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Cadillac Escalade

1000 messages,  Last post on Nov 30, 2012 at 1:51 PM

You are in the Cadillac Escalade Forum.

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

Messages Page 78 of 101

#764 of 1000 The 'slade by mark156

Dec 23, 2004 (9:14 pm)

Steve, I sure had interest in the 2003 Escalade ESV last year but I decided to keep my Mercedes ML500 another year. I even thought about the 2004, but now, the 2005's are here and the body style will change soon. I guess I'll keep driving my ML, most likly, for even another year until the warranty expires.
 
At this point, I wouldn't buy the current Escalade, I would wait for the update in '06 or '07. If I were to trade next fall, I would hope the '06 would be the restyle with better upgrades for the interior. Also, I would like to see Cadillac add front bumper sensors.
 
I'm also leaning towards the new Land Rover LR3.
 
Mark

#765 of 1000 auto show launch by steve_ HOST

Feb 23, 2005 (2:44 pm)

"GMT900" architecture (Inside Line)
 
Steve, Host

#766 of 1000 Re: The 'slade [mark156] by nvbanker

Feb 23, 2005 (6:03 pm)

Replying to: mark156 (Dec 23, 2004 9:14 pm)
I hope the new Slade has something better than the Silverado interior with some plood and pleather. I also hope it has a third seat that power-folds into the floor like the Navigator does - I refuse to lift another third row seat out of an SUV ever again and for that reason alone, won't consider the Escalade until they get with the times and get competitive. An IRS would also be nice.

#767 of 1000 back peddling by steve_ HOST

Mar 01, 2005 (6:23 pm)

"A Cadillac spokesperson has contradicted rumors and reports that a redesigned Escalade SUV will be the first car to ride on General Motors' GMT900 platform"
 
2007 Cadillac Escalade will share its new platform (Inside Line)
 
Steve, Host

#768 of 1000 Re: back peddling [steve_] by nvbanker

Mar 01, 2005 (6:56 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Mar 01, 2005 6:23 pm)
Well - so much for Cadillac being Special, once again.......

#769 of 1000 QX56 vs Escalade vs Navigator vs Denali by smmiller

Mar 20, 2005 (5:51 pm)

We were recently in the market for a full size Luxury UTE. We evaluated the Navigator, the Escalade, the QX56, and the Yukon Denali.
  
We really liked the QX56 -- but I have to be honest -- the horror stories posted on the QX56 forum kept us away. We loved the space inside the vehicle -- 2nd row space is incredible. The fold down rear seats, the silky smooth power, great ride. There were a few things we did not like at all -- the door handles are the cheesiest things on the planet. They just didn't communicate "quality" in any sense. If a basic detail like that is so bad -- the things we read in the QX56 forum are very easy to believe. the location of the digital clock & compass is bizarre. the clock is so cheezy it looks like a 1960's retro clock! The Nav system with the toggle was a real pain in the arse to use. Even with all of those little things we didn't like the rest of the vehicle is far ahead and this vehicle has promise if Infiniti can clean these up and deliver reliability. We will take a strong at these again next time we're in the market.
  
We also looked at the Navigator. The 2005 is a fine vehicle. The only thing I really disliked was the stupid door that opens and closes over the Nav system/radio. What's up with that? I also found the ride to be too soft for me. I want to feel some contact with the road under me and there just wasn't any with the Navigator. The power rear seats and lift gate were sort of cool -- but completely useless for me because we'll never use the 3rd row seats and I'm tall enough that raising/lowering the lift gate is not an issue. Pricing on the Navigator is extremely soft! Dealers were all offering $10-$12k off MSRP in their newspaper ads! Resale value down the road was a real concern.
  
We never expected to give the Yukon and the Escalade much of a look. We decided we would give them a shot. The base Yukon wasn't interesting at all. The Denali was clearly a big step up. The biggest downside for us is that the 3rd row seats don't fold down -- so we would have to take them out and store them somewhere. These are not moving either and the dealer was frank in telling us that we would get a great deal. A Chevy dealer down the street was advertising brand new Tahoes at 25% off MSRP!
  
We then went and drove the Escalade. We were quite surprised. It had the most comfortable front seats of all! With enough adjustment settings that it was easy to find just the perfect settings for me. When you're over 6 feet-- that can be a challenge in a lot of vehicles. The ride was clearly superior to the Denali and the Escalade was noticeably quieter than the Denali and somewhat quieter than the Infiniti. We had been driving a Trailblazer and found the similarities comforting. We were used to how the controls worked and they were located where we expected them to be. The touch screen Nav system is easy to use too.
  
In our final rankings of the Vehicles we ended up with (this is highly personal and subjective) the following:
  
Cadillac Escalade
Infinity QX56
Lincoln Navigator
GMC Yukon Denali
  
We also looked at Consumer Reports. The Cadillac isn't covered but it's based on the same platform as the Yukon/Tahoe which is a CR best buy and recent model years are scoring very very well. We felt very comfortable with the quality of the Cadillac. The extra year or 14k of Warranty is also a nice extra over the Denali.
  
The Infiniti's quality reputation was a deal killer for us. If we hadn't read the QX56 forum we probably never would have test driven the Escalade or Navigator. Our initial impression was that high!
  
In the end we (as you probably guessed) moved up from the Trailblazer to the Escalade. We absolutely love it. We got ours with the big 20" wheels & tires -- which look great and makes the vehicle ride higher. The downside of the big tires is extra road noise when we drive on some of the heavily rutted freeways. Moving over and driving in the passing lane generally cures that problem.
  
Our recommendation is to drive all 4 of these vehicles -- none is far superior to any of the others. Your choice will likely come down to subjective personal criteria and quality reputation. If you're sensitive to price the Denali is a great value right now. Otherwise I think it's a race between the Escalade and the Navigator until Infiniti cleans up its act. The QX56 has a lot of promise.

#770 of 1000 HELP by chiru550

May 06, 2005 (8:11 am)

Replying to: nvbanker (Nov 04, 2003 6:17 pm)
Help! I need advice on which way to go.....
I am looking at the Escalade EXT fully loaded for $649 (tax included)
or at a few other options.
I have been told that there are much better ones out there, but I was kinda of stuck as to which way I should go. I have a 4 month old and I want to make sure I have the best one for him and my wife, while at the same time I don't want to get a bad deal. Any thoughts???????

#771 of 1000 Re: Wishful thinking.... [microrepair] by bosshogg

May 07, 2005 (12:25 pm)

Replying to: microrepair (May 29, 1998 5:28 pm)
Micro- I wanted to thank you. After reading your comments it brought a chuckle to my day. Surely, you were just kidding but I will indulge you. When the 2002 Cadillac Escalade first rolled into dealerships in 2001 it started a whirl wind that has yet to stop. Everyone from your mother to your little brother was talking about the new Cadillac SUV. The Escalade is still to date the most powerfull SUV in its class offers the most value for your dollar, and in my opinion has the most presence of all the SUV's.The Escalade set an industry standard and sent all the major players back into their design rooms for evauluation.Dont pretend that you dont remember, people were not even thinking about putting wheels on there SUV's, untill the "Mack Daddy" came out. I should also add that with General Motors being the largest coorperation in the US. not to mention having the #1 selling full size LUX. SUV in the US. (hahah sorry Im chuckling again) I could be wrong but I highly doubt that will lose much sleep that the Cadillac Master "game plan" did not work and you skipped over the "showroom". Lastly ill give you the benefit of the doubt, that you were just mistaken again so i will clarify. The Escalade is a Full Size LUX SUV the ml 320 and rx 300 are in a smaller lux class and perhaps they do dominate in that clas.... oh wait! I spoke to soon they already have there hands full with the Cadillac SRX hot on there tracks lets see... "Best Luxury SUV" for 04' & 05 car and Driver Magazine. ;^)

#773 of 1000 Dumb Question by esvman

Jul 22, 2005 (5:12 pm)

I have purchased a brand new ESV last month, and it has 3000 miles on it.
I'm just wondering if I should get an oil change. On the manual, it says I don't have to change until a light pops up on the panel.
Please reply, anyone?
 

Messages Page 78 of 101

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