I bought a 06 Escalade in 2017 just after hurricane Harvey for 4500. It had 134k miles on it, ran great until the transmission went out at 223k. Fixed that and it stayed running great until someone tried to do a hit and run on me. I had a dash cam so I caught everything on film. Truck was totalled and I got 7600 out of it. Would I do it all again? Yes I would. Great truck. The 6.0 is a must! I've owned the 4.8 and 5.3. The 6.0 is far superior.
As someone who worked on these in the early to mid 2000’s I can tell all of you some facts: The Escalade AWD was good, but still failed regularly from abuse. AWD donuts shorten the life of the Transfer Case exponentially. The interiors were still GM garbage. The solution was always the same: “a big enough sound system will hide the squeaks and rattles. “ The rear brakes are undersized for the vehicle. Towing with an Escalade will smoke the rears in half the time of the fronts. Explaining to some C level jackass why his yacht was too heavy for the Escalade is one of the reasons why I left the industry.
I figured there were 2 types of people that would buy these in this era. The old white guy that only owned Cadillac's since the 70s and only buys American, and the fake "C level" ballers that could barely make the payments.
As a 10 year old in a 2006 GMC Sierra my parents owned, I definitely used that exact same rear seat entertainment system. It had XM radio and I'm sure kept me entertained for many hours!
I still own a 2004 EXT and it's one of the best trucks I've ever had. The Vortec is bulletproof (except for some unfortunate head gaskets in the 2002 models) The ride is amazing, better than a lot of current SUV's. The AWD versions have a decent amount of get-up. Gas mileage is garbage though. Still get comments from people about it.
I just bought one of these for my wife, an 05. We were after a gmt800 z71 tahoe, but those were all beat to hell. She had a newer car but we got tired of dealing with payments and inflation which probably won't stop soon. Got a good offer for her car in today's crazy used car market and took the leftover cash to buy the Escalade. My truck (an 04 silverado) is paid off so NO CAR PAYMENTS FOR US. Maintenance is easy and cheap on these and both should go well over 300,000 miles.
My mom had a black 2002 Escalade with the gold pin stripes. She bought it brand new, put 390,000 miles on it and just recently got rid of it a year ago. It didnt give her many issues at all.
The memory functions in 2003 aren't surprising at all. I had a 1995 Lincoln Continental and it had all those memory features as well. The key fob had 2 buttons to select which driver and there were memory buttons on the door as well . The memory feature would adjust the seat, the side mirrors, the climate control, the radio station and the suspension setting. It also had a fully automatic load leveling suspension with air struts up front and air springs in the back. The instrument panel was very cool looking in that the gauges were projected onto the background from the front so the numbers and other markings would not be covered by the needles. It also had a very smooth and powerful 32 valve 4.6L V8 with variable intake runners for optimum low end torque and wide open throttle. It was a very nice and advanced car for its time.
I bought an '05 Escalade new and used it for about 10 years then gave it to my granddaughter and she drove it until a couple years ago. It racked up 180k miles by the time she sold it. Only repairs it required in all those years was an hvac blend door actuator and a fuel pump. It was a good vehicle that did what we asked of it.
It's just the lack of effort GM made to differentiate the interior from the Chevy work truck that it was lifted from lol. The dashboard was just embarrassing even for the day, complete from a bare bones Chevy Silverado with fake wood sprinkled on it. Just shows how consumer tastes have evolved even just from 15-20 years ago. Great trucks mechanically for the most part, and definitely will be in the automotive history books, but it's laughable how much more money Ford threw at the Lincoln Navigator for development when GM just practically phoned it in and blew the Navi in the weeds as far as sales lol.
I own an 07 Escalade ESV With all the added options I’ve had it since new. It now has 380k and is still looks good. I love how reliable it has been for me. It’s super clean and runs really good. Is going to be passed down to my 17 year old daughter and I will get the new one
That was nineteen minutes of pure genius that I am going to watch again to repeat a bout of uncontrollable laughter! If a certain legendary crusty brit car program presenter was young, weighed less than 20 stone, American, and born after the advent of the Apple II e computer, this is the review he would host! Mark my words, TOMMY MICA IS THE NEXT JEREMY CLARKSON! Awesome review, thanks for the grins!
My family has a 2006 Yukon XL Denali and I loved (and still love) it. It has 208k miles from my dad and me daily driving it before the transmission started going out
I had an '03 Yukon XL Denali for about a year, and I honestly think it was one of the best cars I've ever driven. I think many of the design choices aged better than the escalade. People always thought it was newer than it was, despite the fact that it had 212k miles. It also had the other escalade faceplate on the gauges with the shinny chrome rings, and that was by far the best looking cluster for this era of truck. It had the same engine and AWD system as the escalade, and for its size, its performance was incredible. When you need it to do evasive maneuvers or pull out with a short gap in traffic, it would just grab and go, no drama, even when it was pouring out. It gripped just as good in the rain as it did on a dry day. That fact saved my life at least twice. I hope to own another someday but gas millage was killing me so I had to pass it on.
I love it, I bought mine New in 2003 and have 240,000 miles on it. Plastic is breaking electronics are constantly issues, but it has the original engine and transmission. The car has transported my family across the country multiple times has pulled large boats and trailers, rarely has it let me down. I don’t the new one will hold up this well.
A little clarification, the Vortec 6000 is an LS engine. It has some similarities to the classic 5.7 small block found in prior generation GM trucks, but it was a clean sheet engine not a version of the engine used for 50 years
Thats a great vehicle to buy for only 6k. Gas is gonna cost you but you wont have a car payment and taxs, tags and insurance will all be dirt cheap. Plus it wont break down on you like all the newer models. I own a 2009 GMC Canyon 4x4 Z71 with a factory 5.3L Vortec engine and it has been rock solid. No AFM, no cylinder deactivation, no direct injection, no 8 spd transmission to fail on me.
I have a 03 Tahoe z71 5.3 with 200,000 miles on it and never any problems with it except for the the normal brakes u joints and oil changes, but watching your video these are very similar. Great video, and love the old GM’s!!!
Still own a 2006 Yukon Denali (Escalade lite) my dad bought new. I bought off him in 2011. 247k and that thing has been absolutely bulletproof. Most expensive repair has been a front differential that needed rebuilt. Original engine, transmission, and transfer case. Still like driving it as we keep it around as a spare. Love the 2019 Yukon we replaced it with too!
Love this car, daily driving my 06 Platinum ESV. Here in Europe we pay about 8$ a gallon at the moment. But what could I do better, then relax in this comfy ride, far away from the ridiculous reality.
@@eaauto6182 two weeks later, the price has risen to about $9.50... Gas is now more expensive than good beer. But the Escalade won't run on beer, maybe on champagne 🙂
I just bought one short time ago 2005 model two-wheel drive 6.0 153,000 mi same color one owner for $3500. It's a great vehicle. I believe this was the best GM trucks.
When I was in high school, my parents had a 1998 Chev Astro van that had the rear seat entertainment system. I used it all the time on family road trips.
The really nice old man who lived next door to me in college had that exact Escalade in 2003 brand new. I remember thinking how crazy it was that a man in my crappy apartment building owned such.
Interesting review, I grew up in a small town (population 5K) Nebraska. Back in 2005 I remember there was only one white Escalade EXT in town. About a year later it was gone. Fast forward another year, watching 60mins found out the guy that owned it was in federal prison for drug and human trafficking. go figure
None of the wood in the 2nd gen. Escalades is genuine except the steering wheel which he pointed out in the video. I own an '04 Slade ESV Platinum which was the top of the line, all plastic. Cadillac did use Zebrano inlays in most of its other models during the 90's and early 2000's, just not in the Escalade.
Got an 04 burb 289k still an awesome trip vehicle runs and shifts perfectly after installing a corvette servo, makes me want to get an lq9 now, even has original u joints in the driveline no play anywhere
I grew up riding around in my dad's demo Jags with real burled walnut and Conolley (?) leather seats. Smelled wonderful. The 1st time I rode in a Cadillac I was blown away by plastic wood grain and the most plastic smelling "leather" interior I had ever seen! Never been a fan since.
I have a 2005 suburban z71 thats fully loaded my aunt bought it new. I bought it after she put on 100k it now has 430k with very few issues just rusted out brake lines rusted out fuel pump a new rear end from a junkyard
I had a 2000 Escalade and it had 230,000 miles on it when I got rid of it. I would love to get another Escalade like the 2nd gen in this video! I like the older ones instead of the newer ones. I also wouldn't mind the ext version as I had an Avalanche that I loved too. That was a great truck!
Hey Tommy, I have a 2003 Trailblazer LTZ. In some places of this it looked like you were showing off my car. I've been mostly a Ford guy but they lost me on my 3rd tranny in a 91 Taurus. I like the Trailblazer, it is comfortable and at 74 years of age it is easier to get in and out of than any car. I also like something you didn't mention in these vehicles. I turned the lights on and left them, they are always on and work differently in light and dark when locking it. Also I never have to turn on the wipers, but sometimes they take a swipe for something I didn't see. All said and done it was fun seeing what you loved to hate about the GM products. Your dad says it differently, but later man.
In 2018 we were looking for a replacement for my 1994 2500 suburban. It needed to be able to tow around 7000 pounds and also seat 8. Wanted 4wd as well for winter driving and hey a nice interior wouldn't hurt this time around. I immediately thought Yukon or Tahoe. The prices were outrageous and the condition of the vehicle was usually in the beat to death category. I guess if you pony up for one of these you don't get rid of it till it's 2 clicks from imploding. Then I decided to add the Sclade to the mix. I also never thought of myself as a Sclade kinda guy but it really just is a velvet Yukon. Well found lots and lots of elderly owned, very well taken car of and most Importantly reasonably priced options! I found a Maroon metalic 2007 very nicely optioned, very well taken care of with 150k and it was pretty cheap! I still have it. All I can say is replace the relays in the power distribution block which are cheap and will save you lots of issues. Over all love the vehicle.
TFL did it first!!! Wow.. Finally.. I have a 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv same color 170k the best Escalade in my opinion overall! Would love to see more videos of this truck! Great job guys.
My brother in law lives in Sarasota in a retirement community, and he loves his escalade! That comment at the beginning of the video had me rolling on the floor. I have to send this to my sister.
I bought the same car!!!Its my camper trailer hauler. N code 6 liter and 2 grand less than a Yukon..You are nailing the description. My friends harass me about the purchase.
Hey Tommy! You probably already know that but the 6000 vortec refer to the cc. 6000cc like motorbikes 500cc = 1/2 liter, 1000cc = 1.0 liter, 6000cc = 6.0 liter. You probably knew that but just to make sure 😉
😂 great review. Loves how you describe the smell. I have an 04 Tahoe with the 5.3 and it’s been great. Nearly 200 k on it now. Scared to death of the new engines. Turbos, cylinder deactivation etc. planned obsolescence at a mark up.
I have an ‘04 Burban LS w/ 192k miles. Absolutely love the vehicle. Runs and shifts smooth and has so much space, complete gas hog but I don’t drive that much for work so it just keeps on truckin for me
They started to get really good with the 2007+ generation. I had one for 6 years unit someone pulled out in front of me😭 great power, nice features, tones of room for my family and dogs, highly capable in almost any terrain with it's locking rear and full time awd. I'll buy one again some day and turn it in to a hot rod
@BL Dontmatter Got an 07 Yukon Denali lifted 4" with a 3" body lift on 35" mud terrains at 182k miles while keeping air ride. Has the 6.2 liter without DOD/afm stock (07&08). Awd does fine in the NW logging roads and deep snow. The rear G80 kicks in, but would like a e- locker up front. Had it for about 5 years now and still next to new on the inside. I even condition the leather seats. Exterior has been modified for offroad and does pretty well. Going to build a front bumper for my winch and a swing-out tire carrier for the rear and rock sliders. Have some other engine/transmission/brakes performance mods too, but nothing too crazy. This is what happens when a Jeep guy gets a 'nice' family suv!
My 2005 Touareg is costing me way too much in maintenance to keep as a daily driver. This would be the perfect car to replace it with. Actively searching for a rust free ESV model
With the current market and condition, that's a solid deal I'd say. I don't think they're going to see a value bubble like what is happening with some GMT400 trucks but I don't think it'll go down much for a very long time.
I had a 2002 Suburban. Loved that truck. My kids were little, and we felt safe. I threw studded snow tires on it in the winter, and it went everywhere.
The navigator of this gen was better with a lux interior. But navigator and Escalade were equal in term of rap lyric mentions. But in 2007 was when caddy took the lead and never looked back. They actually put a decent interior in it and the exterior was better than the gator. Lincoln let their product languish.
GMT800 there fun, only thing I hope you don't use you heater to much. Because that Heater Core is a Pita. I got 2001 Tahoe and up to this day, it plagged by fuel pump issues
Can't believe some classic truck lover hasn't flipped out on you and said Squarebodies were from 1973 to 1986 with at least a dozen exclamation points and an angry face. 😂😂
The Interior is Identical to my 2001 GMC Yukon. Literally can't tell the difference between the two. Everything is made of plastic and gets brittle and breaks. Especially here in the California Sun. Both the 5.3's and 6.0's were pretty decent motors though. My Yukon is still chugging along even at 250k miles.
Love our 03 escalade, the only issue is the steering is really loose. Anyone else have this problem? It doesn't help that when you hit bumps it has torque steer due to the awd system. We've tried tightening up the steering box but it seems to be something else.
I can’t believe you touched that seat bottom cover after you described who and what you thought went on in there. That would have been the first thing to go (with rubber gloves).
Just sold my 2003 cadillac escalade esv I had for a few years had almost 250,000 miles on it still ran strong and all had lots of money put in it that u couldn't see expensive ride but nice sold it cuz front end was going out and lots of money just to fix it just wasn't worth it anymore
We just bought a 2006 Yukon Denali XL with 120,000 miles and paid $23,000 so you stole that one. On ours no one ever reset the fuel used and its at like 9900 gallons. Also the engine hours are super low like under 1300. The one we bought is pretty much mint inside and out but its funny because we also bought a very nice 2005 Chevy Suburban and its got the overhead DVD player but the Denali does not. But I love the bigger 6.0 in the Denali. Great video.
It's funny how he attacks the escalade for having cheap plastic interior when he loves jeeps. Jeep Rubicon is 65k and it's all plastic, even the fenders and bumpers are plastic but he thinks those are amazing... and it only has a v6.
Why buy 2nd Gen Escalade ? To Add some 24 Dubs, lower air suspension & custom paint and interior as well as ICE and lotts of sub audio. Far from stock Midnight Club 3 vibes.
The late 90s The early 2000s , up to about 2005 , were absolute peak big American suv. Give me a late 90s Suburban, a 2005 Ford Excursion and a 2005 Escalade ESV please.
I bought a 06 Escalade in 2017 just after hurricane Harvey for 4500. It had 134k miles on it, ran great until the transmission went out at 223k. Fixed that and it stayed running great until someone tried to do a hit and run on me. I had a dash cam so I caught everything on film. Truck was totalled and I got 7600 out of it. Would I do it all again? Yes I would. Great truck. The 6.0 is a must! I've owned the 4.8 and 5.3. The 6.0 is far superior.
The 6.0 is most definitely a must and the most wanted among GM full size trucks.. especially if you've owned the absolute slug 4.8
yes. 6.0 or 7.0 427 c.i. LS engines are the best.
@@mikethatguy27
I Hear they use 6.2 engines now.
@@42luke93 6.2l can be a beast too.
As someone who worked on these in the early to mid 2000’s I can tell all of you some facts:
The Escalade AWD was good, but still failed regularly from abuse. AWD donuts shorten the life of the Transfer Case exponentially.
The interiors were still GM garbage. The solution was always the same: “a big enough sound system will hide the squeaks and rattles. “
The rear brakes are undersized for the vehicle. Towing with an Escalade will smoke the rears in half the time of the fronts. Explaining to some C level jackass why his yacht was too heavy for the Escalade is one of the reasons why I left the industry.
Same thing with the 2007+ with those brakes. I towed a 14x7 tool trailer all the time
But the money tho
I figured there were 2 types of people that would buy these in this era. The old white guy that only owned Cadillac's since the 70s and only buys American, and the fake "C level" ballers that could barely make the payments.
@@MC4D. Or maybe someone who can fix their own vehicles and just wants an old and affordable truck
@@Mach141 true but I was referring to the people that bought them new back when these were new.
As a 10 year old in a 2006 GMC Sierra my parents owned, I definitely used that exact same rear seat entertainment system. It had XM radio and I'm sure kept me entertained for many hours!
I still own a 2004 EXT and it's one of the best trucks I've ever had. The Vortec is bulletproof (except for some unfortunate head gaskets in the 2002 models) The ride is amazing, better than a lot of current SUV's. The AWD versions have a decent amount of get-up. Gas mileage is garbage though. Still get comments from people about it.
How is the rust
@@robervin9107 No rust. It was a desert truck. Spent its whole life in Nevada. The drivers seat went the way of all truck drivers seats though.
The head gaskets are not the problem. The problem is the dexcool antifreeze.
@@t.l.robinson2162 that's totally true! 👍 👌 That (dexcool) destroyed engine gaskets!
I’m sorry
I just bought one of these for my wife, an 05. We were after a gmt800 z71 tahoe, but those were all beat to hell. She had a newer car but we got tired of dealing with payments and inflation which probably won't stop soon. Got a good offer for her car in today's crazy used car market and took the leftover cash to buy the Escalade. My truck (an 04 silverado) is paid off so NO CAR PAYMENTS FOR US. Maintenance is easy and cheap on these and both should go well over 300,000 miles.
My mom had a black 2002 Escalade with the gold pin stripes. She bought it brand new, put 390,000 miles on it and just recently got rid of it a year ago. It didnt give her many issues at all.
I love Tommy’s dramas in this he takes off the sun glasses for extra dramatic. Stuff love it. Tommy is cool.
The memory functions in 2003 aren't surprising at all. I had a 1995 Lincoln Continental and it had all those memory features as well. The key fob had 2 buttons to select which driver and there were memory buttons on the door as well . The memory feature would adjust the seat, the side mirrors, the climate control, the radio station and the suspension setting. It also had a fully automatic load leveling suspension with air struts up front and air springs in the back. The instrument panel was very cool looking in that the gauges were projected onto the background from the front so the numbers and other markings would not be covered by the needles. It also had a very smooth and powerful 32 valve 4.6L V8 with variable intake runners for optimum low end torque and wide open throttle. It was a very nice and advanced car for its time.
The trans on my 2005 Escalade with 278k decided to give me a bunch of neutrals. But it's getting another one because the Escalade is a beast.
I bought an '05 Escalade new and used it for about 10 years then gave it to my granddaughter and she drove it until a couple years ago. It racked up 180k miles by the time she sold it. Only repairs it required in all those years was an hvac blend door actuator and a fuel pump. It was a good vehicle that did what we asked of it.
Every reviewer bashes the GMT800 interior plastics, but they really seem to have stood up to 20 years of use pretty well.
Say that again cause the interior looks pretty good on this one
Yea it just looked cheap
It's just the lack of effort GM made to differentiate the interior from the Chevy work truck that it was lifted from lol. The dashboard was just embarrassing even for the day, complete from a bare bones Chevy Silverado with fake wood sprinkled on it. Just shows how consumer tastes have evolved even just from 15-20 years ago. Great trucks mechanically for the most part, and definitely will be in the automotive history books, but it's laughable how much more money Ford threw at the Lincoln Navigator for development when GM just practically phoned it in and blew the Navi in the weeds as far as sales lol.
Some friends as I road tripped a 2004 Escalade across British Colombia a few years ago and that Escalade is still my favourite car I’ve ever driven
I own an 07 Escalade ESV With all the added options I’ve had it since new.
It now has 380k and is still looks good. I love how reliable it has been for me. It’s super clean and runs really good. Is going to be passed down to my 17 year old daughter and I will get the new one
That was nineteen minutes of pure genius that I am going to watch again to repeat a bout of uncontrollable laughter! If a certain legendary crusty brit car program presenter was young, weighed less than 20 stone, American, and born after the advent of the Apple II e computer, this is the review he would host! Mark my words, TOMMY MICA IS THE NEXT JEREMY CLARKSON! Awesome review, thanks for the grins!
I watch that certain crusty legendary british presenter with his 2 stooges 🤣👍🏼👍🏼
I generally prefer the 2 stooges
My family has a 2006 Yukon XL Denali and I loved (and still love) it. It has 208k miles from my dad and me daily driving it before the transmission started going out
One of my old teachers has a 2005 Escalade ESV Platinum and that thing is beautiful
I had an '03 Yukon XL Denali for about a year, and I honestly think it was one of the best cars I've ever driven. I think many of the design choices aged better than the escalade. People always thought it was newer than it was, despite the fact that it had 212k miles. It also had the other escalade faceplate on the gauges with the shinny chrome rings, and that was by far the best looking cluster for this era of truck. It had the same engine and AWD system as the escalade, and for its size, its performance was incredible. When you need it to do evasive maneuvers or pull out with a short gap in traffic, it would just grab and go, no drama, even when it was pouring out. It gripped just as good in the rain as it did on a dry day. That fact saved my life at least twice. I hope to own another someday but gas millage was killing me so I had to pass it on.
I love it, I bought mine New in 2003 and have 240,000 miles on it. Plastic is breaking electronics are constantly issues, but it has the original engine and transmission. The car has transported my family across the country multiple times has pulled large boats and trailers, rarely has it let me down. I don’t the new one will hold up this well.
A little clarification, the Vortec 6000 is an LS engine. It has some similarities to the classic 5.7 small block found in prior generation GM trucks, but it was a clean sheet engine not a version of the engine used for 50 years
Thats a great vehicle to buy for only 6k. Gas is gonna cost you but you wont have a car payment and taxs, tags and insurance will all be dirt cheap. Plus it wont break down on you like all the newer models. I own a 2009 GMC Canyon 4x4 Z71 with a factory 5.3L Vortec engine and it has been rock solid. No AFM, no cylinder deactivation, no direct injection, no 8 spd transmission to fail on me.
That was the best Escalade design until the 2021
Tony Soprano owns a couple of these in the last couple seasons. He pwns a Tahoe first couple seasons then upgrades to the Escalade.
I have a 03 Tahoe z71 5.3 with 200,000 miles on it and never any problems with it except for the the normal brakes u joints and oil changes, but watching your video these are very similar. Great video, and love the old GM’s!!!
Still own a 2006 Yukon Denali (Escalade lite) my dad bought new. I bought off him in 2011. 247k and that thing has been absolutely bulletproof. Most expensive repair has been a front differential that needed rebuilt. Original engine, transmission, and transfer case. Still like driving it as we keep it around as a spare. Love the 2019 Yukon we replaced it with too!
Love this car, daily driving my 06 Platinum ESV. Here in Europe we pay about 8$ a gallon at the moment. But what could I do better, then relax in this comfy ride, far away from the ridiculous reality.
Damn it’s probably $200 to fill it up then😂 Mine is $100 to fill up and I spend about 400/month on gas🤦🏻♂️
@@eaauto6182 two weeks later, the price has risen to about $9.50... Gas is now more expensive than good beer. But the Escalade won't run on beer, maybe on champagne 🙂
"It floats over everything. Potholes, bumps, peasants...." 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I just bought one short time ago 2005 model two-wheel drive 6.0 153,000 mi same color one owner for $3500. It's a great vehicle. I believe this was the best GM trucks.
When I was in high school, my parents had a 1998 Chev Astro van that had the rear seat entertainment system. I used it all the time on family road trips.
The really nice old man who lived next door to me in college had that exact Escalade in 2003 brand new. I remember thinking how crazy it was that a man in my crappy apartment building owned such.
I just got a 99 the seats back and front are like sitting on 10 pillows I love it
Interesting review, I grew up in a small town (population 5K) Nebraska. Back in 2005 I remember there was only one white Escalade EXT in town. About a year later it was gone. Fast forward another year, watching 60mins found out the guy that owned it was in federal prison for drug and human trafficking. go figure
This SUV was all the hype back in the early 2000s. My fondest memory is driving this in Need For Speed Underground 2.
I would love a rhd one here in the UK. Gold Paint tan leather and plastic wood perfect. Forget German engineering this is one Very desirable cool car.
I own a 2009 Escalade, the thing is bulletproof
@@WW-wf8tu no, I meant it is mechanically bullet proof, thing is a beast! :D
The wood is real, it’s called Zebrano or Zebrawood. It comes from central Africa and is sometimes used in high end furniture and guitars.
Bet you think that leather is real too.
@@mikewest712 I do, because it is.
None of the wood in the 2nd gen. Escalades is genuine except the steering wheel which he pointed out in the video. I own an '04 Slade ESV Platinum which was the top of the line, all plastic. Cadillac did use Zebrano inlays in most of its other models during the 90's and early 2000's, just not in the Escalade.
Just the wood on the steering wheel and door trim are real The dashboard and center console are fake
@@davyd4355 The wood accents on the doors are fake too. Only the steering wheel in this generation Escalade has real wood.
Got an 04 burb 289k still an awesome trip vehicle runs and shifts perfectly after installing a corvette servo, makes me want to get an lq9 now, even has original u joints in the driveline no play anywhere
I grew up riding around in my dad's demo Jags with real burled walnut and Conolley (?) leather seats. Smelled wonderful. The 1st time I rode in a Cadillac I was blown away by plastic wood grain and the most plastic smelling "leather" interior I had ever seen! Never been a fan since.
I have a 2005 suburban z71 thats fully loaded my aunt bought it new. I bought it after she put on 100k it now has 430k with very few issues just rusted out brake lines rusted out fuel pump a new rear end from a junkyard
It took me inordinately long to figure out GM used the Escalade sheetmetal in the 2003 facelift for the Silverado (but not the Tahoe/Suburban).
My 2004 Suburban is an absolute tank! 207k miles and just getting broken in.
I had a 2000 Escalade and it had 230,000 miles on it when I got rid of it. I would love to get another Escalade like the 2nd gen in this video! I like the older ones instead of the newer ones. I also wouldn't mind the ext version as I had an Avalanche that I loved too. That was a great truck!
Hey Tommy, I have a 2003 Trailblazer LTZ. In some places of this it looked like you were showing off my car. I've been mostly a Ford guy but they lost me on my 3rd tranny in a 91 Taurus. I like the Trailblazer, it is comfortable and at 74 years of age it is easier to get in and out of than any car. I also like something you didn't mention in these vehicles. I turned the lights on and left them, they are always on and work differently in light and dark when locking it. Also I never have to turn on the wipers, but sometimes they take a swipe for something I didn't see. All said and done it was fun seeing what you loved to hate about the GM products. Your dad says it differently, but later man.
Wow. It looks so small. Crazy how much vehicles have ballooned in size.
I came so close to building an GMT800 Escalade into a rock crawler. They're cheap, there are SAS kits, and it has heated seats.
In 2018 we were looking for a replacement for my 1994 2500 suburban. It needed to be able to tow around 7000 pounds and also seat 8. Wanted 4wd as well for winter driving and hey a nice interior wouldn't hurt this time around. I immediately thought Yukon or Tahoe. The prices were outrageous and the condition of the vehicle was usually in the beat to death category. I guess if you pony up for one of these you don't get rid of it till it's 2 clicks from imploding. Then I decided to add the Sclade to the mix. I also never thought of myself as a Sclade kinda guy but it really just is a velvet Yukon. Well found lots and lots of elderly owned, very well taken car of and most Importantly reasonably priced options! I found a Maroon metalic 2007 very nicely optioned, very well taken care of with 150k and it was pretty cheap! I still have it. All I can say is replace the relays in the power distribution block which are cheap and will save you lots of issues. Over all love the vehicle.
Tommy terrific commentary on this one. I can totally understand.
TFL did it first!!! Wow.. Finally.. I have a 2003 Cadillac Escalade Esv same color 170k the best Escalade in my opinion overall! Would love to see more videos of this truck! Great job guys.
Good humor but still with a genuine in-depth time-travel review, nice job 👍
My brother in law lives in Sarasota in a retirement community, and he loves his escalade!
That comment at the beginning of the video had me rolling on the floor. I have to send this to my sister.
I bought the same car!!!Its my camper trailer hauler.
N code 6 liter and 2 grand less than a Yukon..You are nailing the description.
My friends harass me about the purchase.
I wonder how many of the early models of these got junked in the "cash for clunkers" program. Lot of good engines saw their demise for a few bucks.
Hey Tommy! You probably already know that but the 6000 vortec refer to the cc. 6000cc like motorbikes 500cc = 1/2 liter, 1000cc = 1.0 liter, 6000cc = 6.0 liter. You probably knew that but just to make sure 😉
I kind of want one now, but I think I'd take the ext for the pickup aspect
😂 great review. Loves how you describe the smell. I have an 04 Tahoe with the 5.3 and it’s been great. Nearly 200 k on it now. Scared to death of the new engines. Turbos, cylinder deactivation etc. planned obsolescence at a mark up.
The AFM.... I had it turned off in my 2016 Yukon XL with the 5.3.... Good so far all time V8 😈😈
I have an ‘04 Burban LS w/ 192k miles. Absolutely love the vehicle. Runs and shifts smooth and has so much space, complete gas hog but I don’t drive that much for work so it just keeps on truckin for me
Get a GMT900, but make sure it’s non AFM (active fuel management). The 6.2 is a BEAST!
Can’t believe we refer to the early 2000s as “Back in the day”. Seems like yesterday.
"Smells like sweat and shame in here", this line deserves to be in the hall of fame of car reviews!
You need to 1. replace that grill with factory 2. Deep clean .3. enjoy
They started to get really good with the 2007+ generation. I had one for 6 years unit someone pulled out in front of me😭 great power, nice features, tones of room for my family and dogs, highly capable in almost any terrain with it's locking rear and full time awd. I'll buy one again some day and turn it in to a hot rod
The transmissions suffered and the interiors were cheapened.
Not to mention the issue with the vvt
@BL Dontmatter Got an 07 Yukon Denali lifted 4" with a 3" body lift on 35" mud terrains at 182k miles while keeping air ride. Has the 6.2 liter without DOD/afm stock (07&08). Awd does fine in the NW logging roads and deep snow. The rear G80 kicks in, but would like a e- locker up front. Had it for about 5 years now and still next to new on the inside. I even condition the leather seats. Exterior has been modified for offroad and does pretty well. Going to build a front bumper for my winch and a swing-out tire carrier for the rear and rock sliders. Have some other engine/transmission/brakes performance mods too, but nothing too crazy. This is what happens when a Jeep guy gets a 'nice' family suv!
I love my 07, only complaint is gas mileage is not even 10 mpg🤦🏻♂️
@BL Dontmatter Yes I think it has emissions issues. Check engine is on already replaced PCV valve but it needs more work
Old vs new ike gauntlet. You need to make it happen
Back in the old days people drive in big land yacht Cadillac sedans in the 1970s. In the 2000s it was the Escalade, the land yacht SUV.
FORD EXCURSION IS STILL THE KING OF S.UV!= 🐯🐯🐯🐯👑👑👑👑
Early 2000s trucks are the best, I have my 2003 expedition and it runs like an Angel and sooo feckin comfy.
I bought n 05 esv last year, 80k miles on it, sofa seats, very comfy ride, under 10k
what state??
My 2005 Touareg is costing me way too much in maintenance to keep as a daily driver. This would be the perfect car to replace it with. Actively searching for a rust free ESV model
When did the Escalade go from "THE car if you're a real baller" to "ooo, someone called a fancy Uber"?
That Escalade was one of the coolest cars out back in the day
You guys did the video as an early 2000's MTV
Pure Nostalgia
Great Job guys 😂🤞🏼
Back in the day I had a neighbor who owned an escalade in riptide blue, with spinning rims.
Best review ever! I found it a mix between Hoovie's Garage, Doug Demuro, and Tim Allen thrown in for comedy.
With the current market and condition, that's a solid deal I'd say. I don't think they're going to see a value bubble like what is happening with some GMT400 trucks but I don't think it'll go down much for a very long time.
Tommy, I like you analogies. Funny. And your not wrong. College in 2009 well spent in an Escalade.
I had a 2002 Suburban. Loved that truck. My kids were little, and we felt safe. I threw studded snow tires on it in the winter, and it went everywhere.
When I was in grade school and you had a black Escalade or Navigator you became popular no matter who you are.
I think the reason u brought the Escalade is because u guys watched the Doug DeMuro video from a few days ago mentioning used luxury cars and SUVs 😂😅
Great video. Can't wait to see what you do with all these big SUVs
“It smells like sweat and shame in here”
Classic, truly classic
Shoot if you don’t want it I’ll buy it. 2nd gens are my favorite
The navigator of this gen was better with a lux interior. But navigator and Escalade were equal in term of rap lyric mentions. But in 2007 was when caddy took the lead and never looked back. They actually put a decent interior in it and the exterior was better than the gator. Lincoln let their product languish.
Gauges and steering wheel was better than newer model after this
The memory system would also go back the disk and track you were listening to the last time you were driving.
If my Pre-K additional skills are correct, TFL now owns three giant 90's and 2000's SUV's, that's alot of gas
GMT800 there fun, only thing I hope you don't use you heater to much. Because that Heater Core is a Pita. I got 2001 Tahoe and up to this day, it plagged by fuel pump issues
Back when the interior differences was just wood trim lol. At least they finally changed that
Tommy, Nerd...Yes, Annoying...No. Thanks for keeping us well informed.
Tony Soprano's choice. He's cool.
This was the best escalade outside of the new one, I absolutely love the square bodys.
Can't believe some classic truck lover hasn't flipped out on you and said Squarebodies were from 1973 to 1986 with at least a dozen exclamation points and an angry face. 😂😂
This is not a square body!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Squarebodies were from 1973 to 1986 !!!!!!!!!!!! 🤬
The Interior is Identical to my 2001 GMC Yukon. Literally can't tell the difference between the two. Everything is made of plastic and gets brittle and breaks. Especially here in the California Sun. Both the 5.3's and 6.0's were pretty decent motors though. My Yukon is still chugging along even at 250k miles.
I have hated this model since 2003, I don’t know why, but I loved this video!!! After watching it I believe it is a great-luxurious suv!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Love our 03 escalade, the only issue is the steering is really loose. Anyone else have this problem? It doesn't help that when you hit bumps it has torque steer due to the awd system. We've tried tightening up the steering box but it seems to be something else.
I can’t believe you touched that seat bottom cover after you described who and what you thought went on in there. That would have been the first thing to go (with rubber gloves).
"The hip hop" at the beginning says everything the next 3 minutes does in less words.
Just sold my 2003 cadillac escalade esv I had for a few years had almost 250,000 miles on it still ran strong and all had lots of money put in it that u couldn't see expensive ride but nice sold it cuz front end was going out and lots of money just to fix it just wasn't worth it anymore
Hello, I am Tommy Demuro going over the quirks and features of this Cadillac Escalade.
We just bought a 2006 Yukon Denali XL with 120,000 miles and paid $23,000 so you stole that one. On ours no one ever reset the fuel used and its at like 9900 gallons. Also the engine hours are super low like under 1300. The one we bought is pretty much mint inside and out but its funny because we also bought a very nice 2005 Chevy Suburban and its got the overhead DVD player but the Denali does not. But I love the bigger 6.0 in the Denali. Great video.
You payed way TOO MUCH
@@captainamericaamerica8090 Well my boss paid way too much. But yes it was over priced.
If you haven’t; this is the time to use an ozone generator. Be mindful of the safety concerns, but it may help with that miasma inside the Escalade.
Absolutely loves this series of SUVs American Style. ☘️🇮🇪👍.
Plus now you have the Triton, the 350 Small Block and the Vortex.
I love how I can hear the plastic creaks on the video.
Sums up every early 2000's GM vehicle.
It's funny how he attacks the escalade for having cheap plastic interior when he loves jeeps. Jeep Rubicon is 65k and it's all plastic, even the fenders and bumpers are plastic but he thinks those are amazing... and it only has a v6.
These were "luxury" trucks with a Chevy work truck dashboard with fake wood sprinkled on it lol. Little different.
Why buy 2nd Gen Escalade ?
To Add some 24 Dubs, lower air suspension & custom paint and interior as well as ICE and lotts of sub audio.
Far from stock Midnight Club 3 vibes.
The late 90s The early 2000s , up to about 2005 , were absolute peak big American suv. Give me a late 90s Suburban, a 2005 Ford Excursion and a 2005 Escalade ESV please.
I've never been more thankful that smells can't come over videos