Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I was thinking so strongly of trading last year for an 2004 but decided to keep my ML another year. I usually like to trade in December for the new model so I'll think more seriously as that time approaches.
I like the dash of the Escalade, it sits flat, everything is within reach, the woodgrain is done nicely.... I just don't have a problem with the look of the dash. It's a truck, not a sedan.
Mark
Learn to manuver your vehicles, period, you shouldn't be driving a big-truck if you can't handle it. Typical American SUV driver of today though...
-mike
The front of the ML is very slanted and it somewhat difficult to see the end of the vehicle. I put a wind deflector on the front to help prevent rock chips on the windshield and it helps to see the front-end. So, I still depend on the sensors with out having to tilt forward to look how close I'm getting to another car, etc.
It's just a convenience like auto up/down on the electric windows, you really get used to it.
Mark
As for offroading? I offroad a lot, never saw 1 offroad rig with such sensors, no Bling Bling mobiles on the trails I go on....
-mike
Just those 130 odd kids I mentioned the other day.
For a computer guy, you sure sound like a Luddite Mike. Looks like you're way out-numbered on this one. Maybe we can find you an old IH Scout to play with :-)
Steve, Host
In 10 years we'll all have the sensors for detecting objects rather than paying attention to the road or backing up and that is dangerous because it's not a direct connection between you and the road/items that may be in the way.
-mike
PS: I bet that of those 130 people hit, 90% would have been hit ANYWAY because the driver was not paying attention, or on the phone or watching a DVD or other such lazy action when they should be paying attention to driving
The sensors did fail on my ML once and I hit the wood box in my garage. I depended on my sensors to work just as you depend on other items in your car to work. I had recently put a "bug zapper" plug-in in the electrical outlet that is supposed to discourage bugs, mice, etc from coming in the garage. The zapper sends out a signal that caused the bumper sensors to malfunction. As I was trying to figure out what was going on, I bumped the box I had in the garage. No damage at all, I just touched it.
Thinking that my sensors were bad, I tried it with my friends S500 Mercedes and his malfunctioned too. So, the little bug zapper was out of the garage and into the storage room. Before I realized it was the zapper, I had the dealer check the sensors and everything was OK, then I found the culprit.
Mark
1) Dial up my wife on the Cellphone in my car, and ask her to guide me into the garage...
2) Use the rear mounted camera to visually inspect where I was backing up, or
3) Resort to the "state of the art" mirrors and visually guide myself into my space.
But I would miss the guidance my beeper gives me when backing up to my trailer. It goes steady exactly when my ball is under the hitch, and I can stop the truck right where it needs to be to drop on. Otherwise, I'd have to hit it like we used to, and then move 4 inches forward.
Banging into a trailer hitch just means you need more practice, been backing up to trailer hitches for a while and rarely if ever hit them even though i can't see them directly.... practice my son!
-mike
Mark
Steve, Host
-mike
How well do the sensors work? Do they only beep when you are approaching a brick wall, but not say a pole?
I'm going to tell a story on myself here.... about a year ago, I went out to dinner with a couple of friends and I dropped them off at their house. When I pulled up the driveway I stopped at the garage and opened my door to get out so I could open the back door for my guests. In a stupid rush, I forgot to put the ML in park and I didn't realize it was rolling forward until I heard the front sensors starting to beep. I whirled around and put the car into Park. Since I was on a slight incline, the ML was creeping very slow. Thank goodness for those sensors that day or I might have bought a new garage door for my friends.
Mark
And to the person who offered the story of how the (front) sensors saved his vehicle from hitting the garage door--well, sensors shouldn't be viewed as failsafes for a lack of concentration/responsibility when operating a motor vehicle. Sure they saved your vehicle from hitting the garage door--but seriously, did you have that incident in mind when you were wondering about what purpose front sensors would serve?
Mark
Technology is a great thing.... let's embrace it!
Kinda looking at the Range Rover now....even though the Escalade is larger.
Two friends of mine bought new RR and I was impressed on the fit and finish. Darn, if they just had a third seat! I know, I know, the Discovery does but I like the looks of the Range Rover.
Mark
-mike
-mike
-mike
Do you have the automatic running boards on your Nav?
Mark
It is rather embarrassing to say the least, as a quality SUV should not be doing this.
Dealer knows about it, but claims there is no factory fix available!
-Derrel
Wondering whatever happened to "Lets make it right."
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?n=178&sid=178&a- rticle=7703
Some people are saying these are '06s, others say '07s. Not sure.
Steve, Host
At this point, I wouldn't buy the current Escalade, I would wait for the update in '06 or '07. If I were to trade next fall, I would hope the '06 would be the restyle with better upgrades for the interior. Also, I would like to see Cadillac add front bumper sensors.
I'm also leaning towards the new Land Rover LR3.
Mark
Steve, Host
2007 Cadillac Escalade will share its new platform (Inside Line)
Steve, Host
We really liked the QX56 -- but I have to be honest -- the horror stories posted on the QX56 forum kept us away. We loved the space inside the vehicle -- 2nd row space is incredible. The fold down rear seats, the silky smooth power, great ride. There were a few things we did not like at all -- the door handles are the cheesiest things on the planet. They just didn't communicate "quality" in any sense. If a basic detail like that is so bad -- the things we read in the QX56 forum are very easy to believe. the location of the digital clock & compass is bizarre. the clock is so cheezy it looks like a 1960's retro clock! The Nav system with the toggle was a real pain in the [non-permissible content removed] to use. Even with all of those little things we didn't like the rest of the vehicle is far ahead and this vehicle has promise if Infiniti can clean these up and deliver reliability. We will take a strong at these again next time we're in the market.
We also looked at the Navigator. The 2005 is a fine vehicle. The only thing I really disliked was the stupid door that opens and closes over the Nav system/radio. What's up with that? I also found the ride to be too soft for me. I want to feel some contact with the road under me and there just wasn't any with the Navigator. The power rear seats and lift gate were sort of cool -- but completely useless for me because we'll never use the 3rd row seats and I'm tall enough that raising/lowering the lift gate is not an issue. Pricing on the Navigator is extremely soft! Dealers were all offering $10-$12k off MSRP in their newspaper ads! Resale value down the road was a real concern.
We never expected to give the Yukon and the Escalade much of a look. We decided we would give them a shot. The base Yukon wasn't interesting at all. The Denali was clearly a big step up. The biggest downside for us is that the 3rd row seats don't fold down -- so we would have to take them out and store them somewhere. These are not moving either and the dealer was frank in telling us that we would get a great deal. A Chevy dealer down the street was advertising brand new Tahoes at 25% off MSRP!
We then went and drove the Escalade. We were quite surprised. It had the most comfortable front seats of all! With enough adjustment settings that it was easy to find just the perfect settings for me. When you're over 6 feet-- that can be a challenge in a lot of vehicles. The ride was clearly superior to the Denali and the Escalade was noticeably quieter than the Denali and somewhat quieter than the Infiniti. We had been driving a Trailblazer and found the similarities comforting. We were used to how the controls worked and they were located where we expected them to be. The touch screen Nav system is easy to use too.
In our final rankings of the Vehicles we ended up with (this is highly personal and subjective) the following:
Cadillac Escalade
Infinity QX56
Lincoln Navigator
GMC Yukon Denali
We also looked at Consumer Reports. The Cadillac isn't covered but it's based on the same platform as the Yukon/Tahoe which is a CR best buy and recent model years are scoring very very well. We felt very comfortable with the quality of the Cadillac. The extra year or 14k of Warranty is also a nice extra over the Denali.
The Infiniti's quality reputation was a deal killer for us. If we hadn't read the QX56 forum we probably never would have test driven the Escalade or Navigator. Our initial impression was that high!
In the end we (as you probably guessed) moved up from the Trailblazer to the Escalade. We absolutely love it. We got ours with the big 20" wheels & tires -- which look great and makes the vehicle ride higher. The downside of the big tires is extra road noise when we drive on some of the heavily rutted freeways. Moving over and driving in the passing lane generally cures that problem.
Our recommendation is to drive all 4 of these vehicles -- none is far superior to any of the others. Your choice will likely come down to subjective personal criteria and quality reputation. If you're sensitive to price the Denali is a great value right now. Otherwise I think it's a race between the Escalade and the Navigator until Infiniti cleans up its act. The QX56 has a lot of promise.
I am looking at the Escalade EXT fully loaded for $649 (tax included)
or at a few other options.
I have been told that there are much better ones out there, but I was kinda of stuck as to which way I should go. I have a 4 month old and I want to make sure I have the best one for him and my wife, while at the same time I don't want to get a bad deal. Any thoughts???????
I'm just wondering if I should get an oil change. On the manual, it says I don't have to change until a light pops up on the panel.
Please reply, anyone?
Check out First Oil Change while waiting for responses in here.
Steve, Host
http://www.bobaedream.co.kr/board/data/data_view.php?code=special&No=36948&page=8&select=&- content=
-mike
Interesting reading about what you're doing to your Armada with the computer install btw.
Steve, Host