Ok, many of you on here know me and some of you don't. I may have mentioned this post a while back.

I am serious now about buying a new vehicle. I have been dealing with what I currently have now and it's been very difficult for business. I currently own a sports car (american muscle). I have always wanted a GMC Yukon Denali or a Cadillac Escalade. They are almost virtually the same SUV. They almost cost just about the same amount for a used one too. I refuse to buy brand new due to the value depreciation when you drive off the car lot. So I have been looking at some 2005 and 2006 models of both. In my opinion, these trucks are gorgeous! Of course, being as picky as I am, I am looking for one that is fully loaded. I also like the color black.

I would like your opinions on both of these SUVs. I know they are gas guzzlers, but my car now is too. I really appreciate luxury, style, comfort and performance. Both of these vehicles have lots of options. Here are photos of the trucks I am looking at:

2005 Cadillac Escalade


2005 GMC Yukon Denali

Hey, it's your money. I can't imagine spending $25,000 on a used car but hey.

If you can afford it, go for it...I like the black one better and it has more "prestige" than the GMC, at least in my opinion. GMC is too "common" whereas Cadiallac has always been luxury. It's just a perception I know. But if you're going for that "impression" I'd go with the Caddy.

I won't pick a car for someone else any more than I would ask them to pick one for me!

"They almost cost just about the same amount for a used one too. I refuse to buy brand new due to the value depreciation when you drive off the car lot."

I don't just look at off the lot value depreciation.It's good to look at year by year depreciation after that.It will effect trade in later on and resale value.

I would think if you bought today 3 years from now the Caddy would have depreciated less.

I could buy a brand new car but I don't like the insurance rates they require you to have.I like have cars paid for then I get the cheap insurance.

Out of the 2 the Caddy definitely has more prestige.

If you want the GMC I would simply tell the salesman I am looking at a Caddy as well so the only way I will buy the GMC is if you give me a better price and extended warranty for free.

Heh, pick the one that best fits your style. You'll always like it better that way.

I know Las Vegas people.. you need the Escalade.. the Yukon says, "I'm in from Hawthorne for the day"..

That's why I drive a Honda, and probably always will drive a Honda.

Honda is reliable and economical - to me that says "Hey, Perky, you're smart."

It also says to my customers, who come to this area looking for a more relaxed, rustic lifestyle, "Hey, Perky is a down to earth gal. I like her."

However, I keep them out of my car, otherwise they'd conclude that I'm the Pocono Mountain equivalent of Oscar Madison.

If you want people to think you have money, the Escalade is the way to go. However, if you aren't worried about how people perceive you then it would really boil down to personal preference.

On a side note, I had a showing last weekend (the one where the young couple was bring the parents), well the one set of parents rolled up in an Escalade, and my first thought was "GREAT, they have money AND are stuck up". And guess what, I was right!!

Say Len,

Have you considered looking at http://www.enterprisecarsales.com? That's where I bought my last car recently and it was a great deal with excellent servicing of the transaction. They said that they only sell the best of their fleet under their own website. Anything less than quality is sent to auction. I'm very happy with my purchase but unlike you, I was looking for something running on regular that I didn't have to fill with gas every time I got in it.

Sorry i just cant get past the horrible gas mileage. I would go for something better on gas with 2 or 3 rows of seats. Just my 2 cents. My brother in law had a Escalade, and had to sell due to gas costs. But- maybe in this economy you can justify the cost of gas with getting a steal on the price. I bought a BMW X5, which had OK mileage (horrible for me since i drive a BMW sedan, 5-speed), used, for under $20k, and got rid of it in a few weeks last year due to pain at the pump.lol

I would like to know what car you currently have? You say it's a muscle car? I guarantee you either of those will get less gas mileage then your car due to weight and aerodynamics. I would go with the GMC. I can't get past the image of cadillacs only being sold to gangsters and senior citizens. That's all I see driving the escalades around here. But maybe you are a gangster or senior citizen. I don't know. he he. I recently bought a Lexus GX470 as I didn't like the hugeness of the Denali. The pain at the pump hasn't been to bad for it. Some of you would think 20 mpg is horrible, but I don't. I also buy new even though I lose alot to depreciation. However I have yet to have a break down on my new bought vehicles. The used ones I've bought had major break downs.

I'm presently driving an 8 year old Chrysler Town and Country with AWD. It has about 165k miles on it and gets gas mileage in the lower 20s. It replaced a Plymouth Voyager, also AWD, that had over 307K miles on it and was still in daily service of 150 to 200 miles a day when I retired it.

I use the van like a truck, never take customers in it (what few buyers I deal with drive their own vehicle but most of my business is REO listings from Asset Managers I never meet).

I have a black 8 year old Pontiac Grand Prix that has over 140K miles...and still gives me great service with about 25MPG (up to 28 in the summer).

I will NEVER own another black car. Shows every speck of dirt, and just try finding it in the dark at a shopping mall! I have an orange flag I stick out the window to help me find it when I park in an area with many cars.

I almost never transport buyers in my vehicle. My most frequent passenger is my dog, and the shedding on a Golden Retriever is not to be believed. Next vehicle will have a better area for the dog to ride...assuming the dog makes it that long (she'll be 15 in November).

The best vehicle to own, in my opinion, is the one with no payments.

Thank you all for the posts so far. It helps to know other people's opinions.



I have a 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. I am sure either of these 2 SUVs are not much worse on gas. My car is pretty bad on gas. Plus I always put premium fuel in my vehicles. The Escalade and the Denali are both rated at 13mpg for city and 17mpg on highway.

Someone mentioned Enterprise Car Sales. I checked their website. They suck. I am not too fond of purchasing a car that was probably once a rental. Plus they don't negotiate on price.

I think I am leaning more towards the Cadillac Escalade. I definitely want something that is prestige. Anymore opinions, please feel free to comment. Like I said, I am not too worried about saving money on gas. My car is a gas guzzler and I have a lead foot.

Yeah depending on the model it can get real expensive.

When I had my restaurant business I bought the new trans am when it came out.I had the top model Firehawk with over 400 hp and the racing Z rated tires.

It was very expensive using mobile 1 racing oil and each tire at a discount was about 180 apiece through a friend who owned a Goodyear Store.Man that thing could fly though.I remember getting on the interstate and being over 100 mph before getting off the on ramp.

My first car was a 78 trans am blue with gold eagle and shaker hood.My second was an 84 and the last Firebird I had was the Firehawk.

I liked the 68 Camaro but other Camaro's were to blocky for me and uninspiring.Usually you were either a Camaro or a Firebird person.I was always the latter.

ok here's my advice. Try and keep the Firebird. You will miss it. I still miss my first car a 1988 Camaro RS. Nothing special about it, but had a nice v-8 and was very reliable. Yes I said Camaro and reliable. It got about 25 mpg highway. That's why I asked what kind of muscle car you had. I'm sure your Firebird does burn through the gas as it has a bigger v-8 then my old Camaro. I like the muscle cars too. If I had the extra cash to spend I would buy the new camaro when it comes out. I'm sure you will be happy with the escalade. Black doesn't work for me as I travel dirt roads alot. Dirt roads and black do not mix at all. I wouldn't buy a former rental either. I wouldn't buy a lease return for that matter either.

I used to have an Iroc Z Camaro, 1989, I think. Maybe it was an 88. That car was gorgeous. I miss it greatly, though here in the land of 7-month Winters it was not practical.

*sigh*

camaro....poor little camaro....

When i met my husband 10 years ago he drove a 1980 trans am. All my friends thought it was scary lol, but i thought it was "bad a$$". hehe... it had the air intakes on the hood and was a beautiful metallic gray paint with the covered rear window. He had a 2 way radio and a switch for his reverse lights. Sometimes he would scare the car behind him if they were tailing his rear and flip the switch on and off. They would back off real quick! Those were the days.... then we did a 180 and went BMW. He always dreamt of a M3, which we owned several different models from classic old to newer, but now onto more boring sedan, newer 5 series which we got at a steal apx $20k with not too many miles. DH thinks its boring, but we get a ton of compliments and its nice. WE only have 1 car, trying to be economical, and recently bought a new house, but i think i may be buying something more practical now for myself so we have 2 different types of cars for different purposes.

Good luck w/ your decision! Its a good time to buy if you can! (like buying a home..lol)

See, you basically know what you want . . . so go for it. It's not like we're changing your opinion here - lol.

I agree with the best car being one with no payments! We have a paid for 2002 Ford F-150 pickup that still runs like a champ; and a paid for 2003 Chevy Tahoe (V8 engine, no less) that is the best vehicle I've ever owned and is still almost like-new. I know, the day will come when we have to trade-in something, but I'll enjoy the no payment deal for as long as I can.

Yes, I pretty much know what I want, but it's nice to get other people's opinions too. You never know, someone might mention something negative about a vehicle that would possibly change my mind.

Out of all people, you should be one of the people that share your opinion on how your 2003 Tahoe runs. It is the exact truck as the Yukon Denali, except the Denali is fully uploaded with more features. You said the Tahoe was the best vehicle you ever owned. Tell me why and more about it.

Also, I would have a paid off vehicle after this. I am planning on paying cash for whichever one I decide to get. No payments, yay!

Okay, I'll brag on it! I call it the Big Blue Dog because it's a beautiful royal blue - which is what the Escalade looks like on my screen. The Tahoe is about as loaded as I could get it -- without leather seats (we have dogs and live in a hot climate so I don't want leather seats) or seat warmers, and my trim package is not as top of the line as it could be but that wasn't important to me.

I get around 17 mpg in town and way up around 21-22 out on the highway on a long trip (like, Oklahoma to Ohio or even SW Oklahoma to Dallas). I love the V8 engine - I have to remind myself occasionally not to run right over smaller cars (hehe) because of the power it has. Great for driving in the mountains in Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming too.

It's so comfortable to ride in too -- arm rests on the doors are just the right height for either my elbows or Sweetie's (he's 6' tall; I'm 5'2"). He didn't like the Honda Odyssey mini-van I had before this because he could never get the driver's seat adjusted to fit his back, and the arm rests were too high and too short to comfortably rest his arm on, on either side of the vehicle. On the Tahoe, we can adjust the seat edge up or tip it down to get more support for the lower back, and also to hit the pedals more comfortably.

We took the 3rd row of seats out early on because they always seemed to be in the way. Yeh, it'd be nice if they folded into the floor, but that's not important enough to trade over. The second row of seats folds forward. I can - and have - hauled sheets of paneling, rolled carpet & pad, and even a full 4X8 sheet of plywood in the back of the Tahoe. Plus, when both kids were home, we mounted a cargo carrier on the luggage rack on top and that worked great. Otherwise, these days, we just load the back up with whatever we need to -- building supplies or groceries or luggage, or even paper bags full of recyclables to go to the recycle point.

I don't carry clients too often, but occasionally do - and there's plenty of leg room between the second row of seats and the back of the front row. If I could have anything that I don't, it would be the ability to scoot the middle row back a little bit - we have carried some long-legged teens on trips and that has been a bit tiring.

It doesn't need an oil change except when it tells you it does; and it's not supposed to need a tune-up until it has 100,000 miles on it. It has right at 80.000 miles on it now and I need to get it to the dealer and have the heater fixed before cold weather sets in, because while the ac will freeze you right out of the vehicle, the heater is currently working the same way.

So, for my tastes, you're definitely looking at the right style of vehicles! I like the versatility of the Tahoe -- it can occasionally be a "work truck" while most of the time it's a luxurious, powerful tank-for-me. That's the reason I would not get the Escalade - I couldn't use it for the "work" part.

Why can't you use the Escalade the same way you use the Tahoe?

i would pick the escalade. i was at a 1.9mil house on friday and he was driving the escalade. my lender friend lives in a mil house and drove an escalade. my friends who come back from iraq (blackwater and triple canopy contractors) drive the yukon over there, but when coming back some buy danali's(because of familiarity) and some buy escalades. the escalades definatley have more prestige attached to them.

i personally would not buy either one, but if i had a choice of one or the other i would pick the escalade.

Well, if you wanted to, you probably could . . . but I would hate to scratch up the inside, which will happen even to a small extent if you're hauling lumber, paneling, and such. The Tahoe has held up real well, but I do have a few light "scrape" marks along the sides in the back.

Seeing as how an Escalade or a Navigator are the top, top of the line, I just don't know that I'd want to consider using them as a light-duty truck. (For very major projects, I use the pickup truck.)

I like the Escalade myself. I don't know how much gas they take, im sure alot! I drive my F150 and its expensive to keep gas in the tank.

Those Escalades are nice rides. If my wife would allow it, Id have one myself.

Have you seen the new escalade hybrid's?

Broker's wife has 2007 Denali with 6 liter V8, can get 14 MPG on the interstate. He has been very happy with it.

007,

do you have a new vehicle in your driveway yet? when are you getting this thing?

Yes, those things are sick! Who would have thought that the Escalade would ever come out with a Hybrid? lol. From what I understand, they run completely on a seperate battery power while driving under a certain speed in the city. The when you jump on the freeway or accelerate speed, they convert back to full fuel driving. I think the break even point is rediculous though. Do you realize how long it would take you to break even from the expenses on gas!! It doesn't make much sense to buy any of these hybrids for fuel saving efficiency, unless the vehicle is super cheap. The Escalade Hybrid starts at $77,000!

Not yet. I am waiting until I find the right one online, then I will jump on it. I am really wanting to buy one that is made in 2005 or newer. I found a 2004 model, but I am pretty sure the warranty has expired. They come with the GM factory warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles.

There are a few requirements that I must have for the one that I buy, in addition to the standard features. It must be black, have navigation, the back seat must be the 2 captain chairs (not the bench seat) and it must still have a warranty on it. The tough part of finding one under warranty is that Cadillac dealerships are the only places that can have the vehicle certified. Once a Cadillac is certified, it will have a total of 6 year/100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty on it with no deductible! That is an awesome warranty! I am just trying to cover my [censored] in case something happens to the vehicle. Now that I am looking for something specific, it seems like it's impossible to find.

My oldest son turned 16 about a month ago and I bought him a program Jeep with 2000 miles off of a car dealership on Ebay...the dealership was 400 miles away and they delivered it to my door. There are quite a few Escalades on Ebay right now and if nothing else they have great pictures on there for researching vehicles:
Ebay

Obviously this is very subjective but look at it from your prospects perspective. What image does the Escalade and Denali convey to your prospects about you?

If you are working with well-heeled million dollar home homeowners, of the two vehicles I think the Escalade works fine. If you are trying to help homeowners get out from under a financial nightmare, they may not be as excited to see their agent driving an Escalade. Unless of course, you are doing short sales on million dollar homes. Just my two cents...

p.s. - I drive a 2007 Jeep Commander...also a gas guzzler...but love it.

One of my buyer agents drives a Yukon, and he asked me for an advance on some commission checks so he could fill up his tank... I'm serious! He said he was spending upwards of $300 a week on gas. (That's not counting depreciation - which is nearly as much when you're putting 35,000+ miles a year on a car.)

Despite good deals on SUVs these days, I'd think strongly about buying such a guzzler.

There are some commuting calculators out there that you might want to check on before you buy so you have a better idea of what you're getting into. There's a reason SUVs are so extremely cheap these days.

A Mini Cooper.

Go with the Cadi. Who gives a crap what other people think? I'd never buy a vehicle based on what someone else thought. O dear, they may be behind on their mortgage....I better buy a Yugo. Don't want them to sit up at night thinking about my nice ride! Maybe you can get your "short sell" clients to come pick you up under a bridge so they will feel a little better about their problems. Buy what you want, life is too short. BigC

Broker/Appraiser - Yes, ultimately drive what you want, but a good part of our business is based on perception.

When you are trying to build rapport and trust with someone who's an emotional wreck because his/her house is going to foreclosure, and probably not in a very trusting mood, your M.O. of "who gives a crap what other people think" might be the difference in working with the prospect and not.

All I know is if my home was heading for foreclosure and some slick looking agent that cold called me shows up in an Escalade - my first thought would be does this guy care about helping me or just trying to make a buck.

I'm all for making as much money as I can, but if I specialized in short sales I would be extra careful of how my prospects perceive me. Buy hey, who gives a crap what other people think.

2 SCENARIOS

1. if you business is going under and donald trump flies in (in his personal jet) and then has a limo drop him off at your door are you going to think....this guy is to successfull he sureley cant help me out of this jam >>>OR<<<this is a guy who can get the job done, he LOOKS like he can show me how to run a business

2. your business is going under and a guy pulls up in an old beat up 84 pickup and tells you that he will show you how to run a business because he is great at it....what are you going to think...this guy really looks like he can turn a business around >>>OR<<< has this guy turned even 1 business around (maybee he should be hiring a business coach)

[quote=El Luchador]All I know is if my home was heading for foreclosure and some slick looking agent that cold called me shows up in an Escalade - my first thought would be does this guy care about helping me or just trying to make a buck.
[/quote]

I used to feel guilty about things like that, and thought the same thing. Then, I realized, there is nothing wrong with being successful.

About 7 years ago, I sold a $2 million+ home to a buyer who paid cash. When I found out he was a stock broker, I figured he must be doing something right, and gave him all of my money to manage. I had gone through 6 or 7 stock brokers prior to that, and they may as well have been monkeys throwing darts at the stock section of the newspaper.

Deciding to work with someone BECAUSE they appeared to be successful was the best thing I've ever done. (He's doing just fine for me even with this latest economic crisis too.)

PS, that same buyer was initially hesitant to work with me because I was pretty young at the time.

After I picked him up in my Lexus, and happended to be wearing a watch I used to feel guilty about wearing around friends because it costs more than my first car, his opinion changed of me, and he cancelled his appointment with another Real Estate agent who he was going to interview the next day.

Will everyone feel that way? No. But I'd be willing to bet that portraying yourself as a successful business person will get you more business than it will cost you.

Just my $.02

[/quote]

2 SCENARIOS

1. if you business is going under and donald trump flies in (in his personal jet) and then has a limo drop him off at your door are you going to think....this guy is to successfull he sureley cant help me out of this jam >>>OR<<<this is a guy who can get the job done, he LOOKS like he can show me how to run a business

2. your business is going under and a guy pulls up in an old beat up 84 pickup and tells you that he will show you how to run a business because he is great at it....what are you going to think...this guy really looks like he can turn a business around >>>OR<<< has this guy turned even 1 business around (maybee he should be hiring a business coach)



[/quote]


Your two extreme examples fall well outside of the point I am making. Because I say don't pull up in an Escalade, doesn't mean I am saying pull up in an 84 pickup, or in a Yugo. And of course, if Donald Trump pulled up in a limo to provide salvation damn right I would go with him. But guess what - Donald Trump isn't doing residential short sales - and if any old short sale specialist showed up at my house in a limo, I wouldn't let him in.

Joel - I am talking very specifically about short sales, not about $2 million cash purchases.

I have no problem being, feeling, and looking successful - I am only making the point that when you are dealing with homeowners who are on the verge of financial ruin, and probably not in a very trusting mood, pulling up in an an Escalade I believe is not the best course of action.

they might percieve you as being very competent and able to make a sale in these tough times.

El Luchador,

i understand where you are coming from, but i will tell you that before i drove a decent car there were many a deal i truly believe i lost because i did not appear to be as successful. sure i had a smooth tounge and solid gameplan to get the house sold, but because i did not look like i sold house after house i probably appeared to joe public as a smooth talker who does not back it up with results.

My hubby is a mechanic, so I solicited his 2 cents.

He said, as you mentioned, they are essentially the same vehicle, the Escalade is built on the same platform as the GMC, it is just rebadged and has some different trimmings.

With that being said, he said that the Escalade parts will probably be more expensive than the GMC, for those that don't work for both.

I have had black cars, tough to keep clean and nice looking, you might spend more money at the car wash with the Escalade.

But from a pure client impact point of view, the Escalade is impressive. It depends on how your clients take that impression, that you are making too much money or that you are successful. I don't think you'd get the same sort of critique with the Yukon.

Tough call, but I'd go with the Yukon.

I am loving these opinions. This is why I posted this topic, so I could hear what everyone else had to say. Personally, I think looking successful is important.

Yes, the Escalade and the Denali are essentially the same vehicle, just minor differences. This is why I like both of them. The Escalade parts will be slightly more expensive, but not much more due to it still being a GM product.

So have you made up your mind and bought the vehicle yet?