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SUVs Cadillac Escalade Cadillac Escalade
994 messages, Last post on Oct 13, 2009 at 4:12 PM
You are in the Cadillac Escalade Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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I've had my '07 since March 1 now. There is 2700 miles on the odo. It's definitely a head-turner out on the town. Black on Black with 22's, HID headlights and all LED marker/tail lights. It's fun to see other driver's on the road take notice, and interestingly enough, its not only the young crowd: lots of 50-somethings and women too. I've yet to even see another one on the road around me. I live in Lake Tahoe and frequent Reno for evenings, movies, etc. So here's a list of issues I've come across, for those considering this vehicle. Positive List: 1. Handling - Firmer suspension (less like a cow on rollerskates), and better steering response. Doesn't get pushed around like previous generation. 2. Much tighter tolerances. No interior rattles, squeaks, thumps, etc. Previous vehicle would report any bumps on the road with rattles, or door jarring. Very quite cabin. 3. Transmission - Much more "feel" of power, due to lower 1st gear, and closer shift ratios. Smoother. 4. Visibility. Better, although still can't judge the front accurately (yet). 5. Flip-up seats, power tailgate, remote start, all great gadgets. 6. HID lights definitely improves visibility, in all weather conditions. 7. Gas mileage. A bit better than my '05 Denali. 2 mpg average better. The Pet Peeves list: 1. Contour of fender, and lack of mud/splash guards causes water, and debris to spray up the driver door, and drenches the mirrors. I've ordered Cadi molded splash guards, coming this week. 2. Navigation Radio has a busy user interface. For music, its kind of like using Windows XP, which means you have to really look at the monitor to control things. Has a 'tabbed' interface, and options don't seem that intuitive. 3. DVD Entertainment system for rear passengers is driven off the front 6-changer CD system. This means that you cannot have the grand-kids (in my case) watching a movie, AND listen to a music CD at the same time. My '05 had the DVD load in the unit itself. Have to use the XM/FM/AM Radio while kids watch Nemo. You might consider buying the aftermarket head-rest units. Many places have this for the same cost (for 2 units), already built into headrests, for the same amount that GM charges for the option. See EBAY. 4. Seats. Firmer than previous GM models, but this is good. What's NOT good is that it seems to have less side support, and so when cornering hard, I feel like I'm sliding out of the seat (sideways). 5. Key Remote Fob is so busy, that I end up doing the wrong things (in the dark). Instead of unlocking the doors, I sometimes open the rear glass. While trying to open the tailgate, I fire off the horn alarm, etc. 6. The small cargo area behind the 3rd row is compromised by the large, protruding handle which allows the removal of the 3rd row. You have to see it to understand. It prevents me from loading a case of waters from Costco, without putting UP the 3rd row. Groceries are OK, but large flats are a problem. 7. The rear end sticks up like a stink-bug. Not that I want a "dropped" SUV, but its a bit much. There is 2" of extra wheel gap in the back vs. the front. Kind of like a custom vehicle that has hydraulics in the raised position. Problems which will require a service visit: 1. Left 3rd row seat latch doesn't hold seat UP properly. Comes crashing down on your cargo if you hit a bump. Right one works, so this is a defect. 2. Left driver side mirror "vibrates" at highway speed. Other mirrors all solid. 3. Left driver mirror "whistles" at 50mph and above. I already heard there is a dealer service fix, which is a piece of foam inside the mirror gap. 4. Engine serpentine belt is starting to squeal. This happened on a 2001 Yukon I had, and turned out to be a mis-aligned idler pulley. Belt was replaced 3 times before GM figured out the pulley was the problem. I suspect this will be a similar issue. 5. Rain sensing wipers doesn't know what snow is. Windshield can be completely opaque, and it refuses to wipe. Even in moderate rain, it isn't sensitive enough to keep the visibility correct (at most sensitive setting). Works great in a deluge of rain. Sprinkles are totally ignored. 6. Rear DVD fails to back-light when re-starting vehicle. Movie plays, but the rear monitor stays off. Have to stop DVD, close screen, open screen, re-start movie. Then it works. Meanwhile, the grand-kids are screaming.... ----- Well, that's about it. I do enjoy this vehicle, in-spite of said issues. I always expect problems with 1st year productions. I did the same with the 2001 Denali's, and was amazed at how the 2005 had so many little tweaks that made it a much more solid vehicle, although basically the same. I expect to roll-over the Cadi in 4 years, so by then, it should be a solid vehicle. It's fun being the 1st on the block with a new generation vehicle. Dave |
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Replying to: awf_axis (Apr 25, 2006 9:12 am) |
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Replying to: awf_axis (Apr 25, 2006 9:12 am) Scott 
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A reporter is looking to talk with someone who bought a large suv or truck within the past year and is thinking about trading it in for a smaller vehicle. Please respond to jfallon edmunds.com with your daytime contact info and vehicle info by Monday, May 1, 2006.
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Replying to: kirstie_h (Apr 29, 2006 8:46 am) |
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Replying to: awf_axis (Apr 25, 2006 9:12 am) My issues: 1) I'm starting to hear the NAV DVD constantly spin and find this annoying. Any fix for this or is this normal? 2) I do see the driver's side mirror shake on the highway. What exactly is the fix for this? I doubt my dealership would know. 3) How do I know if my HED lights are aimed to high? I went on a trip at night on a one lane highway and i had to keep my finger on the highbeam flash as 1 out of 3 cards would flash me and get mad at me when I didn't even have my high beams on! I'm not sure if having the 22" wheels makes the angle higher and as a result they need to be tilted down? Thanks
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Replying to: auto007 (May 04, 2006 7:47 pm) I saw the mirror issue mentioned somewhere and it's a known issue. I think the dealer fix is inserting a piece of foam somewhere. Your dealer should know about it. Either I don't notice the DVD or it's not happening for me. I get flashed too but I think it's because the car's so high it blinds people just like I used to be blinded when I had my E500. I suppose your dealer could check it out for you. I love the car. Everyday I find a new little trick or gadget that I didn't know about. Good luck!!
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Replying to: gap2006 (May 05, 2006 4:47 am) Auto007, the DVD/NAV is something that I've noticed in both a 2005 Denali and the Caddy too. It's just that it is pulling data from the DVD while you are moving. Do you have a bunch of POI's active? Since the cabin is so much quieter, it's a bit more noticable, but other than when in a quandry, I keep the music going. I am getting close to going to the dealer to resolve the things like the mirror, seats, etc. I just installed a leveling kit (short rear coil springs), which brought down the rear end by 1.5", making the vehicle level. Last night, I put on the "GM Accessories" molded splash guards. Kind of gives the Escalade the Land Cruiser look. It will grow on me I guess. When I first got mine, I also noticed the headlights were aimed too high. Usually, this is just one technicians "bad day", but to hear about 3 vehicles, I'm wondering. I adjusted mine right away, and had to do it again when I lowered the rear end. Basically, the left level of the light beam should not go over the road at about 200 feet out. The factory settings were such that it would project indefinitely at about headlight hieght, which is wrong. Dave
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Replying to: awf_axis (May 05, 2006 5:36 am) Thanks, Greg
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Replying to: gap2006 (May 05, 2006 7:22 am) Here's snapshot of the new flappers.  I got these from a GM dealership on EBAY. With shipping, it was cheaper than going local, and I got them in 3 days. The dealer in my area said it would be several days ust to get them in, and then a 35 mile trip to pick them up. $125.90 shipping/insurance included. If your interested, I'll give you the link. Dave
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