Thanks guys. $17k is where I was going to start. Like I said, if this one does not work there are quite a few around. I wish we did not need to replace our Jeep...we have owned since new and treated us well. Just going to be too small a vehicle in the future.

Mark - do you find that service on your Lincoln cost more than what a Ford would cost? One concern is because it is a Caddy...service will cost more than a Chevy Suburban.

Doggg,

You are better off getting a Denali XL of the same vintage, all the same underpinnings and under $20k for sure.

The thing I miss most about ours was that the center row captains chairs were heated. Everyone loved road trips in it!

However, the newer ones are night and day. You can pick an '07 Escalade up for low $30s now. Or even better a '07 Denali under $30k.

'07 Escalade

Or even better...

'07 Denali

'07 Denali XL

They are the standard length versions and the Denalis have higher miles, but gives you an idea. You should be able to negotiate a killer deal, as they can't move these things right now and there are tons out there.

By the way, the '07s have the 6 speed trannies on the Denali and Escalaldes. Its always easier to spend more when its not our money .

Dogg,

One other thing. You can buy the Escalade in 2wd, that is probably where people are reporting better milage. Otherwise the AWD really hampers the milage. I miss the AWD though also, no thinking about it at the ramp or during the winter, just go.

I couldn't break 17 on the highway unless I was coasting downhill. However, I average 13 to 14 around town. 16 to 17 on the highway at 70 or at 80, didn't really seem to make much of a differnece. Over 80 and it dropped like a rock.

bank...our Jeep has AWD and it is great. You are right about that. Yes, we need to open our search back to the Denali. But the few I have seen don't seem very well cared for. That amazes me as these are $40k - $50k vehicles when new. Why would someone NOT take care of that . I have run across a lot more Escalades that have been cared for much better. But we will keep the options open.

WD, I didn't find any real difference in service costs.

Bankonit has the right idea. The Denali's are sweet looking vehicles for a little less change.

This vehicle is nothing more than a Suburban in a Tuxedo. The long wheelbase will afford a very stable trailering experiences outside of a heavy duty truck. It does appear however this model, likely due to the overall weight, has a rather marginal towing capacity that you should consider.

The third seat, which I would hardly describe as flimsy, flips up quite easily and leaves a ton of room for storage. Unless you are hauling a 4X8, you'll likely never pull the seat.

The 6.0 will give you more than enough power to tow your Four Winns

The bad: fuel economy is going to suck. Period. You can look at all the specs in the world that will suggest 14-15 but the reality is, these are dam heavy vehicles. My Yukon XL avgs 10mpg around town and really not that much better on the highway. Granted I have a 3/4T with 8.1L but I'd be surprised if the Escalade did much better. Also, much has to do with your driving habits.

Filling up one of these beasts is no joy either, my Yukon XL has a 38.5 gallon tank. You are potentially looking at $125 fill ups. Not fun.

As for the price, chances are the dealer took this in on rock bottom trade. Also, with the dead market especially on full size SUV's you should be in a position to negotiate a very favorable price for such a high end luxury vehicle.

roc...thanks for the insight. Just to make it clear. MPG on a vehicle is not going to be a deal breaker for us. We know it is bad...prepared for it and will accept it if we want to drive something like this.

Since you're paying cash, start your offer at 17K OTD and write the check for the full amount to submit with your offer.

Salesmen/MGR's HATE to give a check back (it's easier for them to say no w/o a check staring them in the face).

In fact, I'd write the check for 16K and then give them their "bump" (so they feel good and will look good to mgmt)up to 17K in increments of $200 or so.

It's a win-win...

Buying is fun!!!

Good luck!

As stated earlier, I wouldn't rule out a Navigator. Not the big hp, but nice low end torque. Shorter though than an extended Sub.

One of guys at work has an 03 Denali. Seems to not be wearing well on the inside, but he is a little hard on cars.

I can't tell you about mileage directly with the Escalade, but I can tell you that our 06 Yukon XL, 5.3, 3:73, gets 14-15 around town and 19-20 on the highway at 70-75 mph. That's not by the computer (although it is acurate on ours), but doing it the old fashioned way.

I sure do want one! (Caddy ESV or a Denali Yukon XL). Would really like to upgrade from our '99 Burb.

Like everyone, cash is tight, so not real smart for us now.

Whatever the gas mileage it gets, I'd have to deal with because I'll need another full size anyway. My last quick search would give me 2K# more towing capacity, with only a 1MPG drop from City/Hwy from what my 'Burb currently gets. Decent tradeoff in the scheme of things.

One tip a co-worker suggested is to wait. If I could squeeze another 3-4 years out of the 'Burb, then the current new breed of fuel efficient (Hybrid?) cars will start hitting the pre-owned (lease return) car market.

Tough temptation....

I love threads like this about big ole gas guzzlers. Keep it guys. Good for our oil industry and I thank you all.

WD, I had an '02 Yukon XL Denali and now have an '07. Both were/are great. I really liked how GM upgraded their interior fit and finish in the '07. However all since '03 were much nicer than the very "plastic-y" '02. Personally, I liked the "old" exterior front end best.

They are big but do not "drive" as big as they look. Both are very comfortable. I was looking at Escalades this last time around, but just couldn't justify the extra $$$ when they are really the same truck. The biggest bummer was I couldn't get air conditioned seats on the GMC. Bummer! (Nobody say "princess"!)

Both towed the 240 with little problem, but the 6.2 is clearly stronger than the '02 6.0 liter. Gas mileage was very slightly better on the '02, though recent highway mileage has improved to 17mpg on the '07 when very lightly loaded. Towing mpg on the '07 is markedly worse which I did NOT expect with the new 6spd tranny.

Overall, I love both. Good luck with the search!

I have 2 friends with Escalades. The one just got his, used, and it looks like it'd been used for mountain goat hunting. He likes it tho...

Other friends are the guys who bought the new Benny this year. I got to pull his trailer with the Escalade for a couple of miles... I was impressed with the cush and ride, but wasn't one bit impressed with the handling, the thing felt like someone else was steering it at the same time. But then, he's got 22" wheels and fat flatties on it. The thing is always spotless and gorgeous, but I'm not sure my friend "loves" it, he always snidely refers to it as "my EEESSSSS UUUUUU VVVEEEEEEE, Senseless Useless Vehicle!"

If he ever gives it away, I'll be first in line!