Anyone have anything I should be looking at in a used Escalade? Are their problems I should be mindful of?

Maybe it's the economy or the gas price scare, but these things are being sold dirt cheap. There are a few in my area with under 40k miles going for under $25k.

 

look at the transmission because my one friend has a Tahoe(which is on similar drivetrain) it's a 05 and the transmission with 25-30k on it transmission dropped out of it . GM paid for it. But it still sucked to pay on a truck that you can't use for 2 weeks.

 

Not sure about 2005, but my parents had a 2002 it was great. No major probs whatsoever.


Then they saw gas prices rising over two years ago and that's when they traded it in to get me my car

 

My Dad drove an 02 for 60k problem-free miles, then an 05 for 60k problem-free miles, and now an 08 for 15k miles now with no complaints.

I don't think you have much to worry about, though it does have a very technical suspension I would assume would be expensive to fix or replace out of warranty.

 

I'm not sure what tranny it has, but if it's the 4L60E they have been known to fail, however a tranny oil cooler and regular fluid change will get it past 150k no problem.

 

I've got an '05 and no problems so far!

 

my brother just bought an 08 w/ 6,000 miles for almost half of the MSRP price

 

I was looking at one too. But i felt safer going with the MDX.

 

It's not surprising.

I would be imagine that they would be hard to GIVE away the way gas prices are right now.

 

Why the huge SUV? Can't you get something with better mileage?

 

At 12 mpg city and 16 mpg hwy it's a wonder why more people don't have them.

 

the biggest reason is people who can no longer make payments...

 

Gas prices might be coming down a little, but I'm sure they will go up again soon.

 

That's a great deal...

It's actually not a bad time to buy a SUV or truck... Lot of the people who never needed a truck in the first place (never haul stuff just commute) have bailed. So if you really need a truck (for towing, etc), there are some great deals out there.

 

Sunday newspaper here (Providence) had 2 pages of "help wanted" and 38 pages of foreclosures

 

That's really sad, actually...

 

And FWIW, my friend had an '05 ESV in high school. Nice car but the tranny went out on him and when he had it replaced, it still gave him a few headaches. But it rode real comfortable!

 

i thought the escy's had the 4l80E, which is a great tranny!

 

they might, considering how much they weigh they certainly should if they don't.

 

Don't forget the spinners.

 

I thought those were standard equipment from GM

 

Well I think thats the point because used SUVs are going for cheap because of mileage.

 

If it was me i'd go with a Navigator. my g/f in a couple years is gonna pick up a Navigator L(long version) 4X4. I just like the look of the Navigator better plus better priced for the stuff offered IMHO.

plus if you use the 3rd row for more than kids you gotta have the extended version.
otherwise if your taking out of state trips if you got friends or adults or big kids in the back they will be bitching.

 

The escalade has the extended version

 

I would take the GM over the ford product any day of the week.

 

Navigators aren't bad....my friend's parents has one and it's decent. It's the older model so I can't really say, but I really liked the quality of the GM over the Ford. The navigator (at least theirs) feels like plywood boards for bench seats. I'm guessing that has somewhat changed, but


I would still go for GM.

 

my parents are on their 3rd navigator, i like them a lot

 

Why are they on their third??

Malfunctions or just wanted a new one???

 

We have an avaitor and its an awesome car. Its a lease and thank God it is becuase the dealer is going to be majorly upside down when we trade it in. Gas prices killed the vaule.

 

Naw, just the chrome rims.

 

first one in 98, second in 03, just got the new one about a year ago. Just times for new ones.

 

Navigator has an extended version now too

 

Lol, I know. Whoever I was quoting though made it sound like ONLY the navigator had the extendo version.

 

yea, i don't see how you came to that conclusion

 

IMHO, GM >>>>>>> Ford

 

In the debate of Ford vs GM in quality it's like picking how you wanna die.
either way it's gonna suck.
I like the VW Tourag diesel V-10 twin turbo. but it's a bit on the small side for my taste. but i drove one once it has plenty of ass behind it for towing and passing.
personally I think VW's quality and resale better than big 3s. a lot depends on #1. how many people you are hauling around
#2. if you can get a deal on a VW
#3. If you're a "diesel guy" like me.