11th Dec 2006, 19:03

I bought my 2003 Escalade USED, upgrading from a Denali. I must definitely say that the Cadillac is a Head turning, comfortable SUV. The air suspension has the truck riding on clouds (W/24inch wheels) and the AWD is really nice in the rain. The only issue I have is the Navi System. The 04 has the nicer BIGGER screen an it makes mine look tiny. However, I came out winning with the 13 inch screen for the DVD system in the back. I am truly pleased every time I use my Escalade.

9th Feb 2007, 11:04

I rented a Cadillac Escalade for the weekend, it was very hard to give it back. I enjoyed the SUV very much, excellent vehicle.

6th Apr 2008, 16:06

I own a 2003 Escalade and for an SUV, it rides really nice. It's not meant to be a van, it's still a truck chassis.

I think the seats are very comfortable and the interior is very good quality.

I love the 345 horsepower also. It has good power. The transmission shifts so smoothly, I can barely tell when it is shifting.

All the doors open and shut perfectly. I like this Cadillac better than the 2005 Tahoe LT I tested and I also liked it more than the 2004 Yukon I test drove.

The Exterior is sharper than any of the other SUV's.

When I test drove the Escalade, I pretty much turned my keys to my Trailblazer over to the dealer for a trade.

I don't think anyone could understand the Escalade experience unless they actually drove it.

8th Jul 2014, 11:26

We had a Range Rover in our family. An enormous maintenance headache. Although I haven't owned this model, I have owned high top GM conversion vans. 350 V8 models with 3/4 ton chassis. Outstanding, and will easily do 200k miles with normal maintenance. My best GM to date is a 2014 Corvette. My best have been 1998 up, each sold with minimal issues. I really like the EXT, but the bed and high sides hold me back. As far as the Range Rover, engine issues and the air suspension failure gave us reason to reconsider.

Good luck.

4th Mar 2018, 04:47

"My best GM to date is a 2014 Corvette"

And judging the date your comment was posted, you had maybe 9 prior months of ownership to make a decision like that?

4th Mar 2018, 15:02

That’s long sold; bought a 911.

4th Mar 2018, 19:51

Still doesn't explain how 9 months of ownership can result in being your best GM vehicle.

5th Mar 2018, 19:47

The other GM vehicles must have been that bad.

6th Mar 2018, 01:57

You can buy a brand new car and own it for a only a day or a week and easily accomplish that. A big raise and buy a lifelong dream vehicle loaded to the hilt. Or save and buy yourself a fantastic new vehicle to celebrate a retirement. I actually did that much sooner, right after college. Landed a nice job and bought what I felt was my then best at the time. Is your point somehow about maintenance or buying your best car you have owned yet? I am still fulfilling mine and perhaps the very next will take its place! I don’t buy the same cars or brand forever. There’s quite an assortment out there today. Far better than the mid 70s 80s and even up to 2000. Far better today. Hope that satisfies your question.

6th Mar 2018, 19:29

Owning a vehicle for maybe 5 years or longer without any issues would be more relevant to say it was your best.

7th Mar 2018, 12:46

We haven’t owned new vehicles for 5 years, let alone longer.

With that being said, does it really take years to drive vehicles that are a real joy to own, great ride, handling characteristics etc, to take 5 years to recognize? My only thought is your mindset is maintenance or pessimism over long term ownership possibilities. One thing is for sure, if you do not like a vehicle from the onset, why prolong long term ownership? Move on. There are many brands with great amenities and are enjoyable to own and drive today. If you are running back and forth to shops and don’t care for it, consider the alternatives. I have a friend that ordered a new car without a test drive. He went from a newer coupe to a new first year convertible. He didn’t realize that the top mechanism pushed the driver's seat forward. Being over 6 foot it jammed his leg into the dash. One month later it was sold. The relevance on a comment like that is either you like a car or not. It can happen immediately. I don’t buy into having a car for years is a requirement for a comparison. I can test drive 6 and leave feeling pretty confident which one I feel is best. You have a drivetrain warranty on new. If it’s a headache car maintenance wise, move on.

7th Mar 2018, 20:40

You are talking in circles and totally missing the point I've made again and again. And I think others would agree that owning a vehicle on such a short term and saying that it was your "best" is too far fetched. Over and out.

8th Mar 2018, 13:06

I did not see others that were lining up with agreement with this magical 5 year ownership number. I suspect most know far beforehand what favorite it may be. What if you only put 25,000 miles on one of your vehicles over 5 years?

I actually do have a tie on my absolute favorite. My other favorite was a car that my wife completely surprised me with one Christmas morning. I was only 30 years old at the time. She hid it a few doors away in a neighbor's garage. Had a bow on it. I suspect not all look only at their new car as just a machine that they look at as just a device. They may be thrilled turning the key on a brand new fresh from the factory car. Perhaps the passion and enthusiasm overweigh getting around as cheaply as possible as a durability contest for strictly a 5 year comparison purpose. I look at a list of things. Proper room, new features, ergonomic new styling, handling, etc. Going to All Wheel Drive alone has made our newest a standout. Roger and out.

8th Mar 2018, 13:55

How do you claim that a GM conversion van can easily do 200k when you stated that you don't own your vehicles for over 5 years?

8th Mar 2018, 20:13

Wrong guy my friend. What does mileage by the way possibly have to do with picking a favorite car you ever bought brand new. Not used, inherited etc with lots of miles already on the clock. We are talking new.

Taking it a step forward, my favorite new car ever is a rare 7 figure car on a poster hanging in my garage. No maintenance ever! I think our difference of opinion is emotion driven vs just a machine with all about cost to own or run. That’s fine, it’s an opinion and that’s the nice viewpoint you have on a free exchange of ideas on a forum.

Love what you have. And vice versa.

9th Mar 2018, 08:17

Can we get off vans and talk about the Escalade review vehicle.