04 Escalade ESV Buyers Remorse?

[ux460]

Last Friday on a whim I stopped at a used car dealer to look at a 2004 Escalade ESV. Talked to the salesman and worked out a deal. With the trade in of my car (2004 Mercury Monterey including the payoff I still owe $9000.00) tax, license, etc the Ecalade comes in for $26,041.00. The car: it's a repo bought at auction. Dealer told me this up front and gave me the carfax report. 36,000 miles with the remaining 4yr 50,000 full warranty running out in January 2008. Has new 17 " tires and new rims. The "tire sensor monitor" was on when I drove it. Dealer said he would fix it. I took it home for the weekend to try it out. Monday I brought it back and told him I couldn't afford the car (no money has changed hands yet). He asked what the problem was. I told him the following items needed to be fixed and I couldn't afford to do that: Besides the "tire monitor system" warning coming on the air bag warning light comes on occasionally, the rear backup sensor system doesn't work, some of the control buttons on the steering wheel are not illuminated, needs an ashtray (I need an ashtray), part of the cup holder structure is missing, one of the knobs for the cargo net is missing, the "traction control" warning light does not come on when the car is started (if I read the book right it should). the radio needs some buttons replaced, and a few other little annoyances that need to be taken care of. Told the dealer that there is no Navigation disc and it would cost me $200.00 to buy one. He said he'd pay for that too. Then I told him that I couldn't afford to maintain the vehicle after the warranty expired and I couldn't afford a $3000.00 GM warranty. He said his cost for a full GM warranty with zero deductible is $2450.00 and he'd pay half leaving me with the other half (I've got that in writing). I signed the deal. Tuesday he brought the car to the nearest Cadillac dealer (50 miles away) to get everything fixed and gave me a loaner. Called me yesterday to say that the Cadillac dealer was waiting on some parts for the car and wouldn't be done with it until next week however, if I wanted it for the weekend he'd go get for me and bring it back Monday. I said no I'd just wait.

Buyers remorse? I think I got a fairly good deal but like everything else I question myself. What do you think? Or what should I have done differently if I have to do this again in the future?

[slk230mb]

The extended warranty will be your best friend.

[hcvone]

Welcome to the Forum. You have to watch what you by on a whim, when it's thousands of dollars ou can get burnt. Everyone does things different, I sell high end Real Estate, some of my buyers spend big bucks without ever seeing the homes before they buy, other want to see the home 10 times, I don't blame them for that it's a lot on money. I tell people do your "homework" so you know what prices are good or not, see if you can afford your purchase in case something happens like losing your job or illness. Now enjoy your truck

[caddycruiser]

Exactly. Just make sure you know what you're getting into. It seems you already have, taking it for an extended test and giving the dealer a list of issues to fix, but you can never be too sure--especially when it comes to an expensive, and used, vehicle. However, the extended warranty should be your friend should anything come up, as no car is really cheap to fix and the same holds true and more for an Escalade as it ages.

Just gotta keep yourself in check on "whim" purchases, especially when they're cars. Hope it all goes well, though

[Playdrv4me]

You didnt tell us how much you put down, OR how much they gave you for the Mercury. Depending on how much you put down, and how much you got for your Monterey (though I doubt it was much if any more than what you owed on it being a Minivan), 26000 seems decent. I paid 21 for my 03 with 44k and carried 4 from a BMW I owed 26000.00 on which was bought on a whim.

The ESVs do tend to sell a little cheaper than the regular body Escalades and EXT's though. Just like Suburban vs. Yukon etc.

The problems you listed are not even worth mentioning as far as Im concerned if the truck is under warranty.

[Superior Cadillac]

Let me ask you this. How come you didn't just get the Cadillac Certified that would cover you 6 years from the inservice date and 100,000 miles on the odometer and Cost is $1100.00 with no deductible? Did you buy it at a Cadilllac dealer?

Sounds like he pulled a number on you.

I have a black 04 on my lot and I include that from the get go.

[Playdrv4me]

It sounds to me like that unit didnt come from a Cadillac dealer. Maybe a GM dealer, but not a Cadillac dealer.

Also, some of the Cadillac dealers here in Florida will offer some units Certified and others not. There was an 02 I was interested in really cheap with low miles and I was told it wasnt certified due to the price. That it COULD be certified, but the price would increase. I dont know if that is Taboo in the GM world, but well, thats what I was told. Ive had that explanation given to me at other highline dealers as well (lower price non-certified to move the unit etc.).

Out of curiousity, how much is your 04? ESV or regular?

[Guyz1996deville]

did you do a carfax?