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I hate to insult anyone's intelligence here, but I'd say its a no brainer to wait for the 2001 EscII or better yet, go get a 2000 Yukon II in a few months. Anyone paying full boat for a 2000 Escalade will be met with serious depreciation otherwise. You gotta think that GM will either just fade out the 2000 Escalade very soon due to lack of demand or slap some serious rebates on it in order to move sheet metal.
I think you could get them lower lower on the demo, especially with 5k miles. Here are Edmunds 99 figures.
Invoice - $42,131
Shipping - $650
Holdback - 1376
Good luck
Escalade owners are really kidding themselves, to think they have "the" premium SUV, especially now that the totally new 2000 Chevy Tahoe is about to debut. Every one of the Escalade's direct SUV rivals offers a superior vehicle. The Escalade was obsolete the day it entered the market.
I have no problem with Cadillac entering the SUV market. My problem is that the Escalade does not represent state-of-the-art engineering (or anything) that Cadillac is supposed to represent. It is nothing but classic old-school Cadillac marketing. "OnStar" and "upgraded" leather is not enough. It still has the lousy brakes and old engineering from the last generation GM SUVs.
Cadillac needs to bring to market a SUV that showcases their talent and technological expertise. I know they're working on it, but until they introduce such a vehicle, the Escalade will remain an embarrassment (and the butt of many jokes) for GM.
This is not just my opinion. Just about every magazine that has tested the Escalade has, at the very least hinted -- if not outright blasted GM -- that Cadillac could do better.
Bob
I know Caddy is also working on a cross-over SUV, somewhat along the lines of the Lexus RX300 & BMW's X5. However, judging by GM's track record, I still don't expect any of the future Cadillac SUVs to be much of a match for the best from Europe or Japan.
Bob
Thanks in Advance.
e-mail me: jclloyd@epix.net
I especially don't get these SUV's that cost 40+ grand, having leather interiors and all sorts of other pricey luxery options. If I'm going to spend that much money on a vehicle, I'm certainly going to use it for its intended purpose. You wouldn't spend 45 grand on a new Corvette and then take it four wheeling, would you? Then why spend that much on a SUV and do nothing but drive it on the street?
And by the way, ALL SUV's are overpriced!
Lets all breathe deeply and relax.
'74 Ford Ranchero
'72 Mustang
'70 Datsun B510
'77 Chevy LUV pickup
'82 Mustang
'87 Integra
'88 Legend
'95 Pathfinder
'97 Pathfinder
All of which have served me well.
The SUV is by far the most versatile vehicle I have owned. I am able to tow either my boat or Jet Ski while hauling camping gear inside. I can pack five people comfortably to lunch. I don't worry if I am going to make it to work or not because of the weather. I love the view of the road that the higher position offers. I had the chance to drive my parents '95 Taurus over the holidays and it is not a bad vehicle, however it was a little disconcerting to me to be that low and small. I am now in the market for a full size pickup or SUV to better tow the boat over the pass. As for most people not "needing" them, most people don't "need" most of the things they buy and never have. I actually find it very strange that people care so much what other people purchase. Maybe I am just too laid back but whatever floats your boat is just fine with me. I have had a love affair with cars for as long as I can remember and most if not all of the things I have done to modify and customize them have not been needed. The cars have had seats in them that don’t get used much of the time. The vehicle will travel much faster then I need it to most of the time. The truck's had bed's on them that didn’t get used all that much. I honestly hope you are happy with whatever you drive, I just wish you would grant others the same.
Quote from the American Petroleum Institute.
"Indeed, over the 1990s, the inflation-adjusted price of gasoline has been at its lowest levels since gasoline price data were first systematically recorded early in the 20th century."
If anything I believe THIS is part of the reason that people are driving vehicles that get worse fuel economy. If prices were to increase people would have incentive to drive a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
On another front, taxes are a huge chunk of why prices are at the level they are. Here in Washington we pay 23 cents a gallon.
Another quote from API (on taxes)
"The price for a gallon of gasoline includes 43 cents for taxes. The federal gasoline tax is 18.4 cents a gallon. The national average for state gasoline taxes is 22.6 cents a gallon; the national average for local gasoline taxes is about 2 cents a gallon."
I would also disagree that driving a fuel-efficient car is punishing you. You chose to drive a more fuel-efficient auto to reduce your cost per mile of transportation.
A key argument you bring is that the SUV craze is causing the increase in fuel prices. I counter that with the following:
Why fuel prices have risen.
Global increased demand:
-Improving Asian economies
-A return to more normal weather patterns
-Reductions in supply.
Non-OPEC supplies declined in response to reduced capital spending in late 1998 and early 1999, and OPEC supplies were reduced as a result of production quotas and a stabilization of Iraqi exports. The suspension of crude oil exports by Iraq (2.1 million barrels per day), which began on November 22, 1999, further reduces supplies, encouraging additional upward movement in prices.
A detailed explanation of why fuel prices have risen is located here.
http://www.api.org/consumer/factsgas.htm
I am truly not trying to be confrontational about this but I do not believe that your statement can be backed up with facts.
Bottom line for me in this discussion is this:
It's obvious that our world (not everyone’s) is full of choices and we will not agree with some of the choices that others make, but we all should be extremely grateful that we have these choices to make.
Also, when does it actually hit the streets? I have heard dates ranging from this summer to February of 2001.
If an SUV only does two things, (1) help me see four cars ahead of me to AVOID an accident, or (2) keep me alive, in an accident, then the 40,50,60 grand is worth it.
Now if my SUV does anything more than that, and it does, well, guess what it's all a bonus.
You tabulate the cost of a hospital stay, and loss of limb, and work. Then ask yourself how expensive that $45k is.
Ya, a corvette is one car I can't wait to get in an accident in. Sound paranoid, I've been through enough accidents ( from other drivers) to know of what I speak.
I shared a room in the hospital with a guy that lost his leg in a non suv, and I asked him what his leg was worth...his answer, priceless of course.
And I'm sure all of you crying about the gas consumption of SUV's are all driving the latest electric car.
Yes, a big suv is convenient, but to be honest, the only thing that I have carried in the tow hitch has been a bicycle carrier. and the truck came equipped with the towing package (that bicycle really weights you know)
Lastly, yes I have owned cars as well, 2 camaros and a T/A and my next buy will probably be a car again, (this is the 2nd consecutive truck I've owned...having owned a Blazer previously) yes,almost all Chevys (my mom used to work for a local Chevy dealer) Well, my point (which I was though was going to be short and sweet) is that people buy cars and trucks for reasons other than their intended purpose. Imagine how boring driving would be since simple little corrolas and cavaliers would be what 90% of the people really would need.
but it's funny that when I test drove the Tahoe it't didn't drive or feel like the Cadillac. I have to say I don't let critics pick out my home stereo speakers (My ears did that.)And I didn't let a critic pick out my SUV. If you are going to buy an SUV you owe it to yourself to check out the Escalade. (I just went to the Chicago Auto Show and nothing I saw made me think I made the wrong choice.)
Escalade Lover!
Hopefully the 2001 will debut early!
Bob
One question... why don't they offer temp climate control? That surprises me... Oh well... I'll deal with that... actually, it won't matter, I'll just call On Star and ask have them adjust the temperature... hehe (just kidding).
I can't wait... I can't wait... I can't wait... oh yeah... best news yet... I'm paying less than $44k... whatta deal!