We choose Cadillac Escalade III - it costs less than the new Lada Vesta

Buying a car is a responsible business, because you want to buy a car a year “fresher” and at the same time a higher class. Some solve the issue radically - they buy new budget equipment in dealerships. And someone sharply recalls the dream of a lifetime - a large and luxurious car.


The third generation Cadillac Escalade, which was produced from 2006 to 2014, is the epitome of luxury, “coolness” and high status. Prices for cars start at 1 million rubles and end at 3,2 million. It turns out that SUVs sold at the bottom of the market can be taken cheaper than the new Lada Vesta.

History of the model

The very first Escalade was based on the GMC Yukon. The manufacturer did not particularly try - he just changed the badges on the top modification of the SUV. This was unworthy of a brand like Cadillac, and after 2 years the generations changed. Escalade II was produced on the GMT800 chassis, but this is a full-fledged model, not a GMC with other nameplates.



A new generation of American luxury SUV debuted in 2006. The car received a 6.2 Vortec gasoline engine developing 409 hp. With.

Information for the thrifty! Since 2010, all Cadillac Escalade III began to be equipped with a half-cylinder shutdown system at low load on the power unit. Only on used cars, this option can act up, which creates a lot of problems for the owner.

Features of the body

Cadillac Escalade has always been a typical American SUV in terms of bodywork. Thick iron, but low anti-corrosion resistance. In the third generation, they tried to solve this problem, or the SUV is not old enough for rust. It is difficult to find a rotten Cadillac Escalade even at the bottom of the market - you don’t have to worry about this.

The frame, of course, rusts, but there is such a thickness that it will take at least 25 years until corrosion becomes critical. But there is one serious nuance to this car that every potential buyer should know - the VIN number. It is applied to the frame and, if its previous owner did not process anything, it may well turn into dust.



Buying an SUV with an unreadable VIN is a 100% guarantee of registration problems. Yes, and for a purchased car, it is better to immediately process this place on the frame - otherwise there will be problems during the sale later.

But the chrome parts of the body, all kinds of overlays that give the SUV brutality, are not encouraging with durability. The coating fades and peels off, which spoils the whole appearance. If you have connections, you can send decorative elements for chrome plating in the factory, because buying new parts can ruin.



The door handles of the huge SUV are too weak. They break off, you just need to apply a little more force to them. For example, in winter, if the door freezes.



At sub-zero temperatures, it is not recommended to wash the car at all - even after purging, water will flow out of various slots for at least half an hour. And if you try to open the windows on the street - there is a chance to break the mechanisms of the lifts.

Is it expensive to maintain?

Buying a huge SUV like the Cadillac Escalade III is a dream come true or just an impulse buy. From the standpoint of common sense, it is difficult to explain this - the car is huge, it seems inconvenient for the city, plus high fuel consumption.

But it is worth talking with the owners of such a car, as you can be surprised to find out that it stands out from the competition. The Cadillac Escalade III is generally reliable, rarely breaks down seriously, and withstands the toughest use.



But this often does not work in favor of the new owner - some people buy an SUV with a "bouquet" of minor problems, do nothing, and then sell it after a year or a year and a half. As a result, it will be very expensive to bring the car into perfect technical condition. So when buying, you need a thorough personal examination, and then go for a full diagnosis.



The average investment that Cadillac Escalade III requires after purchase is about 300 rubles, and this is for a “live” car. Plus, every 000 km must be serviced according to the regulations - and this is at best 8 rubles. Well, the transport tax for 000 liters. With. will be more than 15 per year.

Another item of expenditure is gasoline. In the manual, the city consumption is indicated at the level of 21 liters. In fact, it all depends on how you drive. Someone's consumption is approaching 35 liters, but on average it stays at 25 in the city.

Suspension, electrical and brakes

At first glance, it seems that the Cadillac Escalade III is a typical American SUV with a reliable suspension, like a pickup truck. But it is not for nothing that he is considered the flagship of the brand - everything is more complicated here.



Let's start with the rear air struts - when diagnosing, it is important to carefully check them. If the shock absorbers release air, the compressor will quickly come out of a standing position, which will pull the pillows along with it and result in an expensive repair. But if you talk to the owners on the forums, you can restore everything much cheaper.

The front suspension is equipped with a Ride Control system and does not like frost. A pair of original shock absorbers for about 60 rubles is also a serious expense. The rear ones will cost even more, plus the compressor.



There are a lot of electricians on the Cadillac Escalade III, and it does not shine with reliability.

Main problems:

• Bulbs often burn out regardless of price and manufacturer
  
• The diode bridge is junk, but it will have to be changed along with the generator
  
• Heated rear window suffers from falling threads
  
• Rain sensor may not work properly
  
• Retractable footrest motors fail
  

Here it is worth mentioning the braking system. Owners often complain that a huge car stops badly, and during sharp maneuvers, the disks quickly overheat. But this is only annoying for the first week, and then the owners get used to planning their actions in advance.

Engine and transmission

The non-alternative V8 engine with a displacement of 6,2 liters is exactly what sinks into the soul of anyone who has ever driven a Cadillac Escalade. The huge and heavy SUV looks like a clumsy "behemoth", but when you press the gas, the engine comes to life with a pleasant roar. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in less than 7 seconds.



The engine is a simple aspirated, structurally old, therefore it has a huge margin of safety. But the gearbox has a lot of questions. No, it is reliable and even six-speed, but it is tuned in a peculiar way. The owners complain that the automatic transmission is not suitable for dynamic driving - it switches early, even at low revs, and “dulls” when you press the gas pedal sharply. You have to either constantly use kickdown, or get used to the features of the box.

Cadillac Escalade III is a real American frame SUV with the appropriate level of safety and patency. If you decide to take such a car for yourself, once again calculate the cost of maintaining it, not forgetting about fuel and transport tax. If the amount does not scare you, feel free to buy - dreams must come true!