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I like the Escalade, I always have. However, the older models, pre-2007, were more unique than their GM cousins and carried less of a mark-up. If I was looking for an Escalade style vehicle today it would be really hard to justify it versus a GMC Yukon Denali, which is the exact same truck, with the exact same engine (FYI, until 2009 you could only get the 6.2L in the Escalade or Yukon Denali. Now, you can also get it in the Tahoe LTZ, but all non-Denali and non-LTZ's use the standard 5.3L). So, what's the difference between a Yukon Denali and an Escalade. The front grill, badges and the price. The Denali is far and away the better buy if you want this kind of truck and don't care about the "status" of an Escalade. The Denali is even arguably better looking with its more conservative sheet metal.
I had an '08 Denali before trading it in for my '10 F-150 and eventually got my fiancee a '10 Escalade. The Escalade is a nice vehicle and I will admit the fit/finish and materials used DO beat that of my Denali.
Different strokes for different folks. Would I trade the Escalade for my Denali? Probably not even though the Escalade does have more bling than I would personally put on a vehicle.
2008 Cadillac Escalade Black Raven Moonroof Nav DVD Quad Seating (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/ctd/2119163550.html - broken link)
No, but I am not into late models, I'm not into SUVs, more into smaller, nimbler, and more economical vehicles.
$40K would probably get you a damn decent NSX, probably a "his and hers" set of Miata, a wide variety of Corvettes, really only the rare old ones and quite new ones are off the table at this price point. Many desirable Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, are available for $40K or less. Etc, etc.
There are too many cars out there that I consider more desirable for the same or less money, so I would pass on the Escalade.
Buddy of mine had a new 07, which was the year they came out with the current body style. I thought that thing was pretty ridiculous, but I'm into smaller and sportier vehicles. (Usually he is too...Porsche, Infiniti, etc). He kept it for maybe a year before he was sick of it and ended up off-loading it at a huge loss I'm almost positive.
I think these sorts of vehicles are inherently tacky, but I'm a hypocrite. A 12-14 mpg gas guzzling M3 = beautiful performance machine. A similarly wasteful and decadent 6,000 lb/400 hp SUV = everything wrong and obnoxious about America. But again, I'm a hypocrite and I admit it.
I wouldn't own either of those cars. The ES is simply there for people to flog the Lexus badge on an otherwise mediocre car and the Navigator is 2nd runner up to the already questionable Escalade.
Lol, if a ES is mediocre, I would love you hear your definition of a above medicore car.
(FYI, until 2009 you could only get the 6.2L in the Escalade or Yukon Denali. Now, you can also get it in the Tahoe LTZ, but all non-Denali and non-LTZ's use the standard 5.3L). .
6.2 was only available for MY 09. They dropped it for MY 10. 5.3 is all that is available today.
Lol, if a ES is mediocre, I would love you hear your definition of a above medicore car.
I'll take my Infiniti G35 and BMW 530i over the ES any day of the week. A hooker in a nice dress is still a hooker and a Camry with a gussied up interior is still a Camry.
I'll take my Infiniti G35 and BMW 530i over the ES any day of the week. A hooker in a nice dress is still a hooker and a Camry with a gussied up interior is still a Camry.
Its funny you make fun of the ES for being a gussied up Camry but the G35 is simply a Japanese Nissan Skyline rebadge. To make matters worse while sportier, it is far less refined and reliable.
For me, it's about the value for the money. Is $40k for an '08 Escalade cheap ? I don't know, how much was it new ? What condition is it in ? What mileage ? Any upgrades ? Which trim (EXT, ESV or the short wheelbase) ? What options ? What is its history ? What color combo ? And a whole bunch of other questions.
Will I pay for $40k for an '08 Escalade today if all those questions were answered correctly ? Probably not. The focus for my stable doesn't include vehicles such as an Escalade. I'm going to need more money to overcome my common sense.
Will spend $40k for a '11 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon with 3-pedal 6-speed manual transmission in black ? Will I spend double of that ($80k) for the same car equipped with Hennessey V700 package ? Will I spend $80k for an '08+ Viper ACR in w/ low mileage and in mint conditions ? The answer to those is FUC|< YEA !
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To make matters worse while sportier, it is far less refined and reliable. 
