000 (2:18 pm)
That's different from a low range. In most vehicles, it simply means higher shift points (higher up the rpm scale before up-shifting), and may(?) also lock out the top overdrive gear. It is not a low range, in that it does not offer a lower set of gear ratios, that a true duel-range transfer case offers. A tow/haul feature is nice, but it is not a replacement for a low range. If I had my choice, I'd much rather have a true low range. Bob
#220 of 994 True RS by tccad1 Oct 20, 2000 (4:40 am)
However, I do believe that it will be using a different set of gear ratios to accomplish the low range. Keep in mind, I only had a 2 sentence blurb to form my opinion. Sounds like it will be a combo of the two the more I read it. I guess I will just have to drive it to see. If it snaps my neck while in tow/haul mode, it has low range. What else could possibly happen with 345 horsies!
#221 of 994 after reading the brochure by tccad1 Oct 20, 2000 (6:50 pm)
RS, you might be correct. They mention the two speed transfer case on the MB and LX470. They don't say anything about a two speed transfer case on the escalade. I guess I jumped the gun again. Thanks for pointing it out Rob. Jeff
#222 of 994 tccad by rsholland Oct 20, 2000 (8:23 pm)
I think having AWD is definitely the way to go, same with the tow/haul mode, but not having a low range is a mistake. BMW and Acura have made the same mistake with their X-5 and MDX, no low range available. If I'm paying that kind of money for a vehicle, I want to know I can get out of virtually any situation that I would encounter. Having a low range is like additional insurance when push-comes-to-shove. The Navigator, Land Cruiser/RX470, Range Rover and ML Mercedes are the only luxury SUVs that fit the bill, as far as I'm concerned. Bob
#223 of 994 rs by tccad1 Oct 21, 2000 (6:45 pm)
Just recieved the official caddy brochure for the truck yesterday. It does exactly what you say, no low range. However, and I am no expert on this, isn't it the torque that gets you out of a tight jam? That is all the low range does. If this vehicle can pull 8500 pounds using 385 torque at 4000 rpm, I would imagine that it can get you out of some tight jams. With the computers they are using today, the split is 32/68 front to back on power until it senses one of the wheels losing control. It then puts the power to one or more of the other wheels to regain a proper footing. I realize this truck is not meant for off road use. I know you would be crazy to go strutting around in Moab with it. I still think low range might be overkill on this truck.
#224 of 994 tccad1 by rsholland Oct 23, 2000 (1:56 pm)
Yes, torque is very important in term of getting you moving. What low range does -- it multiplys the torque factor, in effect giving you more torque for difficult conditions. I don't thinks it's overkill. The Suburban offers the same engine - with a low range. I think the Tahoe does too (same engine/low range). The Navigator, the Escalade's closest competitor, also has a low range. Again, Cadillac is GM's premium brand. "Overkill" should be part of the package. That's what Cadillac customers pay for. Bob
#225 of 994 Torque alone is not enough by thor8 Oct 23, 2000 (7:52 pm)
If you are pulling a heavy load up a steep incline, there is no substitute for a low range.
#226 of 994 Customer base by rsholland Oct 23, 2000 (10:05 pm)
I just think Cadillac is betting that most of their customers won't be pulling heavy loads, or put their Escalades in really tough situations. I honestly think, most people who pull heavy (boat/horse/car) trailers - and who really understand trailering - are going to opt for a vehicle that gives them a low range, for just those situations described in post #239. I think most Escalades will be used as foul-weather vehicles. And frankly, if that's the case, a Subaru, a Mercedes 4-Matic, a Volvo V-70 Cross Country or an Audi Quattro, would be far more sensible choices. For what it's worth, I have two Subarus and an Explorer, and I much prefer to drive the Subarus in the snow than the Explorer. Bob
#227 of 994 Demographics on Esc buyers by tccad1 Oct 25, 2000 (1:20 am)
In all sincerity, most (90%+) of the escalade buyers don't ever pull anything with their vehicles. For that matter, most won't ever be put through anything worse than a pot hole either. Only thing I can figure is that Cadillac knows this, has accepted it, and is going through with it. They must think that the number of customers they will lose doesn't outweigh the number they will gain by lack of knowledge. Let's face it, the AVERAGE consumer doesn't care what it has as long as someone tells them it is good in the snow.
#228 of 994 tccad1 by rsholland Oct 25, 2000 (1:36 pm)
I agree completely. And... that's my big problem with Cadillac. I go back to my original point, which got everyone upset, and that is: Cadillac has given in to be "average" (and not superior) on this item. Cadillac should be building the best SUV it's capable of, not compromising to be less than they can be. The Escalade's demographics/usage aren't that much different from those of the Lexus RX470, or the Range Rover, or the Navigator. Yet those vehicles didn't compromise like Cadillac did. Again, as I stated in post #240, there are better and more sensible "snow vehicles" than the Escalade, or the other luxury SUVs out there -- and that's the numerous AWD cars that are available. If Cadillac "really" wants to stand out (and be superior) from the crowd, they should make all (not some, but ALL!) their vehicles AWD. Maybe that's why GM just bought 20% of Subaru? It's no secret that GM wants Subaru's AWD technology for future GM products. Although I've heard rumors it may go into future Saabs, it should also go into future Cadillacs. Bob

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