Escalade

Author
Discussion

Tim Mosley

Original Poster:

211 posts

190 months

Friday 6th February 2009
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Wondering if anyone could give me advice on buying an Escalade in the UK.

Since i have had the Range Rover there seems to be more and more on the road. Iv always fancied an Escalade and there isnt that many here in Scotland.

Are they good trucks? Is it worth budgeting an LPG conv.?

Im just 'thinking' about it just now as im still unsure but i'd either buy one here or buy one over there and have it shipped.

I know a few guys on here are from the USA and hopefully have had the pleasure.

Regards

Tim

TIS

219 posts

204 months

Friday 6th February 2009
quotequote all
Which one are we looking at here?

Escalade - Short Body
Escalade ESV - Extended Body
Escalade EXT - Pickup Truck Version

Which year as well? 2007+ is the new bodystyle and ooks a bazillion times better, drives well, looks good, nice 403bhp 6.2 litre V8.
If I were you I'd look at getting it LPG'd unless you have the funds and go for the Escalade Hybrid.

Tim Mosley

Original Poster:

211 posts

190 months

Friday 6th February 2009
quotequote all
It would be a 2002 onwards, Sorry, should have mentioned that.

And it would be the extended body or the EXT.

LuS1fer

41,758 posts

252 months

Friday 6th February 2009
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I think you need to be a Premier footballer and have no taste. If so, go for it!

Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

273 months

Friday 6th February 2009
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Pah! Ignore him. Go on, be different. biggrin

zubair

828 posts

200 months

Saturday 7th February 2009
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i have couple of the 03 onwards ext escalades they are both stretched by 220 inch and i have been running them for over 3 years.from my experiance with them i can say they are by far the best 4by4 at the moment.i have had porshe cayanne range rover sports mercedes ml huumer h2 lincoln navigater and the rest so if thts what u want go for it.

Captain Cadillac

2,974 posts

194 months

Sunday 8th February 2009
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The Escalade gets a lot of bad press in Europe, but it's actually a fantastic vehicle for what it is. They do get some grief about interior plastics, but it's important to remember that on its' home turf an Escalade is quite a bit less money than a Rangie and quite a bit larger.

First, they are nigh on bulletproof. You may get the odd small issue, but the drivetrains are capable of hundreds of thousands of miles, very strong engines and transmissions. You absolutely need to get an AWD one, they do make 4X2 Escalades but not only are they pointless, but the early ones lack the powerful 6.0L Engine and don't get much better fuel economy. The only advantage is towing capacity, 9,000lbs vs 8,000lbs on the 4X4.

Current exchange rates and current financial conditions in the UK would make importing one hardly worth it, better off buying one already in the UK.

LPG I have no clue about.

If it fits the budget, get an 07 or newer, the GMT900 trucks are a huge improvement, class leading vehicles.

JimexPL

1,448 posts

219 months

Sunday 8th February 2009
quotequote all
2007 onwards are a big improvement over the previous models. Surprisingly rapid (6.9 to 60), with good handling for a big bus accompanied by a nice american V8 rumble. Can catch you out coming up to bends faster than you expect, but the magnetic shocks keep everything flat (but the standard us spec summer tyres struggle with grip in the wet - 4 wheels spinning pulling out of junctions enthusiastically is easily done...)
Pre 2007 feel a bit like a pimped up pick up inside with laughable bvlgari clock and embroidered headrests against nasty plastic and a fair bit of lurching in the corners. Still sound nice though and go well.
Not much more difficult to drive compared with a range rover, and far less likely to go wrong. The 3 rearmost seats are a bit of a joke though - too close to the floor so your knees are round your armpits!
If you don't need the off road ability of a rangie and can live with the love it/hate it image then the escalade is a fun place to be.
Of the escalades that I sold only one ever came back with a problem, and that was only a headlight alignment issue so not exaclty major!
Think that you need to take a trip down to manchester and take one for a drive.

Tim Mosley

Original Poster:

211 posts

190 months

Tuesday 10th February 2009
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Why manchester?

sb-1

3,321 posts

270 months

Wednesday 11th February 2009
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I think because these guys are there?

www.bauer-millett.com

KevF

1,994 posts

205 months

Wednesday 11th February 2009
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Tim,

If you are closer to London then I would thoroughly recommend going to just have a chat to Charles at 51st State Autos.....he is the best guy to help. I have had numerous US vehicles from a number of 'top' importers but Charles comes out on top for both customer service and price.

http://www.51stateautos.com/142775.html

I drove a 2007 last year in Florida for three weeks and was pleasantly surprised by hiow it handled especially 5 up with luggage. Although, in the Uk I also run a Discovery3, the Caddy felt smaller when fully loaded than the Disco did on the way back from airport with the same luggage.
It depends on what you want it for I guess.
The performance was better than expected and caught a few people out at the traffic lights.....and it still got looks from other drivers which I wasnt expecting in the US...

Anyway, life is too short to drive boring cars and the powers to be will ban them soon so grab some fun now while you can..;)

Kev

Tim Mosley

Original Poster:

211 posts

190 months

Wednesday 11th February 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for that Kev, Much appreciated.

Im in Glasgow so certainly dont think i'll be popping to London to have just a chat with anyone lol, But i recognise the company name and i'll certainly have a look on his site and maybe even give him a call to see what's what.

Thanks again.

zubair

828 posts

200 months

Wednesday 11th February 2009
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hi you can always call billy in glasgow.he has alot on knowledge about american cars.i think the co is called alexandra motors,

Le Man

860 posts

214 months

Monday 16th February 2009
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Worth pointing out that ours have GM 3 year warranties.
LPG on 07 is worthwhile although the resolution to certain software issues took three months on the first car we sent for conversion.
There is, as yet, no factory LPG kit for 08 models.
Comfortable, luxurious transport capable of 18 mpg locally and considerably better on runs due to the overdrive ratios in the six speed box.

Tim Mosley

Original Poster:

211 posts

190 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
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Le Man said:
Worth pointing out that ours have GM 3 year warranties.
LPG on 07 is worthwhile although the resolution to certain software issues took three months on the first car we sent for conversion.
There is, as yet, no factory LPG kit for 08 models.
Comfortable, luxurious transport capable of 18 mpg locally and considerably better on runs due to the overdrive ratios in the six speed box.
Excuse my ignorance but are you referring to the shape similar to this...




Thats the model im looking at and the best MPG figures iv seen is 17 on a run which im taking with a pinch of salt.
I'll certainly be investing in an LPG conv. regardless.

port and polish

290 posts

190 months

Wednesday 18th February 2009
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Try the CRX I went on a model awareness course with Pendragon an also drove one for a while as I was going to be selling them and I have to day they were actually OK. The Escalade is awful but massive.

Tim Mosley

Original Poster:

211 posts

190 months

Thursday 19th February 2009
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port and polish said:
Try the CRX I went on a model awareness course with Pendragon an also drove one for a while as I was going to be selling them and I have to day they were actually OK. The Escalade is awful but massive.
Sorry , I dont understand?confused

KevF

1,994 posts

205 months

Thursday 19th February 2009
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I think Port and Polish meant that he works for a Cadillac dealer and went on a model awareness day to learn about the models that he was going to sell.
Unfortunately, it doesnt seem to have done much good. I think P&P meant the SRX Caddy....hehe


Tim Mosley

Original Poster:

211 posts

190 months

Thursday 19th February 2009
quotequote all
KevF said:
I think Port and Polish meant that he works for a Cadillac dealer and went on a model awareness day to learn about the models that he was going to sell.
Unfortunately, it doesnt seem to have done much good. I think P&P meant the SRX Caddy....hehe

Lol, I googled Escalade and looked at the different models and found the SRX.


I agree, the awareness course didn't make him any more aware.hehe

port and polish

290 posts

190 months

Friday 20th February 2009
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Sorry guys I meant the SRX. I was blinking knackered when I wrote that mixing CTS, BLS and all sorts of things that were going wrong in my head. I will get my coat. In my defence I wasn't or didn't work for Cadillac or sell them. I was at the dealership discussing something else and just took an interest. The SRX (I got it right I think) in my humble opinion looks really good in the flesh although it does look a bit Chelsea. If I remember the suspension was a bit trick, it had magnetic iron filings in it to stiffen up etc also the leather smelt sweet. I think it was 7 seat too? I drove the Escalade a few times as I knew the Sales Manager but didn't really like it and thought the old Range Rover P38 V8 was a better drive. ( to be honest my mates L200 drove nicer [except for the motor]) It also looked a bit out of place driving up the Rhondda Valleys.
Once again sorry about my numskullness!!! I hang my dead in shame.

Edited by port and polish on Friday 20th February 01:36